8 Best Beaches in Costa Adeje in 2023 (South Tenerife Beach Guide)

With year-round sunshine and many things to see and do, Costa Adeje in southern Tenerife attracts visitors yearly. The area is known for its upscale, luxury hotels, great restaurants, buzzing nightlife, and beautiful beaches. Some of these beaches offer paragliding, yoga sessions, surfing, or even jet skiing, or you may prefer to spend lazy days relaxing on a peaceful stretch of sand away from the tourist crowds. My guide below details the 8 best beaches in Costa Adeje, appealing to solo travelers, couples, groups, and families, to help you decide where to spend your precious vacation days.

Before I dive into detailing the 8 best beaches in Costa Adeje, it’s worth noting that these aren’t the only way to enjoy the beautiful waters of Tenerife. If you’re interested in a maritime adventure, make sure also to check out our guide to the best boat tours and cruises in Costa Adeje, which could offer you a whole new perspective on the island’s stunning coastline.

Best Beaches in Costa Adeje

Many four or five-star resorts have direct access to specific beaches. Still, if you wish to venture a little further to find your perfect retreat, a huge promenade links many beaches along the Costa Adeje together and is easy to navigate.

Whether you’re seeking to spend a day on the family-friendly Blue Flag beaches of Playa de Fañabe or Playa del Duque or want to shelter, swim and snorkel in the secluded cove at Playa Abama, my list of 8 best beaches in Costa Adeje below gives you all the information you need.

And while you’re deciding which of these stunning beaches to explore next, you might begin to imagine what it would be like to live in such a gorgeous place. Interestingly, Tenerife is a fantastic vacation spot and an affordable place to live. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is considered the cheapest city to live in Spain in 2023.

1. Playa del Duque – Luxury Beach Getaway

If you’re seeking golden sands, clear turquoise waters for swimming, and a comfortable lounger to relax on as you soak up the sun, Playa del Duque could be your beach!

Located between Costa Adeje and La Caleta, this pretty beach is surrounded by a rocky promontory with trees at one side and an observation deck – Mirador Javier Perez Ramos at the other. The beach has achieved prestigious Blue Flag status for its cleanliness and boasts a range of facilities, including changing rooms and showers. For active outdoor enthusiasts, Playa del Duque also offers volleyball, yoga sessions, and water sports.

Along the promenade behind snack kiosks, cafes, and restaurants serve dishes ranging from tapas to seafood and teppanyaki to suit all tastes and budgets. If you fancy a spot of shopping, Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque, with its designer shops – including Dior, Chanel, and Ralph Lauren is a five-minute walk away.

If you plan to rent a car to visit Playa del Duque from other areas in Tenerife, you can park nearby on the street or underground. When I rent a car in Tenerife, I recommend and always use Discover Cars. Taxis and buses also operate; the latter has Los Cristianos and La Caleta services.

Additional information

• Overall score: 10/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Facilities: Toilets and showers
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Sports: Water entertainment rental
• Blue Flag Beach

📍 See Playa del Duque on Google Maps

2. Playa de Fañabe – Family-friendly Fun Spot

A mere 15-minute walk from Playa del Duque is beautiful Playa de Fañabe. This is one of the finest beaches in Costa Adeje (and one of my personal favorites). The bustling urban sandy beach has a relaxed vibe and crystalline shallow waters – perfect for families with young children.

Another Blue Flag status beach, it is renowned for its clear, clean waters, pristine facilities and it offers access for those with limited mobility. Many groups venture here, thanks to the many watersports available – from paragliding to banana boat rides, pedalos, and jet skiing. And along the promenade, cafes, and restaurants tempt beach lovers with everything from local delicacies to fast food.

If you plan to stay in one of the beachfront hotels, many offer direct access and if you feel like experiencing two beaches in one day, Playa Torviscas is a short stroll away. Playa de Fañabe also sparkles after sundown. As laid-back alfresco bars of the day transform into vibrant hotspots for night owls, you can enjoy amazing views with cocktails and dancing.

