It’s clear that Tenerife is famous for its natural sights. From pristine beaches to natural parks and volcanoes, this island has it all! An off-the-beaten-path place you need to add to your itinerary is Charco del Diablo.
Here you’ll find unique lava rock formations and natural pools, perfect for swimming. The best part about this place is that not many tourists know about it so most of the time it’s empty.
In my opinion, Charco del Diablo, also known as Charco el Diablo, is one of the most beautiful places in Tenerife, a destination where nature created a masterpiece. In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know when planning a visit to these natural pools. Let’s get to it!
1. What does “charco” mean?
Charco means a small puddle or pool formed on the ground. In this case, when we talk about Charco del Diablo Tenerife, we have to mention that these natural pools were formed inside lava rocks. Therefore, the rocks here are all black and they have unique shapes.
The view is definitely one to remember! It’s incredible to think about what nature is capable of. The views at Charco del Diablo are all breathtaking.
2. What to expect at Charco del Diablo Tenerife
To get to Charco del Diablo from the parking lot, follow the path on the right side of the parking. You’ll have to go down a few stairs and then you’ll be amazed by the beauty displayed in front of your eyes.
I recommend wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding flip-flops because the rocks are quite sharp and slippery. You’ll see a few natural pools, maybe a few locals fishing and lots of volcanic rocks.
For the best views, head right, walk 2-3 minutes and you’ll reach a spectacular view of Puerto de Santiago. You’ll see the city behind the lava formations and the view is simply breathtaking.
Here you’ll also find an incredible natural pool, perfect for photos. In my opinion, this is one of the most photogenic places in Tenerife!
We stopped here for a few minutes to admire the place and take a few photos. When you’re surrounded by so much beauty, it’s easy to be a good photographer.
I recommend planning about an hour to explore Charco el Diablo Tenerife. This place has a lot to offer and there are many natural pools to discover. Keep in mind that some of the rocks are sharp or even slippery and mind your step!
Good to know – There are no toilets, shops or sunbeds here. This place is untouched by the human hand and this is one of the things that I loved about it!
3. Swimming at Charco el Diablo Tenerife
Keep in mind that Charco del Diablo is a rocky place, meaning that the bottom of the ocean is covered in rocks. If you want to swim, make sure to wear water shoes to avoid injuries.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to swim, Charco el Diablo might not be a good choice. This place deserves to be visited for its beauty. Two of the best beaches on the island, perfect for swimming, are Playa del Duque and Playa de las Teresitas.
However, even if Charco el Diablo is not the perfect place for swimming, you can still refresh yourself inside the natural pools. Just make sure to wear your swimming suit because there are no changing rooms.
4. Places to visit near Charco del Diablo
A short walk away from Charco el Diablo is Playa de la Arena, one of the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife. If you have a car, I recommend driving for a few minutes to Mirador Archipenque and Playa de los Gigantes.
Mirador Archipenque offers some breathtaking views towards los Gigantes. We stopped here for about half an hour. In my opinion, this is one of the best viewpoints in Tenerife.
Playa de los Gigantes is a beautiful black sand beach. The beach is quite small, but the views are spectacular. The tall cliffs are rising from the ocean, creating the perfect backdrop for photos.
-> Other must-see places in Tenerife:
- Climb Mount Teide – The tallest mountain in Tenerife
- Take a whale watching cruise
- Siam Park – The world’s best water park
5. How to get to Charco el Diablo Tenerife
I recommend renting a car to explore the island. It’s affordable (we paid 32 euros per day) and convenient. Renting a car gives you the freedom to be the master of your schedule.
The first day we rented a car, we drove around the island and stopped at several incredible places such as Benijo Beach, Los Gigantes Beach, Bollullo Beach and others.
After parking your car at Charco el Diablo, you’ll have to walk about 2 minutes to reach the beautiful lava rocks. Like most parking places in Tenerife, this one is free too.
6. Where to stay in Tenerife
Tenerife is a relatively small island and its entire economy relies on tourism. Therefore, there are thousands of hotels to choose from. From hostels to boutique hotels and luxury 5-star hotels, here are the best accommodation options for every budget.
- Budget – Atlantic Holiday Hotel – amazing ocean view, beautiful modern studio, good location, friendly staff, good amenities
- Mid-Range – Labranda Bahia – beautiful pools, good location, spacious rooms and good services, friendly staff, all-inclusive
- Luxury – Fantasia Bahia – perfect for couples and families, excellent services, all-inclusive, huge & modern rooms, beautiful pools
7. Final thoughts
Charco el Diablo is one of my favorite places in Tenerife. It’s a testament to nature’s powers. This place’s beauty cannot be described in words, so make sure to add it to your itinerary when visiting Tenerife.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below. May the travel bug bite you!
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Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!