| Playa Jardín | Playa Chica | Punta Brava | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length by width | 240 m by 40 m | 130 m by 10 m | 260 m by 40 m |
| Sand | Black | Black | Black |
| Type | Urban | Family friendly | Family friendly |
| Parking | 100+ spaces | 100+ spaces | 100+ spaces |
| Bus | Inter-city | Urban | Urban |
| Services | Toilets, showers, bars and restaurants, loungers, surf area, children's and sports areas | Toilets, showers, food and drinks, loungers, children's and sports areas | Toilets, showers, food and drinks, loungers, children's and sports areas |
What makes it different
Playa Jardín is a designed landscape: César Manrique designed the surroundings, with gardens beside the sea, and breakwaters turn what could be a rough Atlantic shore into calm water. The sand is black volcanic, which absorbs heat, so bring sandals at midday in summer. The complex sits beside Loro Parque, so you can combine a beach morning with the park.
Getting there
The address is Paseo de Luis Lavaggi, 7, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz. The three beaches are reachable on foot or by car, and the tourist board lists more than 100 parking spaces and disabled access. An inter-city bus serves Playa Jardín and urban buses serve the other two. From the centre it is a short ride or walk; see Puerto de la Cruz. If you arrive by air, Tenerife South Airport to Puerto de la Cruz explains the bus.
Which of the three
- Playa Jardín: the longest of the central three, with a surf area, bars and restaurants.
- Playa Chica: the smallest, 130 m, classed family friendly.
- Punta Brava: 260 m, the same facilities, also family friendly.
San Telmo, Los Roques, Martiánez and El Bollullo are named as nearby beaches. Restaurants listed by the tourist board near Playa Jardín include Tinguaro, La Parrilla, IL Pappagallo and The Oriental.
Loro Parque next door
Loro Parque, the animal park, is beside the complex. The ticket in the box on this page is the Loro Parque ticket on Tiqets, the closest ticketed activity to Playa Jardín. Details are in Loro Parque tickets. A beach morning and an afternoon at the park fit in one day.
Other black-sand beaches
For comparison, Tenerife black sand beaches lists the others, and Playa de las Teresitas is the beach near Santa Cruz. The overview of the island's sands is the best beaches in Tenerife. For the weather by season, see Tenerife in winter.
Where to stay
The Booking box on this page searches Puerto de la Cruz. For hotels with a beach nearby, see best beachfront hotels in Tenerife.
Mistakes to avoid
- Walking barefoot on hot black sand.
- Ignoring the flags: breakwaters help, but the Atlantic is still the Atlantic.
- Expecting golden sand: all three beaches are black.
- Parking at the last minute in summer.
FAQ
Is Playa Jardín a black-sand beach?
Yes. The sand is black on all three beaches of the complex.
Who designed Playa Jardín?
The artist César Manrique, according to the tourist board.
Is Playa Jardín good for children?
Playa Chica and Punta Brava are classed family friendly, with children's areas, and breakwaters calm the water.
Is there parking?
Yes, more than 100 spaces.
Is it near Loro Parque?
Yes, the complex is next to Loro Parque.
Tenerife Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.
