On one of Europe's most famous holiday islands, Tenerife, Los Cristianos is a resort that caters to all types of traveller, from families looking for a relaxed beach holiday with all the facilities to couples seeking some sunny romance and young travellers in search of a party. More laidback and less bustling than the neighbouring resort of Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos is built around an old fishing village. As part of a 16km (10-mile) stretch of resorts, which includes Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje to the north, Los Cristianos has plenty to see and do and is blessed with year-round sunshine, making it a perfect holiday destination at any time.

Compared to neighbouring Playa de Las Américas, Los Cristianos tends to attract less of the 18-35 crowd and more a mix of families and couples. Most visitors have in common the desire to seek guaranteed year-round sunshine in a chain of islands that lies just off the African coast, making Los Cristianos an ideal winter sun holiday destination.

Los Cristianos is on the southwest coast of the Spanish island of Tenerife, merging with its sister resorts of Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje to the north, a 15-minute drive from Tenerife's main airport, Reina Sofia.

The resort spreads out below the slopes of Montana Chayofita and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean on a holiday strip that includes the resorts of Playa de Las Américas and Costa Adeje.

The signature sandy beach at Los Cristianos is Playa de Los Cristianos, a sweeping stretch of sand that is laced with sun loungers and plenty of space to unfurl your towel and relax. Playa de Las Vistas is another beach option, lying between Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Américas.

Visit Los Cristianos' neighbouring resorts: Playa de Las Américas is the busiest resort on Tenerife with all the facilities to go with it and a legendary nightlife scene, while sophisticated Costa Adeje offers a choice of classy restaurants. Burn off some holiday calories with a hike up Montana Gauza, a peak that opens up sweeping views of southern Tenerife.

Los Cristianos is an excellent resort for families with a choice of beaches that are well suited to younger holidaymakers and plenty of family-friendly restaurants. Kids and big kids alike can enjoy a choice of two water parks: Aqualand (15 Avenida de Austria, Costa Adeje) has myriad pools, slides, waterfalls and dolphin shows; and new in 2007 is Oriental-themed Siam Park (Costa Adeje), which is full of white-knuckle rides and a 3m-high artificial wave where you can get surfing lessons.

Many shops in Los Cristianos are unashamedly geared towards the holiday trade and if you are looking for a swimsuit, snorkel mask or sangria in a cheesy jug you won't be disappointed. Supermarkets are the best place to snare cheap cigarettes and alcohol. Locals tend to do much of their shopping in Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz, in the northeast, though there is a market in Playa de Las Américas on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Los Cristianos boasts a lively nightlife scene with an extensive choice of bars, cafés and clubs. For families nightlife normally consists an alfresco meal overlooking the Mediterranean. Younger adults tend to pop over to the neighbouring resort of Playa de Las Américas where the heart of the action is on the ‘The Strip,' where buzzing bars compete for holidaymakers through drinks promotions, with plenty of dancefloor action to move on to afterwards.

Cafes and restaurants abound in Los Cristianos. The range of choice in the resort is impressive, with everything from standard British pub grub and takeaway hamburgers through to Chinese restaurants and eateries that serve up traditional Canarian cuisine. The neighbouring resorts also await hungry holidaymakers, with Costa Adeje in particular renowned for its upmarket restaurants.

The island bus service is fairly frequent with a comprehensive route, with much of Tenerife covered by highways. Hire cars are the easiest way to get around the island, although more daring visitors can also rent bikes and motorbikes. Taxi ranks are dotted throughout Los Cristianos.

February is the time to head for Santa Cruz, Tenerife's capital, for the colourful spectacle of Carnaval (website: www.carnavaltenerife.com), when the streets throng with revellers deep into the night and holidaymakers are welcome. The Teide volcano (accessible by cable car or on a long hike) makes for a thrilling day trip as the views from Spain's highest mountain are sweeping, while there are also whale-watching trips from Los Cristianos.

Enjoy the lap of luxury at the lavish five-star hotel Gran Hotel Melia Bahia del Duque (Avenida de Bruselas) in Costa Adeje. Even if you are not staying, you can relax in one of the restaurants dotted around the expansive grounds and soak up the ocean views.  Choose from one of this resort hotel's eclectic choice of eight restaurants.

Tenerife South Reina Sofia (TFS)