El Medano Holidays

It’s the beaches that really make El Medano stand out. There’s a set of four – Playa Machado and Playa El Cabezo are the surfing crowd’s favourite spots. In fact, international competitions are hosted at the latter. Playa de la Pelada’s a secluded cove, popular with nudists. But, the best of the bunch is the town’s namesake, Playa el Medano. Unravelling for two kilometres, this swathe's Tenerife’s longest. Its gently shelving soft sands and Blue Flag status make it a favourite with families, too.

This place attracts a laid back set, mostly made up of surfers and families. It used to be a fishing village and, although it's grown, you won’t find any neon lights or cabaret nights here. You can spend your evenings the authentic Canary Island way – find a tucked-away tapas spot where you can drink, eat and talk the twilight hours away. By day, you’ve got your pick of streets filled with cafés and eateries that are perfect for people watching. And on Saturdays, a bohemian market selling local artists’ wares takes over the main square.

The town’s nestled between two picturesque mountains – Montaña Roja and Montaña Pelada. And they do more than just improve the scenery. It's a 10-minute drive to the bottom of Roja, and from there you can trek up winding paths all the way to the summit. The hike takes around an hour all in all – the panoramic views make it worth the climb.