Major city · Spain
El Médano
Spend 1–2 days in El Médano for windsurfing, beach walks and a quick bite; add a half‑day if you want a guided reserve tour.
El Médano is a small coastal town on Tenerife famous for windsurfing and nearby natural reserves. Its sights are within walking distance, so a short stay covers the main activities.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Oct–May
- avoid Jun–Aug (heat, reduced wind)
- Airport
- TFS
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for El Médano091 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Médano, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyEl Médano is generally safe; watch for strong winds on the water and keep valuables secured on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers091 police · 062 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTFS Tenerife South Airport (Taxi €12–15 (≈ US$14–18); bus via TITSA (see below).).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable; bus routes (040, 111, 343, 416, 417, 418, 420, 424, 447, 448, 450, 467, 471, 473, 477…
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TFS Tenerife South Airport (Taxi €12–15; bus via TITSA (see below).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
El Médano: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable; bus routes (040, 111, 343, 416, 417, 418, 420, 424, 447, 448, 450, 467, 471, 473, 477, 483) serve the area – buy a Tenmás ticket on board (price check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa de la Tejita
goDoor to door: ≈ 20 min
Walk 15 min east along the coast
Popular windsurfing beach, free access.
Red Mountain Natural Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min
Bus 040 to Montaña Roja stop, 10 min walk
Free protected area with dunes and volcanic cone.
Los Cristianos (southern Tenerife)
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 45 min
Bus 416, about 30 min
Tourist hub; good for shopping and restaurants, but longer travel.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Casa Grande Surf Hostel
4‑bed dorm €21 per person, double €50; HI discount 10%.
Hotel Medano
Terrace, pool, restaurant; rooms €80–120.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- Mid
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- High
- €80 (≈ US$95)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Taxi from TFS airport | €12–15 (≈ US$14–18) |
| Tenmás bus ticketcheck | €1.50–2.00 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tapas plate | €3–6 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- High‑rise development has weakened some wind spots – check current conditions before planning a session.
- Bus tickets are sold on board; keep small change for the Tenmás fare (price check).
- Summer heat can be intense; stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 091
- Fire and ambulance
- 062
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El MédanoEl Médano
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police091
- Fire and ambulance062
- General emergency112
Embassy
US consulate in Tenerife (check address); other embassies in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → El Médano, taxi: about €12–15 (≈ US$14–18), 15 min (check)
- Bus Tenmás ticket: ≈ €1.80 per ride, buy on board (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del bus? — Where is the bus stop? (ˈdonde esˈta la paˈɾaða del ˈbus)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Médano. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–May · avoid Jun–Aug (heat, reduced wind) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialTITSA bus information
- secondaryRed Mountain Natural Reserve
- secondaryWikivoyage: El Médano, revision 5239498 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about El Médano
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