Puerto de Santiago Holidays

Puerto de Santiago’s on the small side, and once devoted all of its time to the fishing industry. As Tenerife’s tourist pedigree improved, though, it’s joined the island’s growing list of holiday haunts. Things are more chilled than the bigger towns, so it’s a popular pick for families. The setting blends into the neighbouring villages of Playa de la Arena and Los Gigantes. Strolling between the trio only takes half an hour, and triples the stock of beaches, bars and restaurants on offer.

The beach here fits in with the resort’s low-key appeal – it’s a cosy black-sand number at the foot of the cliffs. The stretch at Playa de la Arena’s about treble the size, and only takes 10 minutes to walk to. Los Gigantes comes up trumps for panoramic sunbathing, with a patch of sand that faces the towering cliffs it shares a name with. It’s right next to a handsome Blue Flag marina, too.

Follow the coastline south, and you’ll gradually see authentic villages make way for the island’s prime getaway pair – Costa Adeje and Playa de las Americas. From bustling shopping malls to the slides of Siam Park, the tempo’s cranked up a notch here. There’s no escaping the island’s showpiece, either – Mount Teide’s not just the highest point in the Canary Islands, but also stands taller than anywhere in Spain.