Parking is available underground near Megabowl Tenerife, and buses stop along Avenida de Bruselas or at Fañabe Plaza shopping center.

Additional information

• Overall score: 9/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: Within 100 meters
• Facilities: Toilets and showers
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Blue Flag Beach

📍 See Playa de Fañabe on Google Maps

3. Playa de Las Vistas – Picture-Perfect Beach

This beach deserves its spot on the 8 best beaches in Costa Adeje. Playa de las Vistas (Beach of the Views) rates third out of almost 200 beaches in the region. Located in Los Cristianos, near the bustling port, the short man-made stretch of the beach consists of fine golden sand that stretches for 850 meters. A small islet of rocks – home to a geyser-style fountain, juts into the sea, creating great photo opportunities.

With safe swimming, courtesy of a breakwater, this beautiful beach caters to couples, families, and groups of all ages. It is equipped with parasols, loungers, changing and showering facilities, plus you can rent a jet ski, take a banana boat ride or jump on a pedal for an hour or two.

You’ll find craft beer bars, stylish cafes, and seafood restaurants with set menus to tempt all palates along the palm-lined promenade behind. If you plan to visit Playa de las Vistas by car from other Tenerife resorts, you’ll be pleased to learn that this beach has a free parking area. And if you stay here until after dark, a handful of disco bars remain open until the early hours.

Additional information

• Overall score: 9/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Facilities: Toilets, showers and changing rooms
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Sports: Water entertainment rental

📍 See Playa de Las Vistas on Google Maps

4. Playa de la Pinta – Great for Water Sports

Playa de la Pinta is a small, family-friendly beach tucked into a horseshoe bay between Playa de Torviscas and Puerto Colón, one of Tenerife’s primary marinas. This beach comprises pale golden sand with a few water sports and attractions, including water bikes and scuba diving.

Visitors can hire sun loungers and parasols for the day; there are showers, changing rooms, and wheelchair-friendly access. The bustling promenade aside, the beach is a hive of activity too, with many luxury hotels, bars, and restaurants catering to every culinary palate. On a clear day, you can see La Gomera, the closest neighboring island, from the upper floors. Those interested in partaking in a little retail therapy will find clothing stores, jewelry, and perfume shops a short stroll away.

From Puerto Colón at the edge of the beach, you can enjoy whale watching, dolphin spotting, and submarine tours, and if you wish to combine a beach day with waterpark fun, Playa de la Pinta is a short drive from Aqualand.

Additional information

• Overall score: 8.5/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Facilities: Toilets and a shower
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Sports: Inflatable water park

📍 See Playa de la Pinta on Google Maps

5. Playa de las Américas – Day and Night Hotspot

Playa de las Américas boasts several beautiful beaches, including Playa de Troya to the north of the resort and Playa del Camisón to the south near Los Cristianos. But perhaps the most famous is Playa de las Américas beach itself. The lively part sand/part pebble beach sits at the heart of the town, stretching up to 500 meters in length. 

During the day, tourists can rent sunbeds and parasols, swim and snorkel. There are great water sports on offer, or you can hop aboard a pirate ship or explore subterranean wonders on a yellow submarine for something a little different.

The long palm-lined promenade is packed with souvenirs, clothing and perfume shops, and you can book a tennis court or a surf lesson at one of the many schools here. There are also dining opportunities galore with vegan cafes, fast food, and seafood restaurants.

If you plan on staying after dark, this strip is the busiest for nightlife in all of Tenerife – home to dozens of buzzing bars and nightclubs open for partying until sunrise. Additionally, from Playa de las Américas, you can book a Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour to explore El Teide, Spain’s most visited National Park.

