El Medano Holidays

Watersports hotspot

Set on the south coast of Tenerife, El Medano used to be a little fishing village but now it’s grown into a middleweight resort. It’s got an easy, laid-back vibe – probably something to do with the surfer set who hang out here. They’re not the only ones who love the beach, though – with a long, white sandy stretch, this place gets the family vote, too.

A beach duo

True to Canary Island form, this resort’s got 2 main beaches. Playa El Medano is the biggie with 2 kilometres of soft white sand – the largest stretch on the island – and it comes with a boardwalk lined with bars and cafes. If you follow the coastal path round the rocks you’ll come to Playa de la Pelada. This one’s a sheltered, shingly cove – and the favourite for nudists.

Family-friendly resort

El Medano plays to families. In fact, it gets busy here at weekends when the local Tenerife crowd turn up with their young ones in tow. You’ve got a children’s playground in the town square for day-time fun, while evenings take care of themselves with family-friendly restaurants that happily tweak their menus for smaller appetites.

The Red Mountain

You can’t miss El Medano’s volcanic landmark, Montana Roja – Red Mountain. Ten minutes’ drive gets you to the bottom where you can follow the path up to the top. It’ll take about an hour but the 360-degree view up here is worth it. Down at base camp, there’s a nature reserve with lots of birds. You might want to pack a picnic, as the mountain’s short on snack stops.