Holiday rentals in Playa de las Américas

Tenerife’s largest resort is also its fun capital, with plenty of family-friendly activities close to its beaches, and a lively nightlife that centres on the legendary Veronicas Strip. The shoreline — part golden, part black volcanic sand — is well served with amenities for all-day sunbathing; in the winter months particularly, it attracts surfers who come for the swells. Watersports of all kinds are popular here, including jet skiing and scuba diving, and nearby waterparks cater to children of all ages. The sprawling town has expanded to take in the shopping area of San Eugenio and the Andalucian-themed villas of Torviscas. At its centre sits the Parque Central de Arona, a 10-acre public space shaded with tamarind, macadamia, dragon, and palm trees, and planted with local flora. In recent years, new bars and restaurants have gone a bit more upscale, but neon signs still dominate the strip, and a flashy fountain puts on at a light show at the end of the Avenida Las Américas, the resort’s shopping mile.

While Playa de las Américas is very much a resort town, the wonderful subtropical temperatures of the Canary Islands mean it’s open to visitors all year round. Summer sees peak business, but the weather is good for sunbathing from March onwards, and spring and autumn are good options for booking one of the area’s apartments if you want to avoid the largest crowds.

Tenerife’s mild winters make it a perfect destination for a midwinter escape to the sun, and February is a particularly colourful month, when the Canary Islands stage one of the world’s largest carnivals — second only to Brazil. St John’s Night, in June, is another great celebration to witness, with bonfires lit up and down the island’s beaches, while the Fiesta de San Andres, at the end of November, has some quirky traditions, with pots and heavy objects dragged through the streets to create as much noise as possible.

Los Cristianos

The promenade on Playa de las Américas can take you all the way to this quieter community to the south of town, and it’s a worthwhile walk along the seafront. There’s only a couple of miles between the two towns, but a world of difference in their vibe, with plenty of pretty hints of the fishing village that Los Cristianos used to be.

Los Gigantes

A 30-minute drive from town, these giant rock formations on the west coast of Tenerife are aptly named. The huge volcanic cliffs tower over the seaside town that’s named after them, and there are plenty of beaches at their base from which to admire their rugged beauty.

El Teide

With a cable car to carry you all the way to the top, the summit of Spain’s tallest mountain is easily achievable. One of the world’s tallest volcanoes, at 3,718 metres, Mount Teide is a standout landmark in the national park at the very centre of the island, and well worth the hour’s drive to get there.