Playa de la Arena Holidays

The black sand beach at Playa de la Arena is its main draw for visitors. Flanked by low key restaurants and bars, this beach still does get busy in the summer months but is world’s away from Tenerife’s much larger resorts. In neighbouring Los Gigantes, you can explore the ‘Giant Cliffs’ with a walk, or you could head into the Teide National Park for a gorgeous and fragrant wander through protected woodland.

There is a range of restaurants available in Playa de la Arena and the surrounding area. With pretty quick access to Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago, there’s really no end to your culinary discover on your Tenerife holiday. Expect fine dining combined with casual eateries along the seafront. Playa de la Arena doesn’t take itself too seriously when it comes to its evenings out so expect a laidback atmosphere suitable for family meals. If you want something a little fancier - or an added drop of romance - Puerto de Santiago has some excellent gourmet restaurants serving Mediterranean and international affair.

Playa de la Arena is ideal for a family holiday. You’ve got a calm beach, protected by a natural cove, meaning the waves aren’t too intense for some toddler paddling. The sand is fine and even though it’s black sand you can still dig a nice, big hole. The calm restaurants and bars are suitable for loungy evenings with the whole family, plus the local Canarian hospitality is top-notch.

The water is a little calmer here compared to some of the other beaches on Tenerife. Not known for its water sports, as the sea is protected by a natural cove, you can still enjoy some beach-based activities if it takes your fancy. You’ll find tour guides for scuba diving and boat trips along the main promenade next to the beach. Instead, you can head out of hikes and take your adventure inland to explore some of the untouched parts of the south-west Tenerife coast.

The black sand beach in Playa de la Arena reminds you that the Canary Islands are naturally volcanic. Although some resorts in Tenerife have manmade sands to make them more aesthetically pleasing for tourists who’ve come to associate pristine white sands and blue seas with a holiday, the natural beauty of the black sand is a wonder in its own right. Flanked with plenty of facilities and options for water sports, the Playa de la Arena is family-friendly. Remember to always check local advice before going swimming. It can be, at first, not obvious if there’s a powerful undercurrent.

Whilst not known for its bustling nightlife, Playa de la Arena makes a comfortable and cosy alternative to some of the busier more raucous Tenerife resorts (we’re looking at you, Playa de las Americas.) Still, you can expect an unpretentious evening offering, with the bars and restaurants starting their evening service in a calm and laid-back style. There’s a great atmosphere and many Canarians still live around this small resort, meaning the prices and offerings are often at a better, less touristic standard.

Chilled-out, unpretentious Canarian goodness. Tenerife isn’t overwhelmingly known for its romantic spots unless you’re booking yourself into one of the large, all-inclusive adults-only resorts. Many of the resorts cater to party-makers and cheap holiday-makers. Playa de la Arena is a bit different. It’s smaller, not as ‘mad’ as the larger resorts that surround it, and prides itself on its laid-back atmosphere. If you like hanging out on the beach, making your slow way down a lovely promenade or exploring some of the wilder parts of Tenerife, Playa de la Arena isn’t a bad choice.

Playa de la Arena hasn’t been untouched by touristic development. There are some large hotels (such as the Allegro Isora, hi oscar, and the Bahia Flamingo) which attract many tourists to the area. Generally, Playa de la Arena is a resort town, and a lot of what may have been here before the tourism boom in the late 20th century has disappeared. For culture, you can head into Los Gigantes if you’re visiting in February, as there’s a carnival held celebrating local culture.