6 Best Things to Do in Los Gigantes, Tenerife + MAP

Los Gigantes is a must-visit location in Tenerife owing to its striking cliffs. Situated in the western section of the island, amongst Buenavista del Norte and Santiago del Teide, this community is one of the most popular attractions in Tenerife. Not only that, but the LosGigantes cliffs can be seen within Teno Rural Park, another beautiful region that’s worth exploring.

Nearing 1,970 feet in height, the cliffs of Los Gigantes (Acantilados de Los Gigantes) offer one of the most breathtaking natural sights on the island. Adding to the spectacle is the 100-foot plunge of the cliffs down into the sea, creating a magnificent natural wonder.

The cliffs stand out for their irregular wall structures and dark shading, which is a result of erosion and solidified lava. Given its imposing appearance, the indigenous Canarian inhabitants referred to the cliffs as the edge of hell and thought this signified the end of the world.

Undoubtedly, visiting the cliffs is a must-do, but there are other cool things to engage in in Los Gigantes. During our trip, we enjoyed a whale-watching tour and a kayaking excursion, although there are other fun activities to engage in here. In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know to plan your vacation to LosGigantes, such as 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 locations in Los Gigantes, Tenerife, and despite its popularity, it’s usually not too crowded. This small rocky beach sits at the base of the Los Gigantes cliffs, so incredible views can be enjoyed while strolling along the grayish-brown sand.

Another feature we appreciated about this location was that the waters remained calm, thanks to the cliffs and harbor, which block the wind. Furthermore, this is a pleasant beach in Los Gigantes to visit as a family since it has a lifeguard, umbrella rentals, showers, and other convenient facilities.

This location is superb for trying snorkeling or scuba diving as well, so if you want to explore what lies below the surface, bring your gear. Overall, Los Guíos is an incredible spot, listed among the best beaches in Tenerife where you can witness the scale of the acantilados de Los Gigantes.

2. Archipenque viewpoint, another impressive place to visit in Los Gigantes, Tenerife

Visiting the Archipenque viewpoint is another amazing thing to do in Los Gigantes. You can get there by taking the TF-454 road, or by exploring the town on foot.

• Suggested lodging: You’ll appreciate the Hotel María Cristina, one of the most luxuriousaccommodations in northern Spain with superb views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Urumea River.

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 IslaCangrejo 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.

This natural pool lies beside the condominium bearing the same name and is fairly easy to locate. Another beneficial attribute is that it has a concrete wall acting as a wave barrier, so the waters tend to remain calm with virtually no waves present. Of course, caution is prudent if visiting during high tide since crashing waves can strike the wall with considerable force. Special vigilance is important especially if accompanied by children.

That said, swimming here is one of the coolest things to do in Los Gigantes, a memorable experience you won`t want to miss.

4. Go dolphin and whale-watching, the best activity to do in Los Gigantes

One of my absolute preferred activities to engage in within Los Gigantes is to embark on dolphin and whale-watching tours. You can find multiple excursions that depart from the Los Gigantes marina, although I advise the cruise we participated in, which was remarkable.

During our tour route, we investigated the coastline of Los Gigantes by sailboat and observed amazing perspectives of the cliffs from the water. The tour guides have knowledge of where to go for the best chances of seeing marine mammals, so while it`s not guaranteed, you will likely see dolphins, pilot whales, and other sea animals. We had several sightings, but if you take the tour and don’t have any success, you can retake it free of charge. Another component I enjoyed about this excursion was that it incorporated a snorkeling and swimming session.

Undoubtedly, 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 region involves going kayaking around Los Gigantes, Tenerife. We booked this kayaking excursion, which commences from Punta de Teno and travels by sea to Los Gigantes.

There are other kayak tours that begin at the Los Gigantes cliffs, but we enjoyed 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 sight, and it’s quite stunning.

Something else I valued about the tour was that the guides were knowledgeable professionals with expertise about the local marine life and the surrounding waters. Therefore, if you’re uncertain what activities to engage in in Los Gigantes, and you have adequate physical stamina, I would suggest this excursion. You’ll have plenty of fun, learn something new, and gain a fresh perspective of the cliffs.

