Are you planning a holiday on the Costa Adeje, south-west of Tenerife? Los Cristianos is a lively seaside resort. A former fishing village, it has become one of the most popular areas on the Canary Islands. We enjoyed its golden sandy beaches, harbour and water sports activities, making it the perfect destination for a seaside vacation.
Here’s our guide to the must-see places in Los Cristianos, Tenerife, and useful tips for planning your visit.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Is Los Cristianos worth a visit?
Yes, Los Cristianos is well worth a visit if, above all, you want to enjoy the sea. It’s a lively seaside resort on the Costa Adeje, offering a wide range ofwater sports and beautiful golden beaches. We appreciated its slightly more authentic atmosphere (fishing port and pedestrian streets) than that of its famous neighbor, Playa de las Americas.
1. Swimming at Playa de Los Cristianos
Playa de Los Cristianos is the resort’s main beach. We particularly appreciated its golden sands and calm waters, making it an ideal spot for swimming. You can take advantage of the many facilities on offer, including deckchairs and parasols, as well as beach volleyball courts on the promenade along the beach. The gentle, gradual slope down to the water will delight families, while water sports enthusiasts can rent optimists, kayaks or pedalos with integrated slides.
- Facilities: showers, toilets, first-aid station, covered PRM area, deckchair and parasol hire
- Activities: Beach volleyball and water sports
- Easy access from downtown
- Tip: Choose off-season periods to avoid the crowds
- More information here
2. Stroll through the heart of the city and along the paseo maritimo
The center of Los Cristianos is full of charming little pedestrian streets. We enjoyed the colorful frescoes on the walls and the lively atmosphere of the shopping streets. If you like shopping, head for Avenida Los Playeros.
The paseo maritimo is a superb walk: 13 km to Callao Salvaje! It takes in the famous Playa de Las Americas, with its splendid sea views. All along the way, buildings with architecture dating from the 60s to 80s bear witness to the region’s recent development as a tourist destination.
- Best time: Early morning to avoid the crowds
- Distance from paseo: 13 km to Callao Salvaje
- Caution: Some stairs in the city and paseo a little narrow if crowded
3. Whale and dolphin watching at sea
From the port of Los Cristianos, you can take a boat to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. A Viking ship can take you there, but we recommend a pirate ship: an authentic Portuguese sailing goleta. A silent sea outing that not only offers the chance to observe these magnificent cetaceans in the wild, but also to experience a true maritime adventure.
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Price: from €25
- Tip: Book in advance, especially in high season
- Equipment: On-board bar
- Book your ticket today
4. Spend the night at the Spring Arona Gran Hotel
Why not stay for a night or more at theSpring Arona Gran Hotel? Located on the seafront south of Los Cristianos, this Adults Only establishment offers an upscale experience. We loved its lush plant decor. Not to mention the friendly staff who welcome you with fresh fruit juice! The hotel has several overwater pools and direct access to the beach. The balcony of our room offered a breathtaking view of the pools and the ocean.
- Services: Spa, gym, billiards table
- Parking: Free parking spaces in front of the hotel
- Restrictions: Adults Only
- Check prices, photos and availability and… Make a reservation.
WHERE TO STAY IN Tenerife
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Tenerife
- Our favorite: Hotel Corales Beach
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
- Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
- Best hotels for families (coming soon)
Select by city:
- Best hotels in Costa Adeje
- Best hotels in Puerto de La Cruz
- Best hotels in Los Gigantes
- Best hotels in Santa Cruz
- Best hotels in Laguna
- Best hotels in Playa de las Americas
- 5-star hotel in Los Cristianos (coming soon)
5. Relax on Playa de las Vistas
Playa de las Vistas is another urban beach located in the city center. We loved its golden sand and gradual slope, which makes it perfect for swimming, especially as windbreakers protect it from strong waves.
You’ll appreciate the many facilities available, including showers, toilets and deckchairs. The beach also has aquatic wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility. Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of the beach volleyball courts.
- Facilities: Showers, toilets, deckchairs, beach cabins
- Activities: Beach volleyball
- Tip: Arrive early to find a parking space
- See the latest news on the official website here
6. Paddle a kayak to dive with turtles from Playa de Los Tarajales
Playa de los Tarajales is not a classic beach for sunbathing or swimming. The ground is made up of sand and rocks, with large pebbles to enter the water, making it necessary to wear swimming shoes. On the other hand, it’s an excellent starting point for nautical activities.
We were due to take a kayak trip there to observe the turtles in their natural environment. We were promised fantastic views of cliffs and caves from the sea. Unfortunately, the weather forced us to cancel this wonderful adventure. But we think it’s worth the effort.
- Duration: 3h
- Price: from €45
- Equipment: Swimsuit, sun cream, towel
- Access: 20-minute walk from downtown
- Book your excursion
7. Climbing Montaña Chayofita
Montaña Chayofita is a small 114m-high peak offering panoramic views of the region. During our visit, we searched for a long time for the access and didn’t take the right path. Avenida de Chayofita offers the most direct access. At the summit, you’ll discover a typical Canary crater. In fine weather, the panorama stretches as far as the island of La Gomera, although the views are not as exceptional as some of Tenerife’s other vantage points.
