Playa de las Americas Holiday Guide

The resort is about 20 minutes drive from the Reina Sofia airport and once there, it's easy to get around. There's a mini train that runs around most of Playa de las Americas stopping at clearly marked spots every hour. There are also free buses so you've no excuse not to explore a bit.

If you want to see more of the island, then hiring a car is definitely the best option.

There are several beaches in the resort - some are natural and others are man-made, but all are covered in dark volcanic sand. They're all very close to each other and most of them are linked by a long promenade lined with hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants, bars and cafes.

The swimming's safe thanks to man-made breakers and there are lots of water sports on offer too. The only negative is that space can be tight in the extremely busy summer season.

While there is nothing of note in the town itself, heading further afield can take you to the lively former capital of the island, La Laguna, which is worth a look. It's a pretty little place where fine-balconied houses with brightly-coloured facades and sturdy wooden doors line the narrow streets.
The west coast of Tenerife features dramatic rock cliffs, in particular the aptly-named Acantilados de los Gigantes (Cliffs of the Giants) where sheer rock walls plunge into the Atlantic Ocean far below.
There's tons to explore in Tenerife and it would be a shame to stay rooted to the resort for your whole holiday. The picturesque village of Masca is the place to go for dramatic mountain scenery, and on the east coast of the island lie the mysterious Piramides de Guimar, a group of six stepped pyramids whose origin is still unknown.

There's also Spain's highest mountain in the form of Pico del Teide, a volcanic crater worth exploring. You can hike up or board a cable car which will take you part way towards the summit.

In terms of cuisine, Playa de las Americas is a home from home. You can easily get yourself a full English fry up or Sunday roast while watching a premiership game as loads of places have satellite TV.

There's little in the way of Canarian cuisine and you'll have to head to the Torviscas part of town (near the market) for that. Be warned though as many dishes will be served in a mojo sauce which is spicy and made with red chilli peppers. Otherwise all international tastes are catered for, including Chinese, Indian and Italian.

The buzzing nightlife in the holiday resort draws hordes of British tourists. You'll find tons of bars that attempt to lure you with the offer of happy hours which, in almost every case, last well over an hour.

All music tastes are catered for and there's karaoke if you want a sing-song and two casinos if you fancy a flutter. The action invariably lasts all night, with the party nearly always spilling out onto the street where you'll see hundreds of football shirts on display.

Purchase some duty-free delights in Playa de las Americas's shops. Electronic goods, perfume, tobacco, booze, leather goods and jewellery are all good buys and the best places to shop are the San Eugene Centre or the more authentic Torviscas Market which starts at 9am on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Local shopkeepers will take a siesta in the middle of the day for around three hours but they open up for business late into the night.

The kids are unlikely to forget whale and dolphin watching and operators run trips from Puerto Colon in nearby Los Cristianos.

Within the town you'll find water parks, tennis courts, amusement arcades, go-karting, and all the watersports you'd expect of a popular resort, like jet skiing, windsurfing and banana boat rides. Those in search of thrills can even try a bungee jump at the Sky Park.