Like those of Gran Canaria, the fabled beaches of Tenerife lie along its sunny south coast. Among the most developed, with plenty of holiday homes, hotels, restaurants, and sports options, are the golden sands of family-oriented Playa de Las Vistas and the upscale enclaves around Playa del Duque, on the Costa Adeje to the west.
At the latter, you'll find shopping, luxury spas, golf, windsurfing, jet skiing, and other activities. The string of beaches ends with Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes, in a spectacular location underneath soaring cliffs.
Smaller natural beaches with darker sand dot the entire shore east of Los Cristianos as far as El Medano. Too windy for comfortable sunbathing or swimming, El Medano is a world-class surfing beach. Farther west is the beautiful, small Playa Santiago and Playa de la Arena, protected by rocky headlands and set below a lush park.
Adeje is an upscale resort area, with shopping, luxury spas, golf, windsurfing, jet skiing, and other activities. Perhaps the best beach for families is Playa de las Teresitas, just outside the capital of Santa Cruz. Its gently sloping, golden sands (imported from North Africa) are protected by artificial barrier reefs that make it perfect for children and swimmers, without the heavy surf of some other beaches.
