Golden beaches lined with palm trees on one side, jet-black coves at the foot of green cliffs on the other: Tenerife’s coastline has a lot of faces. We explored the island during two longer stays with our toddler and preschooler. We found quiet little beaches where the kids could play for hours, and wild stretches of coast where you mostly come for the view.
We also learned first-hand that the ocean around Tenerife is not to be underestimated. During our stay at the end of the year, two storms swept over the island and we saw just how high, and how dangerous, the waves can get. A beautiful beach here isn’t automatically a good beach for swimming, especially with kids.
In this blog we take you along the 12 best beaches in Tenerife, from the northeast via the south to the southeast. We tell you where you can swim, which beaches are fun with kids and what to keep in mind. We also share a few of our favourite natural pools.
What are the beaches in Tenerife like?
Tenerife is a volcanic island, and you can see it along the coast. Most natural beaches have black sand or grey pebbles, and much of the shoreline is lava rock with no beach at all. The light sandy beaches the island is known for are often man-made. The sand at Las Teresitas, for example, came all the way from the Sahara.
The biggest difference is between north and south. In the south the sun shines more often, there’s less wind and the resort beaches sit behind breakwaters. That’s where you’ll find sunbeds, showers and beach bars, but also the crowds of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.
The north is greener and wilder. The ocean rolls in at full force, and beaches like Benijo and El Bollullo are stunning to look at but often not great for swimming. If you still want to get in the water up there, head for a natural pool between the lava rocks.
Which beaches in Tenerife are the best?
For swimming, our pick is Playa de las Teresitas, the wide sandy beach just north of the capital Santa Cruz. The water lies still behind the breakwater and the Anaga mountains form the backdrop. When a storm had half the island in lockdown, this was the only place where we could still go for a swim.
For the most beautiful scenery, drive to the black beaches of Benijo and Almáciga on the north coast of Anaga. Green mountains dropping steeply into the sea, rocks in the surf and a sunset that turns everything orange: we’d happily spend another evening there. Swimming, though, is often not a good idea.
If you want dramatic cliffs, go to Playa de los Guíos in Los Gigantes, where you swim beneath rock walls hundreds of metres high. And for sun, sunbeds and a well-kept beach, Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is the best choice, even if that popular stretch of coast isn’t quite our thing.
The best beaches in Tenerife for kids
With young children, Playa de las Teresitas is the best beach on the island. The sand is soft, the water slopes gently and palm trees give you shade. You’ll find showers, toilets and beach bars behind the beach, and you can park close by.
In the south, Playa de las Vistas in Los Cristianos and Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje are good options, with calm water and every facility you need. Playa de los Guíos in Los Gigantes is small, but it has a lifeguard and the water is usually calm thanks to the harbour and breakwaters next to it.
The wild beaches aren’t swimming beaches with kids. Ours still had a great time there: hunting for crabs in the rock pools at Playa Amarilla, collecting stones at Tajao and flying a kite in the wind at El Médano. When the waves are high, pick a natural pool for your swimming day, such as Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz or the calm natural pool at La Jaca.
→ Discover the 15 best things to do on Tenerife with kids
→ Discover the 30 best places to visit in Tenerife
Is it safe to swim in the sea in Tenerife?
The ocean around Tenerife is beautiful, but unpredictable. Sadly, we saw that up close during our stay. Near Puerto de la Cruz, people lost their lives to huge waves, at ordinary spots where we had walked that same day. Sebastiaan and our son saw the ambulances arrive. During our second stay there were fatal accidents at Los Gigantes too.
After the first freak waves, many beaches and rock pools were closed, including the black beaches of Puerto de la Cruz and the natural pools of Los Silos. At the rock pools of Los Gigantes the gate had been locked as well, but it was broken open and people were swimming anyway. We deliberately stayed away, because one wave over the edge is enough to sweep you out.
So always check the flag: green means swim, yellow means take care and red means stay out of the water. When a storm was on its way, we got a warning two days in advance through the Tenerife ON app, and a large part of the island shut down. We moved to Las Teresitas, where the green flag kept flying behind the breakwater.
