Playa de Candelaria

A small beach of black sand and pebbles at the foot of Candelaria, on the east coast. It's an urban beach with no tourist facilities, used mainly by east-coast locals, far from the crowds of the south. The swell is often noticeable here: stay close to the shore and watch for the current. Since late 2024, the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias and the San Blas seafront in front of the basilica have been undergoing a major multi-year redevelopment (coastal defence, a new square); the bronze statues of the nine Guanche menceyes have been removed for the duration of the works and are due to return afterwards. On 14 and 15 August, the festival of the Virgin of Candelaria draws thousands of pilgrims from across the island.