The 7 best things to do in Tenerife's Costa Adeje, from sunbathing to whale watching
Much like other Canary Islands, Tenerife is shaking off its reputation as a destination for soulless resorts and party culture, as travellers discover its dramatic volcanic landscapes, varied wildlife and lively traditions. Among the other Canary Islands, Tenerife stands out as wonderfully varied, with charming towns and unique nature in abundance.
If it's history and culture you're after, you'll find much to explore in the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with its storied squares, markets and arts centres, such as the must-see Auditorio de Tenerife. And by heading southwest to Costa Adeje, you'll have the best beaches and a bounty of activities for all ages on your doorstep.
With designer shopping halls, five-star resorts and excellent dining options, Costa Adeje is a cut above other coastal resorts on the island. But its natural beauty is its trump card. As a natural enclave, its beaches are great for sheltered bathing, while the marine life and volcanic rock structures are best explored by dipping below the glimmering surface.
If you've exhausted its plentiful sands, Costa Adeje is also a playground of activities with mountain hikes, water parks and nature reserves, making the area ideal for a stress-free family trip.
To aid the planning of your holiday, we've rounded up some of the best things to do in Costa Adeje.
1. Soak up some sun
One of the main appeals of Costa Adeje is its beaches, and for good reason. You'll find both dark volcanic and soft golden sands, paired with crystal-clear waters. Choose between Blue Flag beaches – an indication of cleanliness and safety – Playa del Duque and Playa Fañabe. While the latter volcanic beach offers a range of beach clubs and bars and is ideal for paddling, Playa del Duque is a glorious sandy sweep with sunbed and umbrella rental and gorgeous sunset views.
2. Tee off with glorious views
Tenerife has long been a hot spot for golf, but few areas rival Costa Adeje with its mild climate and numerous courses. The 18-hole championship course at Golf Costa Adeja has hosted several European Tours, while there are six lakes to contend with at the beginner-friendly Los Lagos nine-hole course. Book an early tee-off to enjoy the spectacular coastal views across to the island of La Gomera, before temperatures warm up too much.
3. Splash around in a Thai-themed waterpark
The expansive Siam Park calls itself a 'Water Kingdom', which is fitting considering the number of rides and attractions it boasts, both for children and big kids. Adrenaline-inducing slides, a lazy river, child-friendly areas and gentle wave pools guarantee hours of fun, while the VIP cabañas offer a welcome breather from the action and the chance to soak up some sun.
4. Take a cable car up Mount Teide
Although an hour's drive away, it's worth the day trip from Costa Adeje to visit the awe-inspiring Mount Teide volcano and its surrounding national park. While keen hikers might opt to clamber up the 3,718-metre peak, the cable car gets you within 200 metres of the top and offers breathtaking views along the way. From there, explore the park's extraordinary terrain marked with its dramatic caldera, hardened lava tongues and caves as well as fauna and flora unique to the Canary Islands. Alternatively, wait till dusk to experience the park's exceptional starlit skies. After watching the sun slip behind the rugged peaks, stargaze with a guide and a long-range telescope.
5. Hike through a nature reserve
With rich soil, year-round sunshine, and a unique microclimate, Tenerife is home to rich ecological diversity, including 140 endemic plant species. No place shows this off better than Barranco del Infierno or 'Hell's Gorge' – the dramatic geographical features of which earn the attraction its name. Book a walking tour to see the Protected Natural Area's remarkable wildlife, including species only found in the reserve. Following an old shepherd's path, the hike lasts around three-and-a-half hours and showcases the coast's terrain with a series of vantage points over the ravine.
6. Go whale watching
The island's extraordinary wildlife extends beyond its shores as marine mammals like to bask in the warm waters of the strait between Tenerife and La Gomera. Thanks to reliable sailing conditions, whale and dolphin sightings from Costa Adeje are second-to-none. Head out on boat trips launching from Puerto Colón marina, while those with smaller children might prefer the Royal Delfin's catamaran for its below-deck viewing windows. Whatever your vessel, spotting the resident population of pilot whales and bottlenose dolphins is highly likely, but keep your eyes peeled for minke, sperm and killer whales too.
