Bahia Del Duque, Costa Adeje

5 Star

Tenerife

This luxury hotel is an 11 minutes' walk from the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, 4 km from Loro Parque zoo and 25 km from Tenerife North Airport.

Featuring private balconies, the plush rooms also have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and marble en suite bathrooms, as well as work/living areas. Suites add separate living rooms, and some feature hot tubs on the balconies. Room service is available.

The hotel has stylish restaurants for Asian, Italian and Spanish cuisine, plus a sophisticated cafe/bar with live music. Other amenities include outdoor pools, a high-end spa and a gym, as well as Asian-style gardens. Parking is free.

Not all facilities are complimentary and are subject to seasonal demand.

Hotel Facilities

Free Parking

Laundry service

Gymnasium

Resturant

Kid-friendly

Outdoor pool

Wifi in public areas

Spa

Tenerife

If there is any spot on the globe that enjoys a perfect climate, Tenerife in the Canary Islands might just be it. There is markedly little variation in the average temperatures between summer and winter, and there is only very occasional rain. Add to this landscapes of verdant forests, mountains, deserts, volcanoes, exotic plant and animal life, and spectacular beaches (with black volcanic sand) and you have a true holiday paradise. Tenerife offers the unique experience of swimming and sunbathing on a beautiful beach while just a few miles away snow sparkles on the crest of Mount Teide. The island's central mountain stands at 12,200 feet (3,719m), the highest in Spain, and a cable-car ride to the summit offers unrivalled views of the lunar-like landscape of the volcanic slopes in the UNESCO-listed Teide National Park.

The island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is an upbeat town geared towards tourism. Its port, where once the first shots of the Spanish Civil War were fired, is today a morass of ferries, jetfoils and freighters ready to take visitors on various cruises and ocean adventures. Other picturesque towns worth visiting on this picturesque island include Garachico. La Orotava and Masca, all of which have much to offer travellers.

Tenerife Attractions

Tenerife's main attraction is its ideal weather, which offers warm sunny days all year round and allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful beaches in all seasons. There are plenty of great beaches, lively resorts, charming ports and villages, and even a volcano to explore in the centre of the island. The tax-free status enjoyed by the Canaries makes nightlife and shopping additional draw cards. Water sports are another popular attraction: windsurfers and kite surfers will enjoy the strong winds of the east coast, while surfers have perfect conditions in the south of the island. For the kids, there are numerous theme parks and water parks that guarantee a cooling day out for the whole family.

Getting around Tenerife for sightseeing excursions or days of beach hopping is easy; almost every attraction on the island can be reached in under an hour by bus. There are plenty of metered taxis available in the resorts and a good, cheap bus service operates around the resorts and between all the main towns on the island. Local car rental companies have offices in all the main resorts and are good value and popular with those wanting to explore the north of the island.

Nightlife

Tenerife is famous for its raucous and varied nightlife, ranging from Ibiza-style nightclubs and boozy karaoke joints, to authentic Spanish tapas venues and bars playing great live music or hosting traditional dance performances. Venues tend to stay open as late the clientele wish, and the prices of drinks and dinner compare extremely well against mainland Europe.

The best nightlife on Tenerife is concentrated in the south of the island around Playa de las Americas. There are three main areas to explore in this resort: Veronicas, the Patch and Starco Commercial Centre, each of which are densely packed with clubs (many of which are open 24 hours), bars and English-style pubs. Most bars are child friendly and serve decent food. The most famous club in Playa de las Americas is Tramps, in the Starco complex, regularly attracting top DJs for epic parties. Nearby Los Cristianos is a better bet for quieter bars and restaurants, and is consequently more popular with families with young children. In the north of the island Santa Cruz and Puerto de la Cruz have a good variety of nightlife venues but lack the concentration of clubs in the south. Casinos are another popular way to enjoy a night out in Tenerife. There are three to choose from: Casino de Taoro in Puerto de la Cruz, Casino Santa Cruz in Hotel Mencey in Santa Cruz, and the Playa de las Americas Casino in the Gran Tenerife Hotel.

