El Medano

Travel Agent's View

one of the prettiest coastal areas of the island close quotes

El Medano has one of the best markets in Tenerife which is held on a Saturday morning close quotes

El Medano is a small village on the South-East side of Tenerife in the town of Granadilla de Abona.

This resort offers long sandy beaches and is a windy area which is a big hit with windsurfers! International and national competitions in windsurfing are held on this famous beach.

It is one of the prettiest coastal areas of the island. There are numerous cafes, bars and restaurants which run along the promenade. It has a variety of surf shops, chic clothes shops, bars and restaurants with fresh fish being a speciality.

El Medano has one of the best markets in Tenerife which is held on a Saturday morning. It is only a 5 minute journey from Tenerife South Airport.

Insider's View

El Médano is one of my favourite places on Tenerife's south coast close quotes

El Médano has such a laid back, surf dude atmosphere that it's impossible to talk about it without using the term 'bohemian' close quotes

Unless you own industrial strength hair gel, or suit the 'windswept and interesting' look, El Médano might not be your ideal destination. On the other hand, if you’re a windsurfer - welcome to paradise.

El Médano is one of my favourite places on Tenerife's south coast. On days when the resort's trademark wind is blowing I prefer to give sand blasting, sorry, I meant to type sunbathing, a miss and wander around the mini maze of streets behind the harbour and along the sun-bleached boardwalk which hems the main beach. There are lots of little places to stop and enjoy a crêpe, some Mexican food or an ice cream and there are jewellery and clothes shops dotted in between the surf shops.

El Médano has such a laid back, surf dude atmosphere that it's impossible to talk about it without using the term 'bohemian'. I love the surfer friendly bars and the weekend hippy market in the plaza. For me, El Médano is the best place in the south for brilliant beaches and almost guaranteed sun combined with a taste of local culture. It's also a foodie's nirvana with fish, Canarian, Mexican, French, Japanese and even a vegetarian restaurant. Grab a table at one of the little bars on Paseo Marcial García, order a selection of tapas and an ice cool beer and watch the kite-boarders and windsurfers; that's my kind of chill-out.

After windsurfing, El Médano's other great love is the art of naked sunbathing; wander inadvertently to one of its nudist beaches and you may see more of the resort's other visitors than you might like.

And the must-sees? Get past the naked bobbly bits on Playa de la Tejita at the foot of Montaña Roja and you'll find one of Tenerife's best beaches; long, golden and virtually empty.