When is the best time to visit Tenerife for the beaches?
Tenerife is a beach island all year round. In winter the south usually gets around twenty degrees or a little more during the day, and the sea is about nineteen degrees. Fresh, but perfectly fine for a swim.
The sea is warmest in summer and autumn, at around 22 to 23 degrees. The north is a bit cloudier and cooler than the south in every season, because the trade wind clouds get stuck against the mountains. If the sun isn’t out in Puerto de la Cruz, drive south: an hour later you’re often lying in the sunshine.
In winter, storms occasionally pass over the island, bringing high waves, mainly along the north coast. Natural pools and beaches behind a breakwater are then your best bet for a swim.
Where to stay in Tenerife for the beaches
If you want a sandy beach with calm water every day, the south is your best base. Around Playa del Duque and in Los Cristianos, the beach is right on your doorstep. Los Gigantes is quieter and has the cliffs, while El Médano is laid-back and windy.
Las Teresitas is in the northeast and easy to combine with Anaga. We wouldn’t stay at the beach itself, but in Santa Cruz or La Laguna, and visit the beach as a day out.
#1 Iberostar Selection Anthelia has family rooms and several pools, within walking distance of Playa de Fañabé and Playa del Duque. For sun and sea you won’t need the car here.
#2 Hotel Médano sits with its terrace like a pier above the water, with El Médano’s beach right next to it. A great choice if you like wind, surfers and a relaxed village.
#3 Klayman Diamond Aparthotel is high up the hillside in Los Gigantes, with its own kitchen and a pool with sea views. It’s downhill to the black beach below the cliffs, and a climb on the way back.
#4 Hotel Taburiente is in the centre of Santa Cruz, next to the green Parque García Sanabria, with a rooftop pool. Las Teresitas is a fifteen-minute drive away.
→ Discover the 12 best areas to stay in Tenerife
Do you need a rental car for the beaches in Tenerife?
If you’re happy with the beach in front of your hotel, you can manage without one. If you want to see more, a car is almost essential. Benijo, Playa Amarilla, Tajao and El Bollullo can only be reached by bus with a lot of patience. With your own wheels, you can also simply drive from grey skies in the north to sunshine in the south.
You can easily rent a car through Discover Cars, which compares the big rental companies on the island in one search. Book a child seat straight away if you’re travelling with little ones.
→ Compare rental cars in Tenerife on Discover Cars
The best beaches in the northeast: Santa Cruz and Anaga
#1 Playa de las Teresitas: our favourite beach for swimming
We spent our very first beach hours in Tenerife at Playa de las Teresitas. It was cloudy and not too hot, just right for getting used to the island. Later we came back when a storm was moving over Tenerife. All along the coast, beaches were closed, but here the green flag was simply flying and we swam without a worry.
The beach curves like a half moon against the mountains and is over a kilometre long. The golden sand was shipped in from the Sahara in the 1970s, and a long breakwater out at sea keeps the water calm. Palm trees line the beach, and at the back you’ll find beach bars, showers and toilets.
Las Teresitas lies next to the fishing village of San Andrés, a fifteen-minute drive from Santa Cruz. If you’re heading on to Anaga, stop at the Mirador de Las Teresitas above the beach. Only from up there do you really see how that yellow sand stands out against the bare mountains.
In short: swimming yes, calm water behind the breakwater | golden sand | showers, toilets and beach bars | parking right behind the beach | the best beach in Tenerife for kids | often fine even in rougher weather
→ Discover the 10 most stunning places in Anaga Park
#2 Playa de Benijo and Playa Almáciga: black sand below green cliffs
On the north coast of Anaga, the mountains plunge steeply into the sea, and that’s where Playa de Benijo and Playa Almáciga lie side by side. The black sand, the white surf and the green slopes behind them make this the most beautiful coastline on the island for us. Surfers chase the waves, while photographers wait for the golden light of sunset.
A little further along, the Roque de las Bodegas rises from the sea. At low tide you can walk around it on a built path and feel just how powerful the ocean is here. At high tide that’s not safe, and the path is closed off with a door.
