Puerto de Santiago is a coastal town that is not as busy as most tourist areas in the South of Tenerife, but it still has that same excellent weather so that you can enjoy the black sand beaches pretty much all year round. This area is ideal for a more laid-back holiday but there are also quite a few watersports and boat trips to do from the nearby Marina of Los Gigantes. Nightlife is pretty limited, but a few bars and pubs stay open till late with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Beaches
When staying in Puerto de Santiago, the best beaches are the Playa de Santiago and the Playa de la Arena. Both are black sand beaches. The Playa de Santiago is the more relaxing one, with just a tiny bar next to it and not much else.
The Playa de la Arena is the most touristy of the two and has sunbeds you can hire and lots of bars, restaurants, and shops next to it. It also has the softest sand and is more popular for families. Just know that on some days, the waves here can get pretty big, but there is also a lifeguard here.
Just around the corner, you will also find the Playa del Volcan. This one is less touristy, less pretty, and more rocky, but it is also more peaceful and quiet.
Other unique swimming options include Playa de las Bajas, a more rocky beach ideal for snorkelling between the rocks, and the natural seawater pools at Acantilado de Los Gigantes.
Where to stay in Puerto de Santiago
If you want to spend a lot of time on the beach, stay near the Playa de la Arena area. The area near Barcelo Santiago is ideal for more restaurants and livelier evenings.
- Barcelo Santiago: Adults-only holiday in the more lively area of Puerto de Santiago.
- Sholeo Lodges Los Gigantes: A fresh, modern and unique hotel with excellent value-for-money breakfast buffet.
- Landmar Playa la Arena: Excellent hotel close to the beach. Choose the Platinum option for adults-only holidays.
- Landmar Costa Los Gigantes: Definitely the best family holiday hotel in this area of Tenerife.
Things to do in Puerto de Santiago
- Natural pools: Swim in one of the many natural pools along the coastline called Charcos.
- Hiking: This area has plenty of hiking trails, like the one towards the Playa Barranca Seco beach.
- Los Gigantes marina: From the nearby marina in Los Gigantes, you can enjoy plenty of boat tours to go dolphin or whale watching or explore the coastline. Also, you can do many different types of water sports, like jet skiing or kayaking.
- Diving or fishing: This area is ideal for both these activities, as it is close to the open ocean without a lot of tourism.
- Masca: Visit the nearby town of Masca with an organized excursion. You can also go there by car, but parking is hard to find near the village.
- Hire a car: Since this area is quite far from the airport and there is not so much to do here, it is advisable to hire a car to save on airport transport and to explore more outside of the area. Many parks and attractions are only a short drive away but hard to get to without a car.
- Fish restaurants: Visit the nearby Los Gigantes harbour to try the freshest fresh-caught fish restaurants.
- Alcala and Playa La Jaquita: A nearby town and beach worth visiting. Alcala is still authentic and not touristy, except for one big hotel just outside the town.
This list is of things to do in or near Puerto de Santiago. 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
While not as numerous as in the other, larger holiday destinations in Tenerife, there are still quite a few restaurants in Puerto de Santiago. These are mainly located near the Playa de la Arena beach and near the Barcelo Santiago hotel. For a truly unique experience, the Fisherman’s Inn, overlooking the ocean, has been an established value here for many years. On a budget, the Plaza Restaurant is excellent value for money and is very popular with the locals.
Nightlife
When it comes to nightlife in Puerto de Santiago, some of the bars stay open pretty late, and most offer a very family-friendly atmosphere. There aren’t any late-night clubs as this area is more relaxed and family-oriented. Look near the Barcelo Santiago hotel or the Playa de la Arena beach for the best nightlife.
Tenerife airport to Puerto de Santiago
Puerto de Santiago is 41 kilometres from the Tenerife South Airport (TFS). The Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is 81 kilometres away. So it is best to fly to the Tenerife South Airport:
- Public transport (7.80 €/pp): Cheap, but you need at least 1 or 2 transfers to other buses to get to your destination. Adds a lot of unneeded stress and loss of time to your holiday.
- Shuttle bus online (11.26 €/pp): For just a few euros more, this is a much better budget-friendly option that does not require you to transfer onto other buses and that drops you off directly at your hotel.
- Taxi or minibus online (66.72 €): Best option if you are traveling in a group of 4 or more.
- Taxi at the airport (62.30 €): Can also be good, but with less service, no child safety seats, and higher prices in the evenings and weekends, it is much better for most people to book before online. Also, you might have to wait for a taxi during peak arrival times.
Here, you can find the timetables and prices for public transportation and easily book a minibus, shuttle, or taxi.
When to go
Puerto de Santiago is great to visit all year round. If you are visiting in winter and want to be guaranteed the best weather, the South of Tenerife is a better choice, but generally, the weather is not much different here. During winter, the main advantage of this area is that it is less windy than the South, which can be a real advantage in making it feel warm and comfortable.
In May and October it might be best to avoid this area in because there is only a few bars and restaurants here, and if a few decide to close for holidays or renovations, it is most often in these months. If this does not matter to you, the best budget deals with great weather are in May. June and September offer excellent value for money with even better weather but are also a bit more pricey.
Is Puerto de Santiago the best holiday destination for you?
Puerto De Santiago is ideal for those seeking a relaxed holiday destination with good year-round weather. Families and couples who don’t want mass tourism but still want a nice selection of bars, restaurants, a few activities, and lovely black sandy beaches will definitely like this area.
If you are looking for a nightlife and clubbing scene or extensive shopping options, this area is not for you. Also, the hilly terrain makes it difficult for some groups of people to get around.
If you’re not sure if Puerto de Santiago is the best holiday destination for you in Tenerife, have a look at where to stay in Tenerife.
