El Médano

An idyllic retreat perched on the southern tip of Tenerife, the lively beach town of El Médano is one of Tenerife’s most laid-back resorts, famous for its high winds and traditional Spanish vibe, and void of the tourist trappings of the larger resorts. In a prime location close to the Reina Sofia airport, El Médano is the gateway to some of the island’s largest natural beaches, with hotpots like the Playa Grande, the nudist beach of Playa Tejita and the surf beach of Playa Machado, set against the striking backdrop of La Montaña Roja (the Red Mountain).

The resort’s principal draw card is its world-class windsurfing and kite surfing, and the town hosts a number competitions and championships throughout the year. For adrenaline seekers, the top spots are the Bay, the Harbour Wall and Cabezo Beach, where the wild waves and rocky coastline make for some challenging surf.