Tenerife is known for a lot of things. It is the largest of the seven Canary Islands, it’s renowned as being many a Brit’s holiday paradise with guaranteed fun in the sun, and of course, it boasts some fabulous beaches…we’ve picked our top three.
Las Teresitas
Created in the 1970s, Las Teresitas is a manmade beach located in the island’s capital Santa Cruz. Widely known as one of Tenerife’s best beaches, Las Teresitas is a beautiful crescent-shaped bay of golden sand fringed by palm trees and sheltered by the verdant Anaga mountains. Teresitas is immensely popular with locals in the area, indeed it’s a lot less touristy than many of Tenerife’s other beaches and retains a certain charm as a result. It’s also well loved by families, and it’s not hard to see why. The beach is not only pristine clean but also benefits from fine golden sand (transported from the Sahara Desert) and calm, shallow waters created by the breakwaters, which provide ideal conditions for safe swimming – ideal for introducing your little ones to the big blue for the first time.
The calm waters also attract shoals of colourful tropical fish, so head to Las Teresitas if you want to enjoy some amazing snorkelling and diving. There is a good range of facilities available including sun loungers, parasols, showers and a pretty promenade dotted with bustling cafes. Located at the southern end of Las Teresitas is the pretty fishing village of San Andrés, which has some excellent bars and restaurants. Situated only five miles north of the city, Las Teresitas has plenty of parking and there’s a regular bus service from Santa Cruz.
Playa del Duque
Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the south of the island. This inviting Blue Flag beach is deep and wide and lined by a lively promenade peppered with plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants. Formerly a black sand beach, Playa Del Duque underwent something of a makeover in the Nineties when white sand was pumped from the sea bed and distributed on top of the black sand. Like Las Teresitas, it’s protected by a breakwater so the sea is reassuringly calm and safe for swimming – hence Playa del Duque is a big hit with families.
Some of the island’s top five-star hotels lead on to the beach, so prices are hiked up a bit here and the stylish restaurants and boutique shops are more upmarket compared to some of the island’s more low key beaches. There’s a wide range of facilities, such as sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms, showers, toilets and even a massage service. There is plenty of parking available and Playa del Duque is serviced by plenty of bus routes from the island’s major resorts.
El Bollullo
It may have black sand – no Saharan sand makeover for this beach – but El Bollullo is nonetheless a stunning beach. A great low-key option for those seeking to escape the tourist masses, El Bollullo is an appealing antidote to the island’s busier, more popular beaches. Situated in the north of the island and backed by black volcanic rocks, this striking beach attracts a relaxed crowd who are happy with the basics: a beach towel, sun cream, cold beer and good book, which is handy as El Bollullo isn’t exactly rife with amenities. It’s not overly ideal for families as although the black sand is clean and the water is clear, the waves can get pretty big and the distinct lack of facilities may mean that you come a cropper – especially if you’re little ones decide that only a ride in a banana boat will do.
There is a brilliant little beach shack on the rocks, which serves seriously fresh seafood and cold beer – what more do you need? If you do feel in the mood for a bit more action then the neighbouring beaches, Los Patos and El Pozo, are also well worth a look – especially if you’re looking for an all over tan…these beaches are popular with nudists. El Bollullo is a mile east of Puerto de la Cruz and requires your own form of transport – albeit by hire car or foot. If you opt for the latter, it will take about half an hour to walk through the banana plantations of Puerto de la Cruz – well, at least you’ll definitely deserve that nice cold beer once you get there.
