Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf are neighbouring coastal developments in the municipality of San Miguel de Abona, on the south coast of Tenerife. Each grew up around its own golf course and the sea, and both now have established communities of permanent residents, second-home owners and longer-stay visitors.
The two areas are often treated as one because they sit side by side. Residents share the same coastal paths, restaurants and local services, and many people move between them every day without thinking of a boundary. Each has its own character, though, and that matters when choosing where to buy.
The appeal goes well beyond golf. Many residents rarely play, and choose the area for its open outlook, residential feel and access to the airport. It also suits buyers who want a quieter base than Costa Adeje or Playa de Las Américas while staying within reach of the larger resorts.
This guide covers the practical side of living in Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf. It looks at how the two areas differ, the types of property available, and what to check before you buy.
Golf del Sur & Amarilla Golf at a Glance
- Location: South coast of Tenerife, between Los Abrigos and Costa del Silencio
- Municipality: San Miguel de Abona
- Character: Established residential and resort developments set around two separate golf courses and the coast
- Main appeal: Quieter pace, golf and sea surroundings, access to the airport and motorway
- Walkability: Good within individual neighbourhoods, though distances and gradients vary
- Golf: Golf del Sur Golf Course and Amarilla Golf & Country Club, two separate neighbouring courses
- Coastline: Mainly rocky and volcanic, with coastal paths and a marina rather than long sandy beaches
- Often chosen by: Retirees, couples, second-home owners, golfers and longer-stay residents
Where Are Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf?
Both areas lie within San Miguel de Abona, a municipality that runs from the hills down to the south coast of Tenerife. The coastal part of the municipality contains two of the island’s best-known golf developments.
Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf sit close to Tenerife South Airport. For many buyers this is a major practical advantage, especially those who travel back and forth regularly or have family visiting through the year.
The two developments adjoin each other. Golf del Sur is the larger of the two, while Amarilla Golf lies on its western side, towards Costa del Silencio. In practice, the line between them is not always obvious, and property listings sometimes describe locations near the boundary in different ways.
Nearby places include:
- Los Abrigos, a small fishing village just along the coast, known locally for its seafood restaurants
- El Médano, a short drive east, with sandy beaches and a more laid-back town atmosphere
- Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje, further west, reached via the TF-1 motorway
The TF-1 motorway runs inland of both areas, giving access to the rest of the south coast and to Santa Cruz in the north-east of the island.
Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf: What Is the Difference?
Because they are so close, buyers often view properties in both areas during the same trip. Still, there are practical differences worth understanding.
Golf del Sur
Golf del Sur is the larger, more established of the two. It has a wider range of shops, bars and restaurants, and a greater number of apartment complexes.
Key features include:
- A larger mix of residential complexes, holiday apartments and hotels
- The San Blas commercial area, which provides a useful local hub
- A golf-course setting, with many properties overlooking or close to the Golf del Sur course
- A mix of tourism and permanent residents, which varies from street to street
- More day-to-day services within walking distance of many homes
Some parts of Golf del Sur feel busier, particularly near hotels and commercial centres. Other parts are distinctly residential and quiet.
Amarilla Golf
Amarilla Golf generally has a quieter, more residential feel. It is built around the Amarilla Golf & Country Club and extends down towards Amarilla Marina.
Key features include:
- Golf-course surroundings, with fairways running between residential streets
- Proximity to the marina, with its cafés and waterfront setting
- A mix of villas, townhouses and apartment developments
- Sea and golf views from many locations
- Fewer commercial centres than Golf del Sur
Neither area is better in every respect. Golf del Sur offers more convenience on the doorstep, while Amarilla Golf tends to offer a calmer setting. The right choice depends on the individual property, its exact location and how you plan to use it.
Golf and Outdoor Lifestyle
Golf is central to the identity of both areas, and each has its own course.
Golf del Sur is an established 18-hole course with a distinctive volcanic landscape and open views towards the Atlantic. Amarilla Golf & Country Club is a separate 18-hole coastal course beside Amarilla Marina, with views along the coast and up towards Mount Teide. It also has a 9-hole Pitch & Putt.