Swimming here is often a bad idea. During our visit the red flag went up too, when the waves grew noticeably bigger with the rising tide. The road above the beaches has great views, and that’s also where you park. The mountain road to get here is narrow and winding, and on busy days you’ll be stuck in traffic with rental cars and buses. Leaving early saves you a lot of hassle.
In short: swimming only with calm sea and a green flag | black sand | a few small restaurants in the villages | parking along the road above the beach | with kids for playing, not swimming | most beautiful at sunset
→ Discover 15 hidden gems in Tenerife
The best beaches in the north: Puerto de la Cruz and around
#3 Playa del Bollullo: a black beach among the banana plantations
Between Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava, Playa del Bollullo hides below a tall cliff. You drive along a narrow lane through the banana plantations, park at the top and then walk down a path with steps for about ten minutes. Waiting at the bottom is a cove of black sand, with no hotels and no promenade.
That remote feel makes El Bollullo a favourite with the people of Puerto de la Cruz. At the top of the cliff there’s a restaurant with sea views, and down on the beach a small bar opens in season. If you like walking, you can also follow the coastal path from Puerto de la Cruz, which takes about 45 minutes.
This is open ocean, with big waves and strong currents. Only swim when it’s calm and the flag allows it, and leave the pushchair at home.
In short: swimming only when the sea is calm | black sand | restaurant at the top, beach bar in season | paid parking above the cliff, then steps | with kids for playing | best on a calm summer’s day
#4 Playa Jardín: a black beach in a garden
Playa Jardín is the largest beach in Puerto de la Cruz, and it feels more like a park by the sea than a regular beach. Canarian artist César Manrique designed the surroundings, with palm trees, flowers and paths along the black sand, and Mount Teide in the background.
When we were in Puerto de la Cruz, the ocean was so wild that swimming didn’t even cross our minds. The part along the water was taped off with red and white tape, while sunbeds were still standing behind it. We strolled along the paths by the beach and the kids played in the playground. On calm days you can get in the water here, but the waves stay strong. For a swimming day, you’re better off at the seawater pools of Lago Martiánez on the other side of town.
Combine the beach with a walk through the old fishermen’s quarter of La Ranilla, full of street art. Our kids loved the other playgrounds around town at least as much as the beach.
Stay nearby: Puerto Azul is a simple, bright hotel in the old centre, a fifteen-minute walk from Playa Jardín.
In short: swimming only when the sea is calm | black sand | showers, toilets and restaurants | parking in town | with kids great for playing | most beautiful at sunset
→ Discover the 20 best places to visit in Puerto de la Cruz
The best beaches in the west: Masca and Los Gigantes
#5 Playa de Masca: only on foot or by boat
At the end of the deep Masca gorge lies a small beach of black stones and sand, squeezed between towering rock walls. No road leads here. You can only reach Playa de Masca by sea or after a tough hike down the gorge, which makes it one of the most special beaches in Tenerife.
For the hike through the Barranco de Masca, you need to book a slot in advance on the official website of the trail. You descend about five kilometres to the sea and then take a boat back to Los Gigantes. The trail closes after rain and in strong winds.
The easier option is to sail from Los Gigantes along the cliffs to Masca Bay. On some tours you paddle part of the way by kayak and swim and snorkel in the bay.
In short: swimming when the sea is calm | black stones and sand | no facilities | only by boat or on foot | with kids only by boat | best early in the day
#6 Playa de los Guíos: swimming below the cliffs
Playa de los Guíos lies right below the cliffs of Los Gigantes, rock walls hundreds of metres high that rise straight out of the sea. You lie on black sand at the foot of an enormous wall, and that stays impressive even after a whole afternoon.
We loved swimming here. The harbour next door usually keeps the water calm, there’s a lifeguard and there are showers to rinse the fine black sand off your feet. The beach is small, so on sunny days your towel will be close to someone else’s. At Los Gigantes Beach Club next to the beach you can have a drink with a view.
Stay until sunset. Sebastiaan climbed to a viewpoint above the village and watched the cliffs turn orange. Parking in Los Gigantes is a bit of a puzzle, so come in good time.
