Los Gigantes, Tenerife: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 2,721 residents · on the coast
Los Gigantes is a small coastal town on the west side of Tenerife, home to around 2,700 people and sitting just 20 metres above the sea. Its beach, Playa Los Gigantes, is half a kilometre from the centre, and the Mirador de Archipenque viewpoint is barely further. The climate is the draw for British travellers: January and February still reach 23°C, and rain is scarce in every month of the year. Tenerife South airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is about half an hour's drive away. It suits a slow beach holiday, with larger towns and the ferry port at Los Cristianos within easy reach.
Why go
- Playa Los Gigantes, a family-friendly beach, lies about a third of a mile from the town centre.
- Winter highs of 23°C in January and February, with only one or two rain days a month.
- Tenerife South airport has direct UK flights and is roughly a 30-minute drive away.
Top sights in Los Gigantes
Beach Days and a Viewpoint
The main reason to be here is Playa Los Gigantes, a beach about a third of a mile from the centre and well suited to families. It is close enough that most of your days can start with a short walk down to the water rather than a drive.
A little further, around 0.4 miles away, the Mirador de Archipenque is a viewpoint within the municipality of Santiago del Teide, a good spot for anyone who prefers looking out over the landscape to lying on the sand.
Beyond these two, the town is a base rather than a sightseeing destination in itself. Tours and tickets for activities in and around Los Gigantes can be booked on this page.
Tours & tickets in Los Gigantes
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Los Gigantes can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Los Gigantes
Choosing a Base in Town
Los Gigantes is a small coastal town of about 2,700 residents, so expect a quiet place rather than a resort strip. With the beach half a kilometre from the centre, almost anywhere in town keeps the sea within walking distance, and the low elevation of 20 metres means you are never far above the shoreline.
If you would rather stay somewhere larger, Adeje, with over 43,000 residents, is about 11 miles away. This page shows live hotel prices for Los Gigantes so you can compare what is available for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Los Gigantes and the villages around it is a hire car from Tenerife South (TFS), about 30 min away.
Best time to visit Los Gigantes
When the Weather Suits Best
- 23°CJan2 mm
- 23°CFeb7 mm
- 25°CMar11 mm
- 26°CApr5 mm
- 26°CMay2 mm
- 28°CJun13 mm
- 31°CJul0 mm
- 33°CAug5 mm
- 29°CSept0 mm
- 30°COct10 mm
- 28°CNov6 mm
- 25°CDec15 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Ten months of the year count as pleasant here: January to June and September to December. Winter is the standout for British travellers, with highs of 23°C in January and February and lows that rarely fall below 15°C. Spring warms steadily to 26°C by April and May.
July and August are the hottest months, peaking at 31°C and 33°C, which is why they fall outside the best months. Rain is minimal all year; December is the wettest month at around 15 mm, and March has the most rain days, at four. July and September are typically completely dry. Sea temperature figures are not available for this stretch of coast.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23°C | 16°C | 2 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 23°C | 15°C | 7 mm | 11 h |
| Mar | 25°C | 16°C | 11 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 26°C | 17°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| May | 26°C | 18°C | 2 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 28°C | 19°C | 13 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 31°C | 22°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 33°C | 24°C | 5 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 29°C | 20°C | 0 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 30°C | 21°C | 10 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 28°C | 19°C | 6 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 25°C | 16°C | 15 mm | 10 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Transfers
Tenerife South (TFS) is the airport to aim for. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom and lies about 21 miles from Los Gigantes, roughly a 30-minute drive. Tenerife North (TFN) is about 35 miles away, around 49 minutes by road, but it has no direct flights from the UK, so it is only useful if you are connecting.
As this is an island, there is no driving from Calais. The nearest ferry port is Los Cristianos, about 16 miles away, with sailings to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 39 miles off, links to Las Palmas and the western islands, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has routes to mainland Spain at Huelva and Cádiz.
By air
- Tenerife South (TFS)21 miles, about 30 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Tenerife North (TFN)35 miles, about 49 min by road
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (16 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (39 miles), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (88 miles).
Los Gigantes is good for
Around Los Gigantes
Easy Outings Along the Island
Santiago del Teide and Guía de Isora are both around 4 miles away, the closest neighbours for a short outing. Heading north-west, Buenavista del Norte is about 9 miles off and Garachico about 10 miles, with Icod de los Vinos around 12 miles away.
To the south, Adeje is roughly 11 miles away and Playa de las Américas about 14 miles. Vilaflor, a small town of under 2,000 people, is also about 14 miles away and makes a contrast with the coast.
Questions people ask
Which airport is closest to Los Gigantes?
Tenerife South (TFS) is the closest, about 21 miles away and roughly a 30-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Tenerife North is about 35 miles away, but it has no direct UK flights.
Is Los Gigantes warm enough for a winter holiday?
Yes. January and February both reach highs of 23°C, with overnight lows around 15 to 16°C. Rain is rare, with only one or two rain days in each of those months, so it is a reliable winter-sun choice.
How hot does Los Gigantes get in summer?
August is the hottest month, with highs around 33°C, and July reaches about 31°C. Both are almost entirely dry. If you prefer milder heat, aim for spring or autumn, when highs sit between 25°C and 30°C.
Is Los Gigantes good for families?
Playa Los Gigantes is a family-friendly beach about a third of a mile from the town centre. The town is small and quiet, with about 2,700 residents, which suits families looking for a calm beach base.
Can I take a ferry to other islands from Los Gigantes?
Yes. Los Cristianos, about 16 miles away, has ferries to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 39 miles away, also connects to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.