The South of Tenerife is where most of tourism on the island is concentrated, due to the great sunny weather all year round.
Costa Adeje is therefore situated right in the heart of the action, close to both Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos, the other 2 popular resorts in the south.
If you're planning your holiday in Costa Adeje and wandering what to do and what to see besides the pool and the beach all day, then you shouldn't worry because there are plenty of things going on in the area. Whether you have a car hire or not, you don't have to spend all you holiday with your feet in the sand if that's not what you want. Costa Adeje is great for shopping and also provides tons of opportunities for families traveling with kids.
So without further ado, here's our list of things to do in Costa Adeje:
1. Explore the many beaches in Costa Adeje
- Playa Fanabe - the heart and soul of Costa Adeje
- Playa del Duque
- Torviscas Beach
- La Caleta Beach
- La Pinta Beach
- Troya Beach
- La Enramada Beach
- Diego Hernández Beach
- Playa El Bobo
As you can see, there are enough beaches in Costa Adeje to go to a different one each day for more than a week, so you won't get bored in this department. Also, you can check out our list of 101 beaches in Tenerife if you want to explore more around the island.
Water parks in Costa Adeje
2. Siam Park
Siam Park is the most popular water park in Tenerife and probably in all the Canary Islands, so you should go out there for a day of total fun.
Remember that if you don't have a car, they provide their own shuttle service that you have to book ahead.
Siam Park is great for children as well as adults and it's one of the MUSTs in Tenerife. You can also buy combined tickets for Siam Park and Loro Parque (situated in the north, in Puerto de la Cruz). In 2017 Siam Park was named the no 1 waterpark in the world by Tripadvisor, according to reviews given by their users.
3. Aqualand Costa Adeje
Another waterpark in the Costa Adeje area, Aqualand is best suited for families with young kids, which will have more rides to enjoy here compared to Siam Park. They have a great dolphin show and you can buy a twin ticket for Aqualand and Jungle Park, which will mean a better price than bought separately.
4. Jungle Park
Advertised as the last wild jungle in Europe, Jungle Park is an animal park with a great location, very green and with lots of animals to see, plus some amazing shows, including the one with birds of prey.
Things to do in Costa Adeje when it's raining
Tenerife is well known for good weather all year round, but especially during the winter months (january - february mostly) there are some days of rain when going to the beach just isn't an option. Those are the perfect days to do some shopping, go to an escape room for some indoor fun (read no 15 on our list below) or if you have a car you can just get in and drive to another part of the island where it's not raining that day. Check out our infographic about weather in Tenerife for a better view of what you can expect depending on when you are visiting.
Shopping in Costa Adeje
5. Costa Adeje Market
Weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00
You can browse though the stalls and spend some time bargaining with the vendors. It great for souvenirs but be careful at knock-offs and always bargain the price before buying.
6. Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque
With its futuristic architecture and looks, Plaza del Duque Shopping Mall is known for its designer stores and more upmarket brands, but still worth to take a look, especially during a rainy day when you don't know what else to do.
7. Siam Mall
Another shopping mall in the Costa Adeje area, this time with the usual brands and not so fancy cafes. Not worth a special trip if you don't have anything in particular to buy, but still a good way to spend 1 or 2 hours if the weather is bad.
8. Centro Comercial Gran Sur
Typical shopping center, good to visit if you're staying in the area, although Siam Mall is much better and has more brands and options for restaurants.
9. Centro Comercial San Eugenio
Nice shopping mall, there is even a Mercadona inside in case you need to buy some bits and bobs.
10. Golf in Costa Adeje
Golf Costa Adeje is the best golf course in Tenerife and it's even considered as one of the best in whole Europe. The Golf Costa Adeje was designed by integrating the natural characteristics of the area in the course and it features some incredible views as well.
11. Day trip to Mount Teide
You can't visit Tenerife without going on a trip to Teide National Park where you can see up close the tallest peak in all Spain.
There are many hiking trails inside the park and even a cable car, but if you want to go all the way to the top, remember that you will need an access permit from the Reservas Parques Nacionales.
You can also go with an organized tour like the Teide By Night, who offer day trips inside the park for a complete experience: they take you to the best viewpoints, followed by an amazing sunset and then a session of watching the night sky inside the park. Read our dedicate article about stargazing in Tenerife if you want more details about this tour.
12. Barranco del Infierno - Hiking in Costa Adeje
If you want a day of adventure and you feel like burning off all those calories from cocktails and rich food, then a hike inside the Inferno Ravine is what you need. The road is well marked and you should get here in the morning, because it can get very hot in the afternoons. There is a limit on the number of people that can visit on a day (300 people per day) so it's ideal for a day when you want to get away from the noisy resorts. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, as you won't be able to do the hike through Barranco del Infierno in flip flops.
13. Helicopter tours in Costa Adeje
For a unique experience in Tenerife you can try one of the helicopter tours which will show you a whole new perspective on the island and the landscape. There are many price options, from the shorter 20 km tours around the south of Tenerife which cost 100 euro per person, to longer 120 km tours which cost around 400 - 500 euros per person.
14. Wales and dolphins watching sailing tours
There are many tours to choose from, so it's best to see what's on offer when you get there and make your choice then. You can see also turtles and many types of fishes, so all in all it's a great way to explore the coast around the south of Tenerife. Just make sure to go on a day when the weather is good, so your trip isn't cut short.
Other things to do with kids in Costa Adeje
If the water parks and the animal parks weren't enough, we have more options for you:
15. Escape Rooms in Costa Adeje
You can choose between Canary Escape Game and The X-Door Tenerife, but you should look around and see if any other similar business show up in the meantime. It's a fun way to spend time as a family, plus it's challenging and helps you work better as a team.
Bonus - Participate in the events in the area
Check the list of events in Tenerife happening during the time when you're on the island and you can find plenty of things to do this way.
If you're in Adeje during Semana Santa Santa there are lots of wonderful festivities and processions or for a bit more fun, you could try I Love Music Festival, one of the largest music events in Tenerife.
