We recommend a visit to Playa El Médano , nestling in the south-east of Tenerife. This beach resort extends as far as Playa de Montaña Roja. Its strategic location, volcanic landscape and modern facilities make it an unmissable place for relaxation and leisure.
Find all our tips and photos for a great time by the water!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit Playa del Médano?
A popular destination for its ideal wind conditions, Playa del Médano is a renowned spot for water sports. With its fine sand and shallow waters, it’s ideal for families and thrill-seekers alike. With breathtaking views of Montaña Roja, it invites you to relax and contemplate. We loved this authentic beach that combines a change of scenery with tranquillity! Take this opportunity to try out surfing – see details of the experience.
Find out more about the 3 main assets of this beach in our eyes:
- Location: this long beach starts at the center of the resort and stretches all the way to Playa de Montaña Roja. It’s close to numerous shops, restaurants and hotels.
- Landscape: we discovered breathtaking views of Montaña Roja from the beach! The walk from Plaza El Médano to the volcanic mountain is very pleasant.
- Facilities: The beach is very well equipped with sun loungers, parasols and showers. It is also home to numerous water sports activities. What about windsurfing? – see experiment details.
Access and map – Playa El Médano (Tenerife)
Where’s the beach?
- Southeast of the island of Tenerife,
- In the seaside resort of El Médano,
- 10-minute drive from Tenérife Sud Airport,
- South of Playa de Montaña Roja.
How to get there – access road
To reach Playa El Médano by car, take the TF-643 road to the Montaña Roja parking lot at the junction with Carretera al Hermano Pedro. Alternatively, you can reach the beach directly via the El Médano resort.
If you prefer public transport, there are several bus routes in the area. Find out more on the official website here.
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Parking at Playa El Médano
We recommend parking in the Montaña Roja parking lot. It’s big and free, but you’ll have to walk a bit to get to the beach afterwards. It is possible to park a motorhome here. Alternatively, drive directly to the seaside resort and park in the town center.
Access to the beach from the parking lot
From the Montaña Roja parking lot, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the beach along a path that crosses the Montaña Roja nature reserve. The walk is quite pleasant, revealing views of the volcanic mountain and seafront.
HAVE FUN IN TENERIFE: activities
On the sand and in the water…practical advice
Best time to visit
Playa del Médano remains a popular destination, especially during the summer season. To avoid peak periods, we recommend visiting outside July, August and school vacations. Nevertheless, these are months when the water temperature is very pleasant. The daytime peak is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when most tourists come to enjoy the sun and sea. Plan to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Beach type and size
The beach floor is made up of fine grey sand, which is pleasant to walk on. We noticed small pebbles and shells too.
The beach is quite long, stretching from the center of the resort to Playa de Montaña Roja. It’s longer than it is wide, making it an ideal place for a stroll with your feet in the water!
Conditions for swimming
Swimming conditions are good. The descent into the water is gentle and gradual. A supervised swimming area is clearly marked with yellow markers. Water quality is indicated by a blue flag, guaranteeing high standards.
Facilities and activities
Monitoring
The beach is supervised. There’s also a first-aid post on site.
Showers, toilets, deckchairs…
We observed showers on the sand, foot rinses and deckchairs for hire. However, we didn’t see any toilets, but you’ll certainly find them in the resort.
Shadow
There’s no natural shade on the beach, but parasols can be rented for protection from the sun.
Nautical activities
During the tourist season, Playa El Médano offers a wide range of water sports:
- surfing – see experiment details.
- paddle,
- windsurfing – see experience details.
- wingfoil (a mix of windsurfing and kitesurfing) – see experience details.
Catering
Part of Playa El Médano is located in the heart of the resort, offering a wide choice of restaurants in the immediate vicinity. We particularly recommend the Restaurant Tanteo El Médano on the south side of the beach.
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Information for children, mobility, dogs, naturism…
- Playa El Médano with children
There’s a children’s playground right next to the beach, where they can have fun between 2 swims. - Playa El Médano with a dog
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on the beach. - Playa El Médano for reduced mobility
According to the information panels, the beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility. It features a sand access ramp. - Playa El Médano and naturism
This is not a naturist beach.
What’s on and around the beach?
From the beach, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Montaña Roja. Take the opportunity to explore the nature reserve! We loved walking on the sand and contemplating the sublime volcanic landscape.
Other beautiful beaches nearby
Following on from this beach, you’ll find the wilder, more natural Playa de Montaña Roja. On the other side of the volcanic mountain, you’ll find Playa de la Tejita and Los Abrigos Natural Pools.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
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- Practical advice
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