Health and Wellness
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Pura Vida Yoga El Médano - Drop-in classes for €12 near Playa Pelada.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Medano Fitness (Calle Jose Reyes Martin) - Monthly memberships approx. €45.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Autoservicio El Médano (Calle de la gaviota) - €5 per wash.
- Best Hospital
- Hospital del Sur (El Mojón) - 15 mins drive; Quirónsalud Costa Adeje for private care.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo is the primary service available in El Médano.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Papas Arrugadas con Mojo (Wrinkled potatoes with chili/garlic sauce) - €5-€7.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chiringuito El Pirata (La Tejita) - Great veggie options and bohemian vibes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria El Médano - Italian gelato on the main square; €3.50 for two scoops.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- SuperDino and HiperDino on Av. Jose Miguel Galvan Bello.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.es (Note: Shipping to Canary Islands can take 5-10 days due to customs).
- Grocery Delivery
- Mercadona (Online delivery available from nearby San Isidro hub).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle San Sebastian / Plaza Roja - Manfred's Soul Cafe and Jeip.'s.
- Local Brewery
- Tacoa (Available at local bars; brewed in El Sauzal).
- Wine Bars
- Vinoteca El Médano - Excellent selection of Canary Listán Negro wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Farmer's Market San Isidro (Mercadillo del Agricultor) - Open Weekends.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Wairua (Italian/Mediterranean Fusion) - Calle de El Médano.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Montaña Roja (Red Mountain) - Volcano hike overlooking the town.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Iter (Ten-minute drive) - Technological institute focused on renewable energy.
- Historical Sites
- Cueva del Hermano Pedro - Shrine of a local saint near the airport.
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes.
- Annual Events
- PWA World Cup (Windsurf championships usually in August).
- Cultural Districts
- Old Town harbor area (near Muelle de El Médano).
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de Tenerife (45 mins away in Santa Cruz).
- Local Markets
- Mercadillo El Médano - Every Saturday morning in Plaza Roja.
- Music Scene
- Live acoustic sets at Le Canari beach bar.
- Street Art
- Surf-inspired murals along the Promenade and Plaza Roja.
- Cooking Classes
- Occasional workshops at 'Agro-Mercado' San Isidro.
- Art Galleries
- Local handicraft exhibition at the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento) annex.
- Historic Buildings
- Various 20th-century fishing cottages near the harbor.
- Local Heritage
- The 'Silbo Gomero' (whistling language) can sometimes be heard at cultural events.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Malpaís de la Rasca - Volcanic badlands 20 mins away.
- National Parks Nearby
- Teide National Park - 50 mins drive to Spain's highest peak.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path from El Medano to Los Abrigos via La Tejita (approx 6km).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Summit of Montaña Roja for 360-degree views of the southern coast.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reserva Natural Especial del Médano - Protected dunes area.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited on town beaches; permitted only in designated mountain BBQ zones like 'Las Lajas'.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correos (Calle de el Médano) and SEUR pickup points.
- Tech Repair Services
- InforMedano (C. Jose Miguel Galván Bello) - Computer and phone repair.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Public tables at Parque Infantil El Médano.
- Language Classes
- FU International Academy (Nearby in Adeje/Online) or private tutors via Facebook groups.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Centro Cultural El Médano - Public library room with Wi-Fi.
- Community Centers
- SAC Granadilla de Abona (Branch in El Medano) for admin and community info.
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in San Isidro (5 min bus ride).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Playa de las Americas (20 min drive).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €157,500)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €204,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 4% (Canary Islands Special Zone / ZEC if requirements met), otherwise 25%.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 19% - 26% for residents.
- Tax System
- Spanish residents pay tax on worldwide income; specific 'Beckham Law' (24% flat rate) may apply for 6 years.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% - 47% (depending on specific Canary Island scales).
- VAT
- 7% IGIC (Canary Islands General Indirect Tax) - lower than mainland 21% VAT.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Spanish CFC rules apply to prevent tax avoidance through non-EU entities.
- Property Tax
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) - annual tax around 0.5% of value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 6.5% ITP (Impuesto Transmisiones Patrimoniales) for resale properties.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Telework Visa available with potential lower 15% rate for new residents for up to 5 years.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = €112,000 in San Isidro)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €4,200 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €231,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = €154,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = €323,000)
Essentials
- City
- El Médano, Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, Spain
- Population
- 8,500
- Internet Speed
- Standard fiber optic provides 600 Mbps - 1 Gbps; average 5G is 150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CaixaBank, BBVA, Santander on Av. José Miguel Galván Bello.
- Tap Water
- Technically safe but high mineral content/desalinated taste; locals use 'Agua de Garrafa' (5L bottles) for €1.20.
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Movistar, Orange, Vodafone. Recommended: Digi Mobil (20GB for €10) available at local phone shops.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and N26 are widely used; local accounts available through Sabadell (English-speaking).
- Accommodation
- Apartments dominate; price range €1,200–€1,800/month for 1-bedroom via Idealista or local groups.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in 95% of establishments including beach bars.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and 'Rent a Home El Medano' agency.
- Budget Accommodation
- Casa de Sol (approx. €35/night) or Aloe Vera Shared House.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Plaza Roja / Playa Sur area for proximity to beaches and restaurants.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Residential areas near Los Balos or Pelada for quieter nights and better dedicated apartment builds.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Daydream Coworking (Calle Tenerife, 5) - €20/day, €180/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Flashpoint (Plaza Roja) - Great Wi-Fi and views of the windsurfers; coffee €1.80.
- Networking Events
- Tenerife Remote Workers & Digital Nomads Meetup (bi-weekly in El Medano/Los Cristianos).
- Social Events for Expats
- Windsurf/Kitesurf social sessions at Playa Sur; Friday night drinks at Manfred's Soul Cafe.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber is limited; use the 'PideTaxi' app for official local taxis.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bike Point Tenerife (Av. de Juan Carlos I) - Mountain bikes from €25/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa del Médano (Main town beach) and Playa de la Tejita (10 mins via bike).
- Top Regional Airline
- Binter Canarias (Connecting to other islands from Tenerife North/South).
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair, EasyJet, and Jet2 (Flying into Tenerife South - TFS, 10 mins away).
- Highway Access
- TF-1 Autopista del Sur connects El Medano to the whole island.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- TITSA Bus Station (Parada Principal El Médano) on Av. José Miguel Galván Bello.
- Public Transport Passes
- Ten+ Card (Renewable via 'Ten+movil' app); €2-€5 for most regional trips.
- Regional Travel
- TITSA Buses: Line 470 to Los Cristianos, Line 415 to the Airport.