The Best Beaches in Tenerife
Let's start with something almost nobody tells you before you arrive: in Tenerife, the "normal" beach is black. The island was born of the volcano, and its sand is, for the most part, lava ground down by the sea over thousands of years. That's why the famous golden postcard sand hides a little trick, but we'll get to that in a moment. What matters is that here you'll find a beach for every kind of day: for the kids, for sport, for losing yourself alone, or for ending the day watching the sunset with your feet buried in volcanic sand. Here are the best ones, and at the end, how to choose yours.
Golden sand: the postcard beaches
The most famous is Playa de las Teresitas, in San Andrés, just minutes from Santa Cruz. And here's the trick: its golden sand isn't from here. It was brought over from the Sahara in the 1970s and sheltered behind a breakwater, so the water is calm, shallow and almost always still, perfect for families and for anyone who'd rather not battle the waves. Behind it rise the mountains of Anaga. It is, quite possibly, the prettiest scene on the island.
Two warnings you won't find in the guidebooks. First: from ten in the morning the car park is full — and not only at weekends, on weekdays too. Outside high season it holds out a little longer, but not much. Second: when the wind blows from the east, that fine, imported sand ends up in your face. It isn't the island's coarse volcanic grit; that's why it flies the way it does.
In the south, the blonde sand and calm water return along the beaches of Costa Adeje, such as Playa del Duque or Playa de las Vistas (Los Cristianos): 850 metres of sand, a Blue Flag, lifeguards, sun loungers and every service you could want, with sun almost guaranteed 365 days a year. They're the easy choice if you're travelling with small children or simply want a day without any fuss.
Black sand: the real thing
If you want the authentic Canarian beach, the one that smells of volcano, head north. Playa del Bollullo, near La Orotava, is a cove of black sand tucked between cliffs and banana groves, reached on foot along a path in about fifteen minutes; the effort pays off handsomely, and up top there's a beach bar to recover. In Puerto de la Cruz, Playa Jardín is another black-sand gem: designed by César Manrique, it blends volcanic sand with gardens, and it has lifeguards and showers. And on the Buenavista del Norte coast, Playa de las Arenas lays dark sand at the foot of cliffs hundreds of metres high. The contrast between the black sand and the turquoise water is unforgettable.
In Icod de los Vinos you'll find Playa de San Marcos, a shell-shaped bay sheltered by high cliffs from both wind and swell. That's why the water is calm enough that some people swim there in January. One thing to know before you go, though: the sea has been taking the sand away, and today the pebbles have the upper hand, so the beach looks different depending on the season. The town council has already unblocked the tender for the restoration work, sand replenishment included.
A word from a local: black sand gets very hot in the sun. In summer, a pair of flip-flops will save your feet.
Wild beaches: for getting lost
In Anaga, at the end of a winding road, lies Playa de Benijo: black sand, rocks rising from the sea like teeth, and sunsets you'll remember for years. There are no beach bars or rental umbrellas, just wild sea and silence — and it's worth saying plainly: when the sea is rough, swimming is not advisable. Nearby, Playa de Almáciga offers the same untamed atmosphere, with heavy surf that draws the surfers.
On the same road, beside the fishing village of Taganana, sits Playa del Roque de las Bodegas: black sand and rounded stones, steps down to the shore, and guachinches all around serving fresh fish and papas arrugadas. If you're coming by guagua rather than by car, this is the easiest of the three. And one more thing, for those who like to look closely: somewhere around there is a stone that appears to have been cut in half — a clean cut straight across, as if someone had sawn through it. We're not telling you where.
And for the more adventurous, Playa de Antequera can only be reached by boat or after a good hike: the reward is having it almost to yourself. These are places to come to with proper shoes, water and no rush; the kind that ask you to do nothing at all.
For lovers of wind and open space
In the south, Playa de El Médano is long, natural and always breezy: the windsurfing and kitesurfing capital of the Canaries, with a relaxed, bohemian feel. Next to it, Playa de La Tejita, at the foot of Montaña Roja, is one of the longest in the south — almost a kilometre — and sits inside a protected natural area. It has lifeguard cover, and the wind blows almost constantly: perfect if you're after space, less so if you wanted your towel to stay put. Even if you don't do watersports, it's wonderful to watch the coloured sails cross the water.
The quiet ones the locals know
It isn't all famous beaches. On the east coast, near Santa Cruz, coves like Playa de Radazul or Tabaiba are where islanders go for a natural pool and a calm swim: small, with little swell and a good local atmosphere. If you'd rather escape the crowds, start here.
How to choose your beach (and a few tips)
North or south. The south is drier and sunnier all year round; the north is greener and cloudier, but has the most spectacular black beaches. If the day dawns grey in the north, cross to the south: in Tenerife the weather changes from one valley to the next.
Getting there. You can reach them all by car; the wild ones (Benijo, Bollullo) practically only by car, and parking is limited, so set off early. Las Teresitas, Las Vistas and Roque de las Bodegas are also served by the guagua (Tenerife's bus); you can check routes and timetables on the official TITSA website.
Services. The urban beaches (Teresitas, Las Vistas, El Médano) have toilets, lifeguards and beach bars; the wild ones have nothing: bring water and food.
Safety. The Canarian Atlantic is not the Mediterranean. On open and northern beaches, currents and swell can be strong. Always check the flags and, if in doubt, stay where it's shallow. We cover this in detail in this article on currents and undertow.
On islas24 you'll find every one of these beaches with its location, how to get there and its services: the links above take you straight to each one's page. Golden or black, calm or wild: in Tenerife there's almost always a beach less than half an hour from wherever you are. All you have to decide is what kind of day you're after.
