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Los Cristianos Travel Guide
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Los Cristianos harbour |
Overview The popular holiday resort of Los Cristianos lies in a sheltered
bay in the southwest corner of the island of Tenerife, merging into
the more glitzy purpose-built resort of Playa de las Americas. Los
Cristianos has burgeoned into a modern package-tour resort from its
origins as a sleepy Canarian fishing village, but has managed to
retain some of its traditional feel, despite the plethora of modern
hotels, shopping centres and apartment blocks. The focal point of
the resort is its working harbour, fronted by a square surrounded
with restaurants, and sandy beaches encircling a crescent-shaped
bay backed by a long, wide promenade that stretches to neighbouring
Playa de las Americas. The old town centre stretches from the port
up to the main shopping street in a grid-like pattern of
pedestrianised streets, still inhabited by many local people. The
resort's best beach is man-made, the Playa de las Vistas, covered
in sand imported from the Sahara. Being just a few minutes away by
cheap taxi from las Americas resort allows holidaymakers in Los
Cristianos to enjoy a more sedate stay, while still able to access
the bright lights and entertainment facilities of the more
boisterous neighbour, especially when it comes to nightlife.
Shopping One of the joys of holidaying in Tenerife is indulging in
duty-free (or low-duty) shopping, and Los Cristianos and surrounds
boasts a multitude of shops where it is easy to spend liberally on
perfumes, tobacco, electrical goods, cameras and designer clothing.
Handcrafts and cultured pearls are also popular buys for souvenir
hunters, but these are best sought in reputable stores rather than
from seafront hawkers. Local supermarkets stock familiar British
brands, particularly those in the large San Eugene Centre. A
tourist street market is held in Los Cristianos every Sunday near
the Hotel Arona Gran, where most of the merchandise consists of
cheap and cheerful Spanish tourist souvenirs, but there is fun to
be had in haggling.
Restaurants Los Cristianos has several top-rated eateries for holidaymakers,
its trendiest being Piccolo, Bar El Cine, Plan B and Chill Out. Los
Cristianos cannot be beaten for the quality and variety of eating
establishments available throughout the day and night, from the
ubiquitous English breakfast through midday fast-food snacks, to
dinner from China, India, Mexico or anywhere else one cares to
mention. There are also more traditional Spanish eateries and tapas
bars.
Nightlife Los Cristianos is very well supplied with fun pubs, some discos
and a few nightclubs, but holidaymakers will notice that the
nightlife here is nowhere near as wild and exciting as it is next
door in Playa de las Americas. Taxis are plentiful and available
round the clock, however, so there is no problem popping off to
join in the unadulterated partying in nearby lively spots like
Veronicas and The Patch, which are usually jumping and pumping
until 6am or so. Those who prefer a more sedate evening will be
happy to sit back and unwind at a waterfront bar in Los Cristianos,
watching the world go by and perhaps enjoying some live music.
Activities 'Never a dull moment' could be a phrase coined to suit the
southern holiday resort area of Tenerife island, where entertaining
attractions and activities abound. The beaches of Los Cristianos
are bristling with water sports opportunities, from jet skiing and
windsurfing to scuba diving and banana boat rides. The busy little
port is the embarkation point for ferry and hydrofoil trips to the
nearby islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, as well as
boat trips for dolphin and whale viewing. In the immediate vicinity
of the resort there are waterparks, an 18-hole golf course and
facilities for go-karting, bowling, bungee-jumping, horse and camel
riding. Several excursions are on offer, like trips to the capital,
Santa Cruz, the Mount Teide National Park or the Tenerife Zoo.
Negatives Older visitors might have problems walking up the steep
hills.
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