Palm trees on Teresitas beach, Canary Islands

15 Best Beaches in Tenerife: From North to South (+Map)

We’ve put together this guide to Tenerife’s best beaches after living on the island for a year as a family. Whether it’s mountain scenery, water sports, swimming, sunbathing or seclusion you seek, the black and golden sand beaches of this Canary Island are superb. 

The sun-drenched Canary Island of Tenerife is one of the world’s most popular beach holiday destinations. Tenerife is incredibly blessed when it comes to great beaches, and there’s one for you whether you want to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, surf, party or enjoy the silence. 

Southern Tenerife’s beaches are better known, but the north also offers a range of rugged, unspoiled spots. Some of the island’s beaches have black sand that’s the result of past volcanic activity, while others feature golden sand imported from the Sahara. 

While living in Tenerife for a year we sampled dozens of the island’s beaches. So we’ve written this article to share our favourites with you. This guide includes all the best beaches in Tenerife – and the ones that our family has enjoyed the most. 

Here are 15 of the top beaches in Tenerife, from north to south.

Playa del Duque, Tenerife

Black and White Sand Beaches

It may be that you’re specifically seeking a beach with black or golden sand. If that’s the case, here’s a quick reference rundown of the island’s finest golden sandy beaches and black volcanic sands. 

White Sand Beaches in Tenerife

The top white or golden sand beaches in Tenerife are Playa del Duque, Playa de la Tejita, Playa de Torviscas, Fañabé beach, Playa de Las Vistas, Playa del Médano, Los Cristianos Beach, Playa de la Pinta, Abama beach, Playa Diego Hernández and Playa de las Teresitas.

Black Sand Beaches in Tenerife

If you want to find black sand beaches, head for Playa de los Guios, Playa de La Arena, Bollullo Beach, Playa Jardin or Playa de Benijo.

Best Beaches in Tenerife North

Playa de las Teresitas

Playa de las Teresitas is northern Tenerife’s best known beach, and can be found close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s capital. The pretty little village of San Andrés is actually the closest location, however, and is worth a visit. 

Golden sand was brought from the Sahara to create this beach. It’s around two kilometres (or a mile-and-a-quarter) long, and there are palm trees here, plus sun loungers for hire and all the amenities you can possibly think of. An offshore barrier protects the beach, so the calm waters are ideal for children. It’s also great for swimming and snorkelling, though it can be very windy at times. 

Playa de las Teresitas golden sand beach

This beautiful beach is backed by the Anaga Mountains and has a good selection of restaurants close by. It’s not often crowded, so it’s perfect when you’re seeking peace. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the opportunity of driving uphill so you can enjoy views over Playa de las Teresitas from above (check out this viewpoint).

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden.
Accessibility: There’s a bus service from the Santa Cruz area to Playa de Las Teresitas. Hop onto bus number 910 at Intercambiador Santa Cruz and alight at Las Teresitas bus stop (Google Maps).
Parking: There is a large free car park right behind the beach, and we’ve always managed to find a spot there.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are toilets, showers and changing rooms. There also is disabled access at this beach. There are sunbeds for rent. 
Food: Several bars sell snacks and drinks by the beach. You can also head to the nearest village, San Andrés which has some lovely restaurants. 

Bollullo Beach

Playa El Bollullo is one for the wildlife lovers – as well as those seeking seclusion. It’s near La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz and features the island’s characteristic black sand. The towering cliffs and banana plantations behind the sand create the perfect backdrop.  

El Bollullo black sand beach, Tenerife

Though the beach is peaceful, the wave action can be strong here so do take care when swimming, especially when you have kids in tow. The black sand can also be hot underfoot. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Black.
Accessibility: This beach is remote. You can get there either by car via some very narrow roads, or on foot from Puerto de la Cruz. The walk takes about an hour each way (map here). The nearest bus stop is “El Rincón (T)” and bus number 376 goes there from La Orotava.
Parking: You can park your car at Restaurante Bollullo Beach for a 3 euro charge.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards.
Facilities: There are no changing rooms or showers at the beach. There is a toilet at the cafe and restaurant for customers to use. This beach is inaccessible to wheelchairs and those with walking difficulties. Parasol and sun-lounger rental is available.
Food: There is a café at the beach (Chiringuito Bollullo Beach) where you can grab something to eat and drink. You can also visit Restaurante Bollullo Beach where the car park is. Some tables offer fantastic views of the coastline.

