Most beaches on Tenerife are lava beaches. Although it looks slightly more unattractive than those white-white strips in other parts of the world, it is still wonderful to stay when you know where to go. There are white sandy beaches but they are mainly concentrated in the south.

These are our favourites:

• The small beach of Las Caletillas in Candelaria. There are sunbeds and umbrellas on both sides of the bay and you can swim in the sea. In summer the kiosk on the beach itself is open for a glass of one or the other. Choosing a restaurant for lunch is not that easy with the large selection on the boulevard.
• Playa Bollullo in La Orotava. This 160 meter long beach is located between cliffs and is surrounded by banana plantations. It has fine, dark sand and no hotels or other high-rise buildings surround it, so facilities are limited, but that’s part of why we like it. Fortunately there is a chiringuito (beach restaurant)!
• Playa El Duque, Costa Adeje. White beach in the touristic south, but you feel like royalty if you rent a Balinese lounger (ad € 55, -). Needless to say.., it is busier than the lesser-known beaches.
• Playa la Tejita, El Médano. Vast, golden beach. It is next to the beach of El Médano itself, so you can count on wind. It is also a favourite place for nudism.
• Playa Abama, Playa San Juan. It is a free accessible beach although it seems to belong to the luxurious Abama Golf & Spa Resort. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas and there are showers on the beach. The only drawback is that finding a parking space nearby is quite a challenge.
• Playa de las Teresitas, Santa Cruz. If you are looking for a Tenerife beach on Google, chances are you’ll find this beach first. It is laid out with fine white sand and it is a good place