Stay nearby: Ona Las Rosas has apartments with a kitchen and a terrace around the pool, in neighbouring Puerto de Santiago.
In short: swimming yes, usually calm thanks to the harbour | black sand | lifeguard, showers and a beach club | parking in the village, often full | fine with kids | most beautiful in the late afternoon
→ Discover the 8 best things to do in Los Gigantes
The best beaches in the southwest: Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos
#7 Playa del Duque: the most polished beach
Costa Adeje isn’t really our Tenerife. It felt built from scratch to us, full of English pubs and souvenir shops, and we were keen to move on fairly quickly. But if you’re mainly after a well-kept beach with sunshine and every comfort, Playa del Duque is the nicest stretch of this coast.
The light sandy beach sits in front of the big luxury resorts, with sunbeds, parasols and a promenade for an evening stroll along the water. The sea is usually calm and slopes gently. Do expect crowds, and prices that match the hotels behind it.
From the harbour of Puerto Colón, a little further along, catamarans set off along the coast with a stop for swimming and snorkelling.
Stay nearby: Bahía del Duque is almost a village of its own, with gardens, pools and Canarian-style buildings, and Playa del Duque right on its doorstep.
In short: swimming yes, calm water | light sand | sunbeds, showers and restaurants | parking is tricky, use a paid garage | good with kids | quietest early in the morning
→ Take a catamaran trip with a snorkel stop along Costa Adeje
→ Discover the 15 best things to do in Costa Adeje
#8 Playa de las Vistas: a family beach in Los Cristianos
Between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas lies Playa de las Vistas, a wide beach of light sand behind breakwaters. The water is calm and shallow, and the flat promenade is easy with a pushchair.
We found Los Cristianos extremely touristy and busy. Still, for a beach day with kids this is one of the easiest beaches on the island. And the ferry to La Gomera leaves from the harbour next door, for when you fancy something completely different for a day.
Stay nearby: Hotel Reveron Plaza is a classic family hotel in the heart of Los Cristianos, a few minutes’ walk from the beach and with a rooftop pool.
In short: swimming yes, calm and shallow | light sand | sunbeds, showers and restaurants | paid parking in the garages | one of the best with kids | good all year round
The best beaches in the south: Costa del Silencio and El Médano
#9 Playa Amarilla: wavy rocks and snorkelling
Playa Amarilla isn’t really a beach for lying on. It’s a small bay in Costa del Silencio, surrounded by yellow and orange rocks that ripple like waves. For us it was one of the most beautiful bits of coast in the south.
Sebastiaan went snorkelling here, as the clear water along the rocks is a popular snorkelling spot. It’s less suited to swimming with kids: you step from the rocks straight into deep water. So our kids preferred splashing about in the pools between the rocks. You can also take a short walk: Sebastiaan and our son climbed to the top of the hill next to it for the view. At the end of the day we sat on the rocks with a drink; there’s a small cocktail bar with a hippie vibe.
In short: swimming from the rocks, when the sea is calm | lava rocks, little sand | no facilities | parking in the streets above | with kids for playing in the rock pools | most beautiful at sunset
→ Discover Playa Amarilla, Tenerife’s wavy coastline
#10 El Médano: wind, surfers and a long sandy beach
El Médano is Tenerife’s surf village. There’s nearly always a strong wind, and that draws windsurfers and kitesurfers from all over the world. The long beach of light grey sand runs from the village to the foot of Montaña Roja, with a promenade full of surf shops and cafés.
We didn’t swim here. It was so windy that we flew a kite instead. If you want to learn windsurfing or kitesurfing yourself, there are plenty of schools on the beach. Tenerife South airport is close by, so El Médano also makes a handy spot for your first or last night.
Stay nearby: Hotel Médano has a terrace that hangs over the ocean like a pier, with the beach and the village centre right next door.