A popular family night out is the Medieval dinner show at Castillo San Miguel which has jousting, horse and sword feats, and bawdy serving wenches. For some more traditional Spanish entertainment don't miss the Flamenco performances at the Pyramid de Arona Auditorium at Playa de las Americas, and the cabaret and dancing on display at the Palace Show in Playa de las Americas.

Shopping

Tenerife is well prepared for shoppers, with plenty of supermarkets in the larger towns providing all basics and foodstuffs for self-catering tourists, and plenty of markets and smaller shops all around the island for gifts and bargains.

Of course, the Canary Islands is a duty-free zone, so tobacco, alcohol and other goods are much cheaper than in continental Europe. Take note of duty-free limits before returning home: technically you're only allowed to bring back about one litre of spirits and 200 cigarettes, although in practice many countries allow enough for personal consumption. Clothing is also great value in Tenerife, a fact that many visitors take advantage of. Popular Spanish brands such as Zara and Mango have outlets around the island.

The best shopping is in Santa Cruz, particularly on Calle Castillo where all the fashion stores are. There is also a new mega-mall, Meridiano on Avenida La Salle, and the enormous department store of El Corte Ingles. Just outside of town is the enormous Carrefour hypermarket.

Most of the resorts and small towns have weekly markets. The huge Sunday market in Los Cristianos is a fleamarket extravaganza selling everything under the sun. In Santa Cruz, the African market is well worth exploring, with 300 stores selling fresh produce and interesting curios. On Sundays the area around the market becomes the El Rastro Flea Market, a good place to pick-up quality handicrafts and bargain souvenirs. Golf del Sur has a good market near the marina on Friday mornings; Los Abrigos puts on a decent night market every Tuesday evening; while Guaza has recently begun hosting a Sunday fleamarket.

Best buys in Tenerife, apart from booze and cigarettes, are the award-winning local cheeses and honey, leather goods such as shoes and belts, and turrón, the almonds and honey confection available around the festive season. Avoid shopping at the airport where prices tend to be significantly inflated. Note that if you pay via debit or credit card you will need to show your passport. Many shops still observe the very sensible custom of closing over siesta (1.30 to 4.30pm) and will close all day Sunday.

Transport

The bus service is run by TITSA and is operational all over the island, as well as within Santa Cruz and other towns. Holidaymakers using the bus frequently should purchase a Bono card. The card also includes discounted admission into many of the island's museums. Travellers can take a taxi anywhere on the island, but it is an expensive way to get around; hiring a car is a convenient and more cost-effective transport solution. Car rental outlets are available at the airport and major resorts in Tenerife, and same-day rentals shouldn't be a problem.

Tenerife Climate and Weather

Tenerife has a wonderful climate; the average temperature is comfortable all year round. The cooling sea breeze ensures that there is little humidity and that the summer heat is bearable. During winter, between December and February, the evenings get cooler and the water temperatures drop, but it is never cold by European standards. The coldest month, January, experiences average temperatures between 59°F (15°C ) and 68°F (20°C), and August, the hottest month, experiences average temperatures between 70°F (21°C) and 84°F (29°C). Rainfall in the summer months is almost non-existent, but showers are possible between October and April. The rain showers are usually short-lived and quickly replaced by sunshine. There are, however, distinct climate variations according to region on Tenerife: inland, particularly around Teide National Park, temperatures can drop far lower so dress for cool evenings and rainfall (or perhaps even snow!) if exploring the high altitudes around the interior of the island.

The most popular time to visit Tenerife is in the summer months of May to September, when it is hot and dry, but the beaches can be enjoyed year round (although the sea may be too cold for swimming).

