Beaches

Playa de El Médano

A long, wide, wind-swept beach that's built the town around it into Europe's windsurfing and kitesurfing hub.

Playa de El Médano is a broad, sweeping beach on the southeastern coast, split by the Montaña Roja headland into a main town beach and a quieter, more exposed stretch toward the nature reserve to the south. Consistent trade winds — the same thing that makes swimming here breezier than the sheltered south-coast resorts — are exactly what draw windsurfers and kitesurfers from across Europe.

Unlike Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas, the town behind the beach has kept a casual, independent feel: surf shops and casual cafes rather than resort hotel chains.

Details
SandGolden
FacilitiesLoungers, cafes, surf schools
Good forWindsurfing, kitesurfing, a more local town atmosphere
Nearest townEl Médano
  • Reliably windy — great for watersports, less ideal if you just want a still, calm swim.
  • Several windsurfing and kitesurfing schools operate directly on the beach, for lessons or gear rental.
  • The southern end, toward Montaña Roja, is quieter and backs onto a protected nature reserve.