Playa de las Americas
On the south west coast of Tenerife next to Los Cristianos, you will find the lively resort of Playa de las Americas. This resort has been a top holiday destination since the 1960’s and, to this day, is still a firm favourite.
Playa de Las Americas is an ideal place if you like some hustle and bustle and a great night life. For those who like to party, enjoy a cocktail, karaoke and the club scene, Playa de las Americas has it all. There are live music venues and cabaret bars to keep you entertained. It is the liveliest resort in Tenerife.
In addition, it offers wonderful beaches with golden sand and equipped with sunbeds to hire. The waters are safe for swimmers and life guards are on duty. There are lots of options for water sports.
You will find a plentiful supply of places to eat and drink on the beach front and lots of tapas bars and restaurants in the resort. It’s also a great place for a family day out, as there is a lot of children’s entertainment.
If you are looking for somewhere quiet, then Playa de las Americas probably isn’t the place to stay. However, if you are young, or young at heart and love to party, you will love Playa de las Americas.
Beaches at Playa de las Americas
Playa de Troya
The main beach in Playa de las Americas is Playa de Troya, which is a man made beach of fine white sand. Swimming in the sea is enjoyable for everyone here, due to the protected nature of the beach. The beach is in a bay and the sea is clear and calm.
There are lots of sunbeds and parasols for hire and there are shower and toilet facilities by the beach. You may need to get there early in peak season if you want to hire a sunbed as it can get busy.
If you enjoy water sports and activities you will have plenty to choose from at Playa de Troya. The beach also has life guards on duty. For something to eat or drink, there is a wide variety of places to choose from nearby the beach. Playa de Troya is a great place to sit with a cocktail and watch the sunset!
Playa de Guincho
Close to Playa de Troya, Playa de Guincho is the perfect place for windsurfers, surfers and those who enjoy water sports. If you like to sunbathe then nearby Playa de Troya would be your preferred option, as the beach at Playa de Guincho is quite rocky. Playa de Guincho is a smaller beach but a better choice if you prefer an active day on the beach to sunbathing.
What to Do in Playa de las Americas
Apart from the nightlife, there are numerous options for days out and entertainment to enjoy in and around Playa de las Americas.
Boat trips
There are many different choices for boat trips from Playa de las Americas. Why not take a half day or full day trip and discover some of the hidden beauty spots away from the main resorts?
For a special occasion you can book your own private charter and sit back and enjoy the scenery. From secluded, hard to reach places you can go swimming and snorkelling. Lunch is provided on board and champagne too!
Dolphin and Whale watching
You can also choose a trip to go dolphin and whale watching, and maybe even some turtles. Boat trips make a brilliant day out for the whole family and an experience that everyone will enjoy.
Diving
Tenerife has some of the best scuba diving in Europe so why not give it a go. So, whether you are new to diving or an experienced diver, why not book a session with one of the diving centers? You can book a dive as a group or individually, to cater for your needs. If you want to learn how to dive then there are courses you can take during your stay on the island.
Bike tours
One of the best ways to see the island is to go on one of the many bike tours that are available. Whether you are a beginner, prefer road bikes or mountain bikes, you can find a tour to suit you. If you can’t be away from home without your bike, you can also rent a bike and keep up with your training.
Siam Park
Only 5 minutes away from Playa de las Americas is the largest water park in Tenerife. It has just received the Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for “best waterpark in the world” in 2023 for the ninth year in a row. Siam Park opened its doors in 2008 and new water rides have been added since then. For the adrenalin junkie, you need to try The Tower of Power. You will drop 28 metres from the top!
If water rides aren’t for you, then a relaxing trip along the Lazy River is a more sedate way to see the park. Both the swimmer and the non-swimmer will enjoy a day out at Siam Park. You can stay the whole day as there are places to relax, sunbathe, eat and drink.
Shopping in Playa de las Americas
There are lots of shops selling everything you need in Playa de las Americas. If you are looking for something to take home with you, you will find plenty of shops selling the usual holiday souvenirs.
The Golden Mile shopping centre is a lovely area to walk around whilst doing some retail therapy. There is a plentiful selection of shops and restaurants. It is an area purely for pedestrians, making it a pleasant place to wander and people watch.
Duty free shopping
As Tenerife and the Canary Islands are in a duty free zone, there is a wide selection of shops selling duty free goods. Remember to check your allowance before purchasing large amounts to take home with you. You can find more information about this on our Duty Free page.
Where to stay in Playa de Las Americas?
Nearby Resorts
Los Cristianos is around 3.5 km from Playa de la Americas. By car or taxi, the journey will take just over 10 minutes. This resort used to be a fishing village and, therefore, has a slightly more traditional character than Playa de las Americas. It is also a little quieter.
Costa Adeje, a slightly more upmarket resort, is practically next door. It can be reached in about 5 minutes by car or taxi or in about half an hour, if you are walking.
Los Gigantes is a little further along the coast, around 30 km or a just over a 30-minute drive away. This resort is a lot quieter than Playa de las Americas but famous for its stunning scenery.
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