Los Gigantes is best known for its massive cliffs next to the ocean but also offers a holiday destination with a relaxed atmosphere and some of the best ocean views in Tenerife. Near the marina, there is an excellent and somewhat shaded black sand beach, but the main attraction, in my opinion, are the natural saltwater pools along the coastline. Nightlife is pretty relaxed and focussed around dining and having a few relaxing drinks.
Beaches
The beach at Los Gigantes is one of the most often mentioned in holiday brochures as the “must-see” of Tenerife. In all honesty, it’s a lovely beach, but Tenerife has many nicer ones. Also, it’s pretty tiny, so it can get a bit crowded, and from most of the hotels in this area, it is pretty hard to get to. If you like shade, this beach is ideal for you as it has large parts of the beach in the shade most of the day, depending on the time of year.
But don’t worry because this area has plenty of other lovely beaches and natural pools that are great for taking a dip into the ocean. The Charco de Isla Cangrejo is a great place to take a swim.
Where to stay in Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is not very big, but if you stay in the back of this holiday destination, you will have to walk up and down hills quite a bit. While the hotels in the back offer some amazing views, the ones near the seafront are much closer to bars, restaurants, and activities and much easier to get around.
- The Harbour Club: A nice place to relax with great views and relaxing evening entertainment.
- Tui Blue Los Gigantes: Lots of entertainment and in the most ideal location close to everything.
- Royal Sun Resort and Klayman Diamond Aparthotel: For adults who want to relax and sunbathe by the pool with amazing views.
Things to do in Los Gigantes
- Hiking: There are plenty of hiking trails here, but the most popular is towards the Playa Barranca Seco beach.
- Natural pools: Swim in one of the many natural pools along the coastline, like the Charco de Isla Cangrejo.
- Boat trips: From the marina, you can join many boat tours to go dolphin or whale watching. There are also sunset and snorkelling tours.
- Watersports: Kayak and jet skiing can all be done from the local marina.
- Diving or fishing: The large area of open ocean near the Los Gigantes cliffs and beyond is ideal for these activities.
- Masca: This town is nearby and great to visit, but it is best to go on an organized tour as it is very hard to find parking if you visit by car.
- Hire a car: Since there is not as much to do in Los Gigantes as in some of the bigger areas in Tenerife, it might be a good idea to hire a car to visit these other nearby parks and attractions. With a car, it is easy and without a car, not so easy. Also, since this area is quite far from the airport, it will save you a lot of money on airport transfers or taxis.
- Playa de la Arena: Visit this nearby beach for a change of scenery and an excellent beach day.
This list is of things to do in or near Los Gigantes. 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
You will find several restaurants near the church in the town of Los Gigantes. These are the easiest to get to from most hotels and are mainly aimed at tourists looking to eat out. Further down in the resort, near the marina, you will find many more traditional Spanish restaurants and fresh fish places.
Nightlife
Los Gigantes is part of a more extensive area, including Puerto de Santiago. At night and in the evenings, Los Gigantes is mainly a food and drink place and doesn’t have clubs or much nightlife. However, there is a bit of nightlife near the town square, where the church is.
If you want more bars open later in the evening, there are a few more in the Puerto de Santiago area. They all also have a family-friendly feel.
Tenerife airport to Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is a 41-kilometer drive from the Tenerife South Airport (TFS). The Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is 79 kilometres away. So it is best to fly to the Tenerife South Airport:
- Public transport (7.90 €/pp): Cheap, but you need to transfer buses one or two times to get there, adding about one hour extra to the time.
- Shuttle bus online (10.02 €/pp): For just a few euros more, this is a much better budget-friendly option for couples, solo travellers, or small families who don’t want to transfer onto other buses.
- Taxi or minibus online (66.72 €): Best option for 4 or more travellers.
- Taxi at the airport (62.30 €): Also a good option, but it offers less service, no child safety seats, and higher prices on weekends or evenings.
Here, you can find the timetables and prices for public transportation and easily book a minibus, shuttle, or taxi.
When to go
Los Gigantes can be visited all year round with the expectation of good weather. Winter months, of course, are a bit colder and can be a bit more rainy. While the South of Tenerife has the best weather in winter, here in the West, the weather is not much different and often also less windy, which can be a real advantage during the winter months.
May and October are cheap here, but some bars and restaurants might close during these months for holidays, making the resort sometimes feel a bit empty. For excellent weather and budget-friendly deals, is May the best month for your Holiday. June and September offer the best value for money with excellent weather.
Is Los Gigantes the best holiday destination for you?
Los Gigantes is great for those who are looking for a more relaxed and authentic atmosphere with stunning ocean views. There are also a few nice bars, restaurants, and activities to choose from. Nature lovers will enjoy the hiking trails and saltwater pools.
If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife, this is not the ideal area. The hilly terrain makes it difficult for some people to get around.
If you’re not sure if Los Gigantes is the best holiday destination for you in Tenerife, have a look at where to stay in Tenerife.