Playa Jardin

Playa Jardin is the best beach in Puerto de la Cruz (PDLC) and is also near Loro Parque. It was designed by César Manrique, a well-known Canarian artist. The route to the sand takes you via picturesque gardens featuring local flora and waterfalls, and there are great views of Mount Teide from Playa Jardin. 

Black sand beach Playa Jardin , Tenerife

The beach is divided into three sections: Playa del Castillo, Playa Chica and Playa Maria Jiménez. That’s actually how it appears on Google Maps – you won’t find “Playa Jardin” as a whole there.

At this pretty beach, you’ll find a kids’ playground, a promenade that connects the beach and gardens, cafes and even a stage where regular shows are performed.

A perk of visiting this beach is that you can also enjoy the beautiful town of Puerto de la Cruz. We stayed near this beach in PDLC and had a great time. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Black.
Accessibility: The beach is easy to reach by bus or via a 20 minutes walk from the centre. Bus numbers 102, 30, 348, 351 and 352 stop close to Playa Jardin.
Parking: Parking can be a bit tricky, just try looking for a space on streets adjacent to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are showers, changing rooms and toilets. The wooden boardwalk also provides disabled access to the beach. There are sunbeds and parasols for hire.
Food: There are plenty of great restaurants around but expect the majority of good ones to be located around the Playa Maria Jiménez portion of the beach. We can recommend Restaurante Marlin and Restaurante Casa Julian.

Playa de Benijo

The last on our list is among the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife, and one of our favourites.  Playa de Benijo is so very scenic that it’s difficult to put it into words. It’s not the easiest to get to, but it’s so worth it. 

The beach can be found within Anaga Rural Park. There is only one road leading there. The journey will take you about 50 minutes from Santa Cruz, or around an hour and 40 minutes from Playa de las Americas. So if you really want to enjoy this beach properly, your best bet is to stay in this area. We can personally recommend the village of Taganana.

Playa de Benijo

Due to the location, this can be one of the most quiet beaches in Tenerife. It feels remote, and is backed by dramatic cliffs. There are unparalleled, picture postcard views of the Roques de Anaga rock formations too. The sunset here is incredibly special. 

Do take care if you want to swim here, however.  It’s a popular spot for surfing, and the tides can be strong. So it’s better to stick to jumping around in the waves close to the shore. 

Benijo beach at sunset

We recommend checking the tide times before your visit. During high tide, the beach is almost fully obscured by water.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Black
Accessibility: It’s best to drive to this beach. Bus number 946 will take you from Santa Cruz to Almaciga, but it’s over 2 kilometres from there to the beach – plus the downhill path to the sand. 
Parking: This place can get packed, and then it can be hard to find a parking space. Though car parks are provided by the restaurants, these are only for customers. We usually use the paid car park (location) which costs just 2 euros per day and is run by a local named Pepe. And another option is to drive up (turning left near the waste bins) until you reach the gravel road. You can look for a parking space here.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards.
Facilities: There are no toilets, showers or sunbeds available. You can find a restroom in one of the restaurants above the beach.
Food: There are numerous fish restaurants located on the cliff above the beach. We can recommend El Frontón and Casa Paca, but there are plenty of good ones.

Best Beaches in Tenerife South

Playa de los Guios – Los Gigantes Beach

Playa de los Guios – or Giant’s Beach – is a black sand beach at the foot of the famous Los Gigantes cliffs. It’s a sheltered spot, and thus ideal for sunbathers. During the morning, shade is provided here by the cliffs.

Los Gigantes beach

When we visited, the currents were pretty strong even though the waves were only moderate. So our advice is not to venture too far from the shore. Take care if you want to swim on the right-hand side, too, as there are some rocks on the ocean floor here.

Los Gigantes itself is a small resort with a relaxed air, and it’s popular with families from the UK in particular. There are enough cafes, restaurants and bars here, but no late-night clubs.

The beach is also very close to Los Gigantes harbour, where many boats offer dolphin and whale watching trips. Taking one of these is highly recommended.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Black
Accessibility: Los Gigantes is approximately 30 minutes’ drive north from southern Tenerife resorts. Bus number 477 connects the town with Costa Adeje while route 473 goes through Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos.
Parking: You can either look for parking on any street close to the beach (almost impossible to find) but we recommend heading straight to the paid harbour parking lot (here). The fee is 2 euros per hour, and the beach is a five minute walk from here.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: The beach is under 200 metres long, yet has all the facilities you need for the perfect beach day. Showers, toilets and changing rooms are available. The price of 2x sun loungers and a parasol is about 10€.
Food: Just a short walk away there are countless souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. Near the harbour, there are restaurants where you can sample delicious seafood and tapas too. We recommend KV Bar Gourmet, tas-k, and Maria Rosa.

