Los Cristianos

Los Cristianos has a core population.  It is a major port and tourist area of southern Tenerife. There are a total of 16,883 inhabitants (2006). Los Cristianos is located in the municipality of Arona and framed between the two protected natural areas of Mountain and Mountain Chayofita Guaza is the sea through the bay of Los Cristianos.

Close to other tourist areas such as Playa de Las Americas, Los Cristianos has seen strong urban expansion around its port and beaches from the tourism boom of the 1970s.  With two golden beaches, many bars and restaurants and great bargain accommodation including apartments and hotels of all categories.

History

The first historical references are dating back to the Christians of the sixteenth century when it describes the existence of its port. Throughout XVII, XVIII and XIX multiple pirate raid threatened residents. The first permanent establishment of Los Cristianos was produced in the 1860s when it was described by Pedro de Olive as a small fishing hamlet in Arona, with three one-story houses, a two-story house and a shack.

The population of Christians began to grow around the second half of the nineteenth century with the advent of industry and commerce. With the threat of pirates long ago now, Los Cristianos with its natural harbor thrived as the import-export center in the south of Tenerife.

In 1909 the first dock was built to allow a greater capacity for operations.  In 1914 Bello Rodriguez Teofilo took water from Los Cristianos Vilaflor bringing a new future to its inhabitants.  It soon spread cultivation of tomatoes and bananas in this southern town.

In 1924 the growing population forced the construction of a chapel that was demolished in 1987 to build a new, larger church.

Ferry company Fred Olsen Express at the Port of Los Cristianos.

In 1934 due to increased fishing and commercial traffic the port was extended in order for it to be able to accommodate larger and extra ships. In 1975, the sea route for the transport of goods and passengers started daily between Los Cristianos and San Sebastian de La Gomera. During the Second World War three small forts were built on the coastline of Los Cristianos as defense against a possible British invasion. Some of these remain intact today.

It was from the second half of the century, when the economy of the population began to change from cultivation and fishing to tourism. The first tourists who came were mostly Scandinavian, especially Swedish, which gave rise to one of the main streets of the population, Avenida Sweden. These first tourists began to come for therapeutic purposes due to the excellent climate of the area. Since then tourism has been growing to this day.

Beaches

In Los Cristianos, there are two major beaches on the island.  The main beach (Playa de Los Cristianos) is a sandy beach sheltered by the port that has showers, water sports areas, play area for children, services, changing rooms and good access.

The other is the Playa de Las Vistas which is located in a bay near the port. It is an artificial beach of fine white sand protected by a breakwater, which also has facilities similar to the previous one. There is also a lonely rocky cove with a small black sand beach that is frequented by nudists and naturists.
Playa de Los Cristianos

Business

Today, Los Cristianos is a tourist center that attracts thousands of visitors each year.  The main commercial center of southern Tenerife consists of streets offering shops and restaurants, tapas bars, malls, etc. The port of Los Cristianos is the first in Spain in (terms of passenger traffic through its links) and has links with the ports of San Sebastian de La Gomera, El Hierro La Stakes and Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Transportation

Inhabitants connect with Santa Cruz (capital of the island) by the TF-1. Located 15 minutes from the International Airport, Tenerife Sur Reina Sofia. There are also buses, as already mentioned, that have daily connections with the islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.