The smell of salt water hits you as you walk towards the Playa de Los Cristianos. Golden sand stretches out in front of you, lined with deckchairs and parasols. This seaside resort on the Costa Adeje was once a fishing village. Figuring out what are the best things to do in Los Cristianos means balancing beach time with a taste of local life and sea adventure. The climate is mild all year round, so there is no bad season for a visit.
- Best time
- Spring and autumn offer mild conditions with fewer crowds. Winter stays pleasant enough for beach days.
- Where to stay
- Los Cristianos itself or nearby Costa Adeje.
- Perfect for
- Beach lovers * Families * Water sports fans
- Don't miss
- Swim at Playa de Los Cristianos and take a whale-watching trip from the port.
Things I'd Tell a Friend
A few things I learned while exploring Los Cristianos that will make your trip smoother.
Beat the beach crowds
Parking in Los Cristianos fills up fast, especially in high season. Free lots are saturated by mid-morning. The best plan is to arrive early to grab a spot and a deckchair.
Source · Checked this myself
Book boat trips early
Whale watching tours from the port sell out in busy months. Booking online a day or two before saves you the walk from beach to port just to find no spaces left.
Source · Booked ahead
Skip the car if you can
The town is compact. Most of the main attractions are within a short walk of the beach and the promenade. If you are staying in town, leave the car at your accommodation.
Source · Learned the hard way
Playa de Los Cristianos
This is the main beach in town, a wide stretch of golden sand with calm waters.
- 345 metres of golden sand
- Gentle slope ideal for swimming
- Deckchairs and parasols for hire
- Beach volleyball and water sports
Playa de Los Cristianos is a 345-metre-long, 80-metre-wide stretch of golden sand. The gentle slope into the water makes it a good spot for families. You can rent kayaks, pedalos with integrated slides, and optimists from the beach. The promenade along the edge has shops and outdoor terraces. Facilities include showers, toilets, a first-aid station, and beach volleyball courts. Sea views from the promenade take in the bay and the harbour beyond.
Crowds and peak season
The beach attracts tourists since the 1960s. It gets very busy in high season. Spring and autumn are significantly calmer.
Facilities and beach access
The beach is a public open space and free to access. Deckchair and parasol hire is available on site.
Walking from downtown
The beach is a short walk from the main shopping street Avenida Los Playeros. Parking is limited in the area.
Get there before ten in the morning to grab a good spot and a deckchair.
Los Cristianos Promenade
The seafront promenade connects the whole coastline with an uninterrupted 13-kilometer walk.
- 13 km walk to Callao Salvaje
- Views of Playa de las Americas
- Pedestrian streets and frescoes
- Avenida Los Playeros shopping
The paseo maritimo runs along the coast for 13 kilometers all the way to Callao Salvaje. You walk past Playa de las Americas and see how the area developed as a tourist destination. The architecture along the way dates from the 1960s to the 1980s. The city center has small pedestrian streets with colorful frescoes on the walls. The stairs and narrow sections can make the stroll tricky when it is busy.
Best time for the walk
Take the walk early in the morning to avoid the heat and the crowds. The light is better for photos too.
Stairs and narrow sections
Some areas of the city center have stairs. The promenade itself can feel narrow when it is crowded.
Early morning is the best time to walk it before the sun gets high and the crowds fill the path.
Hotels along the promenade offer sea views and easy access to the walk and the town center.
Regency Country Club, Apartments Suites
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Fitness center
- Restaurant
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Good Breakfast
Sol By Melia Arona Tenerife
- 2 swimming pools
- Free Wifi
- Private Parking
- 3 restaurants
- 24-hour front desk
- Garden
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Boat trips from Los Cristianos port head into the channel where pilot whales and dolphins live year-round.
- Resident pilot whales and dolphins
- Pirate ship and Viking boat options
- Approximately 3 hours duration
- Prices from €25
The channel between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the main whale-watching hubs in Spain. Several companies run 3-hour trips from the port. You can choose a Viking-style ship or an authentic Portuguese sailing goleta, which offers a quieter experience. The trips include an on-board bar. Winter is migration season, with species like Fin and Humpback whales passing through. At any time of year, resident pilot whales and dolphins mean your chances of a sighting are high.
