Los Abrigos Beach
Golden sand, lava pools, and blue water on Tenerife's quiet south coast
About
Playa de los Abrigos stretches roughly 250 metres of golden sand along the southern tip of Tenerife, in the municipality of Granadilla de Abona. The water runs a clean, open blue — calm enough for families, clear enough for snorkelers to peer into the rocky edges. Natural lava pools frame the shoreline, giving the beach a raw, volcanic character that sets it apart from the resort strips further north. The pace here is relaxed; visitors come to swim, float, and watch the light shift over Montaña Roja in the distance. It's accessible, unhurried, and genuinely easy to enjoy.
How to get there
From Granadilla de Abona, the drive takes around 10 minutes — access is straightforward and the road is open daily. If you're coming from Santa Cruz, a bus gets you here in roughly 45 minutes, also running daily. Parking is available in a dedicated lot and on-street nearby, so arriving by car is hassle-free. There's no entry fee to the beach itself.
Who it's for
For couples
The relaxed pace and scenic lava pool edges make this a genuinely easy beach to spend a slow afternoon together — no loud beach bars, no hard sell, just blue water and volcanic scenery. Dinner at Delicias del Mar afterwards rounds the day off well.
For families
Safe swimming conditions, easy access, and the natural lava pools nearby mean families with younger children have plenty to keep them busy without venturing far. The dedicated parking lot and short walk to the sand make the logistics simple even with a full kit of beach gear.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Playa de los Abrigos is one of those beaches that doesn't try to impress you — and ends up doing exactly that. Swimming is safe, access is easy, and the lava pool setting gives it a character that smoother, more manicured beaches simply don't have. It's compact at 250 metres, so it never feels anonymous. The proximity to good seafood restaurants and a standout nearby hotel means you're not roughing it, either. Avoid the winter months and you'll find a beach that delivers on every practical level. Not the flashiest spot on Tenerife, but one of the most satisfying.
What to do
The natural lava pools just 2km away are the headline act — Los Abrigos Natural Pools offer sheltered ocean swimming in a dramatic volcanic setting. Montaña Roja, the red volcanic mountain 3km from the beach, is worth the climb for the panoramic views over the coast. If you want to venture further, Siam Park — one of the world's most acclaimed water parks — is about 35km up the road and makes a solid full-day detour for families. Snorkeling directly off the beach is also a genuine highlight, with the rocky edges providing plenty to explore.
The lava pool edges at Los Abrigos Natural Pools deliver dramatic foreground texture against the open blue water — go early for clean light and no one in frame.
The view back toward Montaña Roja from the shoreline gives you the red volcanic cone rising behind golden sand, a composition that's hard to miss. The rocky southern end of the beach, where the lava meets the sea, works well for close-up detail shots at any time of day.
Where to eat
The cluster of restaurants around 4.5km away punches well above its weight — Delicias del Mar and Restaurante Mero Pancho Tajao both earn strong reputations for fresh seafood, while Marisquería Agua y Sal is a reliable choice with thousands of positive reviews behind it. If you're after something different, Patio Burger about 13.5km away holds an impressive 4.8-star rating and offers a change of pace from the fish-forward local menus.
Where to stay
The closest option is Kora Nivaria Beach, just 0.3km from the sand — it carries a 4.9-star rating across more than 3,400 reviews, which is hard to argue with for location and quality. Further afield, Medano4you S.L. around 14km away is a well-regarded self-catering option if you prefer more independence during your stay.
Photography
Shoot the lava pool formations in the early morning when the blue water catches the low light and the volcanic rock textures are sharpest. For wider landscape shots, the view toward Montaña Roja from the beach's eastern edge gives you the red mountain against golden sand — best in the late afternoon when the colours deepen.
Good to know
June through September is the sweet spot — warm, settled, and ideal for swimming. Avoid December and January if you're planning to get in the water; winter swells make conditions unpredictable. The lava pool area rewards early arrivals — you'll have the best light and the calmest water before the day-trippers show up. This is not a naturist beach, so standard swimwear is the norm.
Map
Nearby places
Marisquería Agua y Sal
Delicias del Mar
Restaurante Mero Pancho Tajao
Manfred´s Soul Cafe
Patio Burger
Kora Nivaria Beach
Kn Arenas del Mar Hotel
Medano4you S.L.
Médano Hotel
Playa Surf CBbC Hotel
Things to see around Granadilla de Abona
Montaña Roja
Red volcanic mountain with climbing and views
Los Abrigos Natural Pools
Natural ocean pools for swimming
Siam Park
World-famous water park
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 2 — Flocci Nivis · source · CC BY 4.0
- Photo 3 — Lebob · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 4 — Lebob · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 5 — Lebob · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 6 — trolvag · source · CC BY-SA 3.0