Los Cristianos, located in the South, is one of the more popular tourist areas of Tenerife but still has a pretty authentically Spanish vibe. This area has family-friendly beaches and a lively but mostly laid-back nightlife. If you are looking for things to do, plenty of waterparks and zoos are nearby, and many watersports and boat tours leave from the local harbour.
Beaches
The most popular beach in Los Cristianos is Playa Los Cristianos, a wide sandy beach with everything you can want for a beach holiday. This beach is a typical tourist and family-friendly beach, and most of it is sheltered by the harbour wall, so waves are pretty shallow for families with small kids.
If this beach gets too busy or you want to do some snorkelling, walk over to Playa Los Callados. This little beach is just outside the Los Cristianos area, and few people know about it, so it is much less crowded. This beach is also the best place to do some snorkelling in this area.
In the other direction, towards Playa de las Americas, you have Playa de las Vistas and many other beaches, which are a few minutes’ walk away.
Where to stay in Los Cristianos
Most of the bars, restaurants, and activities in Los Cristianos are near the sea promenade, so if you don’t want to do a lot of walking, this is the best place to stay. However, a bit further back, there are also some great choices that are generally more price-friendly.
- Paloma Beach Apartments: A budget-friendly family holiday apartment complex.
- H10 Big Sur: For an adults-only holiday with a cosy and personal.
- Spring Arona Gran Hotel: For an adults-only holiday in a large hotel with many services in a quiet and peaceful location.
- Hotel Reveron Plaza: A boutique hotel in an excellent location close to everything and a brilliant rooftop pool.
Things to do in Los Cristianos
- Boat tours: Whales and dolphin watching or just exploring by submarine or glass bottom boat. Many of these boats leave from the local harbour.
- Watersports: Jetskiing, paddle boarding or kayaking… you can do it all here.
- Markets: Los Cristianos market is near the Arona Gran Hotel every Sunday and Tuesday.
- Snorkelling: Go snorkelling at the Playa Callao beach, hidden just out of sight and always peaceful and quiet.
- Waterparks: Siam Water Park is my favourite, and it can be reached by free bus. The Aqualand Costa Adeje is also nearby.
- Mini-golf: While there is a mini golf court here, the better ones are just a walk away in Playa de las Americas. These are especially great and popular in the evenings.
- Zoos and parks: Jungle Park, Monkey Park and Camel Park are all located just a few kilometres away.
- Hiking: For those who love to hike and explore, hiking up the Montana de Guaza is a must. There are even some hidden swimming spots and caves to explore near here, but be careful. This mountain is also great for watching the sunsets.
- La Gomera: Visit the neighbouring island of La Gomera by boat from the local harbour.
This list is of things to do in or near Los Cristianos. But there is much more to see and do on the island. You can find a full list of the top things to do and not do in Tenerife here.
Restaurants
Los Cristianos has one of the largest selections of restaurants and places to eat in Tenerife and many fast food places for those who can’t live without them. While many are near the sea, there are also many more excellent restaurants on the street near the church and at the back of the resort. Most of these places have a cosy feel, unlike in nearby Playa de Las Americas, where everything is on a much larger scale. You can also easily walk from here to the Playa de las Americas area, which has an even wider variety and choice of restaurants. Do know that overall, the Playa de las Americas area gets a bit more pricey.
Nightlife
Los Cristianos is mostly about having a few chill drinks in a relaxed setting, so this place is ideal for you if you are looking for this. The most lively area in the evenings is near the Pasarela shopping centre, with many live shows and karaoke.
If you want a more active nightlife with clubbing, you can walk or take a taxi to the neighbouring resort of Playa de las Americas. This resort has many more clubs and bars that are open until the early morning, especially near the Veronicas area.
Tenerife airport to Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is only 17 kilometres drive away from the Tenerife South Airport (TFS). The Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is 80 kilometres away. So it is best to fly to the Tenerife South Airport:
- Public transport (3.20 €/pp): Great on a budget, but know that the bus might stop far from your hotel, depending on where you are staying.
- Shuttle bus online (5.16 €/pp): The best option for solo travellers and couples with a drop-off at your hotel.
- Taxi or minibus online (31.06 €): Ideal if you are travelling with small children who need child safety seats, have a lot of luggage, or travel with more than four people.
- Taxi at the airport (21.50 €): A good option for weekdays and daytime arrivals. The price is higher on weekends or evenings. The taxi can accommodate a maximum of four people and no child safety seats.
Here, you can find the timetables and prices for public transportation and easily book a minibus, shuttle, or taxi.
When to go
Los Cristianos is ideal to visit all year round as there are very few bad weather days because of the microclimate. While some areas on the island will have bars and restaurants close down during the low season, you will see very few here. If you want to be guaranteed excellent weather, however, avoid December and January. These are also some of the more pricey months to go because many people like to escape here from the very cold winters in some parts of Europe.
June and September are, in many ways, the best months to visit, combining fair prices and great weather. May and October are excellent for budget-friendly deals in Los Cristianos.
Is Los Cristianos the best holiday destination for you?
Los Cristianos is excellent for those looking for a relaxed beach holiday destination with some Spanish authenticity but also lots of attractions and things to experience nearby. The calm, sheltered beaches make it ideal for families with young children, while the wide range of restaurants and relaxed nightlife are ideal for couples and older visitors.
If you want vibrant clubbing and nightlife, the neighbouring resort of Playa de las Americas might be better for you. Some people might find Los Cristianos too busy during peak season.
If you’re not sure if Los Cristianos is the best holiday destination for you in Tenerife, have a look at where to stay in Tenerife.
