Playa la Arena Travel Guide

Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate holiday resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and its lovely, long stretch of black-sandy beach has Blue Flag status. The sea offers excellent swimming, but the water can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There's plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighbouring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect holiday destination.

Shopping

Duty-free shopping is one of the big attractions of a visit to Tenerife. Shoppers will find better goods in nearby Los Gigantes, though there's a decent range of stores in the town as well.

Restaurants

Many international restaurants and tapas bars line the well-developed promenade at Playa la Arena. British-style pub food is widely available, and it's definitely worth sampling some of the delicious Canarian dishes, such as salty new potatoes boiled in sea water and baked with a spicy mojo sauce. The variety of restaurants in the three connected resorts is more than sufficient for all budgets and tastes. Some of the restaurants and bars close in winter when the resort empties out.

Nightlife

Although there are many bars and cafes, proper nightclubs are few and far between in Playa la Arena, and most after dark entertainment is limited to what the all-inclusive hotels offer their guests. It's a peaceful, family resort that isn't well suited to those seeking an energetic nightlife. However, there are some popular party resorts nearby, such as Playa de las Americas.

Holiday activities

There are plenty of activities for the few days visitors might spend away from Playa la Arena's beaches. It's worth taking a boat trip to the nearby Los Gigantes, and the whale watching tours are a must for the whole family. The Teide National Park is a short trip away, and those who venture there can take the cable car to the top of Mount Teide and enjoy the spectacular view of the strange volcanic landscape. Visitors staying in Playa la Arena can also arrange a fun day out in Playa de las Americas or take a sightseeing stroll through the nearby villages of Los Gigantes and Puerto Santiago.

Any negatives?

This area is very hilly and may be challenging for people with walking difficulties or parents with prams. The sea can have strong undercurrents so swimmers should take red-flag lifeguard warnings seriously.