20 Best Things to Do in Tenerife South: Beaches, Activities & Day Trips

Tenerife South is where the overwhelming majority of UK visitors to the island spend their holidays — and with good reason. The southern half of the island has the most reliably sunny weather, the finest resort beaches, Siam Park (one of the world’s best water parks), and easy access to the extraordinary Teide National Park. Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, and Los Cristianos form the main resort strip; Los Gigantes and La Caleta offer a different and more relaxed character to the west.

This guide covers the 20 best things to do in Tenerife South — from the beaches and water parks to the natural wonders, day trips, and hidden spots that most resort visitors never discover.

Quick Guide: Where to Stay in Tenerife South

Resort Area	Character	Best For
Costa Adeje	Upscale resort strip; luxury hotels; Blue Flag beaches	Couples, families, luxury seekers
Playa de las Americas	Busy resort; nightlife; beach bars	Young adults, nightlife, lively atmosphere
Los Cristianos	More local character; fishing harbour; budget friendly	Families, quieter pace, ferry connections
Los Gigantes	Dramatic cliff scenery; quieter; authentic	Couples, walkers, nature lovers
El Medano	Windsurfing town; local atmosphere; sandy beach	Water sports, surfers, local vibe
San Miguel de Abona	Quiet village; inland; budget accommodation	Budget travellers, authentic experience

Beaches in Tenerife South

1. Playa del Duque — Best Beach in Costa Adeje

Playa del Duque is consistently ranked the finest beach in Tenerife South — a wide stretch of fine imported Saharan sand, Blue Flag certified, with calm and clear water ideal for swimming. It is flanked by luxury hotels and has the excellent facilities — sunbeds, showers, lifeguards, cafes — of a well-maintained resort beach without the crush of Playa de las Americas. The atmosphere is calm and upmarket.

Best for: families, couples, anyone wanting the best beach experience in the south without crowding.

2. Playa de Fanabe

Adjacent to Playa del Duque, Playa de Fanabe is another high-quality Costa Adeje beach — slightly larger and marginally more accessible, making it popular with families staying in the surrounding hotel zone. Calm water, golden sand, and good facilities. Less exclusive than Del Duque but equally pleasant.

3. Las Vistas Beach, Los Cristianos

Las Vistas is the main beach of Los Cristianos — a long, wide, south-facing beach with calm water (protected by the headland) that is particularly good for younger children. The beach has a Blue Flag, consistent lifeguard coverage, and a pleasant promenade behind it. Less glamorous than the Costa Adeje beaches but reliably calm.

4. Playa el Medano

El Medano’s main beach is the largest natural sandy beach in Tenerife — a long arc of sand exposed to the prevailing trade winds, which makes it the premier windsurfing and kitesurfing location on the island. The strong winds make it less suitable for young children or those wanting a calm swim, but the vast open beach, the volcanic rock outcrop of Montaña Roja at the eastern end, and the local town character make it one of the most distinctive beaches in the south.

Tenerife South’s Must-See Natural Attraction

5. Los Gigantes Cliffs — The Most Dramatic Sight in Tenerife South

The cliffs of Los Gigantes — Los Acantilados de los Gigantes — are the defining natural feature of southern Tenerife’s west coast. Near-vertical volcanic rock faces rising 300 to 800 metres directly from the Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs are genuinely awe-inspiring at close range. From the town of Los Gigantes (which sits partially on the clifftop), the scale is clear; from the water on a boat trip, it is overwhelming.

Viewing options:

• From the town: The Mirador Punta del Roque near the Barcelo Santiago Hotel offers the best viewpoint with a pleasant coastal walking path — less crowded than the Mirador Archipenque on the approach to town
• By boat: Boat trips from Los Gigantes harbour allow you to pass directly beneath the cliffs at water level — the most impressive way to appreciate the scale, and accessible on day trips from all southern resorts
• By coastal walk: A marked coastal path runs from the natural pool near Los Gigantes toward La Arena and beyond — excellent views throughout

6. Natural Rock Pools

Several natural rock pools in Tenerife South provide some of the best wild swimming on the island — seawater pools formed in the volcanic rock that are generally calmer and clearer than the open beach:

• Natural Pool of Los Gigantes: Reached by the coastal walking path from Los Gigantes harbour — a sheltered pool in volcanic rock with excellent clarity. The walk to reach it is part of the appeal.
• Charco la Vaca, La Arena: A natural rock pool beside the Playa de la Arena (one of Tenerife South’s best smaller beaches — dark volcanic sand, Blue Flag, much less visited than Costa Adeje).
• Los Abrigos natural pools: Between Los Abrigos fishing village and Montana Roja — quieter and less visited than the Los Gigantes pools.

7. El Medano and Montaña Roja

The volcanic cone of Montaña Roja at the eastern end of El Medano beach is a protected natural monument — a well-preserved reddish cinder cone rising above the coastline. A short but moderately steep walking trail climbs to the summit (approximately 30-40 minutes return) for panoramic views over El Medano, the airport, and the southern coastline. The contrast of the red volcanic rock against the blue ocean is striking.

