10 days in Tenerife: the west and the south of the island

Reading travel guides and blogs, the west and south coasts are apparently to be avoided during a stay in Tenerife. While we did find that this part of the island was too built up and geared towards mass tourism, our opinion isn’t quite so clear-cut. A few places are still worth discovering on these coasts and it would be a shame to miss them if you stay at least a week in Tenerife.

What to see in the west of Tenerife

Los Gigantes

Since we had ten days in Tenerife, we decided to devote half a day to the island’s west coast and more precisely to Los Gigantes. The place is truly spectacular with its immense and imposing black cliffs which are up to 600 metres high. At their feet are very rich seabeds that attract many divers.

As for us, we preferred to go there to watch dolphins! We chose the company Maritima Acantilados which has good reviews and which above all offers trips out to sea in small groups and on small boats (and even on a sailing boat). The price of the excursion is unbeatable because we paid 25€ per person for more than two hours at sea (group of 8 people). We can only recommend this company because the two guides on board were very friendly and professional. Seeing dolphins out at sea was a first for us! The excursion also lets you see the cliffs from the sea and go as far as the Teno lighthouse, which cannot be reached by car.

On the way back from the trip at sea, we drove up to the viewpoint which overlooks the town and the sea and which lets you take in the height of the cliffs.

Ritz-Carlton Abama (bonus)

Because the photos of this hotel made me dream, I (Marie) absolutely wanted to go and see it! So you can go up to the edge of this magnificent 5* hotel, located by the sea: it’s a real mini-town with a huge tree-lined golf course, definitely enough for a lovely holiday. The architecture of this red ochre complex is really magnificent, you’d think you were in Morocco or in a tropical country. Worth seeing if you get the chance to drive along Tenerife’s west coast.

What to see in the south of Tenerife

Playa de Montaña Amarilla

At the end of a dead end, in a residential area in the south of the island, is the Montaña Amarilla beach, which is aptly named! The yellow rock cliffs have been shaped by the sea, which makes the place unique. You can swim there and go snorkelling. It’s a spot not to be missed because it offers yet another kind of seascape.

Playa de la Tejita

A few kilometres from the airport is la Tejita beach, a long, isolated sandy beach… but battered by the wind! Its particularity: it lies at the foot of the volcanic cone Montaña Roja which you can hike up. We were almost alone there in the middle of the day so don’t hesitate to go there to admire the view or do the walk up the mountain.

Arco de Tajao

A real Instagram spot! But one that isn’t as impressive and magnificent as in the photos posted on social media. The Arco de Tajao is a hidden place, in the middle of nowhere, near an exit off the TF1 motorway. You have to park on the roadside and go down a small path into a “ravine” to see this rock arch surrounded by a few cacti. What the photos don’t often show are the wind turbines in the background which spoil the landscape a little. All in all, if you’re passing nearby, stop there, otherwise go on your way!

What we thought of the west and south coasts of Tenerife

If we had to keep just one place on Tenerife’s west coast, it would be Los Gigantes! This small seaside town deserves a stop to go out to sea to see the dolphins and the whales. The rest of the coast isn’t of much interest because this is where all the island’s big hotels and resorts are concentrated. However, if like us you have a bit of time ahead of you during your stay, don’t hesitate to have a quick look around the south of the island. For example, when you arrive in or leave Tenerife, since the places mentioned above are clustered around the southern airport.
In the end, the unmissable thing is still the excursion to watch dolphins at Los Gigantes. The rest of the coasts is just a bonus if you have time on the island!

Read the article about our ten day road trip in Tenerife to plan your next trip!