Wondering which are the best beaches in Tenerife? You’ve come to the right place!
This stunning Spanish island has a mix of gold sand beaches and black sand beaches, which are perfect for lounging on, as well as being one of the best surfing spots in Europe!
On top of that Tenerife has a warm and sunny climate year-round, so regardless of what time of the year you’re visiting, you can be sure to enjoy these beautiful beaches.
Having spent the last four years based in Tenerife, I’ve had plenty of time to explore the island and discover the best Tenerife beaches, and in this compilation, I put together all of my favourites.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in, and discover the best beaches in Tenerife!
Contents
Las Rocas Beach Club in Costa Adeje, Tenerife, Spain
Map of the best beaches in Tenerife
Before we dive into a detailed description of the best beaches in Tenerife, here is a map of their locations, so you can see visually where they are around the island.
Best Beaches In Tenerife South
While Tenerife has a good climate year round, it’s important to note that there are big climate differences between the north and south of the island, especially if you’re visiting Tenerife in winter.
Personally I find the beaches in the north more beautiful and scenic, but the beaches in the south tend to receive more sun, hence why this part of Tenerife receives also more tourists.
Let’s dive into some of the best beaches in Tenerife South:
El Camison
One of the best beaches in the south of Tenerife, Playa El Camison became my regular spot.
I like it because it’s relatively small and cozy, but it still has everything you need. There are sunbeds and sun umbrellas for hire, as well as kiosks, showers, and local restaurants.
If you don’t want to have to think about planning anything, El Camison is the place to come.
It sits on the border between Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, so it’s super easy to access and there’s plenty of nearby parking if you drive there.
El Camison Beach, Tenerife South, Spain – A stunning golden sand beach perfect for sunset views and relaxation.
Las Vistas
This beach is right next to El Camison. It’s much bigger compared to its neighbour and has even more restaurants and facilities. On busy days you’re more likely to find a spot for your towel here.
Personally, I prefer El Camison, but only because the sand at Las Vistas is darker. It’s not a particularly quaint or picturesque beach, but it’s spacious, the water has a lovely blue colour, and it’s very easy to access.
You can get there super easily as it’s just off the walking promenade of Los Cristianos.
Playa de Las Vistas, Los Cristianos, Tenerife – A beautiful beach with crystal-clear waters and a lively atmosphere.
Playa de la Tejita
Playa de la Tejita is one of the wilder beaches in Tenerife. It’s super open, exposing it to all the elements. There’s a large cliff that juts out of the open sand on one end of the beach, which looks especially beautiful at sunset.
The beach is very close to El Medano and is one of the most popular spots on Tenerife for surfing and windsurfing.
I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for a chilled beach day, as the wind often kicks up the sand. But if you’re ready for an adventure – it’s the place to come!
As Tenerife is one of the best spots for surfing in Europe, it would be a shame not to give it a go. Check out my surfing in Tenerife article for all you need to know.
Golden hour on the beach in El Medano – photo by Diana Bancale, author of In Viaggio Da Sola
Playa del Duque
Looking for the most luxurious beach in Tenerife? Pack your swimming costume and get yourself to Playa del Duque. Even the name, The Duques Beach, suggests glamour.
With grand palm trees in the distance, and surrounded by smooth rock you can wander along, it’s one of the most famous Costa Adeje beaches.
The sand is soft and golden, boasting gentle waters that are perfect for a dip.
It’s the best beach in Tenerife for families as there are lots of luxury shops, bars and restaurants around, as well as plenty of parking and a nice beach promenade walk right behind it.
There are sunbed rentals for a truly relaxing day on the beach, and there are lots of seafood restaurants along the beach so you can try some local dishes.
Playa del Duque, Tenerife, Spain – A serene beach with golden sand and crystal-clear waters, perfect for a relaxing getaway.
Playa del Duque, Tenerife, Spain – A peaceful beach with luxury cabanas, golden sand, and stunning sunset views.
Playa de Los Gigantes
Named after a town of the same name, Los Gigantes means “the giants”. It was called this because of the imposing cliffs that rise high above the town and reach up to 800 meters tall!
The beach is one of the best beaches in Tenerife for swimming as the water there is crystal clear and calm. Bear in mind it’s a pretty small beach, so it can get crowded on sunny days!
There are sunbeds you can rent on the beach itself, but there aren’t any restaurants or kiosks for drinks and food on the beach itself – so make sure to bring what you need with you. Otherwise, take a short walk to the harbour where you’ll find lots of options.
Personally I also think Los Gigantes is one of the best starting points for a Tenerife whale-watching tour, since the black cliffs are a particularly scenic backdrop for your boat tour!
Click here to book your whale watching tour in Los Gigantes, Tenerife!
Los Gigantes Beach, Tenerife, Spain – A dramatic black sand beach surrounded by towering cliffs and clear blue waters.