Activities and Attractions

8. Siam Park — World-Class Water Park

Siam Park in Costa Adeje has been rated the best water park in the world by TripAdvisor multiple times and is the single most popular paid attraction in Tenerife South. The Thai-themed park covers 185,000 square metres and includes:

• Tower of Power — a near-vertical drop through a transparent tube passing through a shark tank; the ride that defines Siam Park
• The Wave Palace — an enormous artificial wave pool producing 3-metre waves; the largest artificial wave in the world
• Dragon — a family raft ride
• Lazy river — a slow-moving river through beautifully landscaped tropical gardens
• Beach and pool areas with sunbeds

Book tickets online in advance — queues and prices are both lower with online booking. The park is suitable for all ages with dedicated children’s areas alongside the extreme rides. Open year-round.

9. Whale and Dolphin Watching

The deep-water channel between Tenerife and La Gomera off the southwest coast is one of the best places in the world to see cetaceans — short-finned pilot whales are resident year-round, and common bottlenose dolphins are regular sightings on almost every trip. Additional species including sperm whales, fin whales, and sei whales pass through seasonally.

Whale watching tours depart from Los Cristianos and Puerto Colon (Costa Adeje). Choose operators certified under responsible whale watching guidelines — in Tenerife, reputable operators adhere to minimum approach distances and strict behaviour protocols that protect the animals.

• Budget option: Larger catamaran tours with snorkelling; 2-3 hours; from Los Cristianos
• Premium option: Smaller private yacht or speedboat tours; fewer passengers; better wildlife experience
• Best season: Pilot whales and dolphins year-round. Migrating humpback whales most likely December to February.

10. Teide National Park Day Trip

Teide National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Spain’s highest mountain — is the most important day trip from Tenerife South. The TF-21 road from the south climbs through the extraordinary lunar landscape of the Las Canadas caldera, passing volcanic rock formations, ancient lava fields, and pumice zones before reaching the Teide visitor centre and cable car station at 2,356 metres.

Getting to Teide from the south: By hired car (most flexible — 1 hour from Costa Adeje); by organised tour (depart from all major resorts, typically half-day or full day); or by public bus (TITSA line 348 from Las Americas — slower but affordable).

At Teide: The cable car (Teleferico del Teide) ascends to 3,555 metres in approximately 8 minutes — book online in advance as it sells out. Walking to the summit crater requires a separate free permit (apply via reservasparquesnacionales.es well in advance). The views from the cable car station extend to Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro on clear days.

11. Masca Gorge Boat Trip

The Masca Gorge in the Teno Massif is accessible from the south by boat trip from Los Gigantes — a popular full-day excursion that takes you along the dramatic coastline to the beach at the base of the gorge. Snorkelling is included on most trips, and the combination of the coastal scenery, the gorge itself, and the swimming makes it one of the most satisfying day trips from Tenerife South.

Alternatively, the Masca hiking route descends through the gorge from the village above to the beach — permit required, 3-4 hours one way — with the boat from Los Gigantes returning you to the start. This is the most complete Masca experience but requires good fitness and advance booking.

12. La Caleta Fishing Village

La Caleta is a genuine Canarian fishing village that survived the tourist development of the surrounding coast — an anomaly in Tenerife South where most settlements are purpose-built resorts. The small harbour with colourful traditional fishing boats, the seafront restaurants serving fresh fish and local Canarian cuisine, and the relaxed pace are a genuine contrast to the resort strip a few kilometres away.

La Caleta is best visited in the evening — arrive for sunset, have a glass of local wine or Canarian beer, and eat at one of the harbour restaurants. The proximity to Costa Adeje (taxi or short drive) makes it an easy addition to any evening.

13. Paragliding Above Adeje

The mountain terrain above Adeje provides excellent thermal conditions for paragliding — operators at Ifonche offer tandem flights with instructors that provide extraordinary aerial views over the southern resort coast, the Atlantic, and on clear days La Gomera and El Hierro. No experience is required for tandem flights; the experience typically lasts 15-30 minutes of flying time.

14. Snorkelling and Sea Kayaking

The waters off Tenerife South have excellent visibility and a variety of marine life including sea turtles, angel sharks (harmless, bottom-dwelling), and colourful reef fish. Key spots:

• Puerto Colon and surrounding coves: Good for snorkelling directly off rocky areas; turtle sightings common
• Las Galletas: Quieter fishing town south of Los Cristianos; good snorkelling off the rocks
• Guided sea kayak tours: Several operators run kayaking and snorkelling tours along the south coast combining both activities

15. El Medano Watersports

El Medano is one of the premier windsurfing and kitesurfing locations in Europe — the consistent north-easterly trade winds and the large, flat beach create near-ideal conditions. Several schools in town offer lessons for beginners and equipment hire for experienced surfers. Even if you are not surfing, watching the colourful kites and sails from the promenade over a coffee is an enjoyable afternoon activity.

16. Jungle Park (Arona)

Jungle Park (Parque Las Aguilas) in Arona is the main zoo and animal park in Tenerife South, featuring birds of prey shows, sea lion shows, reptiles, and a wide variety of birds in landscaped grounds. It is primarily oriented towards families and younger visitors. Combined tickets with Siam Park are available at a saving.

