Los Guíos Beach sits at the edge of Los Gigantes, a resort town in the municipality of Santiago del Teide on the southwest coast of Tenerife. It is a small strip of dark volcanic sand and rock backed by the Los Gigantes cliffs (Acantilados de Los Gigantes), which give the resort its name, and it looks out over the harbour. The beach is known above all for its view of the cliffs, which rise between 300 and 800 metres straight out of the Atlantic.
Los Guíos Beach
Local name: Playa de los Guíos
Small beach of dark volcanic sand and rock at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs, with views over the harbour.
- Accessibility
- The entrance is listed as wheelchair accessible; the beach itself is sand and large rocks, heavy going on wheels or for anyone unsteady on their feet.
- Parking
- Paid car parks about 150 m and 240 m away; free and paid street parking in Los Gigantes.
- Difficulty
- A walk through town from the car parks, about 150–240 m away in a straight line, via a narrow street; on the beach, large rocks underfoot at times.
- Transport
- Bus stop Los Gigantes (stop 7228), about 630 m away; a nearer stop about 330 m away.
- Hours
- Listed as 10:00–18:00 daily; the beach can be reached outside those hours.
- Address
- C. los Guíos, s/n, 38683 Acantilados de Los Gigantes, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
From the waterline the Los Gigantes cliffs fill the view, a dark wall of rock dropping straight into the Atlantic. That view is the reason to come. It is at its best at the end of the day, when the low sun lights the rock face and the sunset goes down over the open sea.
The beach itself is modest. The dark volcanic sand comes and goes with the storms, and at times large rocks cover most of the shore, which makes lying out and wading in awkward. On a calm day it is a good place for a swim with the cliffs standing over you. A bar close to the beach looks straight at the cliffs, for a drink while the light changes.
Good to know
- Mostly rock after storms. Storms strip the sand, and large rocks can cover most of the beach. Bring shoes you can wear in the water.
- The sea changes. Conditions range from calm to strong waves, so look at the water before you go in.
- Signs are sparse. The way in runs through a narrow street; keep a map open.
- Toilets, no water. Free public toilets stand about 50 m away. There is no drinking-water point nearby, so bring your own or buy it at the bar.
Getting there
Los Guíos Beach lies at the edge of Los Gigantes, and the last stretch is on foot through the town. The paid car parks closest to the beach are about 150 m and 240 m away in a straight line, and there is free and paid street parking in the resort. By bus, the Los Gigantes stop is about 630 m away, with a nearer stop about 330 m away. From any of them the way in runs through a narrow street, and signs to the beach are sparse, so keep a map open. The tourist office is about 280 m away if you lose the way.
Best time to visit
Best: late afternoon into sunset, on a calm day.
Avoid: days of heavy swell and stormy spells.
The cliffs catch the low western sun at the end of the day and the sunset view is the finest the beach has, while rough water turns swimming among the rocks into hard work and storms carry the sand away.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Los Guíos Beach on the map
The beach lies under a sheer cliff that sheds rock, and the open Atlantic sends in strong waves. Keep away from the foot of the cliff and never turn your back on the sea.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Los Guíos Beach sandy?
It is dark volcanic sand and rock. Storms strip the sand away, and at times large rocks cover most of the beach.Can you swim at Los Guíos Beach?
Yes, on a calm day. The sea ranges from calm to strong waves, and there are rocks underfoot, so check the water first and wear shoes you can swim in.Where do you park for Los Guíos Beach?
The nearest paid car parks are about 150 m and 240 m away in a straight line. Los Gigantes also has free and paid street parking.Are there toilets at Los Guíos Beach?
Yes, free public toilets stand about 50 m away. There is no drinking-water point nearby, but a bar close to the beach sells drinks.