Tenerife best beaches
There is bathing weather 365 days a year on the "island of eternal spring"! That is why a holiday in Tenerife is especially attractive to sun-seekers and many of the up to five million tourists who come to the island every year for a beach holiday. From classic white sandy beaches with tropical palm trees to beaches against an impressive backdrop of rocks and gorges and the pitch-black lava sand beaches in the north and northwest, the Canary Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. The breathtaking diversity of the island is also reflected in the 40 beaches of Tenerife!
From north to south, we present some of the most beautiful beaches of Tenerife, including secluded insider tips and recommendations for a family holiday in Tenerife.
Beaches in the north of Tenerife
Tenerife is known - not only within the island - for its black sandy beaches. A prime example among the beaches of Tenerife is the Playa Jardin in the former fishing town of Puerto de la Cruz. The beach of black volcanic sand is lined with an impressive rocky backdrop, wild cacti and tall palm trees. A special feature of the black beaches in Tenerife is that sand and pebbles are pleasantly warm even in cloudy weather. In the north, which is somewhat cooler and more humid than the south, it is precisely on these beaches that you can also swim in winter.
However, one of the most popular beaches in Tenerife is not a black volcanic beach, but Playa de Las Teresitas, which is located behind the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The white sandy beach consists of sand that was exported from the Sahara more than 30 years ago - and since then it has radiated Caribbean flair on the Canary Island! As the beach goes shallow into the sea and is protected by a mole, the Atlantic Ocean is relatively calm here. This makes Playa de Las Teresitas the perfect destination for a day at the beach on a family holiday in Tenerife! Without a rental car, the beach can be reached from the bus station in Santa Cruz with line 910, which leaves for the beach every ten minutes.
More beaches in the north of Tenerife:
- Playa Martiánez
- Playa de Bollullo
- Playa San Marcos and
- Playa del Socorro
Apart from pitch black beaches and classic white sand beaches with tropical palm trees, many of Tenerife's beaches are set against an impressive backdrop of rocks and ravines. Playa de Los Roques is famous for its black lava sand beaches and spectacular views of the rocky panorama. When the weather is good, you can see as far as the island of La Gomera from the beach. In the north of Tenerife in Garachico and Bajamar there are also two sea swimming pools. A unique experience is the Piscinas Naturales de Caletón in Garachico, which formed a natural swimming pool from cooling lava after a volcanic eruption in 1706. In contrast, the Bajamar marine swimming pool is protected by rocks and artificial walls and is particularly suitable for barrier-free bathing.
Beaches in the south of Tenerife
In the south of Tenerife there is much less rain than in the north. Even in winter the temperature often exceeds 22°C, while in summer it rarely gets hotter than 30°C. For a sunny holiday or an extended bathing and beach day it is therefore worthwhile to explore the southern coast of Tenerife. Here you can find the biggest and most beautiful beaches of Tenerife!
A beach particularly suitable for family holidays in Tenerife is Playa Los Cristianos. Due to its location at the port of the old fishing village, the water is shallower and calmer than on other beaches on the island, which makes bathing with small children less stressful. Its location at one of the most important and busiest ports in the south of Tenerife has another advantage: from here you can take speedboats or car ferries to the neighbouring islands of La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma or Gran Canaria.
Playa Las Vista, which is also located in Los Cristianos, and excursions to Playa Las Americas, which is only 20 minutes away by car, are also popular.
More beaches in the south of Tenerife:
- Playa del Médano
- Playa del Duque
- Playa de la Arena
- Playa Fañabe and
- Playa Torviscas
An insiders' tip among the beaches of Tenerife is Playa de la Tejita - and this despite the fact that it is one of the most picturesque beaches with views of Montana Roja, reddish lava sand and turquoise blue water! This almost unspoilt natural beach is located between El Médano and Los Abrigos and attracts mainly locals for sunbathing over a distance of only one kilometre. Although the beach slopes gently into the sea and the swell is moderate, the undercurrent can be treacherous. Children should only go in the water under supervision!
Tenerife is an island of superlatives for surfing - hardly any other place has so many spots suitable for surfing! This is due to the volcano Pico del Teide, which takes the wind out of the sails of the north-east trade winds, so to speak. So you can go surfing without blue lips not only in summer but also in the winter months on the "island of eternal spring" with pleasant air and water temperatures. A popular mecca for surfers is the Playa des Las Americas. Here also the most famous wave of Tenerife, "La Izquierda", breaks. However, the reef wave is also very popular with local surfers, so that tourists are rather banished to the spectators.
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