Los Cristianos

The popular holiday resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered bay in the southwest corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern hotels, shopping centres and apartment blocks. The focal point of the resort is its working harbour, fronted by a square surrounded with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighbouring Playa de las Americas. The old town centre stretches from the port up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of pedestrianised streets, still inhabited by many local people. The resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows holidaymakers in Los Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more boisterous neighbour, especially when it comes to nightlife.

Holiday Shopping

One of the joys of holidaying in Tenerife is indulging in duty-free (or low-duty) shopping, and Los Cristianos and surrounds boasts a multitude of shops where it is easy to spend liberally on perfumes, tobacco, electrical goods, cameras and designer clothing. Handcrafts and cultured pearls are also popular buys for souvenir hunters, but these are best sought in reputable stores rather than from seafront hawkers. Local supermarkets stock familiar British brands, particularly those in the large San Eugene Centre. A tourist street market is held in Los Cristianos every Sunday near the Hotel Arona Gran, where most of the merchandise consists of cheap and cheerful Spanish tourist souvenirs, but there is fun to be had in haggling.

Restaurants

Los Cristianos has several top-rated eateries for holidaymakers, its trendiest being Piccolo, Bar El Cine, Plan B and Chill Out. Los Cristianos cannot be beaten for the quality and variety of eating establishments available throughout the day and night, from the ubiquitous English breakfast through midday fast-food snacks, to dinner from China, India, Mexico or anywhere else one cares to mention. There are also more traditional Spanish eateries and tapas bars.

Nightlife

Los Cristianos is very well supplied with fun pubs, some discos and a few nightclubs, but holidaymakers will notice that the nightlife here is nowhere near as wild and exciting as it is next door in Playa de las Americas. Taxis are plentiful and available round the clock, however, so there is no problem popping off to join in the unadulterated partying in nearby lively spots like Veronicas and The Patch, which are usually jumping and pumping until 6am or so. Those who prefer a more sedate evening will be happy to sit back and unwind at a waterfront bar in Los Cristianos, watching the world go by and perhaps enjoying some live music.

Holiday Activities

'Never a dull moment' could be a phrase coined to suit the southern holiday resort area of Tenerife island, where entertaining attractions and activities abound. The beaches of Los Cristianos are bristling with water sports opportunities, from jet skiing and windsurfing to scuba diving and banana boat rides. The busy little port is the embarkation point for ferry and hydrofoil trips to the nearby islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, as well as boat trips for dolphin and whale viewing. In the immediate vicinity of the resort there are waterparks, an 18-hole golf course and facilities for go-karting, bowling, bungee-jumping, horse and camel riding. Several excursions are on offer, like trips to the capital, Santa Cruz, the Mount Teide National Park or the Tenerife Zoo.

Any Negatives?

Older visitors might have problems walking up the steep hills.

Los Gigantes

Los Gigantes (The Giants) is aptly named after the Acantilados de los Gigantes; large, striking cliffs that surround this attractive holiday resort. The resort is set on the west coast of Tenerife and is essentially joined together with its neighbours, Playa la Arena and Puerto Santiago, to provide visitors with an exciting resort experience. A concerted effort has been made not to destroy the natural beauty of the town and as such there are none of the towering hotels common to other Spanish tourist resorts. The scenery is dominated by a rocky cliff which is 2,600 feet (800 metres) high in places. The resort is self-sufficient, with plenty of shops, restaurants and activities to keep holidaymakers entertained, well-fed and happy. Los Gigantes is a peaceful resort, ideal for a relaxing holiday.

Holiday Shopping

Uphill from the marina is the resort's commercial centre, with plenty of shops ranging from supermarkets to upscale fashion boutiques and a convenient pedestrian zone near the church. The nearby village of Masca also has a few independent souvenir shops that sell unique items like local pottery, liquor made from bananas or honey, and embroidered tablecloths and clothing. Los Gigantes is a good resort for shopping and the proximity of a number of other resorts and villages ensures there is plenty of variety.

