The editor's take
Puerto de la Cruz didn't have a usable beach until artist César Manrique designed Playa Jardín in the 1990s, and what he built is a masterpiece of landscape design. Three cove-like sections of coal-black volcanic sand are framed by tropical gardens — bougainvillea, dragon trees, hibiscus — and a tumbling artificial waterfall. A protective breakwater calms the otherwise wild northern Atlantic, making this the only safe swim beach on the north coast for families. Come early to claim space under the palm-thatch parasols, then walk into Puerto de la Cruz's old town for tapas. Few European city beaches achieve this much character.
Visit Loro Parque next door — the world-class zoo is a 5-minute walk.
Shoot from the Castillo San Felipe for the curve of black sand and gardens.