Most people land in the south, dump their bags, and walk to the nearest beach without thinking twice. For a lot of people, that works fine, but if you’ve ever driven past a sign for a beach you’ve never heard of and thought “should I have stopped there?”, then this is for you.
Tenerife has a good variety of beaches. Some are genuinely good. Some are imported sand on concrete, dressed up with sunbeds and a cocktail menu. Some are wild and black and volcanic and completely unlike anything you’d expect from a Tenerife holiday. And a few are the kind of place where you sit down, look out at the water, and go very quiet for a while.
I’ve been to many of them and this is just my personal opinion of what I actually think of them.
The South Beaches: Good, But Know What You’re Getting
Playa del Duque is a good one to start with. It’s in Costa Adeje, well kept with soft and pale sand, and the water is calm enough to have a nice safe swim. You have to pay for sunbeds which can put people off but this also keeps the crowd to a reasonable level. On a Tuesday morning in October, it’s genuinely lovely. In August, it’s rammed. That’s just the reality.
Playa Fañabé is right next door and slightly more relaxed in feel and some find the bars in the area are a little bit cheaper compared to Duque.
Playa de las Américas is popular with visitors because it’s conveniently located across the road from many large hotels in the area but it does get loud and crowded at times.
Los Cristianos has a breakers to keep the water calm which makes it great for families. The water barely moves. Kids can paddle without you having a heart attack. It’s a safe and accessible beach that has become popular to many locals and visitors.
The Black Sand Beaches Can Be Surprising
Black sand is the natural sand of the island and it can get quite hot under the feet when compared to other types of beach sand. If you haven’t visited one before, make sure you take some footwear to protect for the soles of the feet in case it gets too hot on the beach. Nothing funnier than watching people sprint across the beach as if they’re treading fire coals.
These beaches look different in photos than in real life and while photos can make them look very dramatic, in reality they can look a grey and rough.
Playa Jardín in Puerto de la Cruz is the black sand beach most people know, but it’s not a beach I would consider for sunbathing or for swimming. The sand and the rough waves don’t make it that appealing but on the plus side, the imposing view of Mount Teide in the background and the quaint old town being a short walk from the promenade, add to the appeal of the location.
Playa de la Arena on the west coast near Los Gigantes, is also different. It’s smaller but sheltered so that you have calm water and a proper local feel in the area. The sand is dark grey rather than black and there’s a promenade with a handful of bars and restaurants available, and on a quiet weekday it’s one of the nicest spots on the island.
The Beaches Worth the Drive
El Médano is only a short distance from the south airport which makes it very convenient. The town is small and relaxed and the beach stretches for nearly two kilometres where there seems to be a constant wind blowing. This is why it has a reputation for windsurfing and kite surfing and many championship events are held there. It attracts a lot of water sport enthusiasts and spectators alike and an area where there is always something going on.
The wind does mean it’s not always the most comfortable sunbathing beach. Sand in your face, towel flapping, that kind of thing. The light in late afternoon is something else, with Montana Roja turning into a deep rust colour and the surrounding water reflecting a silvery glow, making the whole area look almost ethereal.
Playa de la Tejita is next to El Médano and is one of the few untouched beaches left in the south with just a long stretch of sand at the foot of Montana Roja and clear water which is often void of anyone depending on the day. You need to take everything with you to make a day of it and that includes the drinks, shade, and the food. If you want to visit a beach that’s mostly untouched, then this is one is for you.
Playa de Benijo is in the northeast near the Anaga mountains is probably the most dramatic beach on the island but the road to get to it is narrow and winding and is well worth the exploration. With black sand and sea stacks rising out of the water, the cliffs of Anaga complete the dramatic scenery . It’s not the safest of places to swim, but you can sit on the rocks and eat a bocadillo from the little bar at the top of the steps and take in the view.
The Weather Is Varied Depending On Location
Don’t assume that Tenerife is sunny everywhere all the time because it’s quite the opposite. The north of the island can be cloudy and cool, especially between November and March. The Anaga area in particular has its own microclimate, green and misty and nothing like the south. You can drive from a sunny Costa Adeje to a completely overcast Playa de Benijo in under an hour.
The south is more reliable when it comes to sunshine according to data, and if guaranteed sunshine is what you’re after, stay south and beach south. If you take a chance on the weather for the sake of seeing something more interesting or new, then the north and west coasts will reward you for it.
The Spanish Meteorological Agency publishes forecasts by zone for the island, which is more specific to the area of the island rather than the island as a whole.
What the Overrated Ones Have in Common
The beaches that disappoint people the most are usually the ones that are most developed and commercialised. Lots of sunbeds, lots of bars, lots of noise, and a kind of manufactured quality that makes you feel like you’re in a beach themed shopping centre rather than on an actual coastline.
Playa de Troya in Playa de las Américas is the one I’d point to because it’s just relentlessly commercial. The water is fine and the sand is imported, but the whole thing feels completely unnatural but I guess it does what it was intended to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best beach in Tenerife for families?
Los Cristianos or Playa del Duque. Los Cristianos has the calmest water on the island, which is ideal for young children. Playa del Duque is cleaner and better kept, with good facilities and calm conditions most of the year.
Are there any nudist beaches in Tenerife?
Yes. Playa de la Tejita near El Médano is clothing optional and well known for it. Playa del Ancón near Los Gigantes is another. Neither is exclusively nudist, so you won’t feel out of place either way.
Which Tenerife beaches have the clearest water?
The west coast beaches, particularly Playa de la Arena and the small coves around Los Gigantes, tend to have the clearest water. The south beaches are generally clean but can get churned up when it’s busy.
Can you swim at the black sand beaches?
Some yes, some no. Playa de la Arena is calm and safe for swimming. Playa Jardín and Playa de Benijo have stronger Atlantic swells and aren’t really swimming beaches. Always check the flag system before you get in.
When is the best time to visit Tenerife beaches?
April to June and September to November are the sweet spots. Warm enough to swim, not so hot that the beaches are packed. July and August are busy and hot. December to February is quieter and still warm in the south, though the north can be unpredictable.
Do Tenerife beaches have Blue Flag status?
Several do, including Playa del Duque, Playa Fañabé, and Playa de los Cristianos. Blue Flag status means the water quality and facilities are regularly checked and meet European standards.
One Last Thing
If you only have time for one beach you wouldn’t normally have found on your own, make it Playa de la Tejita or Playa de Benijo. No sunbeds, no cocktail menu, no one trying to sell you a boat trip. Just the island, the sea, and whatever you brought with you.
That’s the version of Tenerife that people remember most, not the polished resort version, athough that has its place too. The version that feels like it exists whether you’re there or not. The version that doesn’t need you to enjoy it. Those are the beaches worth finding.