For golfers, living within walking distance of a course is a clear attraction. For non-golfers, the courses still shape daily life in useful ways:
- Open views: Fairways create space between buildings, so many homes enjoy a more open outlook than in denser resorts
- Green surroundings: The courses bring planting and landscaping into an otherwise dry part of the island
- Walking: Quiet residential roads and coastal paths make walking part of daily life for many residents
- Coastal paths: A promenade runs along parts of the shoreline, popular for morning and evening walks
- Marina environment: Amarilla Marina adds a waterfront setting, with boats, cafés and activity on the water
- Sports and leisure: Bowls has a following in the area, with a bowling green at Winter Gardens, and there are tennis and other club facilities locally
The climate supports an outdoor routine for much of the year. Many residents structure their days around walking, swimming in a communal pool, meeting friends for lunch or a round of golf.
Coastline, Marina and Beaches
It is important to be realistic about the coastline. This stretch of the south coast is quite different from the large sandy beaches of Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos.
The shoreline at Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf is mostly rocky and volcanic. That gives the area a natural, open character, but it is not a traditional beach location, and there is no large sandy beach in the immediate area.
What you will find:
- Rocky coastline: Low cliffs and lava rock, with sea views from many points
- Coastal paths: Walking routes along the shoreline, linking parts of the area
- Amarilla Marina: Moorings, waterfront cafés and restaurants, and marine activities such as diving
- Sea views: Many properties close to the coast look out over the Atlantic
- Small bathing areas: A few small coves and rocky bathing spots, where conditions depend on the sea
For a sandy beach, residents typically head to El Médano, a short drive east. Los Abrigos offers a small harbour setting. Further west, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje have more conventional resort beaches.
For many residents, the communal pool is the main place to swim day to day, with beach trips planned as outings.
Lifestyle in Golf del Sur & Amarilla Golf
Life here moves at a noticeably slower pace than in Playa de Las Américas. The area has a settled, residential feel in many places.
The general atmosphere includes:
- A mix of residents and visitors: Some complexes are mainly lived in by owners, others are popular with holidaymakers
- An international community: The area has a long-established international community, alongside Spanish and Canarian residents
- Restaurants, cafés and bars: A good choice for a residential area, concentrated around commercial centres and the marina
- Golf and marina life: Social life often centres on the golf clubs, the marina and local bars
- Residential complexes: Many people live in complexes with gardens and pools, which shape daily life and community feel
- Views: Depending on position, homes may look out to sea, across the fairways or inland towards the mountains
Days tend to be active and outdoors, while evenings are generally quieter than in the major resort centres. There is some evening life around bars and restaurants, but nothing on the scale of the larger resorts further west.
Atmosphere varies considerably between complexes and even between streets. A property near a hotel or commercial centre will feel quite different from one on a quiet residential road beside a golf course. Visiting at different times of day is the best way to judge this.
Shopping, Restaurants and Amenities
For everyday life, residents are reasonably well served locally, with larger shopping a short drive away.
Within the area:
- San Blas commercial area: A local hub in Golf del Sur with shops, cafés and restaurants
- Supermarkets: Several supermarkets and smaller food shops serve both areas
- Pharmacies: Available locally
- Cafés and restaurants: A choice of international and Spanish cuisine, spread across the commercial centres
- Bars: Mainly relaxed bars rather than late-night venues
- Everyday services: Hairdressers, estate agents, property management companies and other basic services
Around the marina:
Amarilla Marina has cafés, bars and restaurants with a waterfront setting, which many Amarilla Golf residents use regularly.
Nearby:
- Los Abrigos: Well known for seafood restaurants by the harbour, and a popular choice for lunch or dinner
- Las Chafiras: A commercial and business area near the motorway with larger stores, including furniture, DIY and household retailers
- Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje: Larger shopping centres, more restaurants and a wider choice of services
Most residents combine local shopping for daily needs with occasional trips by car for larger purchases.