- Time: 30 minutes to reach the summit
- Difficulty: Medium, sometimes slippery, especially in rainy weather.
- Tip: Wear good shoes and bring water
- Best time: Early morning for freshness if you come in the hottest season.
8. Play golf at Golf Las Americas or Mini Golf Oasis
Since 1998, Golf Las Americas has been a spectacular and renowned 18-hole course set at the foot of the desert mountains on the southwest coast of Tenerife. Its water obstacles and lush vegetation occupy a privileged position, protected from the wind by the surrounding amphitheater-shaped hills.
For younger and less experienced golfers, the Mini Golf Oasis, above Playa de Los Tarajales, offers a 16-hole seaside course, more suited to a fun family outing.
- Golf Las Americas: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Price: €95 for 18 holes
- See the latest news on the official website here
- Oasis Minigolf: Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Adult price: €5
9. Admire the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
Built in 1933, the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen is a popular meeting place for locals. We loved the whitewashed facade, the large solid wood doors and the tall clock tower against the blue sky. Like us, you’ll certainly be surprised by its astonishing configuration . The church is indeed wider than it is long, with a magnificent skylight above a crown of stained glass windows. Note also the orange solid colors inside.
- Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10am-1pm, 3pm-8pm (7:30pm on Wednesdays)
– Saturday: 10am-8pm
– Sunday: 8.30am-6pm - Free admission
- More info on the official website here
FUN in Gran Canaria:activities
Dolphin watching
Buggy / Quad
Snorkeling
Kayaking in the Mogan caves
But also: Canyoning, Horse riding, Via Ferrata, Coasteering… See all options
Other attractions in and around Los Cristianos
Many other activities are available in and around Los Cristianos. We particularly recommend
- Siam Park water park: sensational slides and pools surrounded by lush vegetation, less than 10 minutes’ drive from Los Cristianos. We’ve devoted an entire article to it to tell you all about what you’ll find.
Book your ticket now.
- The Jungle Park: a zoological park where we preferred to stroll along lush green paths among exotic plants, a 10-minute drive in the mountains north-east of Los Cristianos. Find out more in a dedicated article.
Book your ticket today.
- The Barranco del Infierno: one of our favourite activities! An impressive hike through spectacular gorges, a 20-minute drive north of Los Cristianos. Accompanied and supervised tour, limited capacity, by reservation only here.
How to get to Los Cristianos + parking
Where to find Los Cristianos
- South-west of Tenerife, on the Costa Adeje
- 15 km from Tenerife South airport
- Here’s a map of Tenerife to help you find your way around:
How to get there
- By car: the most practical way to explore the region
- By bus: regular services from the airport and the island’s main towns. Find out more here.
- By cab: service available from the airport (30 minutes)
Parking in Los Cristianos
- Parking can be tricky in Los Cristianos, especially in high season.
- Free parking lots are quickly saturated, and street parking is hard to come by during the tourist season.
- If you’re not staying on site, we advise you toarrive early in the morning to have a better chance of finding a place.
Useful tips for visiting Los Cristianos
How long and when?
- A week is recommended to fully enjoy Los Cristianos and its surroundings, but the main attractions can be discovered in two or three days.
- To avoid the crowds, we advise you to choose spring and autumn if possible. The climate is mild all year round, so you can enjoy outdoor activities whatever the season, even in winter.
Tour directions, map and difficulty
- When you arrive in Los Cristianos, you’ll want to get as close to the sea as possible. We recommend you start at Playa de Los Cristianos before taking a short tour of the town center.
- The pedestrian lanes have a few steps, and the paseo maritimo can be narrow in high season. To climb Montaña Chayofita, it’s best to start on the Avenida de Chayofita side, as the route is more direct. It’s not always well signposted from the town center, and some sections have slippery slopes requiring good physical condition.
Visiting with children
- Los Cristianos is perfectly suited to families. We particularly enjoyed the Playa de Los Cristianos, with its children’s facilities such as pedalos equipped with slides.
- The 16-hole Oasis Minigolf course is an ideal family activity.
- Whale and dolphin watching excursions fascinate young and old alike.
- For thrill-seekers, nearby Siam Park offers water attractions for all ages.
Restaurants
We’ve spotted several good addresses in Los Cristianos:
- Restaurant Avangard offers refined cuisine,
- Restaurant El Pincho is perfect for enjoying tapas overlooking the sea,
- Enjoy the flavours of the sea at the Pescaito Restaurant.
Visiting in winter
- Los Cristianos enjoys a mild climate, which means you can enjoy activities all year round.
- We have found that activities remain similar in winter and summer. The mild temperatures make it possible to go to the beach and/or practice water sports even during the winter season. However, these may be cancelled or postponed depending on the weather.
- Winter is also an excellent time to discover the city and its surroundings, with fewer tourists and lower prices.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
What to do in Tenerife
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful roads
Amusement parks
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track (coming soon)
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife
How to get around
How to rent a car in Tenerife
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Where to stay in Tenerife
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife (coming soon)
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava (coming soon)
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
SHE MADE THE TRIP Elisa