Restaurants

There are quite a few restaurants and bars at the marina, and seafood is the local speciality (paella is always a good bet in the coastal regions of Spain!). While at the popular holiday destination of Los Gigantes, it's essential to sample the fine cuisine at Krishna's. El Rincon de Juan Carlos and Jardin del Sol also garner rave reviews from foodies and casual diners alike. Guests may not smoke indoors in most restaurants, but smoking is allowed on covered verandas and in marked areas.

Nightlife

Although Los Gigantes has a selection of bars and even nightclubs, it is a peaceful resort and does not have an energetic nightlife. Much of the live music and entertainment in Los Gigantes is provided by the hotels and restaurants. You'll hear jazz, salsa, rock music, and the local folk music called Tenderete. Most of the bars and clubs in the resort are centred in Santiago Bajo.

Holiday Activities

Los Gigantes has a lovely, upmarket marina, which visitors can use as a starting point for boat trips to explore the imposing cliff-faces, enjoy dolphin and whale watching excursions or trips to neighbouring resorts. The resort's small beach has black volcanic sand and good swimming conditions and neighbouring Playa la Arena offers a larger version. There are also a number of water sports and activities such as big game fishing on offer, and those who hire a car will find many interesting sights and sounds in the surrounding areas. A not-to-be-missed event in the town is the annual carnival held in the week after Ash Wednesday. Visitors will find that although Los Gigantes is not party central, there is still plenty to see and do year round.

Any Negatives?

Los Gigantes is hilly, with narrow streets that can be difficult to traverse for people with mobility issues. Youngsters in search of a party may be disappointed with the sedate nightlife.

Playa De Las Americas

Playa de las Americas is Tenerife's largest tourist playground, a purpose-built hedonistic haven for holidaymakers of all ages who come here for fun in the sun from all over the world. The resort is situated in the south of the island near the Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofia Airport). It has grown vastly during its 30 years of existence and now covers three different zones: the original Playa de las Americas, San Eugenio, and Toviscas. There are three natural beaches in the resort area and three man-made ones, all covered with dark volcanic sand and extremely crowded during the summer season. The las Americas beaches are linked by a long promenade, which winds along the busy waterfront, backed by dozens of high-rise hotels and holiday apartment blocks. A mini train runs around the resort stopping at scheduled points every hour, and there are plenty of free buses to assist visitors in getting around, making the most of the Playa de las Americas many bars, entertainment venues, shops and sports facilities. Don't expect to soak up much authentic Canarian culture while holidaying at Playa de las Americas, but for those who enjoy the hullaballoo of a packaged, carefree summer vacation, the resort will exceed expectations.

Holiday Shopping

There is a vast array of shops in Playa de las Americas and holidaymakers can indulge in the delights of duty-free shopping in the numerous electrical stores and clothing shops. Shoppers should be aware that salesmen can be quite aggressive - bargain hard and remember that the shop next door probably sells the same stuff. The supermarkets offer most of the well-known brands, many imported to cater for the British tourists. Those in the mood for some haggling should go shopping in Las Americas Torviscas Market (Thursday and Saturday from 10am); there are great bargains to be had and it's perfect for presents, but shoppers should get there early as it can get very crowded. A trip to Santa Cruz (one hour by bus) is worthwhile for those looking for designer clothes.

Restaurants

Playa de las Americas has top-rated restaurants in which holidaymakers can dine, including favourites like Montana, Vista Sur, Meson Castellano, Mei Shi Xuan and Da Angelo. There are restaurants in las Americas catering for every taste; along the seafront are dozens of fast food stalls and restaurants advertising English breakfasts and Sky TV, and international dishes of all varieties are also offered including Indian, Chinese, Italian, and excellent tapas and local Canary Islands cuisine. Many of the better restaurants are located in the Torviscas areas and in the neighbouring resort of Los Cristianos. There are also some nice restaurants overlooking the marina in Puerto Colon.

