El Médano Holidays: Tenerife South Beaches and Weather
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 1,000 residents · on the coast
El Médano is a small coastal settlement of around 1,000 people on the south coast of Tenerife, sitting just 12 metres above sea level. Its own beach lies right in the centre of town, and Playa de La Tejita is barely a mile and a half along the shore, which makes it an easy, uncomplicated choice for a family beach holiday. For British travellers, the practical appeal is hard to beat: Tenerife South airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about three minutes away by car. The climate does the rest, with daytime highs between 22°C and 28°C in every month of the year and very little rain.
Why go
- El Médano's own family beach sits right in town, about 100 metres from the centre.
- Tenerife South airport, with direct UK flights, is only about three minutes' drive away.
- Daytime highs stay between 22°C and 28°C all year, so every month counts as good.
Top sights in El Médano
Two Beaches on the South Coast
Life in El Médano revolves around the sea. The town beach, also called El Médano, is the obvious starting point: it lies about 100 metres from the centre and suits families who want sand within a short stroll of their room.
A little further along, Playa de La Tejita is about 1.6 miles away and offers a second beach option, again well suited to families looking for a change of scene without a long journey.
Beyond the beaches, there are 46 tours and activities in the area, and you can book tours and tickets directly from the cards on this page.
Tours & tickets in El Médano
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around El Médano can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in El Médano
Small Town, Beach on the Doorstep
El Médano is a small place of around 1,000 residents, so orientation is simple: almost everything sits close to the coast, with the town beach at the heart of things. Staying near the centre puts you within a short walk of the sand, while Playa de La Tejita, about 1.6 miles away, offers a quieter alternative base for those who prefer to stay a little apart.
The town's modest size means a calmer feel than the larger resorts further west, such as Playa de las Américas. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach El Médano and the villages around it is a hire car from Tenerife South (TFS), about 3 min away.
Best time to visit El Médano
A Climate That Works All Year
- 23°CJan0 mm
- 22°CFeb17 mm
- 23°CMar3 mm
- 24°CApr1 mm
- 24°CMay3 mm
- 25°CJun26 mm
- 26°CJul0 mm
- 28°CAug2 mm
- 26°CSept1 mm
- 28°COct2 mm
- 26°CNov17 mm
- 23°CDec17 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Every month of the year counts as pleasant in El Médano. Daytime highs range from 22°C in February to 28°C in August and October, the hottest months, while night-time lows stay between 16°C and 22°C, so even a winter break feels mild.
Rain is scarce. June records the most rainfall at around 26 mm, though over only two days, and November has the most rainy days at four. January and July record no rain at all, making them reliable choices for a dry fortnight in the sun.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C | 17°C | 0 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 22°C | 16°C | 17 mm | 11 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 16°C | 3 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 24°C | 17°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 17°C | 3 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 25°C | 19°C | 26 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 26°C | 20°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 28°C | 22°C | 2 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 28°C | 22°C | 2 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 26°C | 20°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 23°C | 18°C | 17 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Drive Times
Tenerife South (TFS) is the nearest airport, just 2.5 miles away and roughly a three-minute drive, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Tenerife North (TFN) is about 32 miles away, around 46 minutes by car, but has no direct flights from the UK.
For island hopping, Los Cristianos port is about 11 miles away with ferries to San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 34 miles away, serves Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 69 miles away across the water, links to Morro Jable, Arrecife and the Spanish mainland at Huelva and Cádiz.
By air
- Tenerife South (TFS)2 miles, about 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Tenerife North (TFN)32 miles, about 46 min by road
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (11 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (34 miles), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (69 miles).
El Médano is good for
Around El Médano
Easy Outings Around Southern Tenerife
San Isidro is only 2.5 miles away, with Granadilla de Abona at about 6 miles and San Miguel de Abona at roughly 6 miles. Inland, the small village of Vilaflor, home to fewer than 2,000 people, is about 10 miles away.
Heading west, Playa de las Américas and Adeje are both around 12 miles away, while Guía de Isora is about 19 miles off. To the north-east along the coast, Fasnia lies around 14 miles away.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
With the airport just three minutes away, you may not need car hire for a pure beach stay, though a car makes day trips to Vilaflor or Adeje much easier.
El Médano is a town of around 1,000 people, so expect a relaxed pace rather than big-resort nightlife; Playa de las Américas, about 12 miles away, is the place for more. As a low-lying coastal town, it can feel breezy by the water, so pack a light layer for evenings, when lows dip to 16°C in the cooler months.
Questions people ask
How far is El Médano from Tenerife South airport?
Tenerife South airport is about 2.5 miles from El Médano, roughly a three-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, which makes El Médano one of the quickest transfers you will find for a Tenerife holiday.
Is El Médano good for a family holiday?
Yes. The town beach sits about 100 metres from the centre and Playa de La Tejita is around 1.6 miles away, both suited to families. The small size of the town, with around 1,000 residents, keeps things relaxed and easy to navigate with children.
What is the weather like in El Médano in winter?
Winter is mild. Daytime highs in December, January and February sit between 22°C and 23°C, with lows of 16°C to 18°C. January records no rain at all, while December and February see only around two rainy days each.
When is the hottest time to visit El Médano?
August and October are the hottest months, with daytime highs of around 28°C and night-time lows near 22°C. July and September are only slightly cooler at about 26°C, with very little rain throughout the late summer.
Can I take a ferry to other Canary Islands from El Médano?
Yes. Los Cristianos port, about 11 miles away, runs ferries to San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 34 miles away, also connects to Las Palmas, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.