Playa de Las Teresitas, Tenerife: golden sand near Santa Cruz

Playa de Las Teresitas is one of Tenerife’s most recognisable beaches, known for its golden sand imported from the Sahara, its palm trees and its position beside the village of San Andrés. On an island where many northern beaches are volcanic black sand or rock, Las Teresitas offers a different image: wide, bright, sheltered and very easy to reach from Santa Cruz. It is a beach designed for spending the day comfortably, swimming without complications and enjoying a more local atmosphere than in the big southern resort areas.

The breakwater protects the beach from direct swell, so the water is usually calmer than at open beaches on the north coast. That makes it especially convenient for families, anyone looking for a gentle swim, and visitors who do not want to deal with a rougher sea. Even so, the flag and the day’s safety instructions always come first. The atmosphere mixes Santa Cruz residents, visitors heading on towards Anaga, and people who come down to eat or stroll in San Andrés. This is not a secret cove: it is a popular, lively beach.

Las Teresitas sits beside San Andrés, a few kilometres from the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You reach it by road along the coast towards Anaga, and it is also possible to plan the trip by public transport from the capital, checking current connections before setting off. On very sunny days, weekends and holidays, the surrounding area fills up early, so allow extra time if you want to park nearby. If you are coming from the south of the island, treat the journey as an excursion to the metropolitan area and Anaga, not as a quick hop.

Las Teresitas is a natural gateway to Anaga. You can spend the morning on the beach and then head up to viewpoints, continue towards Taganana or go on to Playa de Benijo if you want a much wilder landscape. It also pairs well with a visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife or lunch in San Andrés. Nearby Playa de las Gaviotas is a separate beach, not another section of Las Teresitas. If you continue towards Benijo, remember that the Anaga road is slow, winding and prone to changes in weather; do not plan the two beaches as if they were close in real travel time.

Bring sun protection and some shade if you plan to stay for several hours, because the beach is wide and the sun can feel heavy. For a calmer experience, avoid arriving in the central hours on the busiest days. For families, the practical choice is to settle near access points and facilities, while still keeping children in sight even when the water looks calm. At the end of the day, the light over the Anaga mountains and the palms creates one of the clearest postcard views in the Santa Cruz area.