Luxury That Doesn't Make You Feel Guilty

Costa Adeje is where Tenerife puts on its posh frock. This sun-soaked stretch of the south coast delivers gorgeous beaches, upmarket beach clubs and brilliant facilities without sacrificing style – think sophistication with flip-flops. You're close enough to Playa de las Américas to pop over when you fancy more action and far enough away to enjoy a chilled cocktail in peace.

☀️ Good to Know

• ☀️ Year-round sunshine – temperatures hover around 22-28°C all year, so even January feels like summer

• 💶 Mid-range to upmarket – expect to pay around €5-6 for a pint and €15-20 for a main course at a decent restaurant

• 🌴 Fun fact – Playa del Duque is regularly compared to the French Riviera, complete with yachts bobbing in the harbour and designer beach clubs

Costa Adeje Highlights

• 🏖️ Three stunning beaches including the golden sands of Playa del Duque – one of the prettiest in the Canaries

• 🎢 Home to Siam Park, officially voted the world's best waterpark (yes, really)

• 🐋 Whale and dolphin watching trips depart right from the harbour – you're almost guaranteed a sighting

• 🌋 Mount Teide day trips put you at Spain's highest peak with jaw-dropping volcanic landscapes

• 🍷 Michelin-starred dining and beach clubs serving cocktails that taste like liquid sunshine

Beaches That Belong on Postcards

• Playa del Duque is the absolute star - this gorgeous beach with its white sand, crystal-clear water, and upmarket beach clubs feels more like the French Riviera than the Canary Islands. The beach is beautifully maintained and has some of the island's best beach restaurants where you can have lunch with your toes in the sand while watching yachts bob about in the harbour.

• Playa de Fañabé is another beauty - slightly larger and more family-friendly, but equally stunning. The promenade behind the beach is perfect for evening strolls, lined with palm trees and excellent restaurants with outdoor terraces where you can dine while watching the sunset paint the sky in ridiculous shades of orange and pink.

Shopping and Sophistication

The Plaza del Duque shopping centre is absolutely gorgeous - it's designed like a traditional Canarian village but filled with designer shops, excellent restaurants, and that lovely open-air layout that makes shopping feel like a leisurely stroll rather than a mission. You've got everything from high-end fashion to local crafts.

Dining That'll Ruin You for Chain Restaurants

Restaurante Kazan does incredible Japanese fusion cuisine that'll transport you straight to Tokyo (but with better views), while La Torre del Mirador offers fine dining with panoramic ocean views that make every meal feel like a special occasion.

For something more relaxed, Monkey Beach Club combines excellent food with a brilliant beachfront location and cocktails that taste like liquid sunshine. El Rincón de Juan Carlos has a Michelin star and serves creative Canarian cuisine that proves local food can be absolutely world-class when done properly.

🏨 Where to Stay in Costa Adeje

Families

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dreams Jardin Tropical – Subtropical gardens, kids' club, teens' club and a wellness centre for when the parents need a breather. Just 200m from the beach.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Hovima La Pinta Beachfront Family Hotel – Direct beach access from the pool, kids' playground, children's pool and entertainment to keep everyone happy.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 GF Gran Costa Adeje – Five-star family fun with three pools, a kids' club, rooftop bar for the grown-ups and sea views that'll have you reaching for your phone.

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tagoro Costa Adeje – Kids' club, splash pool, playground and a free shuttle to nearby beaches. Plus a spa for when you need some adult time.

Couples

• 💑 Melia Jardines del Teide - Adults Only – Hillside location with panoramic views, two pools, lush gardens and a free shuttle to El Duque beach.

• 💑 ADRIAN Hoteles Colón Guanahaní - Adults Only – Colonial-style elegance just 150m from Fañabé beach, with heated seawater pools, jacuzzi and a spa.

• 💑 Hovima Costa Adeje - Adults Only – Four-star comfort near Torviscas Beach with pools, tennis courts and evening entertainment.