Living in Golf del Sur & Amarilla Golf
Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf are well suited to year-round living, and many residents live here permanently. Others spend the winter months here or use their property as a second home.
What works well
- Quieter lifestyle: A calmer residential setting than the main resort centres
- International community: It is easy to find people in a similar situation, which helps newcomers settle
- Airport proximity: Convenient for frequent travel, visiting family and short-notice trips
- Walkability: Many daily needs can be reached on foot from much of the area
- Climate: The south coast generally enjoys a dry, sunny climate through much of the year
What to consider
- A car is useful: Some properties are some distance from the nearest shops, and a car makes larger shopping and trips across the island easier
- Terrain: Some streets slope, which can matter for anyone with limited mobility
- Wind: This part of the coast can be exposed to wind, and some locations feel it more than others
- Noise: Depending on the exact location, there may be aircraft noise, road noise or noise from nearby bars, hotels and holiday lets
- Distance from larger resorts: Theatres, larger shopping centres and busier nightlife are a drive away
The area suits retirees, couples, second-home owners and longer-stay residents particularly well. Families also live here, though those with school-age children will want to look carefully at school options and journey times.
Property in Golf del Sur & Amarilla Golf
The property market in both areas is varied, with a good range of homes for different budgets and uses.
Property types include:
- Apartments: From studios to larger multi-bedroom apartments, many within complexes with communal gardens and pools
- Townhouses: Popular with buyers wanting more space and a more house-like layout, often in low-rise developments
- Villas: Detached homes, some with private pools and gardens, more commonly found in parts of Amarilla Golf
- Established complexes: Many developments date from the main growth of the area and have mature gardens
- Newer developments: Some more recent complexes offer modern layouts and specifications
- Golf-front properties: Homes overlooking the fairways, valued for their open outlook
- Sea-view properties: Homes with views across the Atlantic, often in higher or coastal positions
Communal swimming pools are a common feature, and for many owners the pool area is the centre of complex life.
In broad terms, Golf del Sur has a larger proportion of apartment complexes, including those with a holiday-oriented feel. Amarilla Golf includes a higher share of villas and townhouses alongside apartments. There are exceptions in both areas.
The area name alone tells you relatively little. Two properties a few hundred metres apart can differ significantly in condition, outlook, noise, wind exposure and community feel. Buyers should assess the individual complex and the individual unit carefully.
Popular Complexes and Developments
Buyers looking in Golf del Sur will commonly come across established developments such as:
- Sand Club
- Winter Gardens
- The Palms
- Aguamarina Golf
- Las Adelfas
These are listed in no particular order, and there are many other complexes, townhouse developments and villas across both Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf. Each development has its own layout, age and atmosphere, and some include a mix of owner-occupied and holiday accommodation.
When comparing complexes, consider:
- Age and condition of the development and its communal areas
- Layout: apartment, townhouse or villa, and the number of floors
- Views: golf, sea or mountain, and whether they could be affected by future building
- Orientation: how much sun the property and its terrace receive
- Wind exposure: some positions are more sheltered than others
- Noise: from roads, aircraft, bars, hotels or holiday lets
- Communal pools: number, size and upkeep
- Lifts and accessibility: particularly important for retirees and longer-term living
- Parking: allocated spaces, garages or street parking
- Distance to shops and restaurants: and whether the walk is level or sloping
- Community fees: what they cover and how they compare with similar complexes
- Management: how the community is run and maintained
- Residential or holiday feel: the balance of owners and short-stay visitors
Conditions can vary considerably between individual units within the same complex. Orientation, floor level, renovation history and position within the development all make a difference. Always view the specific property rather than relying on the reputation of the complex.
