Playa del Duque, Tenerife – Beach, Hotels & Restaurants

Playa del Duque is an upmarket part of Costa Adeje, with a fine golden sand beach that’s one of Tenerife’s best. Also found in the area are good shopping opportunities, a charming fishing village, great restaurants and an attractive promenade. This connects Duque to more of the area’s beautiful beaches. 

Playa del Duque beach in Tenerife is a pristine stretch of golden sand located in the southern resort of Costa Adeje. It’s situated between La Caleta and Playa de Fañabé, and is widely regarded as one of the best beaches on the island.

Boasting clear azure waters and a clean sweep of sand, the beach holds a Blue Flag award for its great facilities and tidiness. There’s a lifeguard service, showers, sunbeds and parasols for hire. Plus disabled access ramps and pathways to ensure all visitors can enjoy it. 

Playa del Duque – or el Duque beach – as it’s sometimes known – isn’t only about golden sand and crystal clear waters for beach lovers. There’s also luxury hotels, top class restaurants and plenty of shopping opportunities. The area is thus seen as a top-quality resort in its own right. 

Do bear in mind, though, that the refined hotels here are more upmarket than other resorts nearby. It’s not the place to stay when you’re on a budget. Everyone can enjoy the beach, though, as it’s free to enter!

Another highlight of Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is the seafront promenade. This links the beach to numerous others nearby. There is nothing better than a sunset walk along the promenade, while enjoying the ocean views, unwinding and taking in the atmosphere. If you’re hungry or fancy stopping for a drink, you’ll be delighted to find that the promenade is lined with stylish restaurants, cafes and bars.

How to Get to Playa Del Duque

If you are visiting the beach by car, it is helpful to know where to find the best car parks in the area. Not least because some see parking as the biggest problem in Tenerife!

A free car park is located right behind Restaurant Caleta Coast (location). If it’s full, or you don’t want to try your luck, there are paid underground car parks to be found at two local shopping centres. These are Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque (the first hour is free) and The Corner Mall. The one at Plaza del Duque mall is larger and cheaper, so we usually leave the car there. The car park at Corner Mall Adeje is smaller and more expensive, but it is closer to the beach.

You can also reach the beach by bus.

The closest stop to the beach is Bahia del Duque. Buses 452 and 467 stop there. In fact, number 467 makes many stops in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas and Los Cristianos. So it’s a good route to use if you want to get to Playa del Duque from other resorts – or if you’re staying in Playa del Duque and want to visit the other southern towns. This route can also be handy if you decide to walk along the promenade from El Duque to another beach or resort, and then want to return by bus.

Both 452 and 467 go to the neighbouring village of La Caleta. This is useful if you don’t want to walk there, or wish to return to Costa Adeje after visiting. (Find out more about La Caleta later in this article).

Things to Do in Playa del Duque

Hit the Beach

The most obvious option here is Playa del Duque: it’s hands down the best beach in the area. But if it gets too crowded or you simply want to switch things up, there are a few options nearby. The promenade connects Playa del Duque with Fañabé Beach when heading south, or Playa El Beril and Playa de la Enramada if you head north.

Fañabé Beach

This is also one of the most popular beaches in the Costa Adeje area, so it can get crowded. It’s a golden sand beach. There are plenty of restaurants and bars near this beach, plus a good choice of watersports. Like Playa del Duque, this one has also been awarded Blue Flag status for cleanliness. 

Playa el Beril

Beril beach features natural black volcanic sand, and is well maintained. It’s clean and never crowded, and the water is calm and suitable for swimming. Don’t expect to find as many amenities here as on neighbouring Playa del Duque beach, though: for example there are no toilets, umbrellas or sun loungers.

Playa de la Enramada 

This is another black sand beach, and is situated on the outskirts of La Caleta village. The fine sand was man-made, and created using sand from Los Cristianos and milling some of the pebbles found here. At times the water is calm, though when waves are more pronounced it’s a bodyboarders’ favourite. You can also watch paragliders in action here. 

Enramada beach is frequented by locals, especially at sunset. There’s a good beach bar (Chiringuito Coqueluche), plus parasols and sun loungers for hire. 

Shop Til You Drop

Spending time at Playa del Duque means you have three shopping centres right on the doorstep.

Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque

This shopping mall near Playa del Duque beach offers designer brands such as Armani, Boss, Rolex and more. It’s all set around a central courtyard. As well as upmarket stores, there is also a kids’ playground, a handful of eateries, and an underground car park offering the first hour’s parking for free.

The Corner Mall Adeje

The Corner Mall is located just 50 metres from Playa del Duque. There are two floors and paid parking. There are no famous brands to be found here – except for Tommy Hilfiger – but the mall is still worth visiting due to its convenient location.

