The harbor by the resort town of Los Cristianos is a busy place. Ferries leave from this South Tenerife port to go to the islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
| Marina and Los Cristianos viewed from port |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Our ship, the Harmony V, moored at Puerto de Los Cristianos during our cruise in the Canary Islands. From the dock, we had a panoramic view of the marina filled with yachts and fishing boats.
Behind the marina, buildings (many of them rental apartments and hotels) clustered around Montaña Chayofita. The resort area is clean and safe, with flower and palm-lined walkways joining one beach area to the next.
| Children play with bubbles by Playa de Los Cristianos |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Playa de Los Cristianos
The closest beach to the port and marina is Playa de Los Cristianos. It's a short but wide stretch of sand that is popular with families.
Like Pied Pipers, two buskers attracted a throng of children by making giant bubbles on the walkway encircling the beach. The kids gleefully jumped up-and-down to burst the floating iridescent globules.
Playa de las Vistas
On the opposite side of the marina, Playa de las Vistas has a very different personality. You can rent a lounge chair or a blue beach umbrella on the very long beach and enjoy a massage in a tent.
The beach is wheelchair accessible. A sign at the entrance warned: "No camping. No dogs. No loud music."
| Information about whales and dolphins by Playa de las Vistas |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Whale-watching
An information sign overlooking Las Vistas beach from the walkway described the short-finned pilot whales and dolphins that live in the protected coastal waters.
Translated into Spanish, English, German and Braille, it explained that these marine mammals hunt for food with their eyes closed, using sonar. A map showed the best places for viewing the whales and dolphins.
Pedestrian walkway
Paseo de Vistas, a tiled pedestrian walkway, follows the beach. The Tourist Information Office here gave us a free map and brochures about Los Cristianos attractions, restaurants and places to stay.
Judging by the languages that we heard, the pedestrians came from around the world. Parents pushing baby strollers, dog-walkers, hand-holding couples, seniors, people on motorized wheelchairs, cyclists and rollerbladers all enjoyed the balmy South Tenerife weather.
| Couple watch beach volleyball from bench on Paseo de Vistas |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Beach volleyball
Palms, dragon trees, hibiscus blossoms and cacti lined Paseo de Vistas. From park benches, we viewed beach volleyball and elaborate sandcastles.
Opposite the beach, numerous cafés and shops sell liquors, beachwear, massages and manicures. Red tiled-roof stucco buildings house the Vista Sur Shopping Center.
Playa del Camisón
The tiled walkway changes to the paved Andrade Fumero pedestrian street at Playa del Camisón. This crescent beach is not as wide as Playa de las Vistas.
| Sandcastle, Playa de las Vistas |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Sunbathers relaxed on lounge chairs under thatched palapa umbrellas. Some were topless.
Just past the Parque Santiago Shopping Center, we discovered a black lava beach with seagulls. A massive steel sculpture of cacti dwarfed strollers.
Playa de las Américas
Paseo Francisco Andrade Fumero leads to Playa de las Américas. This holiday resort area is known for its hotels, watersports and nightlife.
At Playa El Conquistador, we watched surfers riding the waves. Bars along the beach enticed nighttime crowds with music, flamenco dancing and mojitos-to-go.
Where to eat
Los Cristianos restaurants span the spectrum from pizzerias to seafood restaurants serving fresh fish. Fast food places range from McDonald's and Burger King to ice cream stands. Many offer outdoor seating areas.
| Sunbathers under thatched beach umbrellas, Playa del Camison |
| Photo © Barb & Ron Kroll |
Don't worry about having to speak Spanish. Billboards show photos of restaurant menus and food specialties, from tapas to paella and sangria for two. Restaurant servers speak numerous languages.
Estación Marítima
On the way back to Los Cristianos port, we stopped to walk along the breakwater housing the Maritime Station.
A colorful undersea mural painted with fish, sea urchins and a coral reef decorated the breakwater. The walkway on top offered great views of the marina and Los Cristianos.
More things to see & do in the Canary Islands:
La Gomera - San Sebastian, Garajonay and Mirador del Palmarejo
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Walking Tour - Cruise Shore Excursion
La Laguna, Tenerife - Shore Excursion Walking Tour