Playa del Duque

Playa del Duque is one of the finest white sandy beaches in Tenerife. It’s an upmarket location, and close to some seriously stylish shops. You’ll also find great restaurants here plus attractive thatched parasols and striped huts.

Playa del Duque, Tenerife

This beach was awarded Blue Flag status for cleanliness and safety. It’s among the best beaches in Tenerife for families and for swimming. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: From Costa Adeje station, the bus lines to take to Playa Del Duque are 467, 471 and 473. The cost is about 1.45€ and the trip takes about 8 minutes. You can also get there by taxi. 
Parking: You have a few paid and free car parks to choose from. One is the underground parking at the Playa del Duque shopping centre (location). The first hour is free, and it’s a 5 minute walk to the beach from there.
The Corner mall (location) is a bit closer to the beach and the price is 3 cents per minute.
If you really do want to try your luck at getting free parking (though in Tenerife this can be like winning the lottery) you can try the car park near the Hotel Riu Palace Tenerife (location here). Or the one near the Fañabe Market (Google Maps). But this is further away, and closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Lifeguards: Lifeguard service, plus security and tourist information points.
Facilities: There are toilets, showers, changing rooms, sunbeds and disabled access ramps.
Food: Playa del Duque is near five star resorts, shopping malls and some great restaurants.

Playa de la Tejita

Playa de la Tejita is one of the best and largest wild beaches on the island. The large sweep of sand is close to El Medano, a popular resort for kitesurfers and windsurfers. As you might expect, it can get very windy here. 

La Tejita golden sand beach

Naturists and wildlife lovers favour this beach, yet it has an undiscovered feel and can be almost deserted on weekdays. The red volcanic rock here also gives it a very distinctive look, and looming Montaña Roja makes it seem more private. 

There are a few sunbeds here, but not many. Most of the beach is natural and unspoiled, and that’s what makes it so attractive. It’s not the best swimming beach for families, though, as the water becomes deep not far from the shore. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: Bus number 470 from Los Cristianos passes near Playa De La Tejita.
Parking: There is a large car park right by the beach. Also nearby is a camping and caravan site offering showers, a cafeteria and cabin hire.
Lifeguards: There is a lifeguard in a small area near the mountain where sunbeds are located.
Facilities: There are no toilet facilities at the beach. There is a good shopping centre 200 metres away, though, with everything you need including clean toilets. Sun loungers are available in a little area near the Montaña Roja mountain. You can rent a sun lounger and umbrella for a daily rate of 5 Euros.
Food: This wild beach offers no food options, but Street Market La Tejita 200 metres away (location) has a supermarket, cafes and restaurants. You could also walk to Chiringuito Pirata bar for a beer, a cocktail or a snack, or drive to El Medano which has a large selection of restaurants.

Torviscas and Fañabé Beaches

If you are looking for a nice beach with a lively atmosphere and lots of things to do around, then you’ll love this location where Torviscas and Fañabé beaches merge into one another. They do appear to be one continuous beach, and can be found in the heart of Costa Adeje. The two create the largest and most touristy beach area in Tenerife.

Fanabe beach, Tenerife

Between them, these twin beaches offer sunbathing, calm waters, water sports, cocktail bars and all the amenities you could wish for. Both beaches boast the Blue Flag award, guaranteeing cleanliness and good facilities. Water sports to try here include banana boating, paddle boarding, jet-skiing and parasailing. Adults can fully unwind here too while younger kids play around in the sand and by the shore. 

Torviscas beach, Tenerife

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden to grey.
Accessibility: Local bus numbers 467, 471, and 473 run to and from Playa de Torviscas and Playa Fañabé.
Parking: For free parking, try this or this. The second one is closed on Wednesdays and Saturdays, though. For paid parking, this one is good.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: Excellent facilities including disabled access, toilets, showers, tourist information, payphones, waste bins and municipal cleaning. Sun loungers and parasols for hire.
Food: The promenade offers lots of shops and restaurants.

Playa de las Vistas

Playa de las Vistas is located between Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. This is one of the top beaches in Tenerife for families. Though it’s over 800 metres long, it can be packed. Its popularity is down to the position, and the fact that this Blue Flag beach is safe for swimming and well maintained. 

