Forty-five minutes from the airport, the island suddenly ends in a wall of rock twice the height of the Shard.
Los Gigantes is a small resort town on the west coast of Tenerife, named after the giant cliffs that drop straight into the Atlantic beside it. The Los Gigantes cliffs rise between 500 and 800 metres straight out of the sea and run for several kilometres towards Punta de Teno, the island’s western tip. Below them sits a busy little marina, a black-sand cove and a town centre of steep lanes, terraces and seafood restaurants. If you’re looking for things to do in Los Gigantes, most of them start on the water: whale and dolphin trips, boat rides to Masca Bay and sunset cruises under the rock face.
This article covers the best things to do in Los Gigantes, how long to stay, how to get there and where to sleep. You’ll also find tips for families and a few day trips, from Masca to Mount Teide, which is closer than you might think.
💰 Globales Tamaimo Tropical - A good-value aparthotel with pools right next to the cliffs.
🏨 Barceló Santiago - Adults Only - A four-star clifftop hotel with sunset views of La Gomera.
💎 Royal Sun Resort - A spacious apartment resort with panoramic pools by the cliffs.
Where is Los Gigantes, Tenerife?
Los Gigantes lies on the west coast of Tenerife, in the municipality of Santiago del Teide. It has grown together with Puerto de Santiago and Playa de la Arena, so the three feel like one stretch of coastal town. The resort is about 45 minutes’ drive from Tenerife South airport and around 30 minutes from Costa Adeje and Playa de las Américas.
Is Los Gigantes in the north or south of Tenerife? Strictly speaking, it’s neither. It sits on the sunny south-west side, which is sheltered from the trade winds and much drier than the green north around Puerto de la Cruz. In practice, it shares the warm, reliable weather of the south, but it feels quieter and more local than the big resorts.
The Los Gigantes cliffs - Tenerife’s wall of giants
The cliffs are the reason everyone comes here. Known in Spanish as the Acantilados de Los Gigantes, they are the remains of ancient lava flows from the Teno massif, cut by the ocean over millions of years. The Guanches, Tenerife’s original inhabitants, called them the Wall of Hell, and when you stand at their foot it’s easy to see why. The rock is dark, layered and almost vertical, with ravines slicing through it down to tiny pebble coves.
You can admire the cliffs from three places: from the sea on a boat trip, from the marina and the beach below, or from viewpoints above the town. The best light comes in the late afternoon, when the sun turns the rock face a warm copper colour and La Gomera appears on the horizon.
Things to do in Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is compact, so you can see the town itself in a few hours. The real highlights are just offshore and in the mountains behind it.
Watch whales and dolphins from the sea
The stretch of ocean between Tenerife and La Gomera is one of the best places in Europe to see whales and dolphins. A large group of short-finned pilot whales lives here all year, and bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors too. The area is part of a protected marine strip, and boat operators follow strict rules on speed and distance. Most trips leave from the Los Gigantes marina, and a typical whale watching tour lasts two to three hours.
You can choose between big catamarans with a swim stop, small sailing boats or quick speedboats. A small-group sailing trip is the most relaxing option, and it brings you close to the cliffs on the way back. Sightings of pilot whales are very likely on most trips, though nothing is guaranteed with wild animals.
Take a boat to Masca Bay
Masca Bay is a tiny pebble beach at the mouth of the Masca ravine, reachable only on foot or by boat. Many cruises from Los Gigantes stop here so you can swim or snorkel in clear, deep water at the foot of the cliffs. The ride along the rock face is half the fun, with sea caves and waterfalls of dried lava on the way.
If you’d like to combine the sea with a hike, you can walk down the Masca ravine and catch a boat back to the marina. The trail is steep and rocky, and you must book your slot in advance and wear a helmet. Boat pick-ups from the beach depend on the sea, so check the latest rules before you go.
Wander the marina and Los Gigantes town centre
The Los Gigantes town centre is small and hilly, built on terraces that climb up from the marina. Around the harbour you’ll find seafood restaurants, ice cream parlours and bars with views of the cliffs. Higher up, quiet residential lanes lead to the main square and the church. It’s a pleasant place for an evening stroll, especially after the day-trippers have left.
The marina is the heart of town life. Fishing boats and yachts share the moorings with the whale-watching fleet, and the breakwater is a good spot for photos of the cliffs at sunset.
Swim at Playa de los Guíos
Playa de los Guíos is the little black sand beach right below the cliffs, next to the marina. The setting is spectacular, with the rock face rising behind you as you swim. The sea can get rough, and the beach is closed from time to time because of the risk of falling rocks, so always respect the signs and the lifeguards’ flags.
For calmer water and more space, head to Playa de la Arena in Puerto de Santiago, a ten-minute drive south. It’s a Blue Flag beach of fine dark sand with showers, sunbeds and a promenade lined with cafés.
Snorkel, dive and kayak under the cliffs
The clear water around the cliffs is one of the best spots in Tenerife for scuba diving and snorkelling, with volcanic reefs, caves and plenty of marine life. Dive centres in the marina run trips for beginners and certified divers. Kayak tours are another way to see the Los Gigantes cliffs from a different perspective, paddling at your own pace close to the rock face. For a calm dip, the Charco de Isla Cangrejo is a natural pool in volcanic rock on the edge of Puerto de Santiago, best visited when the sea is calm.
