Playa De La Arena Holidays

Tenerife's best-kept secret sits on the quiet west coast, where dramatic volcanic scenery meets one of the island's cleanest beaches. Playa de la Arena has held Blue Flag status since 1989 – that striking black sand isn't just gorgeous, it's properly pristine. With the towering Los Gigantes cliffs as your backdrop and views across to La Gomera island, this peaceful little resort delivers proper wow-factor without the crowds.

✨ Good to Know

• ☀️ Year-round sunshine with summer highs of 25-27°C and mild winters around 20-21°C – the west coast is sheltered from the trade winds

• 💶 More affordable than the south coast hotspots – expect €2-3 for a pint and €10-15 for a solid meal

• 🏖️ Blue Flag beach since 1989 – Tenerife's cleanest stretch of sand with lifeguards and excellent facilities

🌟 Playa de la Arena Highlights

• 🏖️ The famous black volcanic sand beach – 175 metres of Blue Flag brilliance with views across to La Gomera

• 🏔️ Los Gigantes cliffs rise 600 metres straight from the sea – one of the Canaries' most jaw-dropping natural sights

• 🐋 Whale and dolphin watching trips depart from nearby Los Gigantes marina – pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins are practically guaranteed

• 🌅 Sunset views from the palm-lined promenade are absolutely stunning – perfect for evening strolls and waterfront dining

• 🥾 Coastal walking paths connect you to Puerto Santiago and Los Gigantes – easy exploring without a car

🏨 Hotels in Playa de la Arena

Playa de la Arena keeps things relaxed, with a mix of comfortable apartment-hotels and modern resorts that suit families and couples looking for a quieter base. Most have pools, sea views and easy access to the beach and promenade. Browse all Playa de la Arena hotels or check out our selection below.

Families

• Allegro Isora – 312 apartments with three pools, a wellness centre, basketball court and on-site entertainment. Just 650m from the black sand beach

• Landmar Hotel Costa de los Gigantes – Four-star resort with six heated pools, baby club, mini club, teen club and zipwires. A short walk from the beach

Couples

• Sholeo Los Gigantes – Adults Recommended retreat with cracking sea views, a stylish pool area and the trendy FeelGood Gardens with hammocks and fairy lights

• Barceló Santiago – Adults Only 18+ with impressive views over La Gomera and Los Gigantes cliffs, plus spa, gym and tennis

Self-Catering

• Arena Suites Playa La Arena – 90 apartments with a heated pool and sun terrace, 600m from the beach

• Dragos del Sur – Comfortable apartments just 200m from the sand with pool, jacuzzi and sauna

🎯 What to Do in Playa de la Arena

Families

• 🏖️ The black sand beach is brilliant for kids – calm waters, lifeguards on duty and cafés right on the front

• 🐪 Take the kids on a camel safari through the volcanic landscape – a unique Tenerife experience

• 🦜 Jungle Park (Parque Las Águilas) has birds of prey shows, sea lion displays and jungle adventures about 30 minutes away

• 🌋 Mount Teide National Park makes a brilliant day trip – ride the cable car up Spain's highest peak

Couples

• 🐋 Whale watching from Los Gigantes marina – spot pilot whales and dolphins with almost guaranteed sightings

• 🍷 Wine tasting in the volcanic vineyards of the central island – Tenerife produces some genuinely excellent wines

• 🌅 Sunset drinks at Mirador Archipenque – one of the best viewpoints for those famous cliff views

• 🍽️ Waterfront dining along the promenade – fresh seafood with La Gomera on the horizon

Groups

• 🤿 Diving and snorkelling around the volcanic rocks – crystal-clear waters and fascinating marine life

• 🚤 Boat trips along the coast to explore hidden coves and see the cliffs from the water

• ⛳ Tee off at one of Tenerife's championship golf courses – Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf are about 45 minutes away

• 🎢 Siam Park and Aqualand are worth the trip to the south coast for waterslide thrills

Culture Vultures

• 🏔️ Los Gigantes – the 'Cliffs of the Giants' are a genuine geological wonder, rising 600 metres from the ocean

• 🏘️ Alcala village has a brilliant Monday market (9am-2pm) with local crafts and produce

• 📸 Masca village is one of Tenerife's most photogenic spots – winding mountain roads lead to this hidden gem

• 🏛️ Garachico on the north coast has gorgeous colonial architecture and natural rock pools

📅 When to Visit Playa de la Arena

Spring (March - May)

Lovely temperatures of 22-25°C, quieter beaches and perfect conditions for hiking and exploring. The cliffs look spectacular in the soft spring light.

Summer (June - August)

Peak season with temperatures of 25-27°C. The beach gets busier but the atmosphere stays relaxed. Warm sea temperatures make swimming a treat.

Autumn (September - November)

Still beautifully warm (23-25°C) with fewer visitors. Sea temperatures remain lovely well into October. Whale watching is excellent.

Winter (December - February)

Escape the UK grey with temperatures around 20-21°C. Carnival season brings colour and celebration to nearby Los Gigantes.

🗺️ What's On

• 🎭 Los Gigantes Carnival Late February - Early March - A week of fancy dress, parades, the Drag Gala and the traditional Burial of the Sardine in nearby Los Gigantes

• 🎉 Santa Cruz Carnival January - February The island's main event and one of the world's biggest carnivals – the Gran Coso parade on February 17 is spectacular

• 🛒 Alcala Market Every Monday, 9am-2pm Local crafts, produce and authentic Canarian atmosphere in the nearby village

• 🛒 San Juan Market Every Wednesday A farmers' market in nearby Playa San Juan – great for fresh produce and local finds

🏝️ Nearby Resorts

• Puerto Santiago – Right next door with a charming marina, excellent restaurants and those iconic cliff views

• Costa Adeje – Tenerife's upmarket south coast about 30 minutes away, with Siam Park and designer beaches

• Los Cristianos – Lively resort on the south coast with golden beaches, great nightlife and ferry connections to La Gomera