Arona Town Hall is drawing up a series of proposals to increase parking capacity in Los Cristianos, as it looks to tackle the long-standing shortage of spaces in one of Tenerife's busiest tourist resorts.
The planned projects focus on key areas including the port, the town centre and the popular beachfront, where demand for parking regularly exceeds supply, particularly during peak tourist periods.
800-Space Port Car Park Sparks Opposition
The largest proposal is a three-storey car park with more than 800 spaces planned for the current parking area next to Los Cristianos Port.
The project has already generated significant controversy, with both local residents and members of Arona's governing administration expressing concerns over its potential visual impact. A recent public demonstration highlighted growing opposition to the scheme.
The proposal is being promoted by Spain's State Ports Authority (Puertos del Estado), but Arona Town Hall says it is still waiting for detailed technical information about the design.
Rather than a large multi-storey structure overlooking the harbour, the council has said it would prefer either a surface-level expansion or an underground facility to reduce its impact on the seafront.
More Parking Projects Under Consideration
Several other schemes are also being explored across Los Cristianos.
One proposal would create an underground car park beneath Avenida Habana, one of the town's busiest roads, serving the commercial district and providing access to Las Vistas Beach, El Camisón and Los Cristianos.
Another project would see parking facilities built near the roundabout leading to the port, replacing part of an existing green area.
Meanwhile, plans remain in place for a car park with around 500 spaces near the Antonio Domínguez Stadium, close to Hospiten Sur. Although this project was awarded to a contractor several years ago, the council says this situation must first be resolved before work can move forward.
Demand Continues to Grow
The latest proposals come shortly after Arona Council approved a change in the operator managing the existing underground car park in Los Cristianos.
That facility, which provides just over 100 parking spaces, is widely regarded as no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand from residents, workers and the millions of tourists who visit the resort each year.
With traffic and parking continuing to be major concerns in southern Tenerife, the council says it is assessing several options in an effort to improve accessibility while balancing the needs of residents, businesses and holidaymakers.