What to Check Before Buying
Buying in Tenerife follows a clear process, but careful checks are essential. Before committing, it is sensible to look at:
- Land Registry details: Confirm ownership, description of the property and any charges or debts registered against it
- Cadastral description: Check that the cadastral record is consistent with the property and the registry entry
- Community fees: Confirm the current fees and whether they are paid up to date
- Community minutes: Review recent minutes for disputes, planned works or recurring issues
- Extraordinary assessments: Ask whether any special payments have been agreed or are being discussed
- Authorised alterations: Check whether any extensions, enclosed terraces or changes have the necessary permissions
- Building condition: Look at the structure, roof, terraces, plumbing and communal areas
- Orientation: Consider sun exposure through the day and across the seasons
- Wind exposure: Visit on more than one day if possible, as conditions can vary
- Aircraft noise: Depending on the exact location, this may be noticeable
- Parking: Confirm what is included and how it is documented
- Accessibility: Steps, slopes and lifts all matter for long-term living
- Holiday-let rules: If you plan to rent out the property, check what regulations and community rules may apply, as these can be complex and may change
Independent legal advice from a lawyer experienced in Canary Islands property is strongly recommended. A lawyer can review the documents, explain your obligations and help protect your position before you sign.
Transport and Getting Around
Walking: Many residents walk to local shops, restaurants, the golf courses and the coast. How practical this is depends on where the property sits.
Buses: Public bus services connect the area with nearby towns and the wider south of the island. Timetables and routes are worth checking before relying on them.
Taxis: Taxis are available and are commonly used for airport transfers and evenings out.
Car use: A car makes day-to-day life easier for many residents, particularly for larger shopping trips, visits to other parts of the island and properties further from the commercial centres.
Road connections:
- TF-1 motorway: Runs inland of the area, linking the south coast with the rest of the island
- Tenerife South Airport: Close by, which is a major convenience for travel
- Los Abrigos and El Médano: A short drive east along local roads
- Las Chafiras: Close to the motorway for larger shopping
- Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje: Reached via the TF-1 heading west
Things to Do Nearby
Life here is generally outdoors and low-key, with plenty within reach:
- Golf: Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf on the doorstep, with other courses elsewhere on the island
- Coastal walks: Paths along the shoreline for daily walking
- Marina activities: Boat trips, diving and waterfront dining at Amarilla Marina
- Los Abrigos: Seafood restaurants beside the harbour
- El Médano: Sandy beaches, cafés and a well-known windsurfing and kitesurfing scene
- Los Cristianos, Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje: Larger beaches, shopping, restaurants and entertainment
- Teide National Park: A drive inland and uphill, offering a very different landscape and walking routes
Is Golf del Sur or Amarilla Golf Right for You?
The area suits many buyers well, but it is not the right choice for everyone. A balanced view helps.
A good fit for
- Buyers wanting a quieter south Tenerife location
- Golfers who want a course close to home
- Second-home owners who value easy airport access
- Retirees looking for a settled community and a calmer pace
- Longer-stay residents spending the winter on the island
- Buyers who value sea, golf or marina surroundings
- Buyers looking for apartments, townhouses or villas, with a good range of each
Possible drawbacks
- There is no large sandy beach within the immediate area
- Nightlife is quieter than in the major resorts
- Many residents find a car useful
- Proximity to the airport may matter to noise-sensitive buyers, depending on location
- Atmosphere differs significantly between individual complexes
- Parts of the coastline can be exposed to wind
For many buyers, the right answer depends less on Golf del Sur versus Amarilla Golf and more on finding the right complex, street and individual property. Spending time in both areas, at different times of day, is the most reliable way to decide.
Explore Golf del Sur & Amarilla Golf with Tenerife Property Gallery
Choosing where to buy in Golf del Sur or Amarilla Golf involves more than comparing listings. Knowing how complexes differ, how a particular location feels day to day and which property types suit your plans can make a real difference.
Tenerife Property Gallery can help you:
- Compare Golf del Sur and Amarilla Golf based on how you intend to live
- Understand the differences between individual complexes and developments
- Identify property types that suit your needs, whether an apartment, townhouse or villa
- Arrange viewings across both areas
- Browse available property in Golf del Sur, Amarilla Golf and elsewhere in south Tenerife
Whether you are planning a permanent move, a second home or longer stays on the island, our team is happy to talk through your options and help you find a property that fits.
