La Tejita Beach

Pale sand runs out from the foot of Montaña Roja, and the red slope of the mountain hangs over the whole beach. That colour contrast is the reason most people come.

Behind the sand there is almost nothing. No promenade, no hotels, just a few rows of sun loungers and parasols and a lot of open shore, which makes it good for walking or running the length of the beach. It is quieter than the resort beaches of the south.

Come on foot from El Médano and the beach only opens up after a rocky path around the mountain. From the same paths a well-trodden track climbs Montaña Roja itself.

• Wind. It is often strong enough to lift the sand and sting your legs, and the walk in from El Médano is exposed to it all the way.
• Bring water. Beyond loungers and parasols for hire there is almost nothing on the sand, and no drinking water nearby.
• Toilets. The nearest ones are free and stand about 600 m away in a straight line.
• Nudity. Some bathers go nude or half-dressed; most are clothed.

By car, the free public car park is about 370 m away; a second one about 360 m away is for customers only. Campervans line up on the large lot along the TF-643, and there is more parking near the Chiringuito Pirata beach bar. The La Tejita bus stop sits about 340 m away. From any of these, the last stretch to the sand is on foot.

The other way in is the walk from El Médano on rocky paths around Montaña Roja. It is exposed the whole way, and in a strong wind the sand blows across it.

Best: a calm weekday, when the sea settles and the beach stays quiet.

Avoid: windy days, when blown sand stings and the waves run high.

The wind decides everything here: on calm days the water is shallow and sandy enough for an easy swim, and calm weekends are when the crowds come. The open sand has no shade at midday, and late in the day the low sun from the west lights the red flank of Montaña Roja.