• 💑 JOIA El Mirador by Iberostar - Adults Only – Right by Playa del Duque with two huge pools, squash courts and that upmarket Costa Adeje vibe.

Luxury

• ✨ Riu Palace Tenerife – Beachfront five-star with spa, mini golf, multiple restaurants and direct access to the sand.

• ✨ JOIA Salome by Iberostar - Adults Only – Exclusive suites with sea views, private butlers, gourmet dining and a Thai-inspired spa.

• ✨ H10 Costa Adeje Palace – Seafront luxury with contemporary design, multiple pools and entertainment for all ages.

• ✨ Royal River - Adults Only – Brand new suites and villas with private pools, rooftop dining and a champagne bar. Proper fancy.

🏖️ What to Do in Costa Adeje

Families

• 🎢 Siam Park is the main event – wave pools, incredible waterslides and lazy rivers. Widely voted the best waterpark in the world, and honestly, it lives up to the hype.

• 🐬 Book a whale and dolphin watching trip from Puerto Colón harbour. You're almost guaranteed to spot pilot whales, and the kids will be buzzing for days.

• 💦 Aqualand Costa Adeje is brilliant for younger kids – gentler slides, splash zones and a sea lion show that'll keep the whole family entertained.

• 🏖️ Playa de Fañabé has calm, shallow waters perfect for paddling, plus a palm-lined promenade with ice cream stops and beachfront restaurants.

Couples

• 🌅 Playa del Duque is the glamorous one – white sand, crystal-clear water and upmarket beach clubs where you can have lunch with your toes in the sand.

• ⛵ Take a sunset catamaran cruise along the coast – most include drinks, snacks and swimming stops at hidden coves.

• 💆 The spa scene is top-notch. Many hotels have excellent wellness centres, or treat yourselves to a couples' massage with ocean views.

• 🍷 Fine dining doesn't get much better – El Rincón de Juan Carlos has a Michelin star, and Restaurante Kazan does incredible Japanese fusion.

Groups

• 🎉 Playa de las Américas is right next door for bigger nights out. Veronica's Strip has bars, clubs and neon lights keeping the party going until sunrise.

• 🚤 Book a booze cruise or party boat from Puerto Colón – swimming, snorkelling, unlimited drinks and tunes blasting across the Atlantic.

• 🏌️ Several golf courses sit within easy reach, including the highly-rated Golf Costa Adeje – proper challenging holes with volcano views.

• 🍹 Papagayo Beach Club combines beach bar vibes with a nightclub – cocktails by day, DJs after dark.

Culture Seekers

• 🌋 Mount Teide is unmissable. Take the cable car up Spain's highest peak for otherworldly volcanic landscapes and views across the island.

• 🛒 Browse Costa Adeje Market for local crafts, souvenirs and a bit of haggling practice. The Thursday and Saturday markets in Los Cristianos are worth a wander too.

• 🎭 Time your visit for Carnival (February/March) – Tenerife's celebrations rival Rio with incredible costumes, parades and street parties.

• 🏘️ Take a day trip to the colonial town of La Orotava in the north for cobbled streets, traditional architecture and the famous Corpus Christi flower carpets (June).

🗺️ Nearby Resorts

Costa Adeje sits in the heart of Tenerife's "Golden Triangle" – three interconnected resorts along the sunny south coast:

• 🎉 Playa de las Américas – The party capital. Buzzing nightlife, brilliant beaches and that proper "holiday in the sun" atmosphere. Veronica's Strip is legendary for big nights out.

• ⚓ Los Cristianos – The original fishing village turned resort. More authentic Canarian vibes, great value restaurants around the harbour and ferries to La Gomera.

• 🏝️ Playa Paraiso – Home to the Hard Rock Hotel and some seriously swanky stays. Quieter than the main resorts but with easy access to everything.

• 🌊 Playa de la Arena – Dramatic black volcanic beaches on the west coast. More laid-back and a bit off the beaten track.