In the heart of the town of Puerto de la Cruz, on the island of Tenerife, San Telmo Beach is a small beach of black sand and pebbles. Bordered by volcanic rocks and close to cafés and restaurants, it’s an ideal place to take a relaxing break between two visits.
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to San Telmo Beach in Puerto de la Cruz.
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 Playa San Telmo worth it?
Yes, it’s a beautiful beach and well worth a visit. We appreciated its unique setting in the heart of Puerto de la Cruz. Although small, its black sand and rock formations offer an atypical setting. The immediate proximity of the promenade and restaurants ensures a relaxing moment after or before swimming. It’s also a protected, landscaped beach.
In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto de la Cruz (article to come).
Beach type: sandy, supervised…
Sand or no sand?
- The beach floor is black, typical of Tenerife’s volcanic soil.
- The texture is slightly grainy. But it’s still pleasant to walk on barefoot.
- The sand is mixed with pebbles and the beach is lined with rocks.
- Because of its color, the sand can be very hot in summer, so it’s best to wear sandals. Find out more here.
Swimming conditions and supervision
- The beach is supervised and there’s a first-aid center on the Promenade.
- The slope is fairly gentle , but there are rocks in places. Be careful when entering the water.
- The beach is protected by seawalls and rock barriers.
- Currents are quite strong beyond that. It’s best not to stray too far from the edge. An information panel indicates the movements of the various currents.
- Water quality is displayed daily (blue flag).
Installations
We found showers and toilets on the platform above the beach.
HAVE FUN IN TENERIFE: activities
Access to Playa San Telmo in Puerto de la Cruz
Where is Playa San Telmo?
- In the heart of Puerto de la Cruz, near theSan Telmo Hermitage.
- From Santa Cruz de Tenerife: 35min drive
Access by car and parking
The beach is right in the center of town. There’s no dedicated parking, but there are paid parking lots nearby, such as Plaza de Europa, a 5-minute walk away.
A little further on, less than a 10-minute walk away, the Parking Explanada del Muelle is free and open 24 hours a day.
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.
Access from Puerto de la Cruz
Playa San Telmo is located in the heart of the city, along the Promenade of the same name. It’s best to get there on foot.
Why not take the opportunity to take a walking tour of the old town with a guide who will show you Puerto de la Cruz and its history.
Public transport access
The nearest bus stop is Plaza Reyes Catolicos, a 2-minute walk away. Find out more here.
DISCOVER San Cristobal La Laguna
Useful information
Dog
Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Reduced mobility access
The beach is accessible to people with reduced mobility. There’s an access path to get closer to the water.
With children
- The slope is relatively gentle and may be suitable for a visit with children.
- Nevertheless, it’s important to be vigilant and not to let children wander off and out of the creek. Currents can be strong.
- There are shellfish and crustaceans in the natural pools between the rocks.
- Beach games (balls, rackets, Frisbee) are forbidden.
Naturism
It is not possible to practice naturism on this beach.
Eating out
The beach is right in the middle of town, with plenty of restaurants all around.
Our article on the best restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz will be available soon.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Puerto de la Cruz. See our selection of the best hotels in the city.
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)
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
