Los Gigantes cliffs

On Tenerife's west coast the Teno massif ends in the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, sea cliffs up to 600 metres high. The resort of Los Gigantes sits at their southern end, with a marina where boat trips run all year, and Playa de La Arena, a black-sand beach, is just to the south.

The cliffs look best from the water. Boats also head out to see the dolphins and short-finned pilot whales that live off the south-west coast; the tourism board recommends choosing a boat with the Blue Boat flag, which marks a licensed operator. TITSA buses 473 and 477 come here from Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.

Next door, Puerto de Santiago has its own marina and a black-sand beach with a Blue Flag, and Playa de los Guíos sits beside the Los Gigantes port with a view straight up the cliffs, which are part of the protected Teno park. To see them from above, the PR-TF 65 trail runs 8 km between Santiago del Teide and Puerto Santiago. Tenerife South airport is about 45 km away, roughly 35 to 45 minutes by car, and bus 325 links Los Gigantes with Puerto de la Cruz.