Los Gigantes is one of the most iconic spots in south-west Tenerife: basalt cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, a harbour where boats and catamarans depart, spectacular sunsets and a handy base for whale watching, Masca and the Teno mountains. Here is the dedicated guide — what to see, how to get there and how to plan half a day or a full day.
What they are (and where they are)
The Acantilados de Los Gigantes («the giants») are large basaltic volcanic cliffs of the Teno massif, on Tenerife's western coast. The tourist hub of Los Gigantes lies in Santiago del Teide; the cliff system extends towards Punta de Teno and, in part, Buenavista del Norte. In places the walls reach about 600 metres above sea level. The resort clusters around Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes harbour (marina), with hotels, seafront restaurants and access to Playa de Los Guios.
What to see: viewpoint, harbour and beach
| Stop | What to expect |
| Los Gigantes harbour | Close-up view of the cliffs, boat departures, restaurants on the quay |
| Playa de Los Guios | Small urban dark-sand beach (~180 m) at the foot of the walls; generally calm water |
| Archipenque viewpoint | Cliff photos from above, sunset over the ocean (TF-454) |
| Puerto de Santiago | Larger town centre, supermarkets and bus links |
Mirador de Archipenque above the harbour is the best-known viewpoint — Turismo de Tenerife recommends it for the view and sunset. Playa de Los Guios is small and sheltered: always check the flag, sea state and any temporary restrictions before swimming.
Los Gigantes from the sea: boat trips and Masca bay
Seeing the cliffs from below is often more striking than from the viewpoint. For trip types and operators see boat trips in Tenerife. For Masca village read the Masca guide: since December 2025 the Barranco de Masca has specific rules — compulsory booking, access on TITSA bus 355 from Santiago del Teide and exit by sea with a reserved boat ticket. Always check official conditions.
Boat trips vary quite a bit from one operator to another, in length and in what’s included: before booking, with TPCard you can check whether the sea experience you’ve chosen is among the partners offering a benefit to cardholders.
Whale watching from Los Gigantes
The south-west coast is one of the best areas for cetacean sightings year-round: resident short-finned pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins, plus other species. From Los Gigantes there are 2- or 3-hour trips as well as longer ones. Choose authorised vessels and check the Barco Azul / Blue Boat mark; optionally prefer operators signed up to Turismo de Tenerife's Carta por la Sostenibilidad. More in whale watching in Tenerife and best excursions.
Before confirming your booking, with TPCard you can check whether your chosen operator is among participating partners and on what terms.
Half day vs full day
| Time | Typical itinerary |
| Half day (3-4 h) | Viewpoint + harbour stroll + coffee or lunch on the seafront |
| Half day + sea | As above, plus a short boat trip or whale watching (about 2-5 h depending on operator) |
| Full day | Morning boat (Masca + swim) + lunch at the harbour + sunset from the viewpoint |
| Full day + mountains | Los Gigantes in the morning + Masca/Teno village in the afternoon; the Barranco de Masca has specific rules and compulsory booking |
How to get there
By car: from the TF-1 towards Santiago del Teide / Los Gigantes (30-40 min from Costa Adeje). Parking exists in the area but near the harbour spaces can be limited — arrive early if you have a booked boat. By TITSA bus: line 473 links Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje with Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantes; 477 is a more direct Costa Adeje–Los Gigantes link; 325 connects Los Gigantes with Santiago del Teide, Icod and Puerto de la Cruz; 462 links the coast with Santiago del Teide and Guía de Isora; 355 is key for Masca. Check timetables on the TITSA app on the day. More in getting around without a car and car hire.
Where to eat and stay
The seafront and harbour offer fish restaurants with cliff views. For typical dishes start with what to eat in Tenerife. Los Gigantes and Puerto de Santiago are a quieter base than Las Américas. To compare southern areas see where to stay without a car and Tenerife for couples.
Where TPCard fits in
The viewpoint, harbour stroll and sunset are free. When you pay — seafront restaurants, boat trips, whale watching — TPCard brings the island’s verified partners together in one place on your phone: check before booking whether your chosen activity participates and on what terms. Benefits vary by partner; the idea isn’t to add random trips, but to find more easily those that fit your plan.
