Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas

The sunniest (and probably tackiest) tourist area on Tenerife is the southwestern shore, where high-rise hotels are built chockablock above the beaches. Costa Adeje, to the west of Playa de las Américas, is the newest addition with lower-rise apartments and hotels, but still packed into the hillside. Sun, beaches, and nightlife constitute the attractions here for millions of northern Europeans desperate for a dose of warm sunshine. Playa de las Américas, particularly in the area around Las Verónicas, is a loud and brash resort, not to everyone’s taste. Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje are quieter, more sedate areas, attracting a more mature crowd of holidaymakers. However, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you'll probably want to give this area a wide berth.