Day Trips from Tenerife South

17. La Gomera

La Gomera — the small island visible from the southern coast of Tenerife on clear days — is accessible by ferry from Los Cristianos (Fred Olsen or Naviera Armas, approximately 50 minutes to San Sebastian de la Gomera). La Gomera is entirely different from Tenerife in character: a small, mountainous, almost entirely undeveloped island with the extraordinary Garajonay National Park (laurel forest, UNESCO) at its centre. A full day allows a visit to the national park and the historic town of San Sebastian, where Columbus stopped before his first voyage to America.

18. Teide Stargazing

The summit area of Teide is one of the best stargazing locations in the world — above the cloud layer, far from light pollution, with the clear Atlantic atmosphere producing extraordinary visibility. Several operators run night excursions from the southern resorts that drive to the national park, provide telescopes and guided astronomical observation, and typically include transport and an evening meal. The combination of the volcanic landscape by starlight and the astronomical visibility makes this one of Tenerife’s most unique experiences.

19. The Aloe Vera Farm, Arona

The Finca Canaria aloe vera farm in Arona is an unusual and genuinely interesting agricultural attraction — a working aloe vera plantation with free guided tours explaining cultivation, processing, and the uses of the plant. The farm sells products directly and provides a good introduction to one of the Canary Islands’ most commercially significant plants. Easily reached by car or bus from Costa Adeje as a half-morning activity.

20. Nightlife in Playa de las Americas

Playa de las Americas has one of the most extensive and established resort nightlife scenes in the Canary Islands. The Veronica’s Strip and the surrounding bar and club area operates from mid-evening until the early hours with bars, clubs, live music venues, and beachfront restaurants. For those wanting a more relaxed evening rather than clubs, the Las Americas promenade has a good range of restaurants and cocktail bars with sea views. Costa Adeje has a more sophisticated and quieter evening scene.

Practical Information for Tenerife South

Topic	What to Know
Getting there from UK	Flights to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) from most UK airports — approximately 4 hours. Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, easyJet all serve TFS. Note: Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is a separate airport.
Car hire	Strongly recommended for exploring beyond the immediate resort area — Teide, Masca, El Medano, Los Gigantes, La Caleta all significantly more accessible by car.
Currency	Euro (EUR). Most businesses accept cards; cash useful for markets and smaller establishments.
Weather	Southern Tenerife has the most reliable sunshine on the island — average 22-24°C in winter, 28-32°C in summer. Cloud is rare in the south.
Siam Park	Book online in advance. Cheaper and avoids queues. Open year-round.
Teide cable car	Book online before travelling. Regularly sold out on the day. Brings own water — the altitude causes dehydration faster than expected.
Best time to visit	October to May for cooler temperatures ideal for activity and sightseeing. June to August is hottest; beaches are excellent but sightseeing is more tiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Tenerife South?

The unmissable experiences in Tenerife South are: Siam Park (one of the world’s best water parks), a boat trip to see the Los Gigantes cliffs at water level, whale and dolphin watching from Los Cristianos or Puerto Colon, a day trip to Teide National Park (with the cable car booked in advance), the beaches of Costa Adeje (Playa del Duque and Fanabe), and an evening at La Caleta fishing village. For the most adventurous, tandem paragliding above Adeje and the Masca Gorge boat trip are outstanding.

What is the best resort in Tenerife South?

Costa Adeje is the best resort area for most UK visitors — it has the finest beaches (Playa del Duque, Fanabe), the highest concentration of quality hotels, proximity to Siam Park and whale watching departures, and a more relaxed and upscale atmosphere than Playa de las Americas. Los Gigantes is the best choice for those wanting dramatic scenery, a quieter pace, and more authentic character.

Is Tenerife South good for families?

Yes — Tenerife South is one of the best family holiday destinations in Europe. Siam Park is outstanding for children and teenagers; the calm beaches of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos are ideal for young swimmers; whale watching is a genuine wildlife experience; Jungle Park provides a full day’s zoo-type entertainment; and the consistent warm sunny weather makes outdoor time reliable throughout the year.

How far is Teide from Tenerife South?

Teide National Park is approximately 1 hour’s drive from Costa Adeje or Playa de las Americas via the TF-21 mountain road. The drive itself is scenic and passes through several distinct vegetation zones before reaching the lunar landscape of the caldera. Organised tours depart from all southern resorts, typically as half-day or full-day trips.

Final Thoughts

Tenerife South is more than its resort reputation suggests. The beaches are genuinely excellent, Siam Park is world-class, and the whale watching is among the best in Europe. But the area’s real depth comes from what lies beyond the immediate resort strip: the extraordinary cliffs at Los Gigantes, the authentic fishing village of La Caleta, the volcanic landscapes of Montaña Roja and the Paisaje Lunar, and the short journey to Teide that transforms an ordinary beach holiday into something considerably more memorable.

For a complete guide to the whole island including the north, see our full guide to things to do in Tenerife.