Playa de Tejita (pronounced ‘tee-heat-ar’) has a high reputation as a naturist beach/FKK strand/playa de nudistas. It attracts many naturists who enjoy sunbathing and swimming bare.
This Tenerife beach on the island's south coast lies below the steep slopes of the 171-metre high Montana Roja (Red Mountain) backed by a flat stony volcanic plain which is a nature-reserve. Blue sun-loungers, protected by straw sun shades, are available for hire.
Some Topless, Some Bare
At the left hand end of the beach, there is a mixture of people of all ages wearing swimming trunks, swimsuits, bikinis (some topless) or nothing at all (completely bare). It always feels very relaxing and everyone co-exists happily, concentrating on enjoying the sun and sea irrespective of what they are - or are not - wearing.
The sand shelves gently into the sea which is a comfortable 21 degrees year-round making the beach an ideal spot for bathing even in mid-winter, though sometimes the water can be very rough.
Cove Popular With Gays As Well As Naturists
Just beyond the end of the beach, a small cove reached by a short footpath over a low headland is popular with gays as well as naturists. It seems to be almost carved out of the side of the Montana Roja mountainside and signs at the far end warn people to beware of falling boulders there.
The mountain itself is deep red in colour, being created by volcanic ash, with patches of dark green shrub. Amazingly tomatoes were grown on its lower slopes for many years until the 1960s when the soil became too degraded.
Playa de Tejita Curves Around A Bay
To the west, Playa de Tejita curves round a gentle bay to a headland covered in apartment blocks at El Confital while in the background the lump-like volcanic hills of the island rise up over the landscape. In the distance the top of Mount Teide (3718 metres high) is clearly visible often, even on hot sunny days, covered in snow. From the beach you can also clearly see the Tenerife Sur airport and watch the planes taking off against the backdrop of the mountains.
Access to Playa de Tejita beach is from the TF-643 road or on foot along a well-marked stony path. This starts at a signpost about 200 metres south of the Hotel Playa Sur Tenerife at the southern end of El Medano.
Other Tenerife Naturist Beaches
Visitors looking for a Tenerife naturist beach/FKK strand/playa de nudistas can also try Playa de los Patos just north of Puerto de la Cruz and Playa de las Gaviotas, 10 kilometres north of Santa Cruz. And another Canary Island, Fuerteventura, has many long beaches popular with naturists.
Barinatxe Naturist Beach on Spanish Mainland
One of the best naturist beaches to be found anywhere is Barinatxe at Sopelana near Bilbao in northern Spain on the Atlantic. It has everything a beach should have. People of all ages, some bare and some in swimwear all happily co-existing, soft sand that slopes gently into the sea, waves to jump through, surfers and para-gliders to watch, spectacular cliffs all around, lifeguards, a small café, showers, toilets, litter bins and a handy car-park.
What more could anyone desire?
Gillian Thomas - Having left the BBC's Paris news office to return to England and get married over 20 years ago, I have freelanced as a journalist ever ...