7. Dive with turtles and rays
While boat trips take you further off shore, diving close by is the best way to see Tenerife's miraculous mix of marine life. Costa Adeje is a top snorkelling spot with pristine waters and dramatic underwater topography marked by caves, canyons and arches. In water regulated by the Gulf Stream, stingrays, green sea turtles, moray eels and angel sharks (not considered dangerous) are among the life you'll spot beneath the surface. Choose from the many PADI-approved diving schools in the area, where you can find your feet in pool lessons, before joining guided dives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Ross Barkley looks worse for wear as he parties with former Premier League star in Barcelona
Ross Barkley looks to be making most of his summer break as he was seen partying with a former Rangers star John Lundstram in Barcelona on Thursday. The pair have been close friends since they were teenagers, having played for Everton and England U20s. Barkley now plays for Aston Villa, where he managed four goals and two assists in 30 appearances in all competitions last season. Lundstram, meanwhile, plays for the Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, having joined from Rangers in 2024. And they both enjoyed their time off as they attended an all-night music event in one of Spain's most lively cities. The pair were pictured in the the VIP area of Eastenderz - OFFWEEK Castle's 6pm to 6am event in Barcelona which featured eight artists performing through the night. Lundstram has enjoyed a decent first season in Turkey's top flight with Trabzonspor after he left Rangers last summer. He has featured for the Turkish side 44 times, scoring four goals and assisting once. Lundstram enjoyed a Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup victory during his time at the Ibrox club.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
How ‘boring Bordeaux' is having a wine renaissance
Bordeaux is undoubtedly the most famous wine-producing region in the world, but I have to admit: I've had a slightly complicated relationship with their wines, and I wonder if that's the same for you, too? While it has delivered some of my most memorable drinking experiences, there have been moments over the years when I've found it dated and fusty. It seemed as though it was the preserve of a 'certain sort' of person – and I am definitely not that person. But that's all changing. Bordeaux and wine conjure images of being a bastion of tradition, and to an extent it is. Its winemaking history dates back over 2,000 years, but it was the marriage of Henry II to the brilliant Eleanor of Aquitaine that saw the UK develop close links with Bordeaux, as the marriage brought the Duchy of Aquitaine – including the Bordeaux region – under English rule. While territories and lines on the maps moved, the valuable trading remained intact (give or take a few little mishaps). It's an incredibly difficult region to characterise as it produces both the world's most expensive wines and, at the same time, some of the cheapest wines available. But despite the tradition, I really see Bordeaux as one of the most innovative and proactive wine regions when it comes to responding to the challenges that it faces – namely the evolution of customer preferences, climate change and a push for greater sustainability. It's a region that's adapting – and it needs to. In 2024, the French government proposed a scheme costing £100m that would potentially remove up to 30,000 hectares of vines to tackle the pressing issue of oversupply in Bordeaux. It mirrors the overall global trend where production outstrips demand – with that figure being as high as 10 per cent, according to figures relating to 2023 released by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. But Bordeaux's proactive spirit is likely to be the essence that allows this region to thrive once again. It's a region that is leading the way in viticultural sustainability – over 75 per cent of Bordeaux's vineyards are certified by some form of environmental approach, including organic, biodynamic and High Environmental Value certifications. The department of Gironde, the area where Bordeaux is located, is the leading area in France for organically cultivated vines. There is a greater drive for biodiversity in the vineyard through increased plantings in hedges and woodlands, too. There's also a dynamic approach to the variety of vines that are allowed to be planted, including those that are likely to be more resistant to the pressures of climate change. And it's not just the viticultural side of wine. The CIVB ( Bordeaux Wine Council) is driving conversations and actions, not just around environmental protection, but also on the human sustainability of wine production. The regional diversity in the styles available is staggering; the growing trend towards fresher, more approachable wines being a testament to this. It seems I'm not alone in my opinion on Bordeaux: Richard Bamfield MW, a regional expert on Bordeaux, told me, 'It makes no sense to me that Bordeaux is finding it so hard to sell its wines at present. Most of its production sells for well under £20, the reds have never been better, the dry whites are perfect by-the-glass material, the crémants look great value and, in Clairet, I think they have a rosé/light red that offers an excellent alternative to Provence. What's more, Bordeaux itself has become one of the best cities in Europe to visit. Those not drinking or visiting Bordeaux are missing out!' And that's not even mentioning the outstanding sweet wines, traditional rosés and orange wines too. And this is exactly what I felt on a visit to a wine fair recently in the charming town of Monsegur, located on the edge of the Bordeaux region. It was brimming with excitement. The joy in tasting a stunning range of wines produced by energetic and engaged producers felt a world away from the hushed clinks of claret in 'society' gentlemen's clubs. And so, like all good love stories, I think Bordeaux and I are finding our beautiful happily-ever-after – one that evolves over time through the range of styles and the stories that they tell. So, if you think you're a little like me, I think it's time you gave them a second chance as well. Here's just a tiny selection of Bordeaux, which represents this new and exciting energy: No Lemon No Melon White Merlot, Chateau Picoron, France, 2023 Available nationwide, including Thorne Wines, £18.95, 13 per cent ABV Think of Bordeaux and you might think of deep reds – but what about their whites? While the region makes outstanding sauvignon blanc/semillon blends, this is 100 per cent merlot (yes, you read that right). Made by some merlot-mad Australians who work outside of the appellation c ontrôlée, the grapes were pressed and whisked away from their skins, leaving a beautiful rose-gold tinged white wine. It's a gorgeous glass of soft white peaches, creamy butter, slices of ripe pineapple with a lick of vanilla on top – good acidity keeps this wine fresh and very fun. Le Benjamin, Chateau Des Annereaux, France, 2021 Available nationwide, including Forest Wines, £15.00, 13 per cent ABV Made in Lalande-de-Pomerol, a right bank region neighbouring the famed area of Pomerol, this offers great value for money. Benjamin Hessel is a wonderful example of the 'new generation' of Bordeaux; he's deeply passionate both about his role as custodian of the land and the relationships with the people he works with. It's a medium-bodied merlot with a drop of petit verdot, delivering a palate of deep black cherries, ripe blackcurrants, and a black-pepper crack of spiciness. The tannins give just the right amount of grip to support this fruit-forward drop. Hégoa Rouge, Domaine Des 4 Vents, France, 2022 Available nationwide, including Les Caves De Pyrene, £20.80, 13 per cent ABV A great example of some of the natural wines that are emerging in this long-standing 'traditional' region. Domaine Des 4 Vents was established in 2020 and is making wines at the wilder end of the spectrum – they're life-full and energetic. It's 100 per cent merlot, and is full of hedgerow fruit such as wild blackberries, rosehips and blackcurrants – it finishes with an autumnal earthy note and a fresh herbaceous edge, too. This is an 'open up and drink with friends in one go' kind of wine, as it doesn't have the stability to last beyond the first day. Bordeaux Rouge, Clos de la Molenie, France, 2021 Available from Jeroboams, £19.95, 12 per cent ABV A wine I want to drink over and over again. Clos de la Molenie are located in the Entre-deux-mers, the largest wine-producing area in Bordeaux, and is a great example of the evolution in the region. It's a contrast to the historic wines of Bordeaux, which relied on the passage of time before they were anywhere near approachable. This is fruit-driven merlot at its finest – you'll be greeted with layers of bright red cherries, soft raspberries, late-summer plums and deep-red stained rose petals supported by gentle, supple tannins. It's easy to understand why this producer is gaining such a great reputation for their innovative, small-scale production.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I saved for years to retire to a villa in Spain but now I'm working as a cleaner. Don't make the same mistake I did
After years of hard work, careful saving and investment Alan Brozel was able to achieve his dream by retiring at 50 and swapping his life in north London for a large villa on Spain 's beautiful Costa Blanca. But, 25 years on, he finds himself aged 74 and back working as a cleaner in holiday villas as well as pet sitting and driving friends to the airport to make ends meet.
