Spain · Canary Islands · Atlantic Ocean
Best Beaches in Tenerife
Your guide to the finest beaches on the Canary Islands' largest island — Saharan golden sands, volcanic black beaches, and year-round swimming temperatures.
Exploring Tenerife's Coastline
Tenerife is a beach island of extraordinary contrasts. The largest and most populous of the Canary Islands spans subtropical climate zones, from the volcanic lava fields of the south to the lush laurisilva forests of the north, and its beaches reflect this variety. The southern resort coast — Los Cristianos, Playa de las Américas, Costa Adeje — offers wall-to-wall tourist infrastructure and reliable year-round sun. The north and east of the island are wilder: volcanic black sand beaches, dramatic sea cliffs dropping into the Atlantic, and the extraordinary Playa de las Teresitas near Santa Cruz, where golden Saharan sand imported to create a sheltered family beach creates a jarring yet beautiful contrast with the island's volcanic character. Year-round sea temperatures of 20–24°C make Tenerife the most accessible Atlantic island for winter swimming.