Las Vistas beach, Tenerife

The promenade here also offers lots of cafes, restaurants and shops. With shallow water and great amenities, Playa de las Vistas is a Tenerife favourite. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: Buses 40, 418, 467, and 473 go from Costa Adeje to Playa de Las Vistas. 
Parking: Parking is difficult here. There are free spots all along Avenida la Habana between here and here, but you’re lucky if you can grab a free space. There is a very good paid car park near Los Cristianos port (Google Maps), which we personally like and use quite often for visiting Las Vistas beach or Los Cristianos.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: The beach has wheelchair access plus toilets and showers. Well-spaced parasols and sunbeds are also available for hire.
Food: There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby.

Playa del Médano

Playa del Médano adjoins Playa de la Tejita and is one of the nicest beaches in Tenerife thanks to the panoramic views of Red Mountain. It’s also Tenerife’s biggest beach, yet has a wild, untamed ambience. 

The trade winds and open bay here are why Playa del Médano is famed as a kite-boarding, surfing and windsurfing spot. This Blue Flag beach is suited to sunbathers and families too, however. Near Hotel Médano the ocean is calmer and there are cafes, shops and restaurants on the promenade.

Kitesurfing on El Medano Beach

Due to the gradual slope, you need to walk some way out for a swim here. Or to find the most peaceful spot on the sand, head in the direction of Montaña Roja.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: From Los Cristianos you can take bus number 470 to reach Playa del Médano. 
Parking: We usually use this free parking and have always found a free space there so far.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are showers and toilets here, plus great disabled access with ramps, assistance and amphibian crutches. Sun loungers and parasols are also available for hire. 
Food: Head along the promenade away from the beach to find cafes, restaurants and surf shops.

Playa de la Arena

Playa de la Arena in southwestern Tenerife has black sand, a Blue Flag award and stunning views of La Gomera. It’s thus a popular spot at sunset, and can get crowded at weekends too. 

This beach is located close to the resorts of Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes but Playa de la Arena can also be considered a small resort in itself, because there are a number of hotels, bars and restaurants situated by the beach. Make sure to check out our detailed guide about it.

Black sand beach Playa de la Arena

This beach is also home to one of the top Tenerife snorkelling spots, as underwater life clusters around the volcanic rocks here. On calmer days, the water is suitable for splashing around in by the shore, but always supervise children as the bottom falls away sharply as you wade in deeper. 

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Black
Accessibility: There is a bus stop right next to the beach. You can get here from Costa Adeje via bus 477 or use 473 to come from Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos. Use the same buses to get to the beach from the resorts of Puerto de Santiago or Los Gigantes.
Parking: Parking is free around the beach, and usually you will be able to find a free space. But it can be much more difficult on weekends because locals come to enjoy the beach too.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are clean showers and toilets here. There are sun loungers and parasols for rent, but do arrive early before all the best spots are snapped up.
Food: Backing the beach is a large promenade with lots of shops, bars and restaurants. We can personally recommend Restaurante Flor del Drago, Casa Pepe, La Quinta Restaurante and Restaurante Pancho.

Los Cristianos Beach

Playa de los Cristianos has a very nice vibe. Firstly, it’s super fun for kids because they can watch the ferries plying the waters of Los Cristianos port. It’s also family-friendly because there are no big waves to worry about due to the protection provided by the harbour. 

Ferries from Los Cristianos harbour

It’s interesting to watch all the beach games taking place here, such as volleyball and beach football. The location of this beach is also very good, and the lovely promenade offers lots of restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops and everything you could wish for. A kids’ play park can also be found nearby.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: You can reach Los Cristianos beach by taking any of these buses: 111, 418, 467, 470, 471, and 473.
Parking: We can recommend paid parking near the Los Cristianos port (location). It’s very close to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are shower and toilet facilities. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas.
Food: There are plenty of restaurants and cafés along the promenade. We can recommend Pescaito Los Cristianos and RICOS. Oh, and head to Il Gelato del Mercato for the best ice cream ever!

Playa de la Pinta

Playa de la Pinta is also a great family beach. It offers golden sands, calm waters and plenty of water sports. Here you might even try out water bikes, parascending, floating bouncy castles or scuba diving.

Playa de la Pinta

It’s the ideal beach for young kids, but can be crowded at times. The promenade here has plenty of shops, bars, restaurants and other facilities.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: You can reach Playa de la Pinta by taking buses 467, 471, and 473.
Parking: We usually use this paid parking when going to Playa de la Pinta. It’s very close to the beach.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are showers, changing rooms, toilets and wheelchair access. There are sunbeds and parasols for hire.
Food: Lots of cafés, bars, and restaurants near the beach. We can recommend El Horno De Neptuno, where both the food and the views are stunning.

