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Los Gigantes is a must-see in Tenerife thanks to its impressive cliffs. Located in the western part of the island, between Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide, this town is one of the most popular attractions in Tenerife. Not only that, but the Los Gigantes cliffs are within Teno Rural Park, another beautiful area that’s worth visiting.
At nearly 1,970 feet high, the cliffs of Los Gigantes (Acantilados de Los Gigantes) are one of the most breathtaking sites you’ll see on the island. Add to that the fact that the landmass plunges 100 feet into the sea depths, and you’ve got a spectacular natural wonder.
The cliffs stand out for their irregularly-shaped walls and dark color, which is the result of erosion and solidified lava. Given its imposing appearance, the Guanches, who were the indigenous inhabitants of the Canary Islands, referred to the cliffs as the wall of hell and believed it indicated the end of the world.
Needless to say, visiting the cliffs is a must-do, but there are other cool things to do in Los Gigantes. During our trip, we enjoyed a whale-watching tour and a kayaking excursion, although there are other fun activities to do here. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan your holiday to Los Gigantes, including what to do, where to stay, and the best places to eat.
1. Los Guíos Beach, one of the best things to see in Los Gigantes
Los Guíos Beach is one of the most beautiful places in Los Gigantes, Tenerife, and despite its popularity, it’s usually not too crowded. This small rocky beach is at the foot of the Los Gigantes cliffs, so you’ll get incredible views while you stroll along the grayish-brown sand.
1. Los Guíos Beach, one of the best things to see in Los Gigantes
Another thing we liked about this place was that the waters were calm, thanks to the cliffs and the port, which block the wind. Moreover, this is a nice beach in Los Gigantes to visit as a family since it has a lifeguard, umbrella rentals, showers, and other convenient services.
This is also an excellent spot to go snorkeling or scuba diving, so if you want to discover the seabed, bring your gear with you. Overall, Los Guíos is an amazing location, and one of the best beaches in Tenerife where you can see the magnitude of the acantilados de Los Gigantes.
2. Archipenque viewpoint, another impressive place to visit in Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Visiting the Archipenque viewpoint is another incredible thing to do in Los Gigantes. It’s in Puerto de Santiago, so you can get there by taking the TF-454 road, or by touring the town on foot.
2. Archipenque viewpoint, another impressive place to visit in Los Gigantes, Tenerife
This lookout point, or mirador, is considered one of the best viewpoints on the island because you can see the magnificent cliffs of Los Gigantes as well as the entire coastal area of Puerto de Santiago. On clear days, you can even see the island of La Gomera in the distance.
I’m sure you’ll love visiting this spot and getting a different perspective of the area. That said, my favorite time to go is at sunset when you can capture the most spectacular photos.
3. Charco de Isla Cangrejo, a spectacular natural pool in Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is also home to one of the most beautiful natural pools in Tenerife. El Charco de Isla Cangrejo is a gorgeous swimming hole made of volcanic rock and a great place to admire the wondrous landscape and take a refreshing dip in the water.
3. Charco de Isla Cangrejo, a spectacular natural pool in Los Gigantes
This natural pool is next to the condo with the same name and is quite easy to find. Another nice thing about it is that it has a concrete wall that acts as a breakwater, so the waters tend to be calm with virtually no waves. Of course, you should be careful if you visit during high tide since the waves can crash against the wall with quite a bit of force. If you have kids with you, be especially mindful.
That said, swimming here is one of the coolest things to do in Los Gigantes, and a memorable experience, so don’t miss it.
4. Go dolphin and whale-watching, the best activity to do in Los Gigantes
One of my absolute favorite things to do in Los Gigantes is to go dolphin and whale-watching. You can find several tours that depart from the Los Gigantes marina, although I recommend the excursion we did, which was amazing.
4. Go dolphin and whale-watching, the best activity to do in Los Gigantes
During our tour, we explored the coast of Los Gigantes by sailboat and got incredible views of the cliffs from the water. The tour guides know where to go for the best chances of seeing cetaceans, so while it’s not guaranteed, you will likely see dolphins, pilot whales, and other sea creatures. We had several sightings, but if you take the tour and don’t have any luck, you can retake it for free. Another thing I liked about this excursion was that it included a snorkeling and swimming session.
Hands down, this is one of the best experiences in Los Gigantes, so I cannot recommend it enough. If you want more information about whale and dolphin-watching in Tenerife, you can check out our complete guide.
5. Go kayaking, another fun thing to do in Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Another fun way to explore the area is by going kayaking in Los Gigantes, Tenerife. We booked this kayaking excursion, which starts from Punta de Teno and travels by sea to Los Gigantes.
There are other kayak tours that start at the Los Gigantes cliffs, but we liked the one we took because the views were much more impressive. It was also nice to get panoramic views of some of the most iconic attractions in Teno Rural Park, like the Teno Lighthouse. As you row past Punta de Teno, the cliffs come into view, and it’s quite breathtaking.
