Puerto Santiago

Travel Agent's View

Travel Agents View open quotes a quiet low key resort which is ideal for quiet family holidays close quotes

open quotes The roads throughout Puerto Santiago are very hilly, so are not really suitable for the elderly or wheelchair users close quotes

Puerto Santiago is situated on the western coast of Tenerife and lies between Playa de la Arena and Los Gigantes. It is a quiet low key resort which is ideal for quiet family holidays. Puerto Santiago has a small black sand beach.

The local fish specialities are highly recommended to try out, along with the other local restaurants and bars. There are a few shops here too.

The roads throughout Puerto Santiago are very hilly, so are not really suitable for the elderly or wheelchair users. Around Puerto Santiago there is easy access to the Teno Mountains and walking territory around Masca.

Puerto Santiago is situated within 15 minutes of the airport.

Insider's View

Tenerife Insider open quotes feels far more like the real Tenerife than either of its neighbours close quotes

open quotes because lots of locals live here the best fiestas for miles take place at the plaza on the seafront close quotes

Puerto Santiago's in need of a bit of a makeover and it looks like it might finally be getting some TLC.

Whereas its neighbours, Los Gigantes and Playa de la Arena have nicely manicured centres where most restaurants and bars are located, Puerto Santiago has a few restaurants here, a bar there, a few shops tucked away up a back street and an ugly row of amusement arcades and cheap shops along the front. Even the resort’s beach beside its small harbour is hidden away below narrow streets. Mind you, it’s not really worth finding anyway. There are rumours of a new beach in the pipeline but no actual work has started as yet.

But for all that I like Puerto Santiago. The resort has developed higgledy piggledy fashion around its small fishing community and feels far more like the real Tenerife than either of its neighbours. Restaurants are not as fancy but the food's just as good, you can sit out on terraces overlooking the sea and the bill raises a smile. And because lots of locals live here the best fiestas for miles take place at the plaza on the seafront.

Work has begun to improve the little resort's looks, beginning with the coastal walk which links the harbour with the outskirts of Los Gigantes. It's a lovely walkway now and I like to take my time, sitting on the benches to gaze at La Gomera and the people escaping the heat by floating lazily in the natural rock pools below. There's nothing better than a stroll that ends at a bar and this one emerges beside some restaurants and Route 66 where Old Dogs New Tricks play, they’re definitely worth seeing.

And the must-sees? Puerto Santiago boasts the most surreal façade on Tenerife. Check out the swordfish and his mates 'swimming' out of the front of the fishermen's museum above the harbour.
TENERIFE RESORTS