Garden Beach, known in Spanish as Playa Jardín, is among Tenerife’s most unique and beautiful beaches. Its elegant black sands are backed by landscaped gardens and pleasant walkways, with views of Mount Teide on the horizon. Enjoy an excellent range of tourist-friendly facilities, from restaurants to sun lounges. It’s easy to see why this stunning beach attracts crowds.

The beach was designed by well-known Canarian artist César Manrique and completed in 1993. Sink your toes into the black volcanic sand that was extracted from the seabed in order to cover the original pebble beach. Manrique’s design highlights the beach’s existing natural beauty with the addition of exotic plants and graceful water features.

Walk down the paths snaking through the gardens along the beach. Admire the cacti, flowers, tropical trees and bushes and look for a few lovely cascading waterfall features and small pools. Spot some of the wildlife that inhabits the garden, including various species of birds, lizards and butterflies.

Stroll down to the coast, where the gardens gently merge with the beach’s black sands. Stretching for almost 0.6 miles (1 kilometer), the beach can get quite crowded with tourists during the summer. Take a cue from locals and go to the beach in the early evening or walk toward the Punta Brava end, which is typically quieter.

Swim in the calm waters. A horizontal breakwater, built using more than 4,000 concrete blocks, shields swimmers from the ocean’s strong tide. You can also try snorkeling or body boarding or rent a paddleboat. For something a little more low-key, stretch out on a sun lounge or relax with a drink at the self-service restaurant near the beach.

Garden Beach is located in Puerto de la Cruz in northern Tenerife. It stretches from Castillo San Felipe to Punta Brava. Access the beach by bus or park your car on-site.