Tenerife Beaches Granadilla - including the major beaches at El Medano

On entering this next municipality, the coastal area features many industrial installations, including, eventually, the ecological park containing the wind turbines you may have seen whilst travelling along the TF-1 motorway. There is also the moderately-sized Montaña Roja, or "Red Mountain" and, at its foot, lie two small beaches.

Playa Pelada

This is, essentially, a small cove where a calm sea laps onto a shore of grey sand and rocks. It's not particularly accessible.

Playa Secreta

Meaning "secret beach", this is the only name I could find for this small inlet, flanked by rocky walls. There is a reasonable stretch of grey sand, with, typically, no people on it.

We come now to the moderately important tourist destination, El Medano. Quite a laid back town, it is world famous as a centre for windsurfing, due to the constant presence of a strong wind.

It has an enormous swathe of golden sand, divided into several important beaches.

Photo: Andree Stephan

Playa del Cabezo

Due to the wind conditions and the lively sea off this beach, it has become the major centre for windsurfing and kitesurfing, hosting world championship competitions. It is also popular with surfers and, on the promenade next to it, is a water sports centre and a selection of surfing shops.

Playa La Jaquita

This is a short stretch of golden sand, very user-friendly, with the sea conditions being ideal for windsurfing.

Playa El Medano

The longest beach in Tenerife, this is very popular, yet, because of its size, never seems crowded.

It is well equipped with facilities, including wheelchair access, showers and changing rooms.

Despite the ever-present wind, the sea here is nice and calm, making it ideal for families.

Last time I was there, it boasted a rough and ready beach bar.

Playa de La Tejita

A reasonably long stretch of golden sand, this beach also features a sheltered cove where naturists gather to sunbathe in the nude. Consider yourself warned!

The sea here is a bit lively, so swimming may be hazardous.

Playa Leocadio Machado

This is a golden sanded, blue flag beach, with a calm, swimmer-friendly sea, despite the strong wind.

It features wheelchair access, showers, changing rooms and kiosks.

Carrying on from El Medano, we make our way round a headland and are now on the south coast, heading west.

Playa La Mareta

There is a tiny collection of houses that constitutes a village called La Mareta and it has its own beach.

It is, admittedly, a bit in the middle of nowhere, but is quite a nice stretch of grey sand, ideal for the people who live next to it.

Playa Los Abrigos

Towards the edge of the Granadilla municipality is the prominent town of Los Abrigos.

The beach there is quite small, consisting of grey sand. The sea is reasonably calm, so good for swimming.

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