Heatwave in Adeje? Here’s How to Stay Safe and Cool

If you’ve arrived in Adeje during the summer months and find yourself melting under the midday sun, you’re not alone. While visitors from colder countries may be tempted to rush out and explore everything before noon, locals in the south of Tenerife have a different rhythm – one that’s perfectly tuned to surviving (and enjoying) the heat.

Here’s what we’ve learned from watching the experts—our neighbors, friends, and fellow Adeje residents—navigate the warmest days of the year.

☀️ 1. Close Those Shutters Early

One of the most underrated inventions ever? Shutters. Spanish homes, especially in the Canary Islands, often come with exterior roller shutters (called “persianas”), and they are your best friend when the sun is blazing. The trick is to keep the cool air in by opening windows early in the morning (around 8–9 AM), then closing everything tight before 10 AM. This creates a natural insulation that keeps the house cooler for hours.

If you’re staying in an apartment or hotel in Adeje, check to see if your windows have these—use them! They work better than curtains and help reduce your need for air conditioning.

🍅 2. Don’t Cook – Assemble!

Summer cooking? Forget it. At 30°C or more, standing over a stove is a one-way ticket to heatstroke. Locals prefer cold meals or no-cook options, and luckily, Adeje is full of delicious choices for heat-friendly eating:

• Gazpacho and Salmorejo: You’ll find these chilled tomato-based soups in most supermarkets like Mercadona or Hiperdino. They’re refreshing, filling, and ready to pour.
• Jamón Serrano: Grab a plate of this delicious cured ham and pair it with local cheese (like queso de cabra or almogrote).
• Rotisserie chicken: Available all over Adeje. Pair it with a salad and you’re done.
• Tropical fruits: Think fresh mangoes, papayas, and bananas from local markets like the Adeje Farmers’ Market.

Your kitchen (or hotel room) stays cool, and so do you.

🌬️ 3. Let the Breeze In (Only When It’s Time)

Once the sun starts to set—usually around 8 PM in the summer—that’s your cue to open up again. Locals lift the shutters, open the windows, and let the ocean breeze work its magic. Nights in Adeje can be surprisingly pleasant if you let the house breathe.

Bonus tip: Sleep with a lightweight cotton sheet, and avoid heavy fabrics or synthetic pajamas. Trust us, it makes a difference.

🌙 4. Nightlife Is Life

If you’re used to going to bed by 10 PM, summer in Adeje may change your habits. Locals live late during the hot season. Why? Because the real fun begins when the temperature drops.

Shops and supermarkets stay open until 10 PM or later, and you’ll see families strolling around Playa del Duque, friends chatting at terrace bars in La Caleta, and kids playing in public squares until well past 11.

👉 Don’t miss:

• Evening walks along Playa de Fañabé – peaceful, breezy, and full of life.
• Night markets and local fiestas, especially in July and August.
• Late tapas at beachside chiringuitos like El Caracol or Le Club.

🧢 5. Dress Like a Local (Less is More)

Forget tight jeans or dark-colored outfits. Locals wear loose, light-colored clothes, natural fabrics (cotton, linen), and always a hat and sunglasses. If you’re sightseeing or walking around town during the day, go for light sneakers or sandals—and don’t forget SPF 50.

Fun fact: It’s common to see people walking around with a small hand fan or even a mini USB fan clipped to a sunhat. Practical and fabulous.

🏖️ 6. Plan Your Day Like a Spaniard

The hottest part of the day (12 PM to 5 PM) is not for hiking or sightseeing. Take a siesta, stay in the shade, or enjoy a lazy lunch under an umbrella. Plan your beach or hiking time for early morning (before 11) or after 6 PM.

Need ideas?

• Morning:
  • Visit Barranco del Infierno early when it’s still shaded.
  • Stroll through Adeje Old Town and have coffee in Plaza César Manrique.
• Afternoon:
  • Take a break at your hotel pool or spa.
  • Escape to the cooler mountain areas, like Ifonche.
• Evening:
  • Catch the sunset at Mirador de La Caleta.
  • Enjoy a show or live music in Costa Adeje.

🚑 What to Do If the Heat Gets Too Much

While the sun is one of Adeje’s biggest attractions, heat exhaustion and dehydration can sneak up on you—especially if you’re not used to high UV indexes and intense sunlight. If you start feeling unwell, take action early.

☀️ First aid steps if you feel overheated:

• Go indoors immediately, or find shade with a breeze.
• Drink water slowly, preferably with electrolytes (look for Aquarius, Suero Oral, or Bebida Isotónica at any supermarket or pharmacy).
• Remove tight clothing, apply a damp towel to your neck, and lie down with your feet up.
• Avoid alcohol or coffee—they dehydrate you more.

🏥 Nearest medical help in Adeje

• Hospiten Sur (Private Hospital, Las Américas)
  • 🌐 Website
  • 🏥 Location: C. México, 2, 38660 Playa de las Américas
  • 📞 Phone: +34 922 75 00 22
  • ✅ English-speaking staff, 24/7 emergency care
• Centro de Salud de Adeje (Public Health Centre)
  • 📍 C. Tinerfe el Grande, 60, 38670 Adeje
  • 📞 Phone: +34 922 75 35 12
  • 🕒 Open weekdays 8:00–20:00
  • For urgent but non-emergency needs
• Cruz Roja (Red Cross – Playa Fañabé)
  • 📍 On the beach, near the lifeguard stand
  • Offers basic medical assistance and first aid during beach hours

💊 Pharmacies (Farmacias) open every day:

• Farmacia San Eugenio
  📍 Av. de Eugenio Domínguez Alfonso, 20, Costa Adeje
  🕒 Open daily 09:00–21:00
• Farmacia Playa Fañabé
  📍 C. Londres, 8 (near the beachfront)
  🕒 Usually open until 21:00; ask for “rehidratación oral” or “bebidas isotónicas”
• Guardia Pharmacy (24/7 rotating system)
  To find the nearest open pharmacy at night, visit www.farmaciasdetenerife.com and select Adeje. You’ll see which one is on “guardia” (duty).

📞 Emergency contacts:

• 112 – Canary Islands emergency number (multilingual)
• 061 – Direct medical emergencies line
• Keep your EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance details handy if visiting a public health centre.

✅ Quick prevention tips:

• Never go hiking or stay on the beach for long between 12 PM and 5 PM.
• Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty.
• Wear light clothes, a hat, and high-SPF sunscreen.
• If you’re travelling with children or seniors, monitor their sun exposure closely.

😎 Final Thought: Summer in Adeje Isn’t Just About Enduring the Heat—It’s About Adapting to It

The secret isn’t in AC units or fancy tech. It’s in the rhythm. The locals have mastered it: close the shutters, skip the stove, go out when the air is soft and the stars are out. If you want to make the most of summer in Adeje, follow their lead—and don’t forget your sun hat.