Playa de las Teresitas, the pleasure of a golden sand beach

The beach is located in the town of San Andrés, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and is almost one kilometre long. It was artificially created in the 1970s over another, volcanic sand beach that was in the same location. Golden sand was brought in from the Sahara Desert and poured to make the original beach larger and more extensive, so that bathers could enjoy more room. A breakwater dam was built to calm its crystal-clear waters.

Nowadays, Las Teresitas beach is probably the busiest beach in Tenerife, along with Playa de las Américas, and it has also become a family beach because of its transparent and calm waters, its golden sand and the many beach bars that are scattered along it. It has all the ingredients to ensure a very pleasant day at the beach.

And it is easily accessible. It can be reached by public transport, by car or by boat. You simply have to plan your day well, and make sure you get up early if you want a good spot in the summer.

Playa de las Teresitas beach, in San Andrés

Las Teresitas beach is the closest to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and it is also very close to San Andrés, an old village which used to shelter dozens of fishermen and still retains its seafaring spirit today.

It has some 4,000 inhabitants and, because of its small size, you can see it all in one day by foot, and not miss a single, charming corner. Such as the Castle of San Andrés, a former military fortress whose interior can also be visited and from which you can take in a beautiful panoramic view of the town. Today, there is not much of the castle that remains, but you can make out its functionality from many years ago.

A walk through San Andrés will unveil its local architecture, which is common throughout the entire island: low colourful houses, full of energy and optimism. And of course, its delightful pedestrian streets.

Approximately eight kilometres away lies the centre of Santa Cruz, a beautiful and alluring port city that surprises its visitors. It is full of life, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities: from strolling through its streets, shopping from the many stores, having a delicious coffee in its bars or discovering its parks. You can also simply contemplate the attractive buildings that are dotted around the city and enjoy its good weather at any time of the year.

What to eat around Las Teresitas beach

As it is throughout the entire island of Tenerife, in Las Teresitas beach gastronomy is based on local dishes, the best known being the ‘wrinkled potatoes’, gofio [toasted flour], potaje stew or rabbit in salmorejo sauce. In San Andrés, we can choose from a range of very traditional and simple cuisine to something more sophisticated. What kind of day are you planning? According to what you are after, you can choose from a wide variety of restaurants.

• El Rincón del Pescador: Serves local dishes based on fish and seafood as the main product. Unpretentious and very simple, this bar and restaurant is located on Chana Cabrera street. Fried or grilled fish, croquettes and octopus are some of their star dishes.
• Tasca el Asunto de los Parres: If you love roast pork or stewed meat, this bar is for you. And if you would like to try the local cuisine, you could order grilled smoked cheese with mojo sauce or a platter of Canarian cheeses. The average price of the menu ranges between 15 and 20 euros.
• Restaurante Pepín in San Andrés specialises in fresh fish and catch of the day, so if you decide to eat here, we recommend you let yourself be guided by the waiters, as they know what’s freshest. With abundant portions at affordable prices, it is a good option for a family meal.

Plan your trip to Costa Adeje well

Las Teresitas beach is well worth a visit, but we suggest that you explore other places too. You can enjoy a magnificent tour of the entire coast of Tenerife and discover other equally charming beaches until you reach Costa Adeje. We recommend you do it by car, so you can stop whenever you want and take photos of the excellent views that you will surely come across along the way. Your destination is 85 kilometres away.

Once you get to Costa Adeje, let yourself be seduced by an enviable temperature whatever the time of year and by the amount of activities to choose from: discover wonderful natural enclaves, visit beautiful and tranquil villages or enjoy any of its countless beaches with sand of all colours:

• Playa de Troya. Offers light-coloured sands and a good location. There are water sports galore, and it is probably one of the oldest and most established beaches in the area.
• Playa de las Galgas. Surrounded by palm trees, it is one of the most beautiful on the coast of Adeje and much visited by tourists.
• Playa de los Morteros. One of the most unspoilt. It is located very close to La Caleta Cliffs Natural Park and offers one of the most beautiful natural environments in the area, with grey sands and a nearby rocky area, which gives it a very personal touch. Here, you can dive and snorkel or simply enjoy a good swim.
• Playa del Duque. Probably one of the best known. Extensive, easily accessible and very wide, it is surrounded by hotels, since it is very popular with foreign tourists. Equipped with all kinds of services, spending a day at this beach is a real luxury.