Los Gigantes cliffs: where to see them and how to get there from the north

The Los Gigantes cliffs are a wall of volcanic rock dropping sheer into the sea in Santiago del Teide, on Tenerife's west coast. They reach 600 metres high, according to Turismo de Tenerife, and mark the south-western edge of Teno Rural Park. You get a good view from land, from the Archipenque viewpoint and the seafront walk in the town of Los Gigantes, and from Los Guíos beach at their foot. According to Turismo de Tenerife, seeing them from the sea is one of the best ways to take in their height. From the north you reach them on the TF-82, which runs through Icod and Erjos.

What the Los Gigantes cliffs are

They are the great natural landmark of Santiago del Teide. The wall drops straight to the water and, at its foot, the seabed lies around 30 metres down, a figure Turismo de Tenerife gives because of its appeal for diving and fishing.

They belong to the Teno massif, the island's north-western tip. Tenerife ON, the Cabildo's natural areas website, dates the park's rocks to between 6 and 7 million years old and calls these cliffs an emblem of the park and of Tenerife.

Where to see them from land

Archipenque viewpoint. It sits on the road down to Puerto Santiago, at km 6 of the TF-454. It has parking, interpretation panels and step-free access, but no bus stop. From there you see the cliffs, the seaside town and its harbour and, beyond, La Gomera. To the right you can make out the Punta de Teno lighthouse. It is a good spot for sunset.

Cliff viewpoint in the town of Los Gigantes. In 2015 the Cabildo, with funding also from the town council, finished a pedestrian walk running parallel to the coast, between Calle La Hondura and Calle Hibisco, with parking alongside, shaded seating and a cantilevered glass railing. The steps were removed so you can walk it without barriers.

Punta de Teno. From its viewpoint, at the other end of the massif, you see the cliffs to the south. Access to Punta de Teno has its own rules: we explain them in the Punta de Teno and Masca guide.

On foot. Turismo de Tenerife mentions several routes from Masca or Puerto Santiago. The PR-TF 65 runs down from Santiago del Teide to Puerto Santiago and is rated intermediate. The PR-TF 65.1 goes from Plaza de El Molledo to Risco Blanco: 2.35 km, linear and low difficulty.

Los Guíos beach and the harbour

Los Guíos beach, also known as Argel, sits at the foot of the cliffs next to the Los Gigantes harbour. It is black sand, about 180 metres long and 20 wide, and Turismo de Tenerife describes its water as calm. It is an easy walk in, but it has no parking of its own and no adapted access. There are bins, municipal cleaning and bars nearby, and the intercity bus reaches the area.

If you want more sand, Turismo de Tenerife picks out La Arena beach in Puerto Santiago, with volcanic black sand. There are also small natural pools at points along the coast.

Seeing them from the sea

Turismo de Tenerife reckons a boat trip is one of the best ways to take in their height. According to its page on the municipality, whale- and dolphin-watching boats leave the marina all year round, and there are also short coastal trips, kayaking and snorkelling. We do not recommend operators: compare and book calmly.

Whale watching has rules. In the Canary Islands it is regulated by the Canary Government's Decree 178/2000. Across Spain, Royal Decree 1727/2007 sets an exclusion zone with a radius of at least 60 metres around each cetacean or group. It bans feeding them and, inside that exclusion zone, swimming or diving. It also applies to private individuals, commercial or not.

Protected on land and at sea

On land, the cliffs are part of Teno Rural Park (code T-13 in the Canary network), covering 8,063.6 hectares across Buenavista del Norte, Los Silos, El Tanque and Santiago del Teide. Its management plan places the sea cliffs running from Masca beach to Los Gigantes in a moderate-use zone. The same plan notes that the Teno massif was also included in the network of Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs).

At sea, the west coast lies within the Franja marina Teno-Rasca Special Area of Conservation (ES7020017), part of the Natura 2000 network, designated in September 2011. According to the information panel published by Spain's Ministry for the Ecological Transition, it covers 69,489.68 hectares, protects sea caves, reefs and sandbanks, and is home to loggerhead and green turtles and bottlenose dolphins. Up to 22 species of cetaceans have been recorded. Disturbing cetaceans and turtles is prohibited.

Getting there from the north: Erjos and Santiago del Teide

Turismo de Tenerife puts it simply: from the north, the usual route goes through Icod de los Vinos and the TF-82. The road linking El Tanque with Santiago del Teide passes Ruigómez and Erjos, which sits by the TF-82. Santiago del Teide is a village at around 900 metres. From there you head down to the coast; at km 6 of the TF-454, on the way to Puerto Santiago, is the Archipenque viewpoint. They warn that the roads here have plenty of bends.

By bus, the Cabildo's route catalogue lists the 325, Puerto de la Cruz – Icod – Los Gigantes. We do not give timetables: check them with TITSA before you go.

Height

up to 600 m

Municipality

Santiago del Teide

Archipenque viewpoint

TF-454, km 6 · parking · no bus stop

Los Guíos beach

black sand · 180 × 20 m · no parking

From the north

Via Icod and the TF-82, past Erjos

Bus from Icod

TITSA route 325

Protection on land

Teno Rural Park (T-13) · SPA

Protection at sea

Franja marina Teno-Rasca SAC (ES7020017)

Whale watching

Decree 178/2000 · RD 1727/2007 · 60 m minimum

Best time, per Turismo de Tenerife

November to May

From Finca Julia

Icod is on the TF-82, the same road Turismo de Tenerife gives as the usual route from the north. You can make a day of it: a stop in Erjos for a walk in Monte del Agua, down through Santiago del Teide and sunset at Archipenque. Bring a warm layer for the high ground and sun protection for the coast.

Erjos and Monte del Agua walks

Punta de Teno and Masca

Beaches near Icod

Frequently asked questions

How high are the Los Gigantes cliffs?

Up to 600 metres above the sea, according to Turismo de Tenerife. At their foot, the seabed is around 30 metres deep.

Which is the best viewpoint?

Turismo de Tenerife points to Archipenque, on the TF-454 heading down to Puerto Santiago. It has parking and step-free access. Down in the town, the cliff viewpoint walk shows them up close.

Can you get there by bus from Icod?

According to the Cabildo's route catalogue, yes: TITSA route 325 links Puerto de la Cruz, Icod and Los Gigantes. Check the route and timetable with TITSA before you set off.

When is the best time to go?

Turismo de Tenerife suggests autumn to spring if you want mild weather: from November to May temperatures are usually between 20 and 23 °C. July and August are hotter and can top 30 °C.