Los Gigantes is a picturesque resort town in the southwest of Tenerife, nestled at the foot of the eponymous cliffs that rise 600-800 meters above the azure waters of the Atlantic. Its mild climate, charming landscapes, and relaxed atmosphere make Los Gigantes an ideal place for a peaceful holiday in the lap of nature.
Three wonderful resorts have merged into a single agglomeration here: the respectable Los Gigantes, the compact Puerto de Santiago, and the cozy La Arena. There are no clear boundaries between them, and the entire area is managed by the Santiago del Teide municipality.
The pleasant resort town of Los Gigantes
Огромные скалы Лос Гигантес
Природная “ванна” с морской водой
Los Gigantes is considered the most attractive for tourists, standing right at the foot of the rock massif of the same name. The town is low-rise – it’s built up with upscale, expensive apartments that rise amphitheater-like towards the cliffs. Only one snow-white hotel, Stil Los Gigantes, towers above the typical Canarian houses immersed in greenery and flowers.
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The resort mainly attracts a respectable clientele from Europe. Middle-aged and family tourists predominate; there are few young people. In the town’s port, yachts are docked, and tour boats await tourists. Small vessels depart from here for excursions to the Masca gorge and for fishing; you can also rent a kayak or a jet ski here.
Good hotels in Puerto de Santiago:
- Barceló Santiago with an excellent panoramic view of the ocean and mountains
The town of Puerto de Santiago
Puerto de Santiago has a different character. It has fewer tourists than Los Gigantes – only a few hotels have been built here. The town is mainly inhabited by Canarians. Puerto de Santiago is a very cozy town, with all its buildings constructed in a unified Mediterranean style. It was formed on the site of a fishing village, and today, the fishing craft still thrives. Fresh catches make their way to local restaurants. There are no well-equipped beaches within the town limits – holidaymakers prefer to swim at the neighboring resort.
The resort town of La Arena
Playa de la Arena is located south of its neighbors, in a rocky, sunny bay. This resort is preferred by British and German tourists, most often families. The main attraction is La Arena beach, the best in the city and the most crowded.
Los Gigantes beaches with marks on the map
The beaches of this tourist area cater to those who seek tranquility, comfort, and warm waters.
Playa de los Guios
Natural Pool
Playa Los Chocos
Playa de la Arena
Playa de la Arena Beach
La Arena (Playa de la Arena) is an excellent beach: sandy, the cleanest on Tenerife. A natural bay shelters it with a wall of high cliffs, but waves here can be quite serious. Only a strip two to three meters wide along the shore is safe for small children — beyond that, it gets deep. In the afternoon, it gets very crowded.
The sun is intense here (sunscreen is necessary both on the beach and during regular walks). The black volcanic sand heats up considerably by noon, making it difficult to walk on. For visitors’ comfort, wooden walkways are laid out everywhere, and umbrellas and sunbeds are provided. The toilet is paid. The sandy strip extends 160 by 60 m. For its comfort, Playa Arena has been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’. Lifeguards are always on duty here, water safety information flags are displayed, and medical assistance is available.
Hotels near La Arena beach:
- Landmar Playa La Arena with All Inclusive meals
- Hotel Blue Sea Lagos de Cesar – close to the beach, also all-inclusive.
Playa Los Chochos
In the town of Puerto de Santiago, there is only one small beach – Playa los Chochos. The strip of volcanic sand covers an area of 65 by 25 meters. This miniature recreation area is located in the waters of the old fishing port of Puerto Santiago. Tourists rarely visit this natural sandy beach with no special amenities; it’s mainly used by local residents.
Playa de Los Guios
This triangular-shaped beach with an area of about 2400 m² is located at the foot of rocky cliffs on the outskirts of Los Gigantes, between a small port and the cliffs. It’s not the most popular place for waterside recreation — only tourists staying nearby visit it. The beach can be reached via Calle los Guios street.
Playa de los Guios is famous for its stunning landscapes and unusually warm water. The coastal waves here are indeed several degrees warmer than on neighboring beaches. The water is heated by sun-scorched rocks submerged in the ocean for several dozen meters. Sun loungers, deck chairs, umbrellas, and catamarans are available for rent on the beach.
Good hotels in Los Gigantes:
- Barceló Santiago with excellent panoramic views of the ocean and mountains
Natural pool
The ocean raging off the western shores of Tenerife often deprives vacationers of the opportunity to swim – the waves become too dangerous. Local residents have come up with a worthy solution. Between the rocks and the ridge of frozen lava near the shore, a formation resembling a huge «bathtub» has formed. People have supplemented the natural barrier of this natural pool with a concrete edge. It has become a barrier against the ocean’s elements.
The bathing area is located away from the road. There’s a sign at the parking lot leading to the beach gate. You can sunbathe here on the concrete edge covered with seaweed, on a small stone platform, or on bumpy rocks. Inside the sea «bathtub» it’s calm and safe – high waves crash against the concrete barrier, flash in the sun with splashes and retreat, leaving thousands of bubbles in the pool. Both the spectacle and the sensations are amazing.
Weather in Los Gigantes
The climate of this place is ideal – very mild and stable. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year do not exceed seven degrees (from +21 to +28 °C). The resort is excellently protected from wind: from the north by the huge Teide volcano, from the west by the grandiose rock formations of Los Gigantes. The water temperature throughout the year ranges from +19°C to +23°C.
How to get to Los Gigantes?
Since there’s no direct bus from Tenerife South Airport to Los Gigantes, you’ll need to travel with a transfer. You can check the bus schedule and ticket prices on the website titsa.com.
From Tenerife Sur airport, take bus 40 to the PEstacion Costa Adeje stop. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Then transfer to bus №473 or №477 (faster) and ride to the Los Gigantes stop. This part of the journey takes 45 minutes.
Or you can book a transfer.
Nearby towns: San Juan, Alcala, Abama Beach, Costa Adeje.
