Which places in the south would I choose first? It’s Los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago. I would call it the sunniest place on the island, where it’s always warm and the water is probably a degree warmer than in other places. The best beach there is La Arena. It’s small but cozy. I also love to swim there with a mask. But to travel around the island from Los Gigantes, you definitely need to rent a car.
In second place is the town of Costa Adeje with beaches Playa del Duque and Fañabe. It’s a very touristy place with many restaurants. There are many 4 and 5-star hotels. And also many apartments for rent. The bus station is within walking distance, from which you can go to any point on the island by bus. The beaches are also among the best on the island. There’s plenty to choose from. Even if there’s a storm, you’ll find a beach where you can swim without waves. For children, Playa de la Pinta is excellent.
In third place, I would name Los Cristianos. Just choose the beach not the one in the port, but Playa del Camisón. Also one of the best beaches. Excellent infrastructure, shops, restaurants. You can also take a bus to any point on the island.
In fourth place, I would put the small town of La Caleta, which is located near Costa Adeje. I like the rocky beach there, from which you can dive. It’s not suitable for children, but the water is very clean. And you don’t need to shake sand off your feet.
In fifth place, I would put Playa Paraíso and Callao Salvaje. As locals say, it has the best climate on the island. Yes, indeed, it’s a good place. But the beaches there are small, with stones — Playa de Ajabo, Playa Las Galgas, Playa El Pinque. And I think it’s very cramped in the city, densely built with houses.
As for the east coast, near the airport, El Médano. Everything nearby usually has strong winds, and these places should be chosen only if you like extreme sports, like windsurfing, kitesurfing.
I’ll add one more bonus town. The town is called Radazul, it’s located near Santa Cruz. You won’t find big hotels there, but you’ll find many new houses with spacious apartments to rent for a week or two. They also have two excellent beaches — Playa de la Nea and Playa de Radazul, I think these are some of the best beaches near Santa Cruz.
Finally, I would advise you to rent a car if possible, as it will be much more convenient for exploring the island. It’s better to rent from local companies, for example, through the search engine LocalRent or Cicar. Support local businesses rather than large multinational companies.
