Tenerife: the most beautiful beaches

Tenerife is the largest and most populated island of the Canary Islands. It is a very special place thanks to its volcano, Mount Teide and its warm climate all year round. This island offers its visitors the most spectacular views of a its natural environment and its lush flora.

Tenerife also offers you a very interesting food experience. There are plenty of restaurants and trendy bars (especially in the South), where you can spend the night with your partner, your friends or your family but the beaches are the most iconic symbol of this island.

The beaches in southern Tenerife

The southern side of the island is the most touristically developed. Here the climate is hot during the summer, but it is mild and pleasant during the winter, making the island the ideal destination for seaside tourism all year round.

In this part of the island you will find the best equipped beaches, the most interesting bars, the most exciting nightlife. You will find many tourist attractions and old villages of fishermen transformed into high quality resorts.

The quality of the beaches is excellent and they can meet any requirements as they are all different and some of the them are isolated from the crowds.

The best beaches of southern Tenerife with maps Golden Sand beaches:

- Playa de Las Teresitas

This is an artificial beach realized with tons of sand from the Sahara Desert. This beautiful beach can be easily reached from Santa Cruz. Nearby you can visit the gorgeous village of San Andrés if you want to discover the most traditional Tenerife.

- Playa Del Duque, Costa Adeje

It is a small beach that has earned the Blue Flag, which certifies the overall good quality of the water, the beach and the facilities. It is located on the Adeje coast, the most developed tourist part of the island. It has wonderful light sand and great equipment. The light sand gives the sea water wonderful crystalline shades.

- Playa Fañabé and Playa Torviscas, Costa Adeje

On Costa Adeje you will also find Playa de Fañabé. Awarded the Blue Flag, this wonderful very well-equipped beach is surrounded by charming bars and restaurants. Not far is Playa Torviscas, one of the best equipped beaches of the island. It is also the largest one as it is 290 metres long.

Together with Playa de Fañabé, it is located in the most exciting part of Tenerife. Here you can lie on the sand and sunbathe, try water sports, or have a cocktail by the pool.

- Playa La Troya, las Américas

These are the most high-profile beaches on Costa Adeje where you can experience both the most exciting activities and the most relaxing ones. These beaches are ideal for families with children because the waves are calm.

Nearby you will find shops, shopping malls and hotels. Playa las Américas was built in the 1960s and belongs to the municipality of Arona.

- Playa El Camisón, las Américas

In the municipality of Arona, close to Playa de las Américas, you will find this wonderful golden sandy beach protected by two breakwaters. Perfectly equipped, it is ideal for families with children.

Black sand beaches (volcanic origin) southern Tenerife:

The rest of the beach is covered in black sand since the island has volcanic origins.

- Playa de los Gigantes

Los Gigantes is a wonderful town on the coast of Tenerife, not far from the most popular tourist area. The whole territory is characterised by high cliffs called Los Gigantes but you can also find natural black sandy beaches, such as La Playa de Los Gigantes, near the harbour.

- Playa de Masca

Wonderful wild beach of volcanic origin, Playa de Masca is located in the southern part of the island. You can reach it on foot, following the path from the village of Masca, or by water. It is very quiet and private.

- Playa de la Tejita

This beach is for those who want to be surrounded by nature. More than one kilometre long, it is located in el Médano, Granadilla de Abona.

This is a protected area that is worth a visit! From here you can see the wonderful Montana Roja, an extinct volcano which dominates over a wonderful protected natural area.

The beaches of Northern Tenerife with map

We talked about the beaches of the southern part of the island as the most touristically developed, but the northern side of Tenerife can offer wonderful beaches and fascinating landscapes too.

Even if this area is not as developed as the southern one, it is more authentic, wild and less crowded. You can find several beautiful beaches surrounded by a natural environment.

Black sand beaches (volcanic origin) Northern Tenerife :

Playa de Bollullo

This wonderful natural beach is located in the area of El Rincón and it is a volcanic beach. It is ideal for leaving the noise of the city behind and spending some time with yourself in the middle of nature. You can surf because the waves are big all year round. The access to the beach is not easy as it requires a 45-minute walk, but it is worth it!

- Playsa de Benijo

Welcome to one of the most secluded beaches of Tenerife which you can reach on foot along a narrow pathway with steps. The beach is attended by nudists and has colossal waves which make the sea suitable for surfers all year round. Nearby you can find typical restaurants and bars.

- Playa Jardin

Playa Jardin, together with Playa Chica and Punta Brava, is located in Puerto Cruz and was designed by the artist and architect César Manrique. This complex is close to Loro Parque and is equipped with breakwaters which make it safe for children too.

Uncrowded beaches in Tenerife

- Playa de Antequera

This wonderful volcanic beach can be reached only on foot through a pathway or by sea. The natural landscape is very fascinating as the beach is close to the Cliff of Anaga Mountains.

- Playa de Roque Bermejo (Anaga)

This little corner of paradise lies near the Anaga Mountains and you can reach it only on foot or by water.

- Natural pools of Garachico

This one of the most fascinating places to have a swim in. It is in the northern part of the island like most the natural beaches. It is a very suggestive spot, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is made up of a series of natural ponds, like pools, where people of all ages can swim safely and in tranquillity.

From the ponds, you can see both the reef and the small historical village nearby. You will find a lot of accommodation facilities and restaurants.

- Playa de Diego Hernández

Known as Playa Bianca, this beautiful beach is situated in Santa Cruz, between La Caleta and El Puertito. It offers a protected environment which, in the last few years, has undergone different interventions (abusive constructions were destroyed).

- Beaches for snorkelling in Tenerife

Tenerife is a paradise for those who love snorkelling. The island has an unusual seabed close to the shore.

- Punta de Teno

This fascinating promontory, with its lighthouse, is part of the municipality of Buenavista del Norte. It belongs to the western part of the island and it is part of a protected area.

- Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes is a suitable place for snorkelling.

- Charcho del Viento

It is a very lovely area for swimming as there are natural pools. It is located in La Guancha and the pathway to reach it is quite simple.

Even if we talked about a lot of beaches, this was only a brief introduction to the wonders of Tenerife. The best thing to do is to visit this spectacular place in person.

Tenerife will not disappoint you whether you choose the very well-equipped beach clubs or the wild beauty of its most inaccessible and wild spots.