'Forget the crowded tourist hotspot and plump for the peace and quiet of Playa de la Arena.'
In Playa de la Arena you'll discover a good expanse of natural beach with Tenerife's trademark black volcanic sand. The beach has won awards for its cleanliness. And with its promenade of palm trees backed by a selection of restaurants, it's got everything you need, while still retaining a quiet and traditional feel. You'll certainly dine well here, although the key is not to get too concerned with looks - as you won't find much in the way of trendy restaurants. However, this is the kind of place where even the most basic looking eateries tend to offer exceptionally good food and without a hefty price tag. Look out for tasty tapas dishes such as the as the famous octopus salad and Canarian style potatoes known as papas arrugadas, which are potatoes cooked in their skins with a salty crust. The perfect accompaniment to simple grilled meats and fish is mojo, a fiery local garlic and chilli sauce that commands respect, but tastes absolutely divine.
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Playa De La Arena hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Playa De La Arena include Hotel Playa La Arena.
More Tenerife holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Tenerife? Our Tenerife holiday destinations include Amarilla Golf, Callao Salvaje, Costa Adeje, El Medano, El Sauzal, Golf Del Sur, Guia De Isora, Los Cristianos, Los Gigantes, Playa De La Arena, Playa De Las Americas, Playa Paraiso, Puerto De La Cruz and Puerto De Santiago.
Beaches
Playa de la Arena has a small, natural beach of black sand and is one of the cleanest on the island - it has even won the European Blue Flag for cleanliness. If you hire a car there is ample free parking on the top of the beach with a short footpath down to the sand. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants and tavernas adjacent to the beach, so you need not venture far if you get thirsty or hungry.
Eating out
Playa de la Arena boasts a good range of restaurants covering a variety of cuisines. You will find a Thai restaurant, an informal pizzeria, a steak house and a sophisticated restaurant specialising in Austrian cuisine. If you prefer the flavours of Britain, Cafe Arena is a family-run restaurant which does everything from fish and chips to a Sunday roast.
Nightlife
For a relatively small resort, Playa de la Arena boasts an extensive array of bars and restaurants, ranging from the big and bold to a handful of small and intimate venues.
Shopping
It is exciting to do things a little differently when on holiday, so why not take a shopping trip with a difference? The Wednesday farmer's market at Playa San Juan sells a wealth of local produce, while the Monday market at Alcala is the place to go for African crafts.
Local information
In the nearby resort of Los Gigantes, just 1 mile north of Playa de la Arena you can embark on a boat trip to spot whales and dolphins. But even if you don't spot a whale, the sight of the awesome cliffs of Los Gigantes are just as impressive.
Location
2.5km (approx) south of Los Gigantes
Transfer time
40 minutes to 1 hour
Recommended
Luxury