On the lower floor the grocery store “Coviran” sells everything you need for a beach day, including ice cream and soft drinks at lower prices than at the nearby cafes. 

There is also a cafe and a couple of restaurants on site, and underground parking is available.

Centro Comercial El Mirador

El Mirador Commercial Center features narrow streets that are meant to recreate the feel of an authentic Canarian village. There are pretty plazas here, an attractive array of independent shops and a range of restaurants and cafes. For unique, locally-made goods, this is the place to go. 

On every other Sunday, an artisan market is also held here.

Experience the Weekly Market

By staying in Playa del Duque you are also close to the main market in Costa Adeje, which is officially known as Fañabe Market. It’s one of the largest in Tenerife South, and probably only the market in Los Cristianos is bigger. The market takes place next to the GF Gran Costa Adeje Hotel.

It’s a good place to pick up gifts and souvenirs, from fake designer clothing, footwear  and accessories to cosmetics, jewellery, gadgets, greetings cards and one-off homeware items. 

Be aware that the market can become crowded by 11 AM. Take care of your valuables, as pickpockets can operate here.

Location: Google Maps
Costa Adeje market days: Thursday and Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Wander Along to La Caleta

Follow the promenade north from Playa del Duque, and after a 20-minute walk you will reach La Caleta village. En route you will also pass Playa el Beril and Playa de la Enramada. The walk is very lovely, and there are various establishments offering refreshments along the promenade. 

La Caleta is a small, tranquil fishing village where you’ll find decent seafood restaurants, clear azure waters and good snorkelling opportunities. 

While La Caleta is known for its fresh fish and seafood restaurants, we would argue that you can find a restaurant to suit everyone’s taste here! A few of our recommendations are Restaurante Salitre for seafood specialities, CHAR Fuego y Brasas for meat-based dishes, Rosso Sul Mare for Italian cuisine and Restaurant 88 for gourmet Chinese fare. All are equally pleasing choices, and we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

Stroll to the Centre of Costa Adeje

We highly recommend walking not only to La Caleta, but also in the opposite direction towards other Costa Adeje resorts. First of all the promenade is fabulous and the walk is very scenic, especially when the sun is going down.

First of all you will reach Playa de Fañabé. This is an active and rather crowded area with lots going on: bars, cafes, restaurants, shops and an attractive long beach.

If you go even further, you will pass Playa de Torviscas, Playa de la Pinta and the Puerto Colón marina. Various dolphin and whale watching trips leave from the latter. In fact the promenade is so long that the sky’s the limit. You can go all the way to Los Cristianos if you’d like to! Remember that there’s always the option of returning to Costa Adeje or your resort by bus. (Find out more about local buses above.)

Take a trip to see whales and dolphins

The Puerto Colon marina (location) is the place to be if you want to book one of the many scenic boat trips. The good news is that the harbour is located not far away from Playa del Duque: a 10-minute taxi ride or 25 minutes by foot.

We highly recommend this dolphin and whale eco-cruise with snacks & drinks. You can choose between 3 and 5-hour options.

Go to a Drag Show for a Memorable Night Out

An award-winning comedy drag show takes place at Music Hall Tavern every other day and it’s really close to Playa del Duque. The ticket includes a 3-course dinner. You can also choose an option with hotel pickup for a seemless experience. Highly recommended!

Check rates and availability here.

Rent a Bike to Explore on Two Wheels

If you’re not keen on walking, renting a bike is another great option for exploring the coastline while getting some fresh air and exercise.  

You can find bike rental outlets along the promenade when heading towards Playa de Fañabé. We can personally recommend Bike4You, who will even deliver a bike to your doorstep!

Where to Stay

As we mentioned before, Playa del Duque is an upmarket area, so there’s no budget accommodation here. Instead of the usual breakdown by “best, mid-range and budget”, we’re listing luxury hotels as well as those that are slightly cheaper, but still expensive.

Luxury Hotels

GF Victoria

If you are looking for a luxurious yet child-friendly hotel in the Playa del Duque area, the five-star GF Victoria should be high on your list. Boasting a contemporary chic style, the hotel cleverly separates areas for kids and adults leaving everyone satisfied. Whether you are looking for tranquility or more lively activities, GF Victoria has it all.

A unique spa area for families, five swimming pools, a climbing adventure park, a kid’s club, motor racing simulators and even the hotel’s own water park will leave your children in awe.

On the other hand, adults will love a bodyboard wave pool, an adult-only rooftop bar with a unique glass pool hanging over the edge of the hotel, sports courts, a fitness centre, a Japanese garden and yoga deck and even an area exclusively for naturists.

