Coastal Village and Snorkelling Beach•Abades, South Tenerife
Abades is the quiet south-east coast without the resort performance: pale sand, low houses, dry volcanic light and an abandoned leprosy-sanatorium complex watching from the plain above the village. The beach itself is easy and local, useful for a slow swim or snorkel when the sea is calm.
The extra pull is the contrast. In one short stop you get a practical cove, a small coastal settlement and one of Tenerife's strangest unfinished landmarks, best viewed from outside rather than treated as an urbex playground.
Blog context
Useful planning notes connected to this place: weather, transport, routes, and nearby decisions.
A practical 2026 east Tenerife day guide for Candelaria, the basilica, Pirámides de Güímar and one calm south-east coast stop without overloading the route.
A practical 2026 last-day guide for flying from Tenerife South Airport: choose the final beach by luggage, showers, fuel, transfer time and car return, not by wishful thinking.
Traveler photos
A softer south-east finish
Abades is useful on a route because it gives a different south-coast mood without adding a long mountain drive.
KnowTenerife
Yes on calm days. Abades is an easier shore-access area than many rough lava spots, but wind or swell can quickly reduce comfort and visibility.
It is usually called the Sanatorio de Abona or Abades sanatorium, an unfinished leprosy-isolation complex above the coast.
Usually no. It is strongest as a quiet south-east stop, airport-side buffer or part of a slower Arico coast day.
Treat them as unsafe ruins and view them from outside. The story is better than the risk.
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