Puerto de Santiago is the seaside town at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs on Tenerife's west coast, with a marina, a Blue Flag black-sand beach and daily whale and dolphin cruises (Tenerife tourist board, read 7 November 2026). It is 35 to 45 minutes by car from Tenerife South airport, so it suits a quieter stay than the Costa Adeje strip. The beach is La Arena, 140 m long and 40 m wide, and the cliffs beside the town rise up to 600 m.
Highlights
La Arena beach
Volcanic black sand, calm water and services, described by the tourist board as one of the island's loveliest beaches and well suited to families. It has a Blue Flag, toilets, showers, sun loungers for hire and a diving area, and the address is Avenida Marítima.
The cliffs of Los Gigantes
They rise up to 600 m above the Atlantic and are part of the Teno Rural Park. The sea at their foot is about 30 m deep. See Los Gigantes.
Boats from the marina
Whale and dolphin cruises leave daily from the marina, and the board names this coast as the main departure point on the west. Read Los Gigantes boat trip or whale watching in Tenerife before choosing a boat.
Viewpoints
The best views from land are from the Archipengue viewpoint in Puerto de Santiago and the Punta de Teno viewpoint.
Walks
The PR-TF 65 route runs 8 km from Santiago del Teide to Puerto de Santiago over exposed ground; the board says to bring plenty of water.
Practical info
Tips
- Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes share one coast, so a stay here puts both on the same coast. The nearest alternative beach is Los Guíos, a small beach next to the port; the board advises checking sea conditions before swimming in the small natural pools. Playa de San Juan, with a 360 m Blue Flag beach, is another calm beach option on this coast: see Playa de San Juan. To compare areas to sleep in, read where to stay in Los Gigantes and where to stay in Costa Adeje. The nearby gorge village is covered in Masca, Tenerife. Rooms in the area are in the Booking box.
How to get there
Tenerife South airport is about 45 km away, 35 to 45 minutes by car; Costa Adeje is 30 to 40 minutes. TITSA bus 325 links Puerto de la Cruz with Los Gigantes, bus 462 links Guía de Isora, and bus 460 runs from Icod de los Vinos to Costa Adeje. Bus 355 runs from Santiago del Teide to Masca.
Opening hours
Nearby
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