Prices and booking
Trips cost from €25 for adults. Book online in advance during high season. Tours run daily weather permitting.
Departing from the port
All tours depart from Los Cristianos port. It is a short walk from the main beach and the town center.
Choose the sailboat over the motor boat if you prefer a quieter ride without engine noise.
Staying near the port makes it easy to join early morning boat trips without rushing.
Boutique Hotel H10 Big Sur - Adults Only
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Free Wifi
- Free parking
- Beachfront
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 4 restaurants
- Bar
- Very Good Breakfast
Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel
- 5 swimming pools
- Free Wifi
- Private Parking
- Family rooms
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- 3 restaurants
- Bar
- Breakfast
We earn a commission on bookings through these links. The picks are mine, and that doesn't change them.
Playa de las Vistas
This urban beach in the city center is protected from waves by offshore windbreakers.
- Golden sand and calm swimming
- Windbreakers protect from waves
- Showers, toilets, deckchairs
- Aquatic wheelchairs available
Playa de las Vistas sits right in the middle of town. A set of windbreakers keeps the water calm, making it ideal for swimming. The beach has golden sand and a gradual slope into the water. Facilities include showers, toilets, deckchairs, and aquatic wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility. Beach volleyball courts are also available. The walk from the main square takes just a few minutes.
Free public beach
This beach is a free public space. Deckchair hire is available if you want it.
Short walk from downtown
Playa de las Vistas is located within easy walking distance of the town center. Arrive early to find street parking.
The windbreakers keep the water glassy flat, so you can swim without waves.
Montaña Chayofita
A short 30-minute hike to a 114-metre peak with panoramic views of the coast.
- 114-metre peak
- 30 minutes to the summit
- Views of La Gomera on clear days
- Typical Canary crater at the top
Montaña Chayofita stands 114 metres above sea level. The most direct access is from Avenida de Chayofita. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the top. The path can be slippery in rainy weather, so good footwear is needed. At the summit, you find a typical Canary crater. On a clear day, the view stretches to the island of La Gomera. The trail is not always well signposted from the town center.
Difficulty and conditions
The hike is medium difficulty. Avoid it in wet weather because the slopes get slippery.
Best time to climb
Go early in the morning for cooler temperatures and clearer views to La Gomera.
Wear hiking shoes with good grip - the path gets slippery fast after a little rain.
Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen
A parish church from 1933 with a whitewashed facade and an interior that is wider than it is long.
- Built in 1933
- Whitewashed facade and tall clock tower
- Wider than it is long
- Free admission
The Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen was built in 1933. The whitewashed facade and large solid wood doors stand out against the blue sky. Inside, the church has an unusual layout - it is wider than it is long. A skylight sits above a ring of stained glass windows. The interior is decorated in solid orange tones. It is a popular meeting place for locals and a calm escape from the busy streets.
Opening hours and free entry
Monday to Friday: 10am-1pm, 3pm-8pm (7:30pm Wednesdays). Saturday: 10am-8pm. Sunday: 8:30am-6pm. Admission is free.
Central location near the beach
The church is located in the center of Los Cristianos, within a short walk of the main beach and the promenade.
Step inside to see the surprising layout - much wider than it is long.
Is Playa de Los Cristianos a good beach for families?
Yes, the gentle slope into the water and calm conditions make it a solid choice for families. You can rent pedalos with integrated slides and kayaks right from the beach.
How long does a whale watching trip from Los Cristianos take?
Most boat trips last around 3 hours and leave from the port. Prices start from €25. It is worth booking in advance during the busy season.
What is the best time of year to visit Los Cristianos?
Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures and fewer crowds. The climate stays pleasant enough for the beach and water sports even in winter.
Is the seafront promenade an easy walk?
The promenade itself is flat, but some parts have stairs and it can feel narrow when crowded. It runs 13 kilometers to Callao Salvaje.
Is the Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Carmen free to enter?
Yes, admission is free. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am-1pm and 3pm-8pm, Saturday from 10am-8pm, and Sunday from 8:30am-6pm.
Can you hike from the center of Los Cristianos?
Yes, Montaña Chayofita is a 30-minute hike from Avenida de Chayofita. The path is medium difficulty and offers panoramic views of the coast and La Gomera on clear days.
