Costa Adeje

If you’re looking for your summer jaunt to ooze glamour, panache and sophistication, Costa Adeje, on the southern shore of Tenerife, could well be the place for you.

The resorts here are luxurious, as are the designer labels found in the shops. And the waterfront restaurants that peer out onto the Blue Flag beaches mean this coastal town has plenty of feathers in its cap.

When to go

The Canary Islands are positioned close to Africa, so the temperature is rarely what you’d describe as brisk, given the fact it doesn’t really ever fall below 18°C. Average temperatures in the hottest months – July to October – are around 24°C.

Fresher daily temperatures of 19°C can be enjoyed between November and June.

Top Attractions

The celebration of their patron saint, San Sebastian, will be the prize for those heading to Costa Adje for some winter sun. It’s a horse-bathing ceremony where you’ll witness ranchers and local farmers ride their horses into the sea, which is something to behold, followed, of course, by a fiesta.

If you find yourself in Costa Adeje at all, there’s a good chance the allure of labels and bling is what brought you there in the first place. The Plaza del Duque mall has the only Cartier store on the whole island, so that’ll give you an idea of what other fare can be found within.

Beaches

Light vs dark: The shadowy, volcanic Playa Fañabe strip contrasts brilliantly with the golden sands (imported from the Sahara) of the Playa del Duque. Both of which have Blue Flag status.

Both also have an abundance of bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as water sports for the energetic, and sun loungers for the less so.

Dining

Dining is one of the resort’s main attractions. There are countless boutiques and traditional establishments to pop into and try your luck. Beachfront bars offering good menus, better cocktails, and karaoke include Moonlight and Kuala Lumpur Beach Bar.

Coeur de Filet is an elegant restaurant popular with the locals – always a good sign – while Tony Romas and the superb French cuisine of La Villa Chez Damien also come highly recommended. Wherever you end up, make sure you try the authentic local dish sancocho (local fish stew).

Entertainment

Siam Park will draw a crowd from all across Europe with its I Love Music festival. Or, for music made with instruments instead of computers, the bars of Calle Colon have a host of excellent local bands.

And when they all pack up, the short taxi ride to Playa de las Americas will carry you through until the wee morning hours. Or the very popular El Faro Chill Art Bar may be more to your taste, should you wish to wind down the evening in a more sensible manner.

Culture

If you’re after a bit of culture, Costa Adeje has several hiking trails taking you into Mount Teide National Park volcanic hills, where you can find the world’s 3rd largest volcano. The cable cars that pass over it, rather than running up it, seem like a safer option to us.

If you don’t mind travelling further afield, nature lovers will lap-up a trip to the island of La Gomera or the spectacular Garajonay National Park.

Sports

If taking a hike up the aforementioned volcanic hills doesn’t float your boat, maybe the sea will. From jet-skis, kayaking and paragliding, to snorkelling and scuba diving, and (of course) surfing and banana boating, Costa Adeje more-or-less has all bases covered.

If you like your water mixed with even more adrenaline, the waterslides of Siam Park could be just what you’re looking for.

If you’d like to check out the area from a different vantage point, why not take a helicopter tour?

Getting around

Taxis are plentiful and cheap, but in and around the resorts it’s easy enough to get by on foot. Scooters and also available and bus routes connect the nearby resorts if you want to see a bit more of the island.