Playa Solmar

Just about every weekday, vacationers leave their cruise ships in droves and head to the popular Playa del Amor or Playa Médano, ready to spend their port time relaxing on the shore. So what do you do if you want a little sand, peace and quiet?

Try Playa Solmar, a lesser-known but just-as-beautiful stretch located on the Pacific side of Land's End. This beach mainly caters to guests of its four resorts: The Solmar Suites, TerraSol Beach Resort, Playa Grande Resort and the Hotel Finisterra, so you'll have less people to share sun time with and potentially less beach vendors as well. The trick is getting there. To do so, you'll have to make a semi-steep climb up some rocks on Playa del Amor, so wear comfortable, sturdy shoes for the trek.

You don't have to pay to lounge on Playa Solmar, and there are no set hours of operation. However, recent travelers advise against swimming after dark.