5 Beautiful & Quiet Areas in Tenerife South That You Probably Overlooked (& Who They Are For)
When people ask me which areas in Tenerife South I actually recommend for staying, I always hear the same big names: Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos… They are the ones everyone knows, mostly because every resource (from travel brochures to hotel booking sites) keeps mentioning them.
There is nothing wrong with these towns (I go there too to spend a few days at least a couple of times per year), but they are busy, overpriced for most of the year, and often are quite overcrowded.
I want to talk about calmer areas instead, about the spots that stand out for all the right reasons. Some of them are residential, some feel like hidden corners, but each one has its own rhythm and might just be a better fit for your trip.
FURTHER READING: Beautiful towns in Tenerife – see the list of my favorite towns in both northern and southern parts of the island that are really worth seeing!
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Map of Lesser-Known Places to Stay in South Tenerife
Best areas in Tenerife South for a Quiet Vacation
Golf del Sur – Quiet resort area near the airport
Golf del Sur is a purpose-built resort area located only 15 minutes from the Tenerife South airport. At first glance, it looks like a small residential town with cute apartment complexes, but every building here was built solely for vacationers (local people do not live here at all).
Most accommodation options here are properties with pools, kitchens, and terraces, which is very practical for longer stays (shorter stays too if you prefer to cook without dining out much).
Besides apartments, there are also a few timeshare resorts and all-inclusive hotels (like Barcelo Hotel or Wyndham Residences, for example) with a decent-sized commercial center with supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants, bars, ATMs, and tourist services. It remains active year-round, including during the low season.
The coastline here is rocky. However, there are two small beaches (in front of the Barcelo Hotel) and walking paths along the coast. In the nearby Amarilla Golf area (which I talk about below), there is easy access to the marina for boat trips, diving, and photo opportunities.
I stayed in this area a couple of times and loved it for its quietness (the only noise here occasionally comes from planes flying over since airport is very close) and lots of sun (especially in winter).
It is a great place to choose if you are looking for a slow-paced vacation with a very quiet ambiance and self-catering accommodation where not much is going on. It is especially good for people who like quiet areas, come for a longer stay, or winter holidays in Tenerife.
Where to Stay in the Golf del Sur Area
To give you an idea of what accommodation options in this area are, here are a few examples:
- Sunset View Club (where we stayed – big apartment complex in a traditional Canarian style with a shared pool. Many flats here are managed by a single property management company, others by private hosts.
- Santa Barbara Golf & Ocean Club – holiday apartments with modern design, multiple pools, restaurant/bar, and gym.
- 11 Holiday Homes – more upscale property with all modern amenities, elegant furnishings, pool, garden, terraces, barbecue, and even a sauna.
- Barcelo Hotel – all-inclusive hotel (B&B or half board available too) with spacious suites by the ocean.
Amarilla Golf – Coastal area with marina & golf views
Amarilla Golf is another holiday area adjacent to Golf del Sur, built around a golf course and marina. The two are within walking distance (and the walk is very nice), though it takes some time to get from one to another on foot, and much faster if you have a car.
There is a paved coastal path that connects to Golf del Sur, making it easy to walk between the two.👇
This area consists of similar apartment complexes and villas with kitchens, shared pools, and small cafes. Most of them are short-term rentals.
Restaurants are mostly international (steak houses, pizzerias, and pub-style places), and prices for food in grocery stores are higher than in other towns in Tenerife South.
The whole district of Amarilla Golf is not scenic in a traditional sense (if you want some traditional vibes, the closest village for that is going to be Los Abrigos), but valley views are wide, and the whole area is very peaceful (possibly even quieter than Golf del Sur).
There are practically no large hotels here, only a couple of apartment-style complexes with hotel-like services (like Amarilla Golf Residences, where we recently had the pleasure of staying).
In terms of activities, there’s not much to do in this area besides relaxing, walking along the coast (just like in Golf del Sur, coastline here is rocky too), biking, or spending time by the pool.
A car is essential here if the plan is not just to stay around, but also to explore the island, even just the south, or if visiting a couple of museums.
Where to Stay in the Amarilla Golf Area
- Fairways Club – gated complex, family-friendly, on-site restaurant
- Amarilla Golf Residences – modern apartments, ocean views, good amenities
- Villa Marina & Golf Escape – spacious villas with private pools by the coast
- Paz Ocean View – ocean view apartment with a sun terrace in a scenic location
- Kora Tigot – my new favorite newly built apart-hotel within walking distance from the coast.
La Arena (Puerto Santiago) – Local town area with beach & promenade
La Arena is a small coastal area in southwest Tenerife, situated south of Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago. It centers around Playa de la Arena — a volcanic-sand beach with calm water, lifeguards, and good facilities.
Most of the accommodation here consists of apartment buildings and aparthotels, many with sea views.
Shops, restaurants, and services are concentrated within walking distance, so it’s easy to stay without a car, though driving gives more flexibility for day trips or road trips around Tenerife.
What I like about La Arena is that it feels like a real town — you get the sense of actually living in a local place, not just staying at a resort. At the same time, you still have access to full-on vacation comfort, especially if you stay in a hotel.