See the cliffs from Mirador de Archipenque
The Mirador de Archipenque is a roadside viewpoint above Los Gigantes, on the way up to Tamaimo and Santiago del Teide. From here you look along the whole line of the cliffs, with the town and marina far below. It’s free, takes five minutes and makes a great first stop on a drive towards Masca or Teide.
Drive to Masca village and Punta de Teno
The road to Masca is one of the most dramatic drives in the Canary Islands, with hairpin bends clinging to the mountainside. Masca village itself is a cluster of stone houses and palm trees on a ridge, with small cafés serving fresh juice and goat’s cheese. Further north, Punta de Teno has a lighthouse, crystal-clear water and views back along the Los Gigantes cliffs from the other side. Access to Teno is restricted at busy times, so check before you set off.
How long should you spend in Los Gigantes?
One day is enough to see the town, take a boat trip and catch the sunset. If you want a quieter base for exploring the west of the island, stay three to five nights. From Los Gigantes you can reach Masca in about 30 minutes, Garachico and Icod de los Vinos in under an hour and the cable car up Mount Teide in about an hour via the TF-38 road. The theme parks of Costa Adeje, including Siam Park, are around 30-40 minutes away by car.
Los Gigantes, Tenerife’s quieter west-coast resort, suits couples and families who want a slow holiday rather than the nightlife of the big resorts. There’s no long sandy beach, though, so if your children want to dig and paddle all day, pick a hotel with a good pool or plan beach days in Playa de la Arena.
How to get to Los Gigantes
The easiest way to get around the west coast is with a rental car. From Tenerife South airport, take the TF-1 motorway north-west and then the TF-47 coast road, which brings you to Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes in about 45 minutes. Parking near the marina fills up quickly in the middle of the day, so arrive early if you have a boat trip booked.
TITSA buses link Los Gigantes with Playa de las Américas, Los Cristianos and Santiago del Teide, and there are connections towards the north of the island. Many boat trips also include a transfer from the southern resorts, which saves you the drive.
When is the best time to visit Los Gigantes?
Los Gigantes is a year-round destination. Winter days are usually sunny and around 20-23°C, while summer brings temperatures in the high 20s and the calmest sea for boat trips. Pilot whales and dolphins live in these waters all year, so whale watching is possible in every season.
Spring and autumn are perhaps the sweet spot, with warm weather, fewer crowds and lower prices than in the winter high season, when many British and northern European visitors escape the cold.
Hotels in Los Gigantes
Most hotels in Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago are built on the slopes, so many rooms come with sea views and sunsets over La Gomera. Book early for the winter season and Easter, when the best rooms with cliff views go first.
See available places to stay in Tenerife
💰 Globales Tamaimo Tropical
A good-value aparthotel right next to the Los Gigantes cliffs, within walking distance of the marina and the town centre. Apartments are simple and practical, with a kitchenette and a balcony, and there are pools surrounded by sunbeds and gardens. Families like the relaxed atmosphere and the option to cook their own meals. It’s an easy base for independent travellers who plan several boat trips and want to keep their budget in check.
🏨 Barceló Santiago - Adults Only
A four-star, adults-only hotel set on the clifftop in Puerto de Santiago, with sweeping views of La Gomera and the Los Gigantes cliffs. Rooms are bright and modern, and the pool terrace is one of the best sunset spots on this coast. There’s a spa, several restaurants and a calm, grown-up atmosphere. It’s ideal for couples who want peace and quiet a short drive from the marina.
💎 Royal Sun Resort
A spacious resort set beside the Los Gigantes cliffs, with outdoor pools that offer panoramic views of the coast. Its apartments give you plenty of room and a private terrace, which makes it a comfortable choice for longer stays. The marina, restaurants and boat trips are a short walk downhill. It suits families and couples who want resort comforts with the cliffs as a backdrop.
Los Gigantes FAQ
Is Los Gigantes in the south of Tenerife?
Los Gigantes is on the west coast, on the sunny south-west side of the island. It’s about 45 minutes from Tenerife South airport and enjoys the same dry, warm weather as the southern resorts, but with a quieter, more local feel.
Is Los Gigantes worth visiting?
Yes. The cliffs are one of the most impressive natural sights in the Canary Islands, and boat trips from the marina offer some of the best whale and dolphin watching in Europe. Even if you stay elsewhere on Tenerife, it’s well worth a day trip.
How high are the Los Gigantes cliffs?
The cliffs rise between 500 and 800 metres straight out of the sea. They are highest towards Punta de Teno, and you get the best sense of their scale from a boat close to the rock face.
Can you swim at Los Gigantes?
You can swim at Playa de los Guíos below the cliffs when it’s open, but the sea can be rough and the beach sometimes closes because of rockfalls. For easier swimming, try Playa de la Arena nearby or the swim stops on boat trips to Masca Bay.
Is Los Gigantes lively?
Not in the way Playa de las Américas is. The evenings are relaxed, with bars and restaurants around the marina and the main plaza, live music in a few places and plenty of locals out for dinner. If you want big clubs, you’ll need to head south for the night.
Is Los Gigantes good for families?
It’s a good choice for families who enjoy boat trips, pools and a slower pace. There’s no long sandy beach in town, so plan beach days at Playa de la Arena and pick a hotel with a good pool. The water parks of Costa Adeje are around 30-40 minutes away.