Nightlife

With more nightclubs than some British cities and some of the best nightlife in Tenerife, las Americas is a honey pot for those looking for more of a nocturnal holiday. The area known as The Patch is the best place to start the evening as most of las Americas' bars are located within easy walking distance. The Patch also has a fine choice of nightspots and most bars have a happy hour or two. The most popular are Rags and Linekers, dance bars that play a good mix of Pop, R&B, Dance and 80s party music. Many of the bars also have good live music. Later on, the Veronicas complex and the Starco Commercial Centre are the places to head to for a good party. The streets are packed with revellers until the early hours, particularly during the busy summer months. Tramps is the largest club on the island and very popular. There are also two casinos at the resort.

Holiday Activities

Las Americas has entertainment for visitors and holidaymakers of all ages including tennis courts, amusement arcades, bowling, water parks and go-karting, as well as all sorts of water sports which can be arranged from the beaches, including jet skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and banana boat rides. Some popular things to do in las Americas include bungee jumping at the Sky Park and swimming with dolphins at the Aqua Park. There is an 18-hole golf course on the way to Los Cristianos and horse and camel riding can be arranged nearby. Boat trips leave regularly and bottlenose dolphins and whales are often seen. Other popular excursions include a trip to the capital, Santa Cruz, and to the Mount Teide National Park.

Any Negatives?

The resort is built on the side of a hill and many apartments require a steep walk up from the beach. The accommodation near the centre can be very noisy until the early hours. There are hundreds of touts trying to sell you everything from trinkets to timeshare apartments - it's best to be firm but polite and avoid getting into a conversation with them. There are promotions staff outside the bars and restaurants who are also quite insistent, but it can be worth chatting them up as they sometimes offer free drinks. Be aware of con artists; don't accept scratch cards or play cards from anyone on the beach.

Playa La Arena

Once a fishing village on the west coast of Tenerife, Playa la Arena is today one of three separate holiday resorts (Los Gigantes, Puerto Santiago and Playa la Arena) that have to all intents and purposes merged into one. Playa la Arena is the most modern of the three and has a lovely long stretch of black, sandy beach, with Blue Flag status. The sea offers excellent swimming, but the water can sometimes be rough. A promenade runs along the seafront and is flanked by a variety of restaurants (some offering excellent seafood), several bars and shops. There is plenty to do besides relaxing on the beach or sampling local cuisine and many visitors opt for a boat trip to neighbouring Los Gigantes, whale watching tours, day trips to the nearby village of Masca or a cable car ride up Mount Teide in the Teide National Park. Visitors can also choose to take a stroll to either Puerto Santiago or Los Gigantes for something different, or catch a bus to the bustling Playa de las Americas for a night on the town. In general, Playa la Arena is peaceful and laid-back, lacking the aggressive touting common in other resorts, and offers a perfect combination of activity and relaxation for all types of visitors seeking the perfect holiday destination.

Holiday Shopping

Duty-free shopping is one of the big attractions of a visit to Tenerife. The best mall for consumer goods is in the nearby town of Los Gigantes, although the Commercial Centre in town has a decent range of shops as well.

Restaurants

Many international restaurants and tapas bars line the well-developed promenade at Playa la Arena. British-style pub food is widely available. It is worth sampling some of the delicious Canarian dishes, such as salty new potatoes boiled in sea water, baked with a spicy mojo sauce. The variety of restaurants in the three connected resorts is more than sufficient for all budgets and tastes. Some of the restaurants and bars close in winter when the resort empties out.

Nightlife

Although there are many bars and cafes, proper nightclubs are few and far between in Playa la Arena, and most after dark entertainment is limited to what the all-inclusive hotels offer their guests. It is a peaceful, family resort which is not well suited to those seeking an energetic nightlife. However, there are some popular party resorts nearby, like Playa de las Americas.

