Los Cristianos holidays 2024/2025 from £367pp

Why go to Los Cristianos

Home to palm trees, golden beaches and tranquil waters, Los Cristianos is a top choice for a classic Tenerife holiday. Bathed in sunshine all year round, the town is especially popular with holidaymakers wanting a timeless resort experience.

No matter the time of year, if it’s sun you’re after, Tenerife is always a great choice. And when the cold and drizzle kicks in at home in the UK, Los Cristianos, on the sunny south coast of the island, is the perfect winter sun escape.

For families, a Los Cristianos holiday has everything you could dream of in a beach break. A wide variety of hotels cater to youngsters with swimming pools and kids’ clubs, while the main attractions are close by (Siam Park is an essential stop). By the coast, shops sell ice-cream and inflatables, plus there are watersports aplenty and clear seawater for snorkelling.

Then there’s the backdrop. Mount Teide – a dramatic volcano that’s part of the island’s most popular national park – stands tall behind Los Cristianos and has lots to explore. Hikers and bikers of all abilities visit in droves to experience the area’s trails, caves and spectacular views.

Day trips from Los Cristianos are easy too. Tour boats regularly leave from the harbour heading to nearby islands – such as La Gomera – or for diving and fishing excursions, as well as wildlife spotting.

When the sun sets, Los Cristianos is more relaxed than rowdy. While there are lots of bars and cocktail lounges to choose from, the tempo stays low and laid-back. However, if you feel like a livelier night out, the neighbouring resort, Playa de las Americas, is a pleasant walk or short taxi ride away.

When to go to Los Cristianos

Late September to early November, as well as March to May, are the best times to visit Los Cristianos for a good compromise on weather and price. This is because Tenerife has two high seasons – both summer and winter – and Los Cristianos gets busy during both.

In summer, the resort gets busy with families visiting for their holidays, as well as couples and groups looking to catch some guaranteed sun. Temperatures in July and August reach around 30C, and prices soar during the school holidays.

The winter sun-seeking crowd arrives in December and January. At this time of year, there are fewer partygoers in the area, but more golfers, young families and couples. There’s a higher chance of rain in November and February, but the sun still shines most days and temperatures hover around 19C.

February also sees Tenerife’s annual carnival, and while the big event is in Santa Cruz, prices skyrocket across the island. Easter, Christmas and New Year are also times to avoid if you’re looking for a cheap holiday to Los Cristianos.

What to do in Los Cristianos

If all you plan to do is spend time on the sand, then you’ll be in good company on a Los Cristianos holiday – the beach is certainly the resort’s main draw. But when you want to stretch your legs, there’s plenty of activities nearby: explore the volcanic interior, visit a theme park, or head out to sea on one of the many boating adventures available from the harbour.

Los Cristianos beach

Ready to relax? Look no further than Los Cristianos’ main beach. The coast here has a family-friendly vibe, with a sheltered sea that’s calm and shallow enough for kids to paddle in. Lunch is just a short stroll away too, with a promenade packed with restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars.

Further along, you’ll find Los Cristianos harbour and the resort’s other sandy stretch, Playa de las Vistas, so grab an ice-cream, choose a sun-lounger and while the day away.

Dolphin and whale watching

Take a boat trip from Los Cristianos harbour to go in search of Tenerife’s resident bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales. When spotted, they’re the stars of the show, but the ocean around the island is teeming with other marine life too. Book an excursion that includes swimming and snorkelling – the clear waters offer great underwater visibility – and you could see everything from turtles and angel sharks to stingrays.

If you’re lucky, you may even spot some of Tenerife rarer visitors, including blue whales (over the winter months) and orcas (during summer).

Siam Park

Widely considered to be one of the world’s best waterparks, this Thai-themed park is a playground for all ages. There’s a Bangkok-style floating market, an enormous wave pool, and the jungle-clad Mai Thai River among other rides and family-friendly attractions.

Free shuttle buses run from Los Cristianos, and you can buy a multi-ticket that includes entry to the Loro Park conservation centre.

Local Los Cristianos

Wander away from the busy beachfront in Los Cristianos, and you’ll find a more authentic side to the resort. Small hole-in-the-wall bars, resident Tinerfeños sharing seafood tapas, and stores brimming with local handicrafts all feature among the backstreets where there’s still a hint of the traditional fishing town it once was.

Locals join the party during carnival season in February and March, and Los Cristianos has its own colourful parade that runs through the area from neighbouring Playa de las Americas.

Mount Teide

In the heart of the Teide National Park – one of the world’s best locations for stargazing – is the towering 3,718m (12,198ft) Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak. The views from the top are unbeatable; on a clear day you can see all the way to neighbouring islands, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.

If you’re feeling energetic, it’s possible to hike to the summit with a permit. Alternatively, the cable car is an easier option, taking less than ten minutes to reach the top.