El Medano (Tenerife)
- Overview
- Windsurfing
- Kitesurfing
- Getting There
- Where to Stay
- Food & Nightlife
- Activities
- Photos
- Reviews
El Medano Overview
El Medano has gained popularity over the last twenty years due to its consistent 20 to 25 knot trade winds, its subtropical climate with warm dry summers and mild winters, and some of the best kept golden sand beaches along this stretch of the coastline. El Medano town is situated near the largest natural beaches of Tenerife, the Playa Grande and the Playa La Tejita. Between the beaches is La Montaña Roja (“The Red Mountain”), a volcanic cone that is a protected natural reserve.
It is located in the municipality of Abona on the south coast of Tenerife, 7kms away from Tenerife South Airport. It is some 20 to 30 kms from the larger tourist resorts of Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas, and 60km south west of the island’s capital town of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Tenerife North Airport. Both the north and south airports fly internationally to the major European cities.
El Medano is very much a town on the sea front that has turned itself into a resort. It is clean and well kept, laid back and casual, with restaurants and bars lining the sea front promenade and Plaza de Principe de Asturía, the main town square, that is also situated on the sea front. El Medano has quite a Spanish feel to it, and feels quite ‘hippie’ and bohemian in its ambience. Its continuously growing facilities make it ideal for partners and family members not engaged in water-sports, and is therefore so much more than a windsurfing and kitesurfing destination.
There are a number of windsurfing and kitesurfing spots around Tenerife, mostly suited to advanced wave riders, but El Medano is the only spot where there are a range of conditions to suit all levels, that also has the sandy beaches and full holiday infrastructure including supermarkets, banks, swimming pools, shops, cafés, restaurants and nightlife. It has grown massively over the last 30 years from little more than a fishing village with a couple of houses and two hotels.
El Medano is a year round destination with a very mild winter. The winter months have average air temperatures of 22-24 ° C during the day and 16-19 ° C during the night. The water temperatures are around 18-20 ° C in winter, with the coolest water temperatures occurring in February and March, before climbing back to over 21 ° C with the approach of summer. In summer, the air temperature can rise to 30 ° C, and at night cool down to 19-21 ° C, with water temperatures around 23 ° C. A long leg short arm wetsuit in winter, and a shorty wetsuit in summer is adequate for most. As for regular clothing, usually a sweater will suffice in the evenings, and board-shorts with a T-shirt and flip-flops during the day regardless of the season.
The Sailing around El Medano
The windsurfing and kitesurfing at El Medano is focused on two bays, that of South Bay, where the various wind and kite centres are located, and El Cabezo Bay to the north. The two bays are divided by a flat but rocky headland known as the Harbour Wall, which also provides excellent conditions of its own. All the sailing areas are accessible from the sandy launch area at South Bay.
The wind that blows most predominantly and that works so well with these sailing locations is the north-east trade wind which blows 90% of the time. El Medano also works well in the other less frequent wind directions to a greater or lesser degree depending on the exact sailing spot. Launching off the beach is possible in all tides.
The windspeed statistics below show the percentage of days with wind above 15 knots (force 4 Bft) and average sea and air temperatures at El Medano throughout the year:
Month Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Wind 88 64 88 64 62 70 98 95 64 79 89 72 Air 21 22 23 22 23 24 27 28 27 26 24 22 Water 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 23 21 20 Summary of the wind at El Medano:
- Cross-onshore 90% of the time (north-east).
- About 14 days of side-offshore wind a year.
- 35% of high winds over 22 knots (force 6 Bft).
- 37% of planing winds of 13 to 21 knots (force 4 to 5 Bft).
- 22% of non planing winds of 9 to 12 knots (force 3 Bft).
- 6% of winds under 8 knots (force 3 Bft).
- 1-2 days a year of “too much” wind!
Best Suited To
- Intermediate and advanced freeride.
- First time wave sailors.
- Intermediate and advanced wave sailors and slalom windsurfers.
- Professional level wave sailors.
- Great holiday destination for families, couples, friends
and singles.
