Best Beaches in Tenerife
Tenerife's two coasts offer very different beach days. The sunny South — Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, El Médano — has the golden sand, calm bays and resort infrastructure most visitors picture. The greener North has a more dramatic, volcanic character: black-sand beaches, rock pools and a livelier Atlantic, from Playa de las Teresitas (imported golden sand) to natural pools along the coast. Conditions vary with wind and swell, so always follow local flags and lifeguard guidance.
dronepicr / Wikimedia Commons
- South: golden sand, calm bays and full resort facilities
- North: black volcanic sand, rock pools and a wilder Atlantic
- Playa de las Teresitas, El Médano, Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos
- Always check local flags and lifeguard guidance
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Beaches by region
North Tenerife
BeachesGarden Beach (Playa Jardín)
A landscaped black-sand beach complex in Puerto de la Cruz, designed by César Manrique and framed by gardens, waterfalls and volcanic scenery.
BeachesLas Teresitas Beach
A sheltered golden-sand beach near San Andrés, just north of the capital Santa Cruz.
BeachesEl Bollullo Beach
A dramatic black-sand beach near La Orotava, framed by steep green cliffs and open Atlantic surf.
South Tenerife
BeachesDiego Hernández Beach
A small undeveloped cove on the southwest coast, reached on foot and valued for its more natural setting away from major resort beaches.
BeachesFañabé Beach
A broad, well-equipped beach in Costa Adeje with calm-water swimming, a long promenade and easy access to restaurants and services.
BeachesTicketsCosta Adeje
A southwest Tenerife resort area with beaches, coastal promenades and Puerto Colón marina, distinct from the inland historic town of Adeje.
BeachesEl Médano
A laid-back southern beach town beside Montaña Roja, and one of Europe's best-known windsurfing and kitesurfing spots.
BeachesTicketsLos Cristianos
A former fishing village turned lively resort town, and the main ferry port for the southern Canary Islands.
BeachesAbama Beach
A small sheltered cove on Tenerife’s west coast, known for calm-looking turquoise water and a secluded setting below the Abama resort area.
BeachesEl Duque Beach
A serviced beach in Costa Adeje beside a promenade, restaurants and shops.
BeachesLa Pinta Beach
A sheltered family beach beside Puerto Colón in Costa Adeje, with easy access to boat trips and resort services.
BeachesLa Tejita Beach
An open sandy beach beside Montaña Roja in Granadilla de Abona, reached on foot from the El Médano–Los Abrigos road.
Beaches map
Locations across Tenerife — tap a marker for details.
Good to know
- South vs North
- South beaches are calmer and resort-backed; northern beaches are more volcanic and exposed to Atlantic swell.
- Family-friendly
- Sheltered south-coast bays and some man-made beaches are generally the easiest for young children.
- Safety
- Swim where lifeguards operate and follow the flag system; some northern beaches have stronger currents.
- Wind
- El Médano is famously windy — great for windsurfing and kitesurfing, less so for a calm swim.
Frequently asked questions
- Yes — the island is volcanic, so many beaches, especially in the North, have dark volcanic sand. Some southern beaches use imported golden sand.