The Origins of Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos, now the tourist epicenter of southern Tenerife and Spain’s busiest passenger port, hides layers of history behind its name. The oldest surviving reference dates back to 1511 in a notarial protocol, which mentions “puerto de Adeje que se llama de los Cristianos,” proving the name was already in use just fifteen years after the Castilian conquest.
Two Theories Behind the Name
Two hypotheses explain the origin of the name. Historian Juan Bethencourt Alfonso recorded an oral tradition from the early 1500s, where ships left around 200 men on the beach—many mutilated and some Christian priests. The Guanches allegedly called them “Babylonians,” confusing their religion with their origin, and the beach became known as “the port of the Christians.” While no contemporary documents confirm this, the 1523 Cabildo minutes already use the name, suggesting a deep-rooted local memory.
The second theory ties the name to the 16th- and 17th-century defensive system against Berber raids. Maps and military reports from the era often paired names like “Barranco de los Moros” with “Barranco de los Cristianos,” symbolizing safe (“Christian”) versus dangerous (“Moorish”) areas. The nearby “Ladera de los Moritos” further supports this symbolic opposition.
Early Economic Activity
By 1601, the Royal Revenue records mention “lime kilns where they call Los Cristianos,” indicating early economic activity around Chayofita mountain, now part of the town center. For centuries, the bay facilitated modest trade, exporting cochineal and tomatoes, until the mid-20th century when regular maritime routes to La Gomera and El Hierro transformed it into the archipelago’s hub.
Modern-Day Los Cristianos
Today, Los Cristianos is a bustling tourist destination with over 20,000 residents and peak tourist numbers doubling that. The port, modernized in 2016, handled a record 6.5 million passengers in 2024. Ferries and catamarans depart continuously for La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, while the old fishermen’s quarter now brims with international restaurants, dive shops, and bars overlooking Playa de las Vistas—a man-made beach where the Ladera de los Moritos once stood.
The contrast between the legend of mutilated “Christians” and today’s flip-flop-clad travelers highlights how history, geography, and economics have shaped Los Cristianos into a unique and unforgettable destination.