In short: swimming yes, on days with little wind | light grey sand | beach bars, showers and surf schools | parking in the village | with kids great for flying kites | best on a still morning
#11 Playa de la Tejita: a wild beach below Montaña Roja
On the other side of the red volcanic cone of Montaña Roja lies Playa de la Tejita, a long beach without buildings in a protected nature area. It’s quieter than El Médano, and from the sand you look straight up at the red slope.
We mainly came to climb to the top of Montaña Roja. The path is short but steep, and from the top you see a beach on each side of the mountain. At the foot of it we sat with the kids by the rocks, which were crawling with red crabs. The part of the beach closest to the mountain is popular with naturists.
The sea here is open and can be rough, and there’s hardly any shade or facilities. So bring water and a parasol.
In short: swimming when the sea is calm | golden brown sand | few facilities | parking on the La Tejita side | with kids fun for crab spotting | most beautiful at the end of the day
The best beaches in the southeast: Tajao
#12 Tajao: a pebble beach among the locals
On the quiet southeast coast lies the small fishing village of Tajao, one of our favourite discoveries in Tenerife. The little beach is made of grey pebbles, the landscape around it is dry and rolling, and we mostly saw Spanish families there.
We walked here from La Jaca, along a coastal path where we didn’t meet a single other tourist. In Tajao we settled into a local fish restaurant that was completely packed. Just outside the village stands the Arco de Tajao, a large natural rock arch you can walk underneath.
It’s not a beach for a whole day on a sunbed. It is a place to swim, eat fish and see what Tenerife looks like where few tourists come.
In short: swimming when the sea is calm | grey pebbles | fish restaurants in the village | parking in the village | with kids fun for collecting stones | best around lunchtime
Bonus tips: the best natural pools in Tenerife
Is the sea too rough for swimming? Then head for a natural pool. All along the coast you’ll find pools between the lava rocks, filled with seawater. In high waves these close too, and for good reason.
#13 Lago Martiánez: seawater pools by César Manrique
In Puerto de la Cruz, César Manrique designed Lago Martiánez in the 1970s, a complex of seawater pools by the coast with a large lake in the middle. Everything is made of black lava stone and white walls, with palm trees and sculptures in between. You pay an entrance fee and can stay all day, with sunbeds, children’s pools and cafés.
For a swimming day in the north this is the safest choice, because you swim in seawater without the ocean waves.
#14 El Caletón in Garachico: bathing in the lava
In Garachico, lava flowed all the way into the sea in the early eighteenth century, creating the natural pools of El Caletón. Paths, platforms and steps have been built so you can easily get into the water. When we were there the pools were closed because of a storm, so we had a drink on the terrace next door, looking out over the waves.
→ Discover the 8 best places to visit in Garachico
#15 Los Silos: rock pools without the tourists
In Los Silos on the northwest coast, you walk past a black beach, a huge whale skeleton and blowholes to a series of rock pools, the best known being Charco de los Chochos. In calm weather the water is a clear blue and green. We found them closed after a storm, but the walk along the rocky coast was worth the drive on its own.
#16 La Jaca: a calm natural pool on the southeast coast
In the small coastal village of La Jaca you’ll find Piscina Natural La Jaca, a natural pool between the rocks. With kids, swimming here is a lot calmer than in the open sea. There are no facilities, but there are a few restaurants in the village. From here you can walk the coastal path to Tajao.
Visiting Tenerife’s beaches by campervan
If you’re travelling by campervan, you’ll find a place to park at several beaches. We stayed at Las Teresitas, for example, where there’s a long car park behind the beach, at the natural pool of La Jaca and at Playa Amarilla. In Los Silos there are spaces set aside for campervans along the coast. We found our spots on Park4Night, where you can also read the latest reviews.
→ Discover our experiences and tips for the Canary Islands by campervan
More tips for your trip to Tenerife
Our pickHotels in Tenerife: from the seaside village of Garachico to a room below the Los Gigantes cliffs
Heading up Mount Teide or into the Anaga mountains? Rent a car with Discover Cars and compare the big rental companies in one go.
No flight yet? Compare flights to Tenerife South or North.
Riding the cable car up Mount Teide? Book your Teide tour with cable car straight from Volcano Teide, the official operator.
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