Medano

Medano is a toponym derived from the Spanish word medano, meaning a sand dune. It is used for several places in the Spanish-speaking world, most prominently El Médano, a coastal town on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. The town belongs to the municipality of Granadilla de Abona and sits on the island’s southern coast, facing the Atlantic.

El Médano is known for its long sandy beaches, notably Playa de El Médano, which form a sheltered stretch popular with sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts. The area is renowned for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to the steady thermals and northeast trade winds. The adjacent Montaña Roja, a volcanic cone and natural area, dominates the landscape and provides scenic hiking routes and wildlife viewing opportunities. The local economy centers on tourism, outdoor recreation, and fishing, with many hotels, restaurants, and surf-focused shops in place.

Beyond Tenerife, the name Medano appears in other Spanish-speaking regions, reflecting its meaning as a dune or sandpile. These places typically reference coastal or desert landscapes shaped by drifting sand.