When the summer heat begins to subside, the municipality of Adeje, in the south of Tenerife, prepares to experience its patron saint festivities. If you are planning your next getaway to Tenerife and wondering what activities to include in your itinerary, the celebrations of the town of Adeje are an event you cannot miss.
Although its wonderful coasts and warm climate are one of the island’s main attractions, Tenerife hides a cultural wealth capable of captivating any traveler. The best example of this comes in October, when the historical heart of Adeje celebrates its emblematic Romeria Adeje; an unmissable invitation to discover Canarian roots and traditions.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know before enjoying the Romeria of Adeje in October.
A unique celebration
Source: Ayuntamiento de adeje
The patron saint festivities of Adeje, more than just a single day of celebration, are weeks in which culture and religious tradition merge to transform the town and move all those who experience them. Dedicated to the Virgin of the Incarnation, patron saint of the municipality, along with Saint Ursula and Saint Sebastian, the celebrations kick off with proclamations, craft fairs, as is customary on the island, and the gala to elect the Romera Mayor. During the preceding days, the old town gets ready, dressing up with typical flags and symbols which, together with the enthusiasm and willingness of the locals, manage to create an atmosphere in which a feeling of unity and emotion envelops everyone who walks through its historic streets during these dates.
The great day of the festivities: Adeje dresses up in history through its romeria
Although the patron saint festivities last for several weeks, the most special moment is marked by its romeria, always held on the third weekend of October. The roots of this celebration date back to the pilgrimages of peasants to the town hermitages to give thanks for good harvests or pray for the protection of the lands against natural phenomena such as plagues, rains, or droughts. And, although the first romerias were held in the 16th century, it was in the 20th century when this festival acquired its modern concept: an exaltation of Canarian identity.
During this day, the streets transform into canvases where residents and visitors join the celebration wearing traditional costumes. The attire itself is a spectacle thanks to its woven wool skirts, embroidered vests, and delicate openwork that reflect the devotion and expert art of the artisan hands that create them. Thus, these costumes are crowned by the classic palm hat, an indispensable ally to protect against a sun that is still warm during these dates, giving attendees a cultural picture as typical of Tenerife as it is unforgettable.
This romeria, made up of dozens of carts also decorated with traditional motifs, advances at a leisurely pace, while its members show off the hospitality that so characterizes these festivities and hand out pellas de gofio amasado—a traditional Canarian dough, sweet or savory, made with roasted cereal flour such as millet or corn—, papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), hard-boiled eggs, meat, and glasses of wine. Thus, this festival transcends the visual to become a gastronomic celebration and a spectacle that is not only watched but tasted and experienced from the inside, transforming every visitor into just another member of the party.
To complete this culinary immersion, it is a mandatory ritual to stop at the ventorrillos, the traditional food stalls specially set up for these dates, and try typical dishes such as “carne fiesta”, a delicious stew made with pork and marinated with a homemade adobo. This recipe owes its intense flavor to the mixture of garlic, salt, ground black pepper, sweet paprika, oregano, thyme, and spicy pepper, managing to create one of the most characteristic preparations of the archipelago.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
For its part, music also plays a very important role in this type of celebration. Folk groups provide the melody to these festivities by singing isas and seguidillas and playing instruments like the timple. Afterwards, the folklore gives way to popular verbena music, inherited from the historical link with Latin America. A transition that becomes the ultimate invitation to dance until dawn.
Enjoy the Romeria Adeje in October like a local
To enjoy the party without setbacks, a little planning makes a difference. Although arriving early in the center of Adeje can guarantee a good spot for your car, public transport is the smartest option. Remember that the town transforms its streets to accommodate the carts and the passage of the romeria, limiting the usual parking spaces.
If you want to fully integrate into the celebration, daring to rent or buy a traditional costume will allow you to experience the party from another perspective; however, make sure to always pair it with comfortable footwear, which will be your best ally to endure the hours of walