Morteros Beach
Wild, secluded cove earned by a steep descent
About
Playa de los Morteros is a compact, roughly 80-metre cove tucked into the rugged coastline of Adeje, on Tenerife's southern shore. The beach is a mix of sand and rock, with blue water that shifts in depth and mood depending on the swell. It's a naturist beach by tradition, drawing those who value solitude over convenience — visitor numbers stay low precisely because the access isn't easy. The surrounding cliffs are raw and dramatic, and the sense of wildness here is genuine, not manufactured. Arrive and you'll feel like you've actually earned it.
How to get there
Playa de los Morteros is reached on foot only — hike down from La Caleta, a roughly 10-minute descent that involves steep, rocky terrain. There is no road access to the beach itself. Free street parking is available near La Caleta, though spaces are limited; expect a 5-to-10-minute walk from where you leave the car to the start of the trail. No entry fee applies.
Who it's for
For couples
If you and your partner are comfortable with a short but demanding hike, the payoff is a quiet, wild cove with almost no one else around — the kind of place that feels genuinely private. It suits couples who want scenery and solitude over sunbeds and service.
For families
The steep, rocky descent and moderate swimming conditions make this beach a poor fit for young children or anyone who needs easy, flat access. Families with older, sure-footed kids might manage the hike, but there are no facilities, no shade structures, and no lifeguard on site.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Playa de los Morteros doesn't try to please everyone, and that's exactly its appeal. The 10-minute hike down from La Caleta is short but honest — steep, rocky, and not suitable for anyone with limited mobility or unsuitable footwear. Swim with judgment: conditions here are rated moderate, and in winter months the swells can make the cove outright dangerous, so December and January are best avoided entirely. What you get in return for the effort is a quiet, wild, naturist cove on one of Spain's most developed coastlines — roughly 80 metres of mixed sand and rock, blue water, and very few other people. It won't suit everyone. For those it does suit, it's one of the more honest beaches on this part of Tenerife.
What to do
The fishing village of La Caleta de Adeje, rated 4.7 out of 5 and just 0.6km away, is worth a wander before or after your hike — it's one of the more authentic corners of this stretch of coast. Just 0.5km from the beach, Playa nudista de Diego Hernández (also 4.7/5) offers another secluded naturist option if you want to explore further. For a bigger day out, Barranco del Infierno natural reserve is 4km away and offers proper hiking trails through a dramatic ravine.
The clifftop viewpoint just above the cove gives a clean overhead angle of the mixed sand-and-rock shoreline against the blue water — shoot it in the morning before the light gets flat.
The rocky foreground at the water's edge frames the open blue sea well for wider compositions. The descent path itself, with its dramatic cliff walls, makes for a strong environmental shot that captures the wild character of the place.
Where to eat
You won't find any food or drink vendors at the beach itself, so pack everything you need before you descend. Limonella, rated 4.6 out of 5 and 5.3km away, is a strong option for a meal before or after your visit. For something more casual, Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife is 6.2km away and consistently well-reviewed with over 14,000 ratings.
Where to stay
The Bahia Principe Explore Costa Adeje (4.6/5, over 12,900 reviews) sits just 2.1km away and makes a practical base for exploring this stretch of coast. H10 Atlantic Sunset Horizons Collection, rated 4.7 out of 5 and 2.2km from the beach, is another well-regarded option close to the trailhead.
Photography
The best shots come from the clifftop just before the final descent — morning light hits the blue water and mixed shoreline cleanly, with no harsh shadows. Late afternoon is worth the hike back up for the warm directional light across the rocky cove and the surrounding cliff faces.
Good to know
The descent is steep and the terrain is rocky — wear proper footwear, not flip-flops, and take your time on the way back up in the heat. Avoid December and January when winter swells and rough seas make conditions at this exposed cove genuinely hazardous. Swimming is rated moderate, so assess conditions carefully on arrival — if the sea looks rough, don't push it. The beach is a naturist zone, so come prepared and be respectful of others who are there for exactly that reason.
Map
Nearby places
Hard Rock Cafe Tenerife
Guachinche El Cordero
Limonella
Oro di Napoli
H10 Costa Adeje Palace
H10 Conquistador
Bahia Principe Explore Costa Adeje
Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife
H10 Atlantic Sunset Horizons Collection
H10 Las Palmeras
Things to see around Adeje
Siam Park
Water park in Costa Adeje
Barranco del Infierno
Natural reserve with hiking trails
Mount Teide National Park
Spain's highest peak with volcanic landscapes
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
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