Mesa del Mar, Tacoronte (Tenerife): beach, viewpoints, parking and road access

Mesa del Mar is a small seaside enclave on the north coast of Tenerife, within the municipality of Tacoronte. Visitors come for the wide Playa de la Arena of volcanic sand, natural rock pools, cliff-top viewpoints and an authentic Canarian atmosphere. Below you’ll find a visual guide that follows a logical route: first a panoramic overview, then the beach and seafront, followed by the access road and tunnel, and finally the key signs you’ll see on the way.

Overview from the viewpoint

Elevated panoramic view of Mesa del Mar in Tacoronte, Tenerife, showing coastal cliffs, apartment buildings and natural rock pools by the Atlantic Ocean.

From the upper lookout you can appreciate how the neighborhood sits on a rocky platform protected by breakwaters. The compact seafront buildings cluster around the pools and the beach area, while zig-zag roads connect the cliffs with the coast. On clear days you can see much of the La Laguna and Santa Cruz coastline in the distance.

Playa de la Arena (black-sand beach)

Aerial view of Playa de la Arena at Mesa del Mar, a black-sand beach with a curved bay and rocky islets on the north coast of Tenerife.

The main attraction is Playa de la Arena, a wide crescent of fine, dark sand sheltered by natural reefs. In summer a safety line marks the best swimming area, and outside of peak season the beach remains quiet and uncrowded. Swell is typical of the north coast, so always check the flag system and follow lifeguard advice when present.

Seafront buildings and parking areas

Seafront buildings and large car parks beside the Atlantic at Mesa del Mar, Tacoronte.

Two surface car parks serve visitors close to the promenade and ocean pools, which helps keep walking distances short for families. Cafés and small eateries line the lower streets, and the promenade gives easy access to the breakwater and rock platforms for fishing and sunset watching.

Access infrastructure: steep road and tunnel

Steep road descending to Mesa del Mar with the name painted on the cliff wall near Tacoronte.

The descent from Tacoronte is notably steep and winding. Drive with care, use low gears, and be patient on bends. For walkers and cyclists, this stretch offers impressive views but requires fitness on the return climb.

Small chapel and vehicle tunnel under the cliff at Mesa del Mar, Tenerife.

Near sea level you pass a small chapel and the access tunnel carved into the cliff. This one-way section regulates traffic during busy periods. Pedestrians should keep to signed areas and avoid the tunnel roadway.

Signage and wayfinding to Mesa del Mar

Brown tourist sign on TF-16 indicating the turnoff to Mesa del Mar and its beach in Tacoronte.

On the TF-16 road a brown tourist sign points to the turnoff for Mesa del Mar and the beach. This is the reference to look for when you exit the main route and begin the descent to the coast.

Town entrance sign for Mesa del Mar lined with palm trees on the way down from Tacoronte.

Further down, the locality sign confirms you’re entering Mesa del Mar. From here, follow the one-way system to reach the car parks, promenade and the beach access points.