Arona

Arona is a municipality on the southern coast of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands, and the third largest municipality on the island in both area and population, after Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Covering just under 82 square kilometres, it stretches from a dry, mountainous interior down to the Atlantic coastline, where the island's heaviest tourist traffic is concentrated.

Where does Arona come from?

Before Spanish conquerors reached the island, the land that now forms Arona belonged to the menceyato of Abona, one of the nine Guanche kingdoms into which pre-Hispanic Tenerife was divided. The Guanches, the islands' original inhabitants, relied here mainly on herding, making heavy use of the area around what is now Malpaís de la Rasca, while also gathering marine resources along the coast. Traces of that period, including rock carvings near Roque del Conde, are among the oldest evidence of settlement in the south of the island.

Four faces of one municipality

Modern Arona splits clearly into four areas, each with its own character. The first is Playa de las Américas, a resort built essentially from scratch in the 1960s and now one of the archipelago's best-known tourist destinations, with extensive hotel and entertainment infrastructure. The second is Playa de los Cristianos, a historic fishing village right next to which Playa de las Américas grew up. The third area is formed by Las Galletas and Costa del Silencio, a quieter stretch of coast. The fourth face is rural Arona, the mountainous interior far removed from the noise of the beaches.

What draws visitors here?

Arona's coast receives more than three million visitors a year, making this part of Tenerife one of the most important tourist hubs in the Canary Islands. Golden beaches, warm Atlantic water and a wide range of water sports, from jet-skiing to scuba diving, are the main draw for guests from across Europe. In contrast to the coast, the municipality's interior remains far quieter and still carries traces of the traditional rural life of the Canary Islands.

A historic centre away from the beaches

Not every visitor associates Arona only with beaches; the municipality also has a historic heart, the old town centre of Arona, set inland away from the coast. Its most prominent landmark is the Church of San Antonio Abad, considered the most emblematic building in the historic centre. Its origins date back to the late 18th century, when it was built on the site of an earlier hermitage dedicated to the same saint.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Arona located? On the south coast of Tenerife, the largest Canary Island, spanning both the Atlantic shoreline and the mountainous interior.

Is Arona just a beach resort? No. Administratively it covers both the touristic coast (Playa de las Américas, Playa de los Cristianos, Las Galletas-Costa del Silencio) and a much quieter, mountainous interior.

What is the history behind the area? The land that now forms Arona once belonged to the Guanche menceyato of Abona, with the oldest traces of settlement found near Roque del Conde and Malpaís de la Rasca.

What is worth seeing beyond the beaches? The historic centre of Arona, home to the Church of San Antonio Abad, dating from the late 18th century and considered the area's most important landmark.