Holiday Activities

This Tenerife holiday destination offers plenty of activities for the few days not spent on Playa la Arena's beaches. Visitors can take a boat trip to the nearby Los Gigantes, and the whale watching tours are a must for the whole family. With the Teide National Park a short trip away visitors can take the cable car to the top of Mount Teide and enjoy the spectacular view of the weird volcanic landscape. Visitors staying in Playa la Arena also have the option of enjoying a fun day out in Playa de las Americas or a sightseeing stroll through the nearby villages of Los Gigantes and Puerto Santiago.

Any Negatives?

This area is very hilly and therefore challenging for people with walking difficulties or parents with prams. The sea can have strong undercurrents so take red flag lifeguard warnings seriously.

Puerto De La Cruz

A cosmopolitan old colonial town known to tourists throughout Europe, the holiday destination of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is the principal tourist centre of the island. It was in the 1890s that Puerto de la Cruz became a fashionable spa town and since then it has been a preferred holiday spot for European royalty and dignitaries, such as Winston Churchill and Bertrand Russell. Despite its long-term popularity as a tourist destination, Puerto de la Cruz has maintained the style and flair of a cosmopolitan spa while retaining the feel of a small, friendly, and bustling Spanish town. Considered the birthplace of tourism in the Canary Islands, Puerto de la Cruz attracts some 900,000 visitors annually. The area around the old fishing port is still lined with cobbled streets, full of colonial architecture, and is one of the few resorts where locals still work, eat and drink. It is a place where old-world charm exists alongside trendy hotels and apartments, making this the perfect holiday destination.

Holiday Shopping

Puerto de la Cruz is a shopper's paradise and holidaymakers won't be disappointed. The 'free port status', which the island enjoys, allows imports from all over the world. There are a large variety of goods available from the many hundreds of shops, often at good prices. Electronic items of every description, photographic gear, perfumes and alcohol are especially cheap. Travellers should be aware that cheap goods can sometimes be tacky, low-quality or counterfeit. The Martianez mall is a favourite with tourists wanting to splash out on clothes, shoes and gifts.

Restaurants

For a fine culinary experience while on holiday in Puerto de la Cruz, try La Casona, Meson los Gemelos, Regulo or La Ganania. The many restaurants in the resort offer up a variety of dishes and many different cuisines can be found. The Plaza de Charco is lined with restaurants and cafés and it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal, tapas or just a drink and watch the world go by.

Nightlife

Holiday visitors should be sure to visit the most popular bars in Puerto de la Cruz, including Friagata, Molly Malones, Color Café and Azucar. There is, however, a wide range of bars and clubs on offer, with some staying open into the early hours of the morning. Puerto de la Cruz's nightlife is special in that it is still geared towards locals more than tourists and therefore has an authentic Spanish flavour which the purpose-built resorts usually lack.

Holiday Activities

The holiday destination of Puerto de la Cruz offers some of the best tourist attractions on the island and many guided walks are available. The town is very attractive and has many historical buildings to visit, such as the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Pena and the Castillo San Felipe. Other places to see include the Loro Parque, which boasts over 200 species of parrots and other animals; the Botanical Gardens, displaying plants from Africa, South America and Australia; and for those willing to venture further afield, the volcanic landscape of the Teide National Park.

Any Negatives?

In recent years muggings and other street crimes have started to become a problem. Thefts from cars, especially cars left overnight and cars left in what appear to be deserted scenic locations, have become a major problem. Travellers should not leave valuable items in an unoccupied car.

Golf Del Sur

Situated on the south coast of Tenerife and very close to the Reina Sofia Airport, Golf del Sur, as its name suggests, is primarily a golfing holiday resort. There are several wonderful golf courses on offer, including a 27-hole championship course, and fairways dominate the lush landscape; however, non-golfer's will find plenty to occupy them, including the usual sun, sand and surf that attracts visitors to Tenerife. There is a beautiful coastal walk running the length of the resort's shoreline, with plenty of picturesque view points and benches along the way. San Blas, a charismatic little town very nearby, has a bustling commercial centre consisting of three squares ringed with restaurants, bars (including karaoke bars) and shops, and there is also tennis, adventure golf and bowling on offer. For those seeking more action, the resort is close to the ever-popular Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos resorts, which are accessible by bus. Hiring a car is also an excellent way to explore the surrounding areas and take in what Tenerife has to offer.

