How to choose the best beach in Tenerife for your trip
South vs north beaches
- South Tenerife beaches are generally sunnier, warmer, and calmer for swimming. Think Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, and the long sandy stretches near resort towns.
- North Tenerife beaches are greener and more dramatic, but often have stronger waves and darker sand. Think Anaga, Puerto de la Cruz, and wild coves.
What people forget to check
- Wind: El Médano can be heaven for kitesurfers and a nightmare for your beach umbrella.
- Swell: Some beaches look peaceful until you step closer and realize the waves are not for casual swimming.
- Timing: Arrive early for parking at popular spots, and late afternoon for the best light.
1) Playa de Las Teresitas (best easy beach near Santa Cruz)
If you want a beach day that simply works, Las Teresitas is the one I recommend to almost everyone. It’s wide, friendly, and set in a pretty bay with palm trees. Facilities are strong too, with showers, restaurants, and easy access.
Why I love it
- Calm vibe compared to many open-coast beaches
- Great for a lazy swim and an even lazier lunch
- Perfect combo day with Santa Cruz or La Laguna
Local tip
Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends can get busy, because locals love it too.
2) Playa del Duque (best “smooth” beach day in the south)
When people search “best beaches in Tenerife south”, they often mean a place like this. Playa del Duque is clean, polished, and convenient. You come here for comfort: sunbeds, promenades, cafés, and a no-stress swim.
Why it’s worth your time
- Easy water access
- Great for couples or anyone who wants a calm, tidy beach day
- Works well year-round thanks to the south’s weather
Local tip
If you want photos without crowds in the background, go early. If you want the livelier vibe, late afternoon is best.
3) Playa de Fañabé (best social beach, also very easy)
This is the beach for people who want movement: beach bars, families, swimmers, paddleboards, and sunset walkers. It’s not secret, and it’s not supposed to be. It’s a fun, easy Tenerife beach day.
Local tip
If you hate crowds, choose a weekday morning. If you want that classic holiday buzz, show up mid-afternoon.
4) Playa de las Vistas (best beach for a long, comfortable swim)
Las Vistas is one of those beaches that feels designed for swimming. It’s wide, sandy, and usually calmer than the more open-facing coasts.
Why people love it
- Soft entry into the water
- Great for families
- Easy access from Los Cristianos area
Local tip
Walk the promenade after sunset. It’s a simple pleasure, and Tenerife does simple pleasures very well.
5) El Médano Beach (best for wind, surf vibes, and kitesurfing)
El Médano is the island’s cool, breezy beach town. If you like surf culture, board shorts, sandy streets, and wind in your hair, this is your spot. It’s also famous for kitesurfing conditions, and wind is a big part of the identity here.
What to expect
- Windy days are common, which is great for watersports
- Town is walkable and has a relaxed, slightly bohemian energy
- Sunsets can be gorgeous, especially with kites in the sky
Local tip
Bring a light layer. You can feel warm in the sun, then suddenly chilled when the wind picks up.
6) Playa de la Tejita (best natural beach in the south)
La Tejita is the beach I go to when I want space. It feels more open and natural than the resort beaches. The scenery is the bonus: golden sand and the dramatic shape of Montaña Roja nearby.
Why it’s special
- Big, open feel
- Less “built-up” atmosphere
- Great for a slow walk with salty air and wide views
Local tip
Wind can be strong here too, especially on certain days. If it’s howling, consider switching to a more sheltered beach, or just embrace it and walk.
7) Playa de Benijo (best wild black sand beach)
Benijo is not a “quick swim and go” beach. It’s a “sit down, stare at the ocean, and forget your phone exists” beach. Black sand, dramatic rocks, and the kind of waves that make you respect the Atlantic.
It’s also remote compared to the easy south, and that’s part of the charm.
Why I keep returning
- One of the most cinematic beaches in Tenerife
- Sunset light here is unreal
- You feel the island’s raw side
Local tip
Go for sunset, but don’t rush. The best moment is often after the sun drops, when the sky stays bright and the beach quiets down.
8) Playa Jardín (best black sand beach in Puerto de la Cruz)
If you want a black sand beach but with city convenience, Playa Jardín is a strong pick. It’s in Puerto de la Cruz, so you can do a beach hour, then cafés, then dinner, all without planning your life around parking and mountain roads.
Local tip
North coast waves can be stronger. If the sea looks rough, treat it as a walk-and-watch beach day, which is still a great day.
9) Playa de Las Gaviotas (best clothing-optional beach near Santa Cruz)
This is one for people who want a quieter, more natural feel close to the city. It’s known for a relaxed attitude and a more local vibe.
Local tip
Check road access and parking before you go. Some smaller beaches have limited space, and it saves frustration to arrive early.
10) Playa de Los Guíos (best views of Los Gigantes cliffs)
Not every “best beach” is about swimming. Some are about the view. Los Guíos is where you go to see the cliffs up close and feel tiny in the best way.
Local tip
Pair it with a boat trip around Los Gigantes if you have time. Seeing the cliffs from the water is a different experience.
My personal “pick a beach by mood” cheat sheet
For calm swimming and easy facilities
Las Teresitas, Playa del Duque, Las Vistas
For natural scenery and fewer buildings
La Tejita, Benijo
For black sand and dramatic Tenerife energy
Benijo, Playa Jardín
For wind, surf, and sporty vibes
El Médano
Practical beach tips I learned the hard way
- Bring water shoes if you plan to explore rocky edges or natural areas.
- Respect flags and lifeguards. Tenerife’s ocean can change mood fast.
- Have a backup beach. If the wind is intense in El Médano or La Tejita, swap to a more sheltered bay like Las Teresitas.
- Start early for the “Instagram beaches.” Benijo and popular south beaches feel better before midday.
A simple Tenerife beach day plan. If you want a day that feels like “the best of Tenerife beaches” without overthinking:
Morning: Las Teresitas swim and coffee
Afternoon: drive to a south beach like Playa del Duque for warm sun
Sunset: if you have the energy, finish at Benijo for drama
This is exactly why having a car helps. Tenerife isn’t one coastline, it’s many.
