Playa de Las Americas beaches Travel Guide

About Playa de Las Americas beaches

One of Europe's most famous holiday resorts, Tenerife's Playa de Las Americas is synonymous with fun nightlife-packed holidays for much of Western Europe. Nightlife is legendary, with 'The Strip' providing myriad after-dark treats after a day on the resort's Atlantic beaches. It's also popular with families and couples, with a string of more upmarket bars and restaurants. As part of a 16km (10-mile) stretch of resorts, which includes Los Cristianos to the south and Costa Adeje to the north, the resort overflows with things to see and do and is blessed with year-round sunshine, making it a perfect holiday destination ay any time.

Beach:

Playa de Las Americas boasts the Playa de Guincho, which is popular with surfers and windsurfers, though it is a bit rocky for sunbathing. The main beach is a much more comfortable and sandy option with other watersports on offer, as well as a good choice of bars, cafés and restaurants.

Beyond the beach:

Visit Playa de Las Americas's neighbouring resorts: Los Cristianos is a holiday resort that was built around a small fishing village, with the streets around the old port retaining a touch of the original ambience, while sophisticated Costa Adeje offers a choice of classy restaurants. Burn off some holiday calories with a hike up 428m (1,404ft) Montana Gauza, a peak that opens up sweeping views of southern Tenerife.

Family fun:

Playa de Las Americas is an excellent resort for families with a choice of beaches. Restaurants are family-friendly and kids and big kids alike enjoy Aqualand (www.aqualand.es) with its myriad pools, slides, waterfalls and dolphin shows.

Exploring further:

Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, is a little-known gem with good shopping, a spectacular new opera house on its waterfront and some great cafés and restaurants. February is the time to come for the colourful spectacle of Carnaval (www.carnavaltenerife.com) when the streets throng with revellers deep into the night. The Teide volcano (accessible by cable car or on a long hike) makes for a thrilling day trip as the views from Spain's highest mountain are sweeping.