Puerto de la Cruz gives you several ways to enjoy the coast. Choose a stretch of black sand at Playa Jardín, pause beside the fishing harbour, explore San Telmo's rock pools or walk along the open seafront at Martiánez. Each spot has a different feel, and the promenades make it easy to enjoy more than one in a day.
Which beach suits your day?
| If you would like… | Start with… | What you will find |
|---|---|---|
| A longer stretch of black sand | Playa Jardín | Three linked beach areas, gardens and a promenade towards Punta Brava. |
| A short stop in the town centre | Playa del Muelle | A small, pebbly shore beside the fishing harbour. |
| Rock pools and a coastal stroll | San Telmo | A compact shore below the promenade, close to the little chapel. |
| Big Atlantic views | Martiánez | Black sand and stones at the eastern end of the seafront. |
Playa Jardín: black sand and a garden promenade
Playa Jardín is the place to start if you want to spend time on the sand and take a relaxed walk beside it. The landscaped coastline runs from the Castillo de San Felipe towards Punta Brava. César Manrique's design brought gardens and paths into the beach setting, making the promenade part of the visit.
There are three main stretches. Playa del Castillo, near the fort, has dark sand with stones closer to the water. Playa Chica, also called El Charcón, is the smaller middle section. At the Punta Brava end, the broader beach is also known locally as Playa María Jiménez. Names vary between local usage and visitor maps, so walking the promenade is the easiest way to get your bearings and pick the part you like best.
You can see the whole area in our Playa Jardín aerial video or follow our walk past its three beach areas. The two videos offer different views of the same coast.
Playa del Muelle: a harbour pause
The little shore beside the fishing harbour is mostly pebbles. It works well as a pause during a wander through the centre, with the boats, harbour walls and old streets close by. From here you can continue towards Plaza del Charco or follow our seafront walk from San Telmo to El Muelle.San Telmo: rock pools and a promenade
San Telmo is a small coastal spot below one of the town's best-loved promenades. At low tide, the rocks form natural pools; above them are the little chapel, places to sit and a lively walking route towards the centre. It is a lovely place to linger even if you simply want to watch the sea. The rocks can be slippery, so take care underfoot near the water.
Martiánez: an open Atlantic outlook
Playa Martiánez sits at the eastern end of the seafront, close to the Costa Martiánez pool complex. It mixes dark sand and stones and has a more open ocean setting. Come for the view, watch the surfers when conditions suit them, or begin a walk west along the promenade towards San Telmo and the harbour.
A beach just beyond Puerto de la Cruz
El Bollullo is a black-sand beach in La Orotava, outside Puerto de la Cruz. It makes a separate coastal outing if you want a wilder setting. Our filmed walk from La Paz to El Bollullo shows the route and landscape; check the path and local signs before setting out.
Make the most of the coast
The sea and shore can feel different from one beach to the next. Look at the flags and local signs before going into the water, and follow lifeguards' advice where they are present. Footwear can help on hot dark sand, pebbles and rocky stretches. If a swim is not part of your day, the promenades, views and original walking routes give you plenty to enjoy by the water.