Additionally, do not worry too much if you have never kayaked before, because the tour guides provide an instructional session beforehand to educate you how to paddle and remain safe on the water.

6. Barranco de Masca, the best hiking route near Los Gigantes, Tenerife

Descending the imposing Barranco de Masca was another thrill we experienced during our journey to the awe-inspiring Los Gigantes. This constitutes one of the superlative hikes in Tenerife, and while technically not situated in Los Gigantes, it lies nearby.

When we previously hiked this route, we had the ability to descend the ravine by foot, then head to the jetty at Masca Beach and take the boat back to Los Gigantes. In this manner, we could avoid the ascent up the ravine, which is much more challenging, and we were able to see the Los Gigantes cliffs from the boat.

However, the pier has been closed for several years now, so you can’t take the boat back into town. While the government says the pier will reopen, there is no definitive timeline, but you can check on this link if there is any update.

Regardless of if the jetty opens, this is one of the most intriguing activities to do near LosGigantes, Tenerife, particularly if you’re curious about the native flora, fauna, and geological formations here. Of course, you should be in good physical condition since it takes about three hours to descend the ravine and at minimum four hours to hike back up. We have a guide on the Barranco de Masca with all the information you need, so I suggest reviewing it before you do this route.

Best hotels in Los Gigantes

You won’t face any troubles finding lodging in Los Gigantes since this is a popular area with lots of tourism. There are a variety of accommodation selections, 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 housing 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.

For a quieter and more secluded accommodation in Los Gigantes, Tenerife, consider the Hotel Rural El Navío. This countryside house is strictly for adults, making it very peaceful and intimate. If you`re traveling with a family, the Villa Finca Los Frontones is a great option. Of course, if you prefer a resort-style accommodation, the Landmar Costa los Gigantes is excellent and is considered one of the top family hotels in Tenerife.

As you can see, there are various kinds of Los Gigantes hotels and rentals available, so you can choose whichever one best matches your trip needs. We also have a complete guide on where to stay in Tenerife if you’d like more information and recommendations on accommodation options.

Best Los Gigantes restaurants

You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants in Los Gigantes, although my personal favorite is Casa Edu. This eatery 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.

Another excellent dining establishment in Los Gigantes is Taberna Santa María, a conventional bar serving tapas that is renowned with the locals. This cozy locale has welcoming service personnel and an advantageous spot near the Los Gigantes marina and port. I enjoyed the tuna salad here, and it was especially delectable after a visit to nearby Los Guíos Beach.

There are several other quality places to consume meals in the highly esteemed municipal area of Los Gigantes, so even if you don’t dine at those two eateries, you’ll face no troubles locating a tasty meal.

How to get to Los Gigantes, Tenerife

The final point I want to bring to your attention relates to navigating the best route to reach the community of Los Gigantes, located in the southern region of the island. Relying on personal transportation, such as renting a vehicle, is advisable as it allows independent travel throughout the region at your leisurely pace, including to more remote areas. Personally, we have found DiscoverCars to offer quality deals on rental cars in Tenerife, permitting preparation of itinerary as desired.

If you don’t want to drive yourself, there are other ways to get to Los Gigantes from practically any point on the island. In fact, many of the best outings in Tenerife go to the Los Gigantes cliffs, so that’s one good option.

You can also reach Los Gigantes via guagua, which is the local bus system on Canary Islands. The fare is very affordable, and the bus network connects all the main municipalities in Tenerife, so no matter your location, you can get to Los Gigantes. Be aware it will take significantly longer to arrive at your destination via bus, so check the different routes and timetables here to plan your itinerary.

Map of Los Gigantes, Tenerife

Finally, to help you locate all the places I mentioned, here is a map of Los Gigantes, Tenerife:

As can be seen, Los Gigantes y is very conveniently located between other fascinating attractions on the island. That is why I recommend stopping by no matter if spending seven days in Tenerife or only five days in Tenerife.

I hope you enjoyed learning about this guide to Los Gigantes and all its wonderful features. I`m certain you`ll appreciate exploring this beautiful town, but if you have any inquiries, feel free to post a comment below. I`d be delighted to hear back from you!

You can visit rent a vehicle in New York City, then make the drive along I-95 South: