The Ultimate Guide to Nude Beaches of Tenerife

When you think of the Canary Islands, Tenerife might not immediately spring to mind as a naked paradise. But after spending several weeks exploring this island, we’ve discovered that Tenerife’s diverse coastline is much more than bathing suit-busy Playa de las Americas or posh Adeje and definitely has something to offer the clothes-free traveller as well.

In this guide, we’ll take you on a journey around the island to discover the best places where you can enjoy Tenerife’s year-round sunshine without having to worry about what to wear.

Just 20 minutes north of the island’s capital, Santa Cruz, this beautiful black sand beach is framed by towering cliffs that create a dramatic backdrop for your naked day out. The stunning volcanic sand contrasts beautifully with the turquoise waters, and the atmosphere is typically relaxed with a good mix of locals and tourists, making this an excellent choice if you’re staying in the north or don’t want to venture far from the capital.

We’ll need to be very short about this one, because we didn’t get there. While we were on Tenerife, this beach was unfortunately closed, along with the access roads. As it’s quite a drive from literally anywhere on the island, we didn’t bother driving all the way over there to end up at a roadblock. But we hear it’s magnificent when it’s open.

At Playa Los Patos we didn’t have much more luck. This beach too was closed due to risk of landslides, but at least we got some glimpses. From what we saw, Playa Los Patos is an impressive black sand beach and completely surrounded by magnificent cliffs. It’s popular among both surfers and nude sunbathers when accessible. If you’re planning a visit, check current conditions as these closures are probably (hopefully!) temporary.

One of Tenerife’s most popular nude beaches, Playa de la Tejita is an expansive stretch of fine sand with spectacular views of Montaña Roja (Red Mountain). While there are no official signs designating it as clothes-free, nude sunbathing is well-established and very common, especially on the side nearest to the red mountain.

This beach can get busy on sunny days, with a friendly mix of clothed and nude visitors coexisting harmoniously. The wind protectors that beachgoers construct using stones can be quite a necessity on windier days. There are sunbeds and umbrellas available for rent, and it’s totally fine to sunbathe nude on these as well. There’s also lifeguard service, but no other facilities, so come prepared with drinks and snacks.

Heading south from Playa de la Tejita, past the urban beach area and behind the banana plantations, you’ll discover Playa del Cofital. This isn’t a traditional sandy beach but rather a rocky area dotted with natural pools. We encountered several people enjoying the sun here in the nude, particularly in the more secluded spaces between the rocks. It’s perfect if you prefer soaking in natural tidal pools to swimming in open water.

Just south of Cofital, Playa del Horno is a long sandy beach where you’ll typically find a mix of clothed and nude sunbathers, with fewer bathing suits towards the edges of the beach. The atmosphere is relaxed, and there’s plenty of space to find your perfect spot.

Further south, Playa la Maretas is another sandy beach. Although this looks pretty urban because it’s right at the edge of an urbanisation, nudity is commonplace. This beach also has a laid-back vibe and is spacious enough that it rarely feels crowded.

To the north of the iconic red mountain lies Playa de Montaña Roja, which attracts kitesurfers when the wind picks up. The beach features small dunes that provide natural protection from the breeze and create perfect little nooks for nude sunbathing. You can reach it via a pleasant walk around the mountain from Playa de la Tejita but there’s also parking nearby.

During our visit, we found fewer people here than at Tejita, making it an excellent option if you prefer a bit more space while still enjoying similar spectacular scenery.

Further north is the small but charming Playa Montaña Pelada, approximately 50 meters wide, with an exceptionally relaxed atmosphere. We noticed the crowd here was noticeably younger than at most other nude beaches we visited, with a pleasant mix of clothed and nude visitors.

Weekend days and afternoons tend to see more people in bathing suits, so if you’re looking for a truly clothes-free experience, weekday mornings are your best bet. Local knowledge suggests there’s another nude beach just around the cliff, but it wasn’t possible to get to during our visit, probably due to high tide.

One of our favorite discoveries was Playa Escondida, a true hidden gem with stunning black sand and crystal-clear waters. When we visited, there were very few people, and everyone was nude. The secluded nature of this beach makes it perfect for those seeking a more private experience away from the crowds. The volcanic landscape surrounding the cove adds to its wild beauty, making it well worth the effort to find.

A word of warning: don’t follow Google Maps directions, which can be misleading. Instead, park near the gates of ITER (where the road ends) and look for the hiking trail that goes via the north around the domain. You can take the coastal trail as well, but it requires a bit more of a mountain goat attitude.

Located next to Golf del Sur golf course near the southern tip of the island, Playa Colmenares consists of two long pebble beaches. They are… well… okay, but honestly, with so many nicer options elsewhere, we can’t particularly recommend these beaches. The fact that there are regular traffic jams to get there don’t make it very pleasant either. There were no visitors when we checked it out, and clothes-free sunbathing doesn’t seem especially common here.

One unique aspect is its location adjacent to a popular hiking trail, potentially making it a spot for walkers to enjoy a quick skinny dip.

The nude beaches in the south-east aren’t the most beautiful or popular on the island, but we’ll cover them briefly for those who want to know all their options.

Playa Amarilla gets busy with tourists, likely due to its distinctive yellow rock formations that provide natural shade and wind protection. It’s said that people sometimes sunbathe nude between the rocks, but we didn’t notice any of that during our visit.

We also had a look at Playa Los Enojados, where everyone was wearing swimwear when we were there. While the numerous coves and secluded spots seem perfect for nude sunbathing, we didn’t see evidence of this being an even somewhat popular nude beach.

Playa La Arenita forms part of the main beach at Palm Mar. It’s a small, rocky area with limited sand, but it does have the advantage of being close to town with an accessible path.

About a kilometer’s hike outside Palm Mar is Playa El Callao. It’s a fairly large bay, but once again, there were no visitors during our exploration, just some hikers passing through. The natural pools are a nice feature. If you happen to be staying in Palm Mar and don’t want to travel far, it might be worth spending some time here, but it’s not worth making a special trip.

Last but absolutely not least is Playa Diego Hernandez, our personal favorite on the island. Located near La Caleta on the outskirts of the popular tourist destination Adeje. The beach features golden sand, transparent waters, and beautiful cliffside surroundings.

Getting there requires some physical fitness, as you’ll need to hike for about 15-20 minutes. There are several routes, and one of them even involves climbing several meters with a rope, which adds a sense of adventure. The multiple trails leading to the beach can be confusing, so expect some exploration your first time.

The beach has an exceptionally relaxed vibe with a noticeably hippy-ish crowd. Often, you’ll find people selling drinks and handmade bracelets. While the beach is long and sandy, it’s best to visit during low tide when there’s more space available, as it can get quite packed when the tide is high.

We wouldn’t want to call Tenerife a not-to-miss clothes-free vacation destination, but Playa Diego Hernandez is definitely a beach you want to put on your bucket list.