Hazards
- Shorebreak if its windy and there is a swell.
- Strong currents in the open ocean, an area that should be avoided.
- Rocks in various areas.
Pros
- 7kms from Tenerife South Airport.
- Suitable for entry level windsurfing and kitesurfing.
- Ideal for intermediate to advanced windsurfers and kitesurfers (side on-shore wind and ocean waves with shorebreak).
- World class wave conditions for pros at El Cabezo Bay
- Blue water.
- Easy access launching with fine sand and plenty of room.
- Safety boats and observers.
- Launch areas are close to the hotels and a five minute walk from town.
- Year round wind.
- Year round warm temperatures.
- An abundance of accommodation from low budget to luxury.
- Plenty of amenities, cafes, restaurants and nightlife.
- Easy and plentiful gear hire.
- Lessons.
- Lots of alternative activities.
- No dangerous currents inside South Bay whatever the tide.
- Safe as long as you don’t leave the bay.
Cons
- Shorebreak in certain conditions.
- Have to go elsewhere for busy nightlife.
El Medano Windsurfing
There are three recommended sailing areas accessible from the windsurfing centres at South Bay
South Bay, which is the largest and located just in front of the centres, is suitable for intermediates to expert, and beginners when the winds are light. It is the launch spot and the area from which to sail to the other sailing areas. The launch area is about a five minute walk from town.
The Harbour Wall is a short sail away to the north from South Bay and is the windiest part of the bay with the north-east trade wind which blows cross-onshore.
El Cabezo Bay is further north past the Harbour Wall and suitable for experts and professionals only.
South Bay extends to the right to what is known as Pigs Bay, which is not recommended for windsurfing in a north-east trade wind due to its rocky shoreline.
The other sailing area to be avoided is the open ocean due to its strong southerly currents, and the risk of being out of sight from the lifeguards and beach rescue services in the event of gear failure.
Windsurfing Spots
- Best wind direction:
- NE
Sailing type:- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Entry-Level Wave Sailing
WIND:The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
This is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
South Bay South Bay (Playa Los Balos) is the main launch beach and this is where all the windsurfing centres are located. It is about a five minute walk from town. The prevailing north-east trade wind blows cross-onshore from the left. The undisturbed wind inside of the bay makes it ideal for landing and launching from the sandy beach, and Read more... - Sailing type:
- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
Pigs bay is downwind to the right and a continuation of South Bay. As the beach extends south, the shoreline turns from sand to rocks. For a few hundred metres these rocks are flat and slippery, and if windsurfers find themselves in this area they can damage their boards and fins, so it’s best for less experienced sailors to stay Read more... - Best wind direction:
- S
- NE
- SW
Sailing type:- Bump and Jump
- Advanced Wave Sailing
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
The Harbour Wall The open ocean is the most dangerous area to sail in. There are two key reasons for this. It is very hard to spot anybody in trouble, due to the distance away from the beach and the sizeable swell that can be present. The second reason is that the current in the open ocean does not flow Read more... - Best wind direction:
- NE
Sailing type:- Advanced Wave Sailing
WIND:The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
North-East WindThis is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.
West Wind
It is pretty rare that a westerly wind blows at El Medano. With this direction the wind blows offshore at South Bay and El Cabezo Bay. The westerly wind is partially disturbed in South Bay by Montana Roja which makes the wind gusty. It does however provide flat conditions ideal for slalom sailing and freestyle. This is much better than El Cabezo Bay, because the buildings of El Medano town stop the wind entering the bay which therefore becomes more or less un-sailable.One benefit with a westerly wind in South Bay is that if there happens to be a south swell running (typically after a storm) there will be long and tidy waves rolling into the bay, providing clean side-shore wave sailing conditions. When this happens South Bay can become busy with lots of windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers all in the one spot.
South Wind
A south-westerly wind again is rare, but gusty due to Montana Roja. The water will be flat and the wind cross to cross-onshore at the launch spot in South Bay. It is therefore ideal for freestyle.
If there is a south swell coinciding with south-westerly winds however, then there can be up to mast high waves that provide long runs with up to six frontside turns. Providing the waves are not too big, they are ideal for wave sailing beginners, as long as the shore break is not too big. When there is a south swell, the waves will be even bigger at El Cabezo Bay. The wind will be the least gusty at the Harbour Wall which can work well in a south-westerly which is side shore form the right.
A south to south-easterly wind will provide cross-onshore to onshore winds, and with a southerly swell can also bring big waves into El Medano.
North Wind
If the wind comes from the north, both the bays in El Medano are sheltered by Mount Teide directly to the north, and there is therefore calm and no sailing.
Ability:- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
El Cabezo Bay El Cabezo Bay is the next bay north of the harbour wall. It is where the best wave sailors in Tenerife are to be found, and every year in August the PWA windsurfing world cup comes to visit Cabezo for its excellent jumping and wave riding conditions. The spot works 200 days of the year, and is Read more...
Windsurfing Centres
The windsurf centres are located at South Beach (Playa Sur), five minutes' walk away along a wooden boardwalk from the centre of town, the hotels and apartments. They are more or less next door to one another at the sandy beach launch location which is particularly convenient.
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Walk-Up Rentals
- Hourly Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
- Safety Observers
- Rescue Craft
- Windsurfer Storage
- Kitesurfer Storage
Location of centre:- Walk from accommodation
- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
- Changing Rooms
- Lockers
- wifi
- Retail Shop
- Equipment Washing
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
The Duotone Pro Centre was opened in November 2018 in conjunction with Tenerife Windsurf Solutions. It is the most recent windsurf centre to open. It is situated at South Beach (Playa Sur) in front of the 100m long sandy windsurfing launch beach. The centre offers over 70 storage lockers, equipment rinsing and washing area, showers, changing area, toilets, a shop Read more... - Ocean Calling Tenerife is located on the same 100m long stretch of sandy beach front as the other windsurfing centres on South Beach (playa Sur). It is a test centre for the RRD brand of boards and sails. Spanish, English, German and Russian are spoken. Opening Times: • Open every day from 10am until 6pm Services: • Rental • Lessons Read more...
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
Surf Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years. Its guests can use some of the facilities of the Hotel Playa Sur. The staff speak Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
Location of centre:- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
Tenerife Windsurfing Solutions is located on the 100m long sandy windsurfing launching spot at South Beach (Playa Sur). It markets itself as a test and demo centre, because it provides so many different brands of equipment to use. It is also the only centre providing full race equipment, although this is during the winter months only. It is also unique Read more...
El Medano Kitesurfing
There are three recommended kitesurfing areas accessible from the launch beach at South Bay
South Bay, which is the largest, is suitable for all levels. It is the launch spot and the area from which to kitesurf to the other kiting areas. The launch area is about a seven minute walk from town along the wooden boardwalk. South Bay has chop and rolling swell. South Bay extends to the right to what is known as Pigs Bay where the shoreline becomes rocky
The Harbour Wall is a short sail away to the north from South Bay and is the windiest part of the bay with the north-east trade wind which blows cross-onshore.
El Cabezo Bay is further north past the Harbour Wall and is a windsurf spot, but if not busy with windsurfers there is room to kite. It is suitable for experts and professionals only.
One kiting area to be avoided is the open ocean due to its strong southerly currents, and the risk of being out of sight from the lifeguards and beach rescue services in the event of gear failure or a lost board.
Kitesurfing Spots
- Best wind direction:
- NE
Sailing type:- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Foiling
- Longboard Cruising
- Entry-Level Wave Sailing
WIND:The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
This is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.Ability:- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
South Bay South Bay (Playa Los Balos) is the main launch beach and this is where all the windsurfing centres are located. It is about a five minute walk from town. The prevailing north-east trade wind blows cross-onshore from the left. The undisturbed wind inside of the bay makes it ideal for landing and launching from the sandy beach, and Read more... - Sailing type:
- Flat Water Blasting
- Bump and Jump
- Freeride
- Freestyle
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
Pigs bay is downwind to the right and a continuation of South Bay. As the beach extends south, the shoreline turns from sand to rocks. For a few hundred metres these rocks are flat and slippery, and if windsurfers find themselves in this area they can damage their boards and fins, so it’s best for less experienced sailors to stay Read more... - Best wind direction:
- S
- NE
- SW
Sailing type:- Bump and Jump
- Advanced Wave Sailing
- Intermediate Wave Sailing
Ability:- Intermediate
- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
The Harbour Wall The open ocean is the most dangerous area to sail in. There are two key reasons for this. It is very hard to spot anybody in trouble, due to the distance away from the beach and the sizeable swell that can be present. The second reason is that the current in the open ocean does not flow Read more... - Best wind direction:
- NE
Sailing type:- Advanced Wave Sailing
WIND:The prevailing wind in El Medano is the north-east trade wind that is at its strongest in July and August. It is the most likely wind when sunny and stable conditions prevail over the Canary Islands.
However, when there are low pressure areas around the islands, the flow of air which generates the north-east trade winds can be disturbed, and winds can blow from the other quadrants. When this happens, El Medano will experience winds from the south-east (onshore) and south-west (side-shore and cross-off), or from the west (offshore), which are generally less strong than the trade winds at no more than 20 knots.
North-East WindThis is the most common wind direction in El Médano that is windsurfed 90% of the time, and is side-onshore from the left. There is a further acceleration of this wind due to mount Teide. Some of the air that hits Mount Teide goes over the mountain, but the vast majority will be compressed and accelerates around it. This results in at least a five knot higher wind speed in El Médano compared to that found in the north of the island. However, as El Medano expands in its development, every additional building makes the wind near the shore a little bit more gusty and unreliable. Nevertheless, once you get out about 30-50 metres you will get pretty constant winds with smooth ocean waves.
West Wind
It is pretty rare that a westerly wind blows at El Medano. With this direction the wind blows offshore at South Bay and El Cabezo Bay. The westerly wind is partially disturbed in South Bay by Montana Roja which makes the wind gusty. It does however provide flat conditions ideal for slalom sailing and freestyle. This is much better than El Cabezo Bay, because the buildings of El Medano town stop the wind entering the bay which therefore becomes more or less un-sailable.One benefit with a westerly wind in South Bay is that if there happens to be a south swell running (typically after a storm) there will be long and tidy waves rolling into the bay, providing clean side-shore wave sailing conditions. When this happens South Bay can become busy with lots of windsurfers, kitesurfers and surfers all in the one spot.
South Wind
A south-westerly wind again is rare, but gusty due to Montana Roja. The water will be flat and the wind cross to cross-onshore at the launch spot in South Bay. It is therefore ideal for freestyle.
If there is a south swell coinciding with south-westerly winds however, then there can be up to mast high waves that provide long runs with up to six frontside turns. Providing the waves are not too big, they are ideal for wave sailing beginners, as long as the shore break is not too big. When there is a south swell, the waves will be even bigger at El Cabezo Bay. The wind will be the least gusty at the Harbour Wall which can work well in a south-westerly which is side shore form the right.
A south to south-easterly wind will provide cross-onshore to onshore winds, and with a southerly swell can also bring big waves into El Medano.
North Wind
If the wind comes from the north, both the bays in El Medano are sheltered by Mount Teide directly to the north, and there is therefore calm and no sailing.
Ability:- Advanced
Best months:- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
El Cabezo Bay El Cabezo Bay is the next bay north of the harbour wall. It is where the best wave sailors in Tenerife are to be found, and every year in August the PWA windsurfing world cup comes to visit Cabezo for its excellent jumping and wave riding conditions. The spot works 200 days of the year, and is Read more...
Kitesurfing Centres
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Beginners Gear Rentals
- Kids Gear Rentals
- Walk-Up Rentals
- Hourly Rentals
- Adults Lessons
- Kids Lessons
- Safety Observers
- Rescue Craft
- Windsurfer Storage
- Kitesurfer Storage
Location of centre:- Walk from accommodation
- Beachfront
Facilites:- Showers
- Changing Rooms
- Lockers
- wifi
- Retail Shop
- Equipment Washing
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
The Duotone Pro Centre was opened in November 2018 in conjunction with Tenerife Windsurf Solutions. It is the most recent windsurf centre to open. It is situated at South Beach (Playa Sur) in front of the 100m long sandy windsurfing launch beach. The centre offers over 70 storage lockers, equipment rinsing and washing area, showers, changing area, toilets, a shop Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Safety Observers
Other equipment for rent:- SUPs
- Surf Boards
Kite Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years since it began as a windsurfing centre. Its guests can use some of the facilities of Read more... - Ocean Calling Tenerife is located on the same 100m long stretch of sandy beach front as the other windsurfing centres on South Beach (playa Sur). It is a test centre for the RRD brand of boards and sails. Spanish, English, German and Russian are spoken. Opening Times: • Open every day from 10am until 6pm Services: • Rental • Lessons Read more...
- Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
- Adults Lessons
Sunset Kite Centre is located in the town rather than at the beach. However, they conduct their lessons at the kite launching beach at South Beach in the same area as the other kite schools. They also specialise in conducting surfing courses. The centre is also a Cabrinha board and kite test centre. Opening Times: Open 7 days a week Read more... - Services Overview:
- Premium Gear Rentals
Surf Centre Playa Sur is located on the edge of the grounds of Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of the windsurfing launching spot beside where the kiters launch. It is a family owned business that has been open almost forty years. Its guests can use some of the facilities of the Hotel Playa Sur. The staff speak Read more...
Getting to El Medano
Numerous airlines link Tenerife to the European cities.
Tenerife has two airports, both of which link Tenerife to the major European cities. Tenerife North Airport is about 60kms north of El Medano, and Tenerife South Airport only 7kms. Most visitors to El Medano use Tenerife South.
Car hire is very inexpensive on Tenerife and is the most efficient and effective way to get around the island and visit the other attractions of the island.
The most convenient way of getting from Tenerife South Airport to El Medano, without hiring a car, is by taking a cab or pre-booking a hotel transfer.
There is no direct bus service from Tenerife airport to El Médano, but you can take a 6 minute bus ride to San Isidro, wait half an hour, then take a connection to El Medano, only 7 minutes away.
Public Transport Services
Tenerife has regular bus services. For example, a bus trip from El Medano to the largest holiday resort town of Playa de las Americas for shopping or a big night out is about 45minutes, which includes changing buses at San Isidro, a 7 minute bus ride from El Medano. The bus services link El Medano to the rest of the island via San Isidro.
Updated bus lines and timetables can be found at:
Transport Services
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El Medano Accommodation
El Medano has plenty of accommodation located within five to ten minutes walks of the windsurfing centres at South Beach.
The large resorts of Playa de Las Americas are 20km away for those that want a busier nightlife than that found in El Medano. These are the large resorts favoured by the European package holiday companies.
Featured Accommodation
- Beach Access:
- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
Property Facilities:- Restaurant(s)
- Bar(s)
Hotel El Medano is an Art Deco looking building built out over the water and the back of the building resembles an ocean liner. Rooms cater for 1 – 2 guests and have satellite TV, private bathroom (with a bath) and private balcony. The hotel features a sun terrace overlooking the ocean with sun lounges and deck chairs. Breakfast is Read more... - Star Rating:
- 3-star
Beach Access:- Beach-front
Room Types:- Single
- Twin
- Double
Room Facilities:- Private Bathroom
- Balcony or Terrace
- Views
- Non-Smoking
Property Facilities:- Child Friendly
- Restaurant(s)
- Bar(s)
- Outdoor Pool
- Communal Lounge Area
- Car Parking
Hotel Playa Sur is located on the beach at El Medano. Rooms are simple (accommodating single/twin/doubles) with pine furniture and all have a balcony with sea view. Facilities include an outdoor pool with sun terrace, bike & surfboard storage and a sauna (costs extra). There is a restaurant & poolside bar, massage services are available for an extra cost. Free Read more...