Foodwise, there are 3 excellent restaurants and 2 bars. The main buffet restaurant features an open kitchen giving you the opportunity to observe the chefs as they prepare your meals right before your eyes. There is also the adjoining playground separated from the restaurant by glass walls so you can keep an eye on your children while enjoying a meal.

The evening buffet offers such cool things as a create-your-own-pasta station, steaks cooked to your liking and even a chocolate fountain which kids will absolutely love!

The location is brilliant too with only a five-minute walk from the Playa del Duque beach and even less to the best shopping centre in the area – Centro Comercial Plaza del Duque (more about it later).

Bahia del Duque

This is not your average five-star hotel, though it does offer all the comforts you could wish for. Bahia del Duque is a significant Tenerife landmark. It was the very first luxury resort hotel, built 30 years ago in what was then the midst of an arid, desert-like area in the south of the island.

To this day, colonial style Bahia del Duque remains a trend-setter when it comes to deluxe accommodation. The incredible list of amenities includes five pools, mature landscaped gardens, tennis courts, a full service spa, over 20 bars and restaurants and even an observatory for observing the night skies. 

From the smartly attired bell boys at the door to room decor with a local look and buildings modelled on Spanish landmarks, everyone who stays here is in for a real treat. This includes one of the best restaurants in Playa del Duque, overseen by a chef with two Michelin stars.

Iberostar Grand El Mirador – Adults Only 

With a traditional Spanish appearance and a wrap-around pool, this adults-only property offers a peaceful, romantic and luxurious stay. It’s positioned close to the beach area and golf course, and on Costa Adeje’s prestigious Golden Mile. 

The deluxe facilities here include spacious suites with walk-in wardrobes, natural stone en-suites and canopied beds. There are three restaurants, two with pool views, and a couple of bars. A guest gym with sea views and the latest equipment, plus a spa with hammam and hydrotherapy zone, completes the picture. 

Cheaper Hotels

While these hotels are not cheap, they are not quite as expensive as those mentioned above. They’re still amazing hotels to stay in, though. 

Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur

This tranquil property offers a relaxing experience in Costa Adeje’s most prestigious area. El Duque beach is only 500 metres away, and there’s a wealth of impressive amenities on site. These include five pools set among spacious gardens with sun terraces, the Nammu Spa, a fitness centre and tennis courts.

Guests staying here can sleep where banana plantations once stood, in colonial style with subtle Oriental influences. This is a delightful, light-filled, eco-conscious property that reflects the natural environment of the Canary Islands. 

Gran Tacande Wellness & Relax Costa Adeje

Gran Tacande Wellness Relax Costa Adeje offers views over Playa del Duque and La Gomera island. There’s a range of generously-sized rooms with private balconies here, and the resort is clustered around a pair of outdoor pools. The most upmarket is the Gold Level accommodation, and guests staying here have exclusive access to a secluded area with jacuzzi baths and an infinity pool. 

This attractive hotel offers accommodation with sea, mountain or garden views, the Bocana Beach Club specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, the Zurrón Buffet Restaurant serving themed and international specialities, a rooftop cocktail bar, a gym, a deluxe spa, and even a hairdressing salon.

Hotel Riu Arecas – Adults Only

This is the most budget-friendly pick, but is still a high quality option. 

Hotel Riu Arecas offers luxury, adults only accommodation and facilities with a four star price tag. It’s a recently revamped property with sea views, an infinity pool, a snack bar, a sun-drenched terrace, freshwater pools, a spa, a tennis court, a gym and a restaurant serving breakfast daily. Fitness classes are also held for guests staying at Hotel Riu Arecas. 

Close by is Tiggy’s Bar, which serves a selection of British and European favourites. 

Our Favourite Playa del Duque Restaurants

Kensei | Sushi & Japanese Cuisine

Located inside the Bahia del Duque hotel, modern eatery Kensei serves up Japanese cuisine and sushi fine dining style.

White Tapas

White Tapas can be found inside The Corner Mall, a popular Playa del Duque shopping centre. It offers a buzzing atmosphere, authentic Spanish tapas and good quality drinks. 

Ristorante Pizzeria Desiderio

A range of delicious dishes including fresh seafood, Italian style pizza and pasta and steaks are served at Ristorante Pizzeria Desiderio. 

Nub Restaurante

For fine dining and Latin-Italian fusion dishes, come to Nub Restaurante. It boasts a Michelin star and serves innovative, photogenic meals made from Canarian produce. 

Restaurante Donaire

Restaurante Donaire can be found inside the five star GF Victoria hotel. It’s a must for fans of creative gastronomy, all created from the freshest local ingredients. 

For even more restaurants head to the neighbouring beaches of La Caleta or Fañabé.