Los Gigantes, Tenerife, Spain – Natural volcanic rock pools with breathtaking ocean views and crystal-clear waters.
Playa San Juan
Right in the heart of a little seaside town of the same name, Playa San Juan is one of the more laidback beaches in the south of Tenerife.
The beach has black sand at the top, and a layer of pebbles nearer the water, so it’s not the most comfortable for sunbathing but it has the perk of being one of the quieter beaches in the area.
When the crowds get too much, escape the chaos of Los Cristianos and read your book on this less popular beach in Tenerife.
There’s a little harbour next to the beach too, so you can see the boats bobbing up and down in the water.
It’s right by a town road so access isn’t an issue. There are toilets, sunbed rentals, nearby restaurants, and kiosks selling cool drinks and snacks.
The natural pools of Alcala in South Tenerife Spain
Playa de Abama
The Playa de Abama is under the Ritz Carlton Hotel, one of the best places to stay in Tenerife. You can still get to it if you’re not a hotel guest, but you won’t be able to drive your car all the way down, unfortunately.
From the car park, there are steep steps down to the shore, it takes about 15 minutes to reach the beach but it’s worth the extra effort.
Tucked into a little alcove, this golden sand beach is picturesque and perfect for relaxation. Surrounded by hills covered in banana trees, it feels peaceful and hidden away from the rest of the hustle and bustle.
Bring your snorkels! The water is clear and the calm waters are great for spotting local marine life. There’s a beach bar and restaurant on the shore too. Relax and enjoy your time at one of the top beaches in Tenerife!
Abama Beach in Tenerife, Spain
Best Beaches in Tenerife North
Now we’ve explored the south of the island, let’s have a look at some of the best beaches in Tenerife north:
Playa de Benijo
Up till now, we’ve talked about beaches that are great for lounging on, but Playa de Benijo in the north offers something a little different.
You can only reach this stunning black sand beach by car. Park by the El Mirador restaurant and walk down the little path the rest of the way.
Wild and exposed, the beach is surrounded by steep cliffs and features stark rock formations that rise out of the water near the shore.
There are no facilities apart from some beach showers and often no lifeguards, which only adds to the place’s remote and wild allure.
Please be mindful of getting in the water though, whilst most beaches in Tenerife have wave breaks to calm the waves hitting the shore, there isn’t one here. The tide can quickly sweep you out to sea.
More a beach for exploring and admiring the landscape than swimming, Playa de Benijo is still one of the most scenic and best beaches of Tenerife.
Benijo Beach in the north of Tenerife, Spain
El Socorro Beach
This rocky black sand beach is a classic example of how Tenerife’s volcanic eruptions have shaped the landscape. Don’t worry though, the last one was in 1909!
Surrounded by stretches of rugged coast, the beach is one of the more scenic beaches on the island. There are a few services there, like parking along the edge of the beach and a kiosk.
The beach is most known for surfing though, and is one of the most popular surf beaches in Tenerife.
I think if you just want to relax and swim, this isn’t the best beach as the waves can get pretty rough, but it is worth a visit if you want to see the more rough-around-the-edges sections of the coast in Tenerife or try surfing.
Playa del Socorro from above Tenerife, Spain
Playa Las Teresitas
Just a 20-minute drive away from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Playa Las Teresitas is by far the most iconic of the island’s beaches. It features in most Tenerife bucket lists and marketing photos of the island.
With glistening golden Sahara desert sand, the beach sits nestled into a backdrop of the mountains of Anaga that surround it.
It’s no wonder it attracts so many travellers! The mountains of Anaga are home to some of the best hikes in Tenerife, so you could easily pair a scenic hike with some down time at this incredible beach.
The water is calm and a clear turquoise hue. If you’re looking for the prettiest beach in Tenerife, this might just be it!
Spacious and long, the beach has a few kiosks and bars dotted along its length. You can also hire sunbeds for the day for as little as 2 EUR. There’s a big car park behind the beach too.
Playa de las Teresitas from above
Final Thoughts On The Best Beaches Of Tenerife
From wild black sand beaches that attract surfers from around the world, to picturesque beaches nestled into hidden alcoves, Tenerife has so many amazing beaches to choose from.
Pack your swimming costume and get ready to soak in the sun! Not sure where to start? Check out my 3-7 days in Tenerife itinerary for more inspiration, or start planning your perfect Tenerife Christmas trip!
While I love the sun and beaches of Tenerife, I’m the first to say that what’s great about Tenerife is its variety of landscapes.
I’ve seen better beaches in other Spanish islands, like Cala del Moro in Mallorca, but the Balearic Islands can’t compare with the Canary Islands in terms of weather in winter.
The Canary Islands are completely different from the rest of Spain, they have nothing to do with the architecture of the Alhambra in Andalusia, or the hustle and bustle of cities like Barcelona or Malaga, but they should still feature on your Spain bucket list nonetheless!
Have you been to Tenerife before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below!
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