Abama Beach

Abama beach was created for the guests of the five-star Ritz-Carlton Abama resort. But as all of Tenerife’s beaches are open to the public, anyone can enjoy this beautiful spot. Many say this is Tenerife’s most beautiful beach, and we agree that it’s one of the best. It’s a lovely, golden sandy cove lapped by calm, azure waters, and is framed by banana plantations and cliffs.

Abama beach

At Abama beach you can fully unwind while enjoying superb views of La Gomera. It’s also safe to swim here due to the wave breaker and shelter supplied by the cliffs. The sunset here is spectacular. Find out more about Abama beach in this complete guide.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: Bus number 473 travelling between Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes stops here.
Parking: There is a car park nearby (location), where you can leave your car. You can then go through the hotel grounds and down the staircase to reach the beach. Arrive by mid-morning if you can, as parking spaces soon fill up as the day goes on.
Lifeguards: Yes.
Facilities: There are toilets, showers and changing rooms. Sun loungers are available, but two sun loungers sharing a single parasol will cost you about 35 Euros.
Food: There’s a restaurant on the beach, but it’s quite expensive as it belongs to the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel. Cocktails and light meals are available here.

Playa Diego Hernández

This beach is something of an undiscovered secret, and is situated in southwestern Tenerife between El Puertito and La Caleta. The natural beach is small in size, but utterly idyllic. Once it was known as the island’s hippie beach, but these folk were forced to leave the area in 2020. 

Do visit this beach at low tide, because when the tide is high most of the sand is submerged. You can check tide times here. It’s a nudist-friendly spot, though you’re free to wear clothing here if you want to. As it’s unspoiled, facilities here are limited.  

Playa Diego Hernández

You can reach Playa Diego Hernández by taking a 50-minute walk from La Caleta – or there is a quicker route from the other side. Park above the beach near the Golf Costa Adeje roundabout (location) and head along by the golf course. This way it takes just 15 to 20 minutes to reach the beach. You could also walk here from El Puertito village.

Location: Google Maps
Type of sand: Golden
Accessibility: La Caleta de Adeje bus stop is the nearest to Playa Diego Hernández. Catch bus 467 to get to La Caleta De Adeje, then walk to Playa Diego Hernandez.
Parking: As mentioned above, you can either park in La Caleta or El Puertito and take a walk of around 50 minutes to the beach. Or for the closest parking, leave your car near the Golf Costa Adeje roundabout (location) and walk for about 15 to 20 minutes, by the golf course, to get to the beach.
Lifeguards: No lifeguards.
Facilities: There are no toilets, showers or changing rooms: this is a wild beach. There are no sun loungers.
Food: There are no restaurants, bars, or cafes in the area, so it’s better to bring along your own food and drinks.

Most Beautiful Beaches in Tenerife on the Map

TENERIFE ESSENTIALS

To explore Tenerife to the fullest and at your own pace, we highly recommend renting a car. Our favourite place for car rental is the RentalCars website. It allows you to compare different providers and pick the best deal. You also get the best protection and flexibility for booking terms.

The unmissable top attractions in Tenerife are: Siam Park (tickets here), Loro Parque (tickets here) and Teide National Park (cable car tickets + transfer).

We also recommend taking at least one guided tour. Our favourite place for booking tours in Tenerife is GetYourGuide.

Top 3 excursions on the island:

Our favourite websites for accommodation in Tenerife are: Booking.com (for hotels) and VRBO (for apartments and holiday homes).

The best hotels for families with kids (in our opinion):

Luxury: GF Victoria (Costa Adeje) or Bahia Principe Fantasia (Golf del Sur)
Mid-Range: Spring Hotel Bitácora (Playa de las Americas) or Iberostar Bouganville Playa (Costa Adeje)
Budget: GF Isabel (Costa Adeje) or Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel (Los Cristianos)

The best adults-only hotels:

Luxury: Iberostar Grand El Mirador (Costa Adeje) or Gran Melia Palacio de Isora (Alcalá)
Mid-Range: Tigotan Lovers & Friends (Playa de las Americas) or Iberostar Selection Sábila (Costa Adeje)
Budget: Barceló Santiago (Puerto de Santiago)

Top hotels for everyone:

Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Abama or Bahia del Duque (Costa Adeje)
Mid-Range: Hard Rock Hotel (Playa Paraiso) or Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort & Spa (Costa Adeje)
Budget: Alexandre Hotel Gala or Olé Tropical Tenerife (both Playa de las Americas)

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Jovita

Meet Jovita, co-founder of Enjoy Canary Islands. The archipelago is her favorite place on Earth. She visited all the islands multiple times and lived in Tenerife for a year. She is here to help you plan the best trip of your life.

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