Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas

The sunniest (and most woefully tacky) tourist area on Tenerife is the southwestern coastline, where high-rise hotels are built chockablock above the beaches without a lick of feng-shui sensibility. Costa Adeje, to the west of Playa de las Américas, is the newest addition with lower-rise apartments and hotels packed into the hillside. Sun, beaches, and nightlife—not cultural or nature activities—constitute the attractions here for millions of northern Europeans desperate for sunshine in the winter months. Playa de las Américas, particularly in the area around Las Verónicas, is a loud and brash resort, not to everyone’s taste. Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje are quieter, more sedate areas, attracting a more mature crowd of holidaymakers. However, if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you'll probably want to give this area a wide berth.