Tenerife still has places that feel completely untouched.
Not because they’re secret, but because getting there takes a little determination. If you’re prepared to swap convenience for spectacular scenery, Playa de Antequera is one of those places that reminds you just how wild parts of the island still are.
Tucked away in the Anaga Rural Park, this isolated beach has earned a reputation as one of Tenerife’s most beautiful stretches of coastline.
A Beach Hidden by Nature
Located on the southern side of the Anaga Massif, close to Igueste de San Andrés, Playa de Antequera sits within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
It’s a broad sweep of black volcanic sand, stretching for around 400 metres, framed by towering cliffs and rocky outcrops that separate it from the rest of the coastline.
There are no beach bars, no lifeguards and, perhaps most importantly, no road leading to it.
That’s exactly why it has remained so unspoilt.
Getting There Is Part of the Adventure
Visitors have two options.
The easiest is to take a water taxi or boat excursion from San Andrés or Santa Cruz, with the journey taking around 20 minutes.
The alternative is to hike.
Several demanding walking routes reach the beach, including trails from Igueste de San Andrés and Chamorga. These involve steep climbs, uneven terrain and several hours on foot, making them best suited to experienced walkers.
Many hikers choose to walk to the beach and return by boat.
A Place That Time Almost Forgot
During the 1980s, organised boat trips made Antequera a popular day out for people living in Santa Cruz.
As those services disappeared, the beach became much quieter, visited mainly by hikers and private boats.
Today, only a relatively small number of people make the journey each day, helping preserve the peaceful atmosphere that makes the beach so special.
Remnants of an old jetty and a long-closed restaurant still hint at its busier past.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Anyone planning a visit should check the weather and sea conditions before setting off.
High tide can leave very little sand exposed, and there are no facilities or lifeguards on the beach.
If you’re hiking, allow plenty of time, take enough water and wear suitable footwear.
One of Tenerife’s Last Wild Beaches
Playa de Antequera isn’t the easiest beach to reach, and that’s precisely its appeal.
With dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear Atlantic waters and an almost untouched setting, it offers a side of Tenerife that many visitors never get to experience.
Sometimes the best places are the ones that make you work a little harder to find them.