Costa Adeje holidays

Kids in tow? No problem. The sandy beaches are perfect for families too – think warm, shallow seas, as well as plenty of watersports and snorkelling opportunities. Small coves can also be found throughout the promenade walk that weaves along the seashore, or you can head to the wide stretches of sand at Playa de Fañabe and Playa del Duque.

You’ll also find the cobbled streets of old Los Cristianos, packed with tapas bars and traders selling locally made handicrafts, just a short drive away. It’s in this fishing village that you can still catch a glimpse of how things were in south Tenerife before the resorts were built.

By night, back in Costa Adeje, the lounge bars fill with a stylish clientele, and the live music acts warm-up for the evening ahead. A relaxed atmosphere means there’s something for all ages here, with child-friendly restaurants and classic pubs. For a wilder party, the young-at-heart can live it up in the neon-lit Playa de las Americas.

Summer is another peak season, when hotel and flight costs increase. July and August are the hottest months, reaching highs of 29C – perfect for beach days and watersports on Playa del Duque.

For cheaper Costa Adeje holidays, aim to travel in the shoulder seasons – March to May or October to November – before the summer and winter crowds arrive.

Spring is a particularly lovely time of year for walking in Teide National Park, while autumn still has the warmth of the previous months to enjoy.

Tenerife’s southern coastline has a mix of dark volcanic beaches and gold-sand stretches – and Costa Adeje is home to some of the best.

Playa de Fañabe is the main beach with volcanic sand, shallow waters and plenty of family-friendly facilities. A little further north, Playa del Duque is the headliner, with chic beach bars and restaurants, watersports, and plenty of space to spread out on a sun-lounger.

Mount Teide

Towering over the entire island, Mount Teide is not only the crowning glory of Tenerife but also, with a summit that reaches a staggering 3,718m (12,198ft), the highest peak in Spain.

From Costa Adeje, take a tour or drive to the Teide National Park. The journey is nothing short of epic – resort scenery changes to pine trees then moon-like craters as you travel upwards. Unless you're feeling hardy enough to make the five-hour trek, there's a cable car to the highest viewing point.

Los Gigantes

These volcanic cliffs are just as their name describes: gigantic. A ridge of 600m (1,969ft) rock rises up out of the ocean, creating jaw-dropping views along the coast.

Hop on a boat trip from Los Cristianos to see the peaks at their best and look out for dolphins and pilot whales along the way. The area is renowned for marine wildlife, so don’t forget your snorkel.

Siam Park and Aqualand

These two waterparks are enough to keep even the most energetic of offspring busy for a week. At the Thai-themed Siam Park you’ll find all sorts of crazy slides and rides for all ages. Feeling steely-nerved? Try tackling the Tower of Power, a near-vertical 28m (92ft) chute that guarantees to leave you trembling.

Aqualand, meanwhile, has everything from tsunami slides to twisting rapids and a wave pool. Just don't be surprised if you have just as much fun as the kids!

La Gomera

You’ll need to take a ferry trip from Los Cristianos to visit this tiny island – but it’s worth the effort. The quiet capital, San Sebastian, feels like it’s a world away from the built-up resorts of southern Tenerife. Many day trips take in the Garajonay National Park, stopping at viewing points to see the untamed rocky landscape where laurel forests thrive among the deep valleys.

While La Gomera is a walker’s paradise, you really need to spend a few days here to make the most of its hiking trails.

Heading south to Fañabe beach, prices drop, and there’s a wider variety of hotels and apartments. You’re also close to Aqualand and Siam Park, so it’s an easy win for fun days out too.

For travellers on a budget

Staying further inland and away from the beach can save you loads of cash on accommodation. Many hotels and resorts on the hillside are a 20–30-minute walk from Playa de Fañabe or Playa del Duque – but pick one with a pool and you won’t necessarily need to take the walk every day.

You can also find cheap package holidays to Costa Adeje in the southern area, close to Playa de las Americas. Shop around outside of peak season, and you’re sure to find a good deal to fit your budget.

For food and drink

The area around Playa del Duque is home to numerous high-end beach cafes, cocktail lounges and stylish waterfront restaurants. Dress code here is suitably smart – no bikinis or bare feet in sight – so pack to impress. Further north of here, towards La Caleta, the gourmet choices continue, as do the luxurious hotels.

Playa de Fañabe is busy with family-friendly restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. The neighbourhood also has its fair share of fine dining away from the main beachfront, including gourmet takes on traditional Canarian cuisine.

For nightlife

Costa Adeje’s nightlife is low-key and relaxed compared to its lively neighbours. That said, there’s still plenty of lounge bars with live music and chilled-out DJs to keep you entertained. While many are located along the beachfront, there are several inland.

If you want the luxury of Costa Adeje and the booming nightlife of Playa de las Americas in one holiday, stay in the south. While Playa de la Pinta (also called Puerto Colon), has plenty of bars, it’s also possible to walk or take a taxi to the Veronica’s Strip nightclubs from here, giving you the best of both worlds.

For culture

Wherever you stay in Costa Adeje, day trips to Tenerife’s cultural attractions are easy to organise through local tour operators. Often, bus pickups are direct from your hotel and will transport you to Los Cristianos, Santa Cruz or the Teide National Park.

Stay in the south of the resort, close to Playa de Troya, for a shorter journey to and from Los Cristianos port. Or, if you’re planning to visit Los Gigantes and the mountain village of Masca by car, stay further north in La Caleta. From there, you’ll be able to swiftly get on to the road you need.