5. Go kayaking, another fun thing to do in Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Something else I appreciated about the tour was that the guides were professional and well-informed about this area, including the marine species that inhabit the surrounding waters. So, if you’re not sure what to do in Los Gigantes, and you’re in decent shape, I recommend this excursion. You’ll have a lot of fun, learn something new, and get a different perspective of the cliffs.
Also, don’t worry too much if you’ve never kayaked before, because the tour guides provide an instruction session beforehand to teach you how to paddle and stay safe on the water.
6. Barranco de Masca, the best hiking route near Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Descending the Barranco de Masca was another exciting thing we did during our trip to Los Gigantes. This is one of the best hikes in Tenerife, and while it’s technically not in Los Gigantes, it’s pretty close by.
Back when we did this hiking route, we were able to descend the ravine on foot, then head to the jetty at Masca Beach and take the boat back to Los Gigantes. This way, we could avoid the ascent up the ravine, which is much more challenging, and we got to see Los Gigantes cliffs from the boat.
6. Barranco de Masca, the best hiking route near Los Gigantes, Tenerife – Efrén Yanes
However, the jetty has been closed for a few years now, so you can’t take the boat back to town. While the government says the jetty will reopen, there is no timeline set in stone, but you can check on this link if there is any update.
Regardless of whether or not the jetty opens, this is one of the most interesting activities to do near Los Gigantes, Tenerife, especially if you’re curious about the native flora, fauna, and geological formations here. Of course, you should be in good physical shape since it takes about three hours to descend the ravine and at least four hours to hike back up. We have a guide on the Barranco de Masca with all the information you need, so I suggest reading it before you do this route.
Best hotels in Los Gigantes
You won’t have any trouble finding hotels in Los Gigantes since this is a popular area with lots of tourism. There are a variety of accommodation options, too, so you can find the perfect place for your travel style and budget.
For example, the Aparthotel Los Dragos del Sur is a beautiful apartment in Los Gigantes, and a nice alternative to a typical hotel. We stayed here once and thought the facilities were super comfortable. It also had a great location and a friendly and hospitable staff.
Best hotels in Los Gigantes
For a more tranquil and private accommodation in Los Gigantes, Tenerife, consider the Hotel Rural El Navío. This country house is for adults only, so it’s super peaceful and intimate. If you’re traveling as a family, the Villa Finca Los Frontones is a great alternative. Of course, if you prefer a resort-style accommodation, the Landmar Costa los Gigantes is excellent and is considered one of the best family hotels in Tenerife.
As you can see, there are all kinds of Los Gigantes hotels and rentals, so you can choose whichever one best suits your trip. We also have a complete guide on where to stay in Tenerife if you’d like more information and recommendations.
Best Los Gigantes restaurants
You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in Los Gigantes, although my personal favorite is Casa Edu. This restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday and serves a wide variety of dishes, mostly meat and fish. The prices are excellent, and you’ll be close to the Archipenique viewpoint.
Best Los Gigantes restaurants
Another great restaurant in Los Gigantes is Taberna Santa María, a traditional tapas bar that’s popular with the locals. This cozy place has friendly service and a nice location by the Los Gigantes marina and port. I enjoyed the tuna salad here, and it was especially delicious after a visit to nearby Los Guíos Beach.
There are several other good places to eat in the town of Los Gigantes, so even if you don’t go to those two restaurants, you’ll have no problem finding a tasty meal.
How to get to Los Gigantes, Tenerife
The last thing I want to share with you is the best way to get to the town of Los Gigantes, which is in the southern part of the island. Your best bet is to travel by car, and we personally like to use DiscoverCars because we always find great deals there. This way, we can book a rental car in Tenerife and move around at our own pace in total freedom, even to more remote places.
How to get to Los Gigantes, Tenerife
If you don’t want to drive, there are other ways to get to Los Gigantes from practically any point on the island. In fact, many of the best excursions in Tenerife go to the Los Gigantes cliffs, so that’s one good option.
You can also get to Los Gigantes by guagua, which is the Canarian bus. The fare is very cheap, and the bus network connects to all the main municipalities in Tenerife, so no matter where you are, you can reach Los Gigantes. Just keep in mind that it will take a lot longer to reach your destination, so check the different bus lines and schedules here to plan your itinerary.
Map of Los Gigantes, Tenerife
Finally, to help you find all the places I mentioned, here is a map of Los Gigantes, Tenerife:
As you can see, Los Gigantes y very well located between other interesting attractions on the island. That is why I recommend stopping by no matter if you’re spending 7 days in Tenerife or only 5 days in Tenerife.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to Los Gigantes and all its wonderful attractions. I’m sure you’ll love exploring this beautiful town, but if you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d be delighted to hear from you!
Have a safe trip to Tenerife, and an amazing time in Los Gigantes, Spain!
