Los Gigantes
The pretty village of Los Gigantes is situated on the west coast of Tenerife and is approximately a 40 minute drive from Tenerife South Airport. It is a relatively small resort known for its stunning mountain range and sheltered location. The rock formation “Acantilados de los Gigantes” form the backdrop to this picture perfect resort, which give the village its name “The Giants”. The cliffs are one of Tenerife’s main tourist attractions.
Los Gigantes is a popular resort for tourists who like a quieter place to stay, away from the hustle and bustle of the busier resorts. Los Gigantes is also in easy reach of Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos, approximately 30 kilometers away.
There is a small marina and beach in the village, with a few bars and restaurants to enjoy a relaxed drink or meal whilst admiring the view. On a clear day you can see the nearby island of La Gomera. The view of Los Gigantes is one of the must sees in Tenerife.
There are boat excursions which leave from the marina daily. Why not take one of the many boat trips from the marina, dolphin and whale watching. There are also a good selection of water sports equipment to hire.
The roads in Los Gigantes are very narrow and in the central plaza of the village you will find a pedestrian area to walk around. Although the village is small you can find a good selection of bars and restaurants.
Explore Los Gigantes with Us
To catch a glimpse of the beauty surrounding Los Gigantes, watch our video below. You’ll marvel at the coastal landscapes, go whale and dolphin watching, discover some exotic fruits, and enjoy the stunning Tenerife sunsets.
Beaches at Los Gigantes
Los Guios
The beach at Los Gigantes is called “Los Guios”. It is a small black sand beach with sun beds and parasols for hire. Situated next to the marina, it is in a fairly protected position and a relaxing place to spend the day. Please note that Los Guios beach is not wheelchair accessible.
Playa de la Arena
Los Gigantes is located close to several charming villages, and just to the south, you’ll find Playa de la Arena and Puerto Santiago. Playa de la Arena is one of the smaller resorts on the island, offering a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere; perfect for those seeking a more relaxed getaway.
Getting to Playa de la Arena from Los Gigantes is easy. You can take bus number 143, which will get you there in around 10 minutes. If you prefer to drive, there is ample parking available. For those who enjoy walking, the coastal route takes about 30 to 40 minutes on foot and offers some scenic views of the volcanic landscape along the way. The town itself is small but has all the essentials.
The beach at Playa de la Arena features natural black volcanic sand and is known for its striking appearance. However, there can be strong undercurrents, so caution is advised, particularly for families with young children or less confident swimmers. A flag system is in place to indicate sea conditions, and lifeguards are on duty for added safety. Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire.
Along the nearby promenade, you’ll find a good selection of bars and restaurants. This is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch or a refreshing drink with a sea view.
In the pictures below you can see from left to right: Playa de los Gigantes, Puerto de Los Gigantes (Los Guios), Playa de La Arena
What to Do in Los Gigantes
Dolphin and whale watching
One of the best places in Tenerife for dolphin and whale watching in their natural environment is in the Atlantic waters around Los Gigantes. The clear waters in the area make it a top destination for marine biologists. It is the best place in Europe to observe whales and dolphins all year around, the best time of the year being March to May.
There are lots of different species of both whales and dolphins to spot on one of the trips around the waters of Los Gigantes, you may even see a sperm whale! Bottlenose dolphins can also be found and are a delight to spot from one of the many boat trips. Check out the different boat trips available for a great day out for everyone.
Scuba diving
If you enjoy diving or want to learn to dive, then the clear waters around Los Gigantes is a great place to start. There is a diving school based in Los Gigantes which runs a full range of diving courses at different dive sites.
SUP
In the sheltered bay of Los Gigantes, the water is ideal for paddleboarding, so SUP hire is a must! Just a few hundred metres from the beach, you can hire boards of various sizes at very reasonable prices.
Deep sea fishing trips
For those who fancy a day or half-day excursion deep sea fishing, Los Gigantes has lots to offer. You can catch, tuna, sea bream, and marlin.
There are different options available to choose and equipment and bait are supplied if you have none. You can even charter your own private boat. Trips are available to cater for everybody’s needs from the experienced to the novice.
Shopping in Los Gigantes
Although the resort is quite small, you will find a selection of shops in the commercial centre in Los Gigantes. If you fancy some retail therapy, you can pick up the usual tourist gifts and items.
Everything that you need can be found in Los Gigantes. There are a few small supermarkets and fruit and vegetable shops, where you can stock up on your essentials. Travel a little further to Playa de la Arena and you will find a larger supermarket.
The central plaza in the resort around the church is a pedestrian zone, allowing you to wander around to take in the sights and stop off for a drink or something to eat.
Markets
There is no market in Los Gigantes, but there is a small one in nearby Alcala, which can easily be reached by bus. This takes place every Monday from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm in Plaza del Llano. However, while this used to be a flea market with a range of different stalls, including clothes and artwork, nowadays you will find only a handful of stalls selling fruit and vegetables. Nevertheless, it is a great place to go if you are after some fresh, extremely good value and, at times, exotic produce. The nearest bigger market can be found in Fañabé (every Thursday and Saturday morning).
Pictures below from left to right: Alcala fruit and vegetable market, fruits purchased at the market, Alcala coastline
Eating and drinking in Los Gigantes
Restaurants and bars can be found in the marina area and resort centre. Having a drink as the sun sets down at the harbour is a must to take in the view. There is a good selection of restaurants, seafood restaurants, local Canarian food and the more familiar tourist food.
Nightlife
Los Gigantes is a quieter resort so there is not a big night life scene. There are some small clubs but if you are looking for more lively evening entertainment you will need to go to Los Cristianos or Playa de las Americas.
Nearby Resorts
Costa Adeje, one of the newer and slightly upmarket resorts, is around 30 km from Los Gigantes and can be reached in half an hour by car or taxi.
The party resort of Playa de las Americas is practically next door to Costa Adeje. It is 35 km from Los Gigantes and can be reached in just over half an hour by car or taxi.
Los Cristianos is around 35 km from Los Gigantes. By car or taxi, the journey will take between 30 to 40 minutes. This resort used to be a fishing village and, therefore, has a slightly more traditional character than its neighbouring resorts of Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje.
