A top-rated must-see experience in Tenerife.
4.7 (5)•Cliffs & Viewpoints•Los Gigantes, South Tenerife•#4 Must-see in Tenerife
Los Gigantes is where the west coast suddenly turns vertical. The old Teno massif drops into the Atlantic in dark basalt walls that reach about 600 m in places, and the whole scene changes depending on where you stand: above the marina, on black-sand Playa de los Guios, or on a boat looking back at the rock face from sea level.
For a quick visit, the harbour and viewpoints are enough. For the scale to really land, get close to the water and look up. The tradeoff is simple: this is a busy resort edge, not a lonely wilderness, and the sea decides whether boat trips, kayaking or swimming feel relaxed or exposed.
The cliffs run from the Los Gigantes area toward Punta de Teno and form part of the Teno landscape. Road viewpoints are useful, but they flatten the scale. The better plan is to choose one format: a short viewpoint stop, a harbour-and-beach walk, or a sea-level trip when conditions are calm. The water below the cliffs is also part of the protected marine-life story, so choose wildlife operators with clear distance and behaviour rules.
This stop can be brilliant, but road time, weather and the order of the day matter more than the pin on the map.
Blog context
Useful planning notes connected to this place: weather, transport, routes, and nearby decisions.
A practical 2026 guide to quieter Tenerife beaches by mood: calm water, village lunch, sunset, black sand, natural pools and places to treat as view-first.
A practical 2026 west Tenerife day guide: use Los Gigantes cliffs as the anchor, then choose one extra: beach, boat, Masca or Punta de Teno.
A practical 2026 northwest Tenerife route: choose Garachico, Icod, the dragon tree, Cueva del Viento or Punta de Teno without turning the day into a race.
Traveler photos
Guest review summary
Commonly mentioned by visitors.
Visitors remember the scale most strongly from sea level, the harbour and Playa de los Guios, where the wall rises directly above the water.
The place works in several formats: fast viewpoint, sunset stop, black-sand beach pause or start point for a boat trip.
Clear late light can make the basalt cliffs look warmer and more sculpted than in harsh midday sun.
The marina area can feel busy and touristy, especially around boat-trip departures.
Parking near the harbour and Playa de los Guios can slow down a short visit.
Wind and swell can make sea plans uncomfortable or unsafe even when the view itself is excellent.
Recommended reviews
oksana osiniene
Source: Google Maps
2 years ago
Located in the municipality of Santiago del Teide, The Cliff of the Giants lives up to its name. It is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Tenerife. The 600-metre-tall basalt slab has a great wealth of local, protected wildlife and is a tremendous sight whether viewed by land or sea. Boat trips are recommended.
Lucca T.
Source: Google Maps
2 years ago
Dangerous, high, beautiful, monumental, difficult to access, fascinating, distinctive... all in one.
Vitali Andrusiak
Source: Google Maps
3 years ago
Los Gigantes was one of my favourite places in Tenerife. The size of it is unreal, especially when you are at the beach looking up at it.
benben99
Source: Google Maps
a year ago
Its very beautiful to paddle board. But very unstable with winds and waves. It can get bad really fast. You cant get very far into the Los Gigantes as its risky unless you have very good weather and calm sea.
Stephen Stewart
Source: Google Maps
2 years ago
Cool cliffs to go and see when in Tenerife. This is a free attraction and if you do your research you will be able to find some nice vantage points to take undisturbed photos of them.
Scale needs an angle
The cliffs can look flat from a quick roadside stop. The marina, beach and waterline make the vertical drop much easier to understand.
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Sea first
Boat trips, pools and beach comfort all depend on strong swell. A sunny day is not enough if the west coast is unsuitable.
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Tourist town context
This is a resort area with restaurants, shops and boat desks. Useful, but not quiet; plan it as a serviced stop, not a remote nature escape.
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Responsible boats
The west coast is important for marine wildlife. Choose operators with clear wildlife conduct rather than the cheapest loudest offer.
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Do not improvise hikes
The cliff and canyon routes above Los Gigantes are a different level from the viewpoint. Use proper maps and avoid off-trail shortcuts.
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For a fast stop, use the viewpoints and marina edge. For real scale, walk to Playa de los Guios or see the wall from a responsible boat in calm conditions.
Yes. The harbour, beach and viewpoints still give a strong visit. A boat mainly adds scale and water-level perspective.
Only when local conditions, flags and sea state are clearly safe. The backdrop is dramatic, but wind and swell change quickly.
Late afternoon often gives warmer light on the cliffs. Morning is usually better if the main plan is a boat or kayak trip.
Do not improvise cliff paths, block marina roads for photos, or push sea activities when operators or conditions say no.
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