Additional information

• Overall score: 8.5/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: Within 100 meters
• Facilities: Toilets, showers and changing rooms
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Moderate in high season
• Sports: Water entertainment rental, surfing and beach volleyball

📍 See Playa de las Américas on Google Maps

6. Abama Beach – Quiet Sunset Spot

Rocky cliffs and vegetation hem this secluded bay in northern Costa Adeje, and is one of the best areas to view majestic Tenerife sunsets. The beach is a soft blanket of sugary sand with natural pools, and on a clear day, you can see the neighboring Canary Islands. It’s a place to unwind and relax, and if you’re staying in the nearby five-star resort, there’s a beach area reserved solely for hotel guests, accessed via a funicular.

The waters are protected by towering rocks on either side, making it safe for swimming and snorkeling. Plus, there are sunbeds, parasols, and showers on the beach. Visitors can sit down for a delightful lunch at the upscale hotel restaurant or bring their own gourmet picnic to reduce costs. 

The bus stop and free car park are a 20-minute walk away, although the hotel operates a tram from here that stops at the cliff’s top. Guests not booked into the hotel can access the beach from here via stairs – but bear in mind that you’ll have to climb them again when the beach fun is over!

Additional information

• Overall score: 8/10
• Accessibility: 3/5
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Audience: Partygoers

📍 See Abama Beach on Google Maps

7. Playa de El Bobo – Calm Beach for Families

This black volcanic sand beach on the northern edge of Playa de las Américas is a little quieter than some of the others along the Costa Adeje, but it’s certainly one of the most appealing. 

Offering a safe swimming area (due to a lack of water sports activities), it’s ideal for couples and families with younger children. As it’s set within a bay, it’s protected from large waves, and you can either relax and soak up the sun on a beach towel or rent a sun lounger for the day. 

During peak season, tents are set up along the beach, offering rejuvenating treatments and massages, and kiosks sell various snacks and ice creams. Along the promenade, you can enjoy international dishes in fine beachfront restaurants or sip cocktails at sunset while admiring the views. 

Playa de El Bobo is easy to reach from other areas of the island and along the Costa Adeje, and it’s possible to park a short distance away. If you plan to spend time here after sunset, there’s a casino with a restaurant on the beachfront and a handful of fabulous Spanish and International eateries.

Additional information

• Overall score: 8/10
• Accessibility: 4/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Facilities: Toilets and a shower
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Moderate in high season

📍 See Playa de El Bobo on Google Maps

8. Playa del Camisón – Peaceful Beach Retreat

Playa del Camisón is located south of Playa de las Américas, close to Los Cristianos. It’s quieter than Playa de Troya to the north and the lively, centrally-located Playa de las Américas beach, making it the ideal retreat for a day of pure relaxation.

The 300-meter-long beach, comprised of pale sand, is set in a sheltered bay. It’s perfect for swimming with wave breakers creating calm and shallow waters, making it safe for all ages. Visitors can rent out pedalos and jet skis, and lifeguards patrol during high season. This beach has numerous facilities, including sun loungers, parasols and toilets, and an elegant beach club at the eastern edge.

Several coffee shops, snack kiosks, and restaurants line the palm-fringed promenade. There’s a chilled atmosphere – even the activities are laid-back, with stand-up paddleboarding and pedal boats available. 

Playa del Camisón is easy to reach from the surrounding areas via car, taxi, or inter-city bus. There’s parking nearby, and all of the resort amenities are a short stroll away.

Additional information

• Overall score: 8/10
• Accessibility: 5/5
• Senior friendly: Yes
• Children friendly: Yes
• Lifeguard: Yes
• Parking: At a distance, within 300 meters
• Facilities: Toilets, showers and changing rooms
• Restaurants: Yes
• Occupancy: Crowded in high season
• Sports: Water entertainment rental

📍 See Playa del Camisón on Google Maps

Best Beaches in Costa Adeje: FAQs

I’ve been to the best beaches in Costa Adeje, and I know you might have questions about planning your trip. Let me share the most important information for an unforgettable beach vacation.