Food & Nightlife in El Medano
El Medano possesses a comprehensive array of restaurants and places to eat, both day and night. Although relaxed, it does have a nightlife, but not the late night partying scene found in the large tourist resorts such as Playa de Las Americas.
Eating out
For a relatively small resort, El Medano has a wealth of restaurants ranging from quaint tapas bars with small terraces over the sea, to Mexican, Japanese and international cuisine. Restaurants can also be found in the back streets and around the cobbled stoned lanes linking the two town centre squares, ranging from establishments serving locally caught fresh fish and seafood, traditional tapas and Spanish food, to pizza, pasta, crepes and ice-cream parlours. The seafront hosts most of the restaurants and café bars, some quite rustic in their look and ambience. Some of El Medano's restaurants worth visiting are:
La Farola , El Timón (922 17 66 01) and Playa Chica (922 17 72 94)
They all line the seafront along Paseo Marcial García and offer great food, a lively atmosphere, and views over the headland from their sea-facing terraces. La Farola specialises in Galician food while El Timón and Playa Chica serve some of the best tapas you’ll find in the south of Tenerife.
Jungle Lounge Bar (922 17 98 95)
This is the place to head to for organic, vegetarian and healthy eating options. With tofu and seitan used to excellent effect, you get none of the meat and all of the flavour with a great chill-out atmosphere as a bonus.
Yaiza (922 17 89 52)
The decor is not much more than merely functional but the food is exceptional and has kept this long established restaurant popular.
Siete Mesas (659 98 95 97)
This is located right on Plaza Asturia, and as the name suggests, has only seven tables, a cool, contemporary style and a menu which includes such tempters as ‘sea bass with pistachio and hummus’.
Agua Viva (922 17 90 64).
This is on the boardwalk with ringside views over the aquatic displays of the sails of kite boarders and wind surfers, with a menu has that ‘something for everyone’, an essential ingredient for families.
Familiar ( 627 58 77 58)
Familiar is tucked away on Calle Carmen Nobrega, a side-street first-timers often overlook. This lovely restaurant has a cosy atmosphere and great food. The restaurant offers Mediterranean, European, and Spanish cuisine including vegetarian and gluten-free meals.
Le Penon (922 17 97 77)
Le Penon, on Calle Tarajal, specialises in French food.
Restaurante Maracuja (922 17 62 13)
Located on Calle Francisco Garcia Feo, this restaurant specialises in grilled meat and South American cuisine, and features nice outdoor seating and a bar.
Nightlife
An evening out in El Médano consists mainly of eating and drinking alfresco in one of the many available establishments, and is low key and very casual. The resort nightlife is relaxed, and centres around the square on the seafront, which is lined with restaurant bars and is very busy and vibrant, especially at the weekends.
The promenade by El Medano beach is full of strollers milling around, with others mingling around the wall by the hotel El Medano, where the street trader’s sell their bits and bobs, and the local musicians sit and play their tunes.
However, there are no karaoke bars, discos, themed pubs, Irish pubs, sports bars, tribute acts or any other bars of that ilk. If you are looking for wild night life with loud music bars, night clubs and neon lights, this is not the place to be, and you would be better off going to Playa de Las Americas 30kms to the west. But, for those looking for a relatively peaceful resort with a café culture, that also has stylish, laid-back Bohemian bars, El Medano is ideal.
Cafe Flashpoint
Flashpoint is a favourite hangout place for windsurfers and kiters who want to enjoy the terrace overlooking the beach. When the sun has set, this breakfast joint turns into an evening bar serving drinks and snacks. Live shows fill the night away, and keep the diners entertained while recovering from a hard session on the water, or cooling down from the haze of the day.
Manfred’s Soul Cafe
This is a delightful little cafe with a terrace, and plays a selection of classic funk and soul music. Guests can enjoy a glorious sunset while enjoying a cocktail or two.
