Puerto de Santiago at a glance
Puerto de Santiago is a coastal town in the municipality of Santiago del Teide. It has a fishing harbor and a promenade, and it sits on the west coast between the black sand of Playa de la Arena and the cliffs of Los Gigantes. It is not a separate municipality, so the official name of the area is still Santiago del Teide.
Most visitors use the town as a base. The beach is small, the sea is on the doorstep and the neighboring places are close. The pages on Playa de la Arena and Los Gigantes cover the places on either side.
The harbor and the promenade
The fishing harbor and the promenade are the center of the seafront. The town beach lies at the harbor and is an urban beach with black sand. It measures 50 m by 20 m, so it is a place for a short swim or a sit by the sea, not a long stretch of sand.
The tourism board lists showers and foot showers, cleaning, waste bins and bars and restaurants nearby. It also notes accessible entry and parking options. Free spaces are not guaranteed, and not every facility is in use every day.
Tours from Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes
Boat trips, whale watching and day trips from the west coast, with live prices and availability.
Three beaches, three names
The official beach descriptions keep these places apart.
| Beach | Size and sand | What the sources list |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto de Santiago town beach | 50 m by 20 m, black sand | Showers, foot showers, cleaning, bins, bars and restaurants, accessible entry |
| Playa de la Arena | About 140 m by 40 m, black sand | Toilets, showers, cleaning, lifeguard post, sunbed and umbrella rental, accessible entry |
| Playa de los Guíos | Black sand below the cliffs, by the marina | The beach at Los Gigantes, also called Los Gigantes Beach |
La Arena and Los Guíos both received the Q de Calidad Turística quality mark, confirmed by the municipality on 3 July 2025. That is not a Blue Flag for 2026, and this guide makes no claim about one. The Canary health service runs an official page with beach information, and water quality is a separate question from rockfall or crowd safety. See the beaches guide for more.
Do not mix up the name. Some data for a beach called La Arena (Mesa del Mar) belongs to Tacoronte in the north, not to this beach. Check the municipality before you read health or flag data.
Getting to Puerto de Santiago
Bus, transfer or car.
Local bus
TITSA line 477 runs along the Avenida Marítima in Puerto Santiago and on to Los Gigantes. Timetables differ on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays or holidays.
From Tenerife South Airport
Take line 040 to Costa Adeje and change to line 477. The two legs run 40 and 50 minutes, so about 90 minutes of riding time, plus the wait for your change. The getting there guide has the full route.
Tourist tickets
TITSA's Ten+ tourist day pass costs €10 and is valid for 24 hours from first use. The weekly pass costs €50 for 7 days, and a physical card adds €2 (2026 prices).
Walk from Santiago del Teide to the coast
Trail PR-TF 65 links the inland town with Puerto de Santiago.
The official trail description lists a one-way route of 7.3 km that takes about 3 hours and is rated medium. It passes through Tamaimo. The tourism trail page names no individual permit.
Tourist length and duration are not a clearance notice. Check the trail's condition on the day, and plan how you get back because the route does not loop. For other routes and closures, see the hiking guide.
Where to stay and what is nearby
Pick the part of the coast that fits your plans.
Puerto de Santiago suits you if you want the fishing harbor and the promenade on your doorstep. La Arena has the larger black sand beach. Los Gigantes has the marina and the cliffs. The where to stay guide compares the three.
Puerto de Santiago: frequently asked questions
Is Puerto de Santiago a town of its own?
It is a coastal town inside the municipality of Santiago del Teide, with a fishing harbor and a promenade. It is not a separate municipality.
What is the beach in Puerto de Santiago like?
It is a small urban beach of black sand, 50 m long and 20 m wide, at the fishing harbor. The tourism board lists showers, foot showers, cleaning, bins and bars and restaurants.
Is the beach in Puerto de Santiago the same as Playa de la Arena?
No. The official descriptions list the town beach, Playa de la Arena and Playa de los Guíos as separate beaches.
How do I get from Tenerife South Airport to Puerto de Santiago by bus?
Take line 040 to Costa Adeje and change to line 477. The legs are 40 and 50 minutes, about 90 minutes of riding time without the wait for the change.
Can I walk to Puerto de Santiago from Santiago del Teide?
Yes, on trail PR-TF 65. It is 7.3 km one way and takes about 3 hours, passing through Tamaimo. Check the trail's condition first.