There’s a strong local presence here, unlike the previous two areas, which makes the vibe more authentic. If you stay in the lower part of the village, closer to the sea, it’s easy to head out in the evening for a walk along the promenade, which is full of life.
What I don’t like so much is the constant wind — during all seasons & weather in Tenerife, even in summer (though to be fair, it can be refreshing on hot days).
It also gets a bit noisy, depending on where exactly you stay. Some bars and restaurants stay open late, and a few hotels seem to attract the party crowd who come here to drink and stay up all night.
Overall, La Arena is great for people who want to stay near a swimmable beach without being in a large resort town. Compared to other areas on this list, La Arena feels more built-up and beach-oriented, with more dining options in close proximity.
Where to Stay in the La Arena Area
There are hardly any hotels here, and among the few that do exist, only one is actually decent (I’ve listed it below). Interestingly, it’s also one of the cheapest hotels to stay at on the entire island.
The main type of accommodation to choose here is apartments. Here are a few good examples:
- Casa de Franco – oceanview flat with a terrace, a few steps away from the beach
- Paraiso Canario – simple local-style apartment near the beach
- Neptuno Pool & Beach – seafront apartment with private beach access and pool
- Sholeo Lodges Los Gigantes – 3-star hotel with sea views (the cheapest accommodation in this area. In my experience, it was quite noisy when I stayed there, but maybe I was just unlucky. Many people seem to love it, based on the reviews).
La Caleta – Small Fishing village with upscale Lodging on a mid-budget
You’ll find this area in southwest Tenerife too, but just north of Costa Adeje. It is a small fishing village turned into an upscale coastal resort town. It combines low-rise colorful apartment complexes, boutique hotels, and a few luxury resorts, all within walking distance of the sea.
On the outskirts of this village (which is a short walk from the central streets), there is a wide black sand beach (similar to beaches in northern Tenerife) where it is really pleasant to sunbathe and go for a swim. In the village itself, there are also rocky coves and natural swimming spots that are accessible on foot.
You’ll also find a promenade here that leads to nearby beaches in Costa Adeje and nice seafood restaurants that remind me of traditional chiringuitos in Tenerife’s North.
I genuinely believe it is one of the best areas where to stay in Tenerife south if you are looking for a quieter, yet more refined base close to (but not inside) the busy resort zones.
Compared to areas like Golf del Sur or Amarilla Golf (mentioned above), you don’t necessarily need to have a car here because getting in and out of the village is easy. Compared to La Arena, La Caleta has a very good dining scene with a couple of authentic restaurants.
It is simply an ideal area for couples and families, and those who want to stay near the action without being in the middle of it. February here, however, tends to be quite windy.
Where to Stay in the La Caleta Area
Below are places I personally like (I visited them all either for a stay or to do a hotel inspection) and know their location is truly great. But in the same areas, there are also apartments and villas for rent, so if you’re looking for other options, just browse around — there’s plenty to choose from.
- Caleta Suites – large self-catering modern apartments by the sea
- Hovima Jardin Caleta – 3-star family-friendly hotel with rooftop pool across the road from the sea
- H10 Costa Adeje Palace – very nice 4-star beachfront hotel with pools and spa
- Tivoli la Caleta Resort – luxurious (affordable) hotel with tropical gardens
- Royal Hideaway Corales Suites – a high-end luxury suite hotel with full kitchens and panoramic views
Callao Salvaje – Beautiful Residential area with a small beach & easy access
This is a compact residential-resort area around 15 minutes by car from Costa Adeje. Originally developed as a local village, it now mixes permanent housing with short-term holiday rentals, several mid-range resorts, including beachfront properties with pools and cafes with ocean views.
The area has a small dark-sand beach (Playa Ajabo), a central square, and a handful of restaurants, minimarkets, and bars. There’s no real nightlife or tourist infrastructure beyond the basics. Public buses stop here, but you’d want to have a car for convenience.
This area suits people who want to stay somewhere quiet and self-contained, without feeling like you are in a resort, yet having all the necessary amenities. It’s less polished than Costa Adeje but more authentic in feel, with lower prices and fewer crowds.
I also think it is an excellent pick for remote workers, people who are visiting Tenerife for the whole winter (and who want to stay particularly in the south), and returning visitors who want to have home-like comforts.
Psst: Callao Salvaje transitions smoothly into Playa Paraiso, a nearby area with a similar style and feel. We stayed at the H10 hotel there a couple of times, which felt very different from other areas in southern Tenerife (you can read about our experience and the hotel’s review in my post).
Where to Stay in the Callao Salvaje Area
- Aguaviva apartment – mid-range modern holiday flat with balcony and pool access
- Atlantic Holiday Hotel – beachfront aparthotel with sea views and restaurant
- Aparthotel Perla Gris – seafront aparthotel with pool, gym, and spacious apartments
- Hard Rock Hotel – affordable 5-star resort with a music vibe and lagoon pool
Other Quiet Places in Tenerife to Add to Your Itinerary
- Guimar Beyond Pyramids – in Tenerife North with an aloe vera farm and hiking opportunities among volcanic rocks
- Bajamar Village – area of big waves, pools & surf culture (also in the north)
