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. Go early: the car park fills up, and by mid-morning finding a spot is already a struggle.
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): 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 in about fifteen minutes; the effort pays off handsomely, and up top there's a little 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 a sheltered, family-friendly feel. And on the Los Gigantes 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.
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. Nearby, Playa de Almáciga offers the same untamed atmosphere. 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 paradise of the Canaries, with a relaxed, bohemian vibe. Beside it, Playa de La Tejita, at the foot of Montaña Roja, is one of the longest and least built-up beaches in the south, perfect if you're after space and nature without giving up reliable sun. Even if you don't do any sport, it's wonderful just watching the coloured sails cross the water.
The quiet ones the locals know
It's not all famous beaches. On the east coast, near Santa Cruz, coves like Playa de Radazul or Tabaiba are the islanders' refuge 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 home to 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) really only by car, and parking is limited, so set off early. Las Teresitas and Las Vistas are also served by the guagua (Tenerife's bus) from Santa Cruz and the south; 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, 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 watch the flags and, if in doubt, stay where the water is shallow. We cover it in detail in this article on currents and undertow.
On islas24 you'll find each of these beaches with its location, how to get there and its services, so you can pick yours to match the day. Golden or black, calm or wild: in Tenerife there's almost always a beach less than half an hour from wherever you are. You just have to decide what kind of day you fancy.
