Salamanca Beaches

Overview

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the vibrant capital of Tenerife, offers a unique blend of city life and coastal charm, making it an excellent base for a diverse beach holiday. While it's a bustling urban center, it provides easy access to a variety of seaside experiences, from calm, golden sands to wild, black volcanic shores. Visitors often wonder about the types of beaches available, and near Santa Cruz, you can find both easily accessible urban spots and more secluded natural settings within the stunning Anaga Rural Park, showcasing the island's diverse coastal landscapes.

Among the must-visit locations is Playa de las Teresitas, famous for its iconic stretch of golden Saharan sand and tranquil, family-friendly waters, a true gem near the city. For those seeking untamed beauty, Playa de Benijo offers dramatic black sands and breathtaking cliffs, a paradise for photographers. Closer to the city's heart, Playa Valleseco provides a convenient urban oasis for a quick seaside escape. A popular day trip for water sports enthusiasts is Playa de El Médano, renowned for its excellent windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions. Nearby, the natural black sand of Playa de Las Gaviotas offers a more secluded, au naturel experience for those looking to connect with nature.

Swimming is a popular activity, with waters at beaches like Playa de las Teresitas being particularly calm and inviting. In contrast, the wilder beaches found in the Anaga region, such as Playa de Benijo, can present stronger Atlantic waves, appealing to surfers and those who appreciate raw coastal power. The area boasts both the unique imported golden sand of its most famous beach and the natural black volcanic sand characteristic of northern Tenerife. For a comprehensive look at all the coastal treasures, be sure to explore our longer list of beaches in and around Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

FAQ

People Also Ask

Is Santa Cruz de Tenerife a good place for a beach holiday?

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the island's capital and offers a city experience, but it provides excellent access to nearby beaches, especially Playa de Las Teresitas. While not a traditional beach resort town itself, it's a good base for combining urban exploration with beach days, including the wilder beaches in Anaga Rural Park.

Playa de las Teresitas

What is the main beach near Santa Cruz de Tenerife like?

The most popular beach near Santa Cruz is Playa de Las Teresitas, located in the nearby village of San Andrés. It's famous for its imported golden Saharan sand, calm turquoise waters protected by a breakwater, and palm trees. It's about 1.5 kilometers long and well-equipped with facilities.

Playa de las Teresitas

How can I get to Playa de Las Teresitas from Santa Cruz?

You can reach Playa de Las Teresitas from Santa Cruz city center by public bus (line 910 is frequent and costs around €1.25), by taxi (approximately €12-€15 each way), or by car, which takes about 10-15 minutes. Parking is available along the beach, but it can get busy.

Playa de las Teresitas

Is the sand at Playa de Las Teresitas natural?

No, the golden sand at Playa de Las Teresitas is not native to Tenerife. It was imported from the Sahara Desert in the 1970s. Most natural beaches in the north of Tenerife have black volcanic sand.

Playa de las Teresitas

Are there any hotels right on the beach in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

Santa Cruz is primarily a port city, and Playa de Las Teresitas, its main beach, doesn't have large hotels directly on the sand. The nearby fishing village of San Andrés offers some smaller guesthouses and apartments within walking distance. For a wider selection of beachfront hotels, other areas of Tenerife, particularly the southern resorts, are more common.

Playa de las Teresitas

Are beaches near Santa Cruz de Tenerife suitable for families with children?

Yes, Playa de Las Teresitas is particularly well-suited for families. Its calm, shallow waters, thanks to the breakwater, make it safe for children. It also offers golden sand for playing and essential amenities like lifeguards, showers, and toilets. Some coves in Anaga, like Roque de las Bodegas, can also be family-friendly when the sea is calm.

Playa de las Teresitas

Can you swim at the beaches near Santa Cruz and what's the water like?

Yes, swimming is very popular. Playa de Las Teresitas offers calm and clear waters ideal for swimming. The water temperature in Tenerife is generally pleasant year-round, typically ranging from about 19°C (66°F) in winter to 24°C (75°F) in summer. The wilder Anaga beaches can have stronger currents, so caution is advised there.

Playa de las Teresitas

What's the best time of year for beaches in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

For the warmest weather and most sunshine, the period from May to October is generally considered the best for visiting beaches near Santa Cruz. However, Tenerife's mild climate means you can enjoy the beaches all year. Winter (December-February) sees slightly cooler sea temperatures (around 18-20°C) but still offers pleasant days.

Are there any nudist beaches close to Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

Yes, Playa de Las Gaviotas, located a short distance from Las Teresitas and accessible via a winding road, is a well-known clothing-optional beach with black volcanic sand. Some of the more remote coves in the Anaga Rural Park are also frequented by naturists.

Playa de las Teresitas

What kind of facilities can I find at Playa de Las Teresitas?

Playa de Las Teresitas is well-equipped with facilities. These include sunbed and parasol rentals, public showers, toilets, changing rooms, lifeguard services, numerous beach bars (chiringuitos) offering food and drinks, children's play areas, and ample parking. It also has services for people with reduced mobility.

Playa de las Teresitas

Are there wild, natural beaches with black sand near Santa Cruz?

Yes, the Anaga Rural Park, easily accessible from Santa Cruz, hosts several stunning wild beaches with characteristic black volcanic sand. Popular examples include Playa de Benijo, Playa de Almáciga, and Roque de las Bodegas. These offer dramatic scenery but typically have fewer or no facilities and can experience stronger waves.

Playa de Benijo

Almáciga Beach

How do Santa Cruz (North Tenerife) beaches compare to South Tenerife beaches?

Beaches near Santa Cruz (North) like Las Teresitas (golden) and the Anaga beaches (black volcanic) are often set against more dramatic, greener landscapes and can feel more local. South Tenerife is more developed for tourism, with many man-made golden sand beaches, generally calmer waters in resort areas, and a higher concentration of hotels and tourist amenities. The South also tends to be consistently warmer and sunnier.

Playa de las Teresitas

What's the atmosphere like at Playa de Las Teresitas? Is it very crowded or touristy?

Playa de Las Teresitas has a lively and family-friendly atmosphere. It's very popular with both Santa Cruz locals (chicharreros) and tourists, especially on weekends and holidays, so it can get busy. While it does attract many visitors, it maintains a strong local Canarian feel.

Playa de las Teresitas

Can I surf near Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

While Playa de Las Teresitas is known for its calm waters, some of the beaches in the Anaga Rural Park, such as Almáciga and Benijo, are popular with surfers due to their stronger Atlantic waves. You may find surf schools or rental facilities in the area or catering to these spots, though it's not as concentrated as in dedicated surf towns elsewhere on the island.

Playa de las Teresitas

Almáciga Beach

Playa de Benijo

Is it easy to find parking at the beaches near Santa Cruz?

Playa de Las Teresitas has a large parking area that runs along the beach, which is free. However, it can fill up quickly, especially on sunny weekends and during peak holiday season, so arriving early is recommended. Parking at the wilder Anaga beaches like Benijo is more limited, often along the roadside.

Playa de las Teresitas