Chiringuito La Jaquita Restaurant
There’s no better place to start the evening than in this quaint gastro pub. Chiringuito La Jaquita is a lovely place to sit down with a cold beer in hand while enjoying a beautiful view of the Montana Roja.
Featured Restaurants & Bars
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El Medano Activities & Culture
Apart from its world class windsurfing and kitesurfing, El Médano has all sorts of activities going on that don't involve the water. It is also very much a family resort which makes the resort feel safe and friendly with families enjoying the beach and restaurants. For example, the square (Plaza de Principe de Asturía) by the beach has a small children’s playground, so parents can keep an eye on their children while enjoying a drink in the sunshine. The square is also a focal point that hosts the local fiestas and is where the weekly market is held.
Other Activities-water
- Swimming
- Diving
- Stand Up Paddle boarding
- Kayaking
- Surfing
- Boogie Boarding
Other Activities – non water
- Relaxing on the beach
- Rock climbing
- Hiking
- Road Cycling: Bike hire with: www.bikepointtenerife.com
- Mountain biking
- Paragliding
- Tennis
- Horse riding
- Volleyball
- Skateboard
- Gym
- Pool and Billiards
Beyond El Medano, Tenerife also has a great range of other activities and places to explore. Indeed, there are those that come to Tenerife for other activities alone. Mount Teide National Park is one of the main reasons visitors come to Tenerife. It has now become a leading destination for serious road cyclists and mountain bikers, and also offers excellent hiking and trekking options for those who want to explore the areas around the mountain on foot. If you want to take the pace down, then the inland areas of the island are beautiful. Playa de Las Americas is a close-by tourist resort where there is plenty of nightlife. There’s also a large water park, which is a family-friendly option. A hire car is a must for those that want to get around and explore.
Further activities outside of El Medano:
- Golf - The golf courses at Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf are approximately 11km by road from El Medano
- Waterpark
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
- Big game fishing
- Go-karting
- Bowling
- Paintballing
- Dancing
- Nightclubbing
- Road Cycling
- Mountain biking
- Paragliding
Culture
- El Médano has a printed program in the summer months with all the cultural events taking place.
- Folklore events in the square.
- Saturday morning market in the square: the stalls are bright and colourful, selling handmade jewellery, leather goods, clothes, plants, and lots more.
- Open air cinema during the summer months.
- Live music events including concerts during the summer.
- Art expositions.
- If going from bar to bar is not your idea of a night out, there are bigger nightclubs in Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Americas, Santa Cruz and La Laguna to visit.
- A great variety of food and eating
El Medano Environment and Exploring
There is so much more to El Medano than its pristine beaches and high winds. The town is also only a couple of minutes away from two natural reserves. These unique spots are perfect for those who want to find a quiet and peaceful environment with panoramic views of the area.
Montaña Roja Natural Reserve
Viewed from a bird’s eye perspective, Montaña Roja looks like a red lozenge of land rising from the ocean. This natural reserve is also known as the Red Mountain and is an excellent example of inorganic sand habitat with wetlands. Here, visitors can feel the fresh ocean breeze and spot some protected bird species.
Montana Pelada Natural Monument
Just a little north of El Medano is Montaña Pelada Natural Monument, fondly known as the Bald Mountain. Although mostly arid with the usual trade winds, it offers a variety of endemic flora. The climb is no walk in the park, especially since the trails are not marked well. Even so, the view from the top is well worth every step.
Featured Activities
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- Family Friendly
- Easy Access
- Accommodation Nearby
- Non-Sailor Activities
- Solo Male Traveler
- Solo Female Traveler
- Couple
- Romantic Couple
- Family With Infant(s)
- Family With Young Children
- Family With Teenager(s)
- Male Group
- Female Group
- Mixed Group
- First-Timer
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Expert
- Sailing Centre(s)
- Equipment Rentals
- Tuition
- SUPping
El Médano
Tenerife
38612
Spain
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