Holiday Shopping

Like everything else at the resort the shops are dominated by golfing needs, but San Blas has some interesting shops, and the large and popular neighbouring resorts also boast all the usual souvenir shops and holiday boutiques.

Restaurants

Restaurants in Golf del Sur and San Blas include some traditional Canarian eateries and plenty of international fare for foreigners. While in Golf del Sur, holidaymakers should be sure to taste the culinary pleasures of The Lobster Pot.

Nightlife

Golf del Sur is not a party resort but it is a lively one with some great bars and one nightclub, Taboo's, which plays a mixture of dance and house music and is frequented by a refreshing variety of people. The golfing clubhouses also do a booming trade, especially in the peak summer months.

Holiday Activities

Apart from the golf courses, driving ranges and clubhouses, visitors can enjoy boat trips along the rugged coastline, scuba diving, and even submarine safaris. The big resorts nearby offer numerous water sports and there are a number of worthwhile excursions from Gold del Sur.

Any Negatives?

Planes taking off and landing at the nearby Tenerife South Airport can be a bit noisy for visitors.

Las Caletillas

Las Caletillas is a quiet holiday resort, more residential than commercial, set on Tenerife's north east coast. The resort is roughly nine miles (14km) from the island's capital, Santa Cruz, and is a stone's throw away from the charming village of Candelaria with its black sand volcanic beach. In fact, the resort and the village are almost indistinguishable, and connected by a flat promenade popular with strollers and joggers. Las Caletillas itself has a black pebble beach stretching around three coves, and offers several bars, restaurants and souvenir shops. There is not much on offer in the way of nightlife in Las Caletillas, so don't expect to be up until dawn.

Playa de Las Teresitas, just up the coast from Las Caletillas, provides a change of scenery and golden sandy beaches for those who aren't quite comfortable sunning themselves on the remnants of a volcanic eruption. Of course, the bustling Santa Cruz is close by and if one hires a car, there are various areas of interest to explore on this part of Tenerife, such as the small town of Masca, the historic village of La Laguna with its market and attractive cathedral, or La Orotava (boasting an embroidery school). A great day out is a trip to the Teide National Park where visitors can enjoy a cable car ride up Spain's highest mountain, the volcanic Mount Teide. Although it may not be a hotspot, Las Caletillas is the perfect holiday destination in Spain for those seeking a more authentic Canaries experience and a truly relaxing Tenerife getaway.

Holiday Shopping

Las Caletillas is a perfectly self-contained resort with just the amount of shops tourists might need for basics and souvenirs and the like. There is a supermarket for self-catering supplies. However, those who want a more comprehensive shopping experience should venture into the neighbouring village or make the short drive to Santa Cruz.

Restaurants

There are a handful of bars and restaurants at the resort itself, with a notable, and natural, emphasis on seafood. There is more choice in restaurants in Candelaria and of course a broad selection in Santa Cruz.

Nightlife

Las Caletillas has some wonderful spots for sundowners and a few drinks while listening to gentle live music, but it is not a party resort and there are no real nightclubs. Tourists won't have to go far to find a vibrant nightlife though, and can venture into Candelaria, to Playa de las Teresitas, or into Santa Cruz for more energetic entertainment after dark.

Holiday Activities

Visitors can enjoy boat tours, fishing, mountain biking and hiking from the resort and can hop across to Playa de las Teresitas for a variety of water sports. There is a basilica and some interesting statues at Plaza de la Patrona at the far end of the promenade, and there are many sights of interest nearby. The best excursion is a trip to Teide National Park.

Any Negatives?

The sea can get a bit rough and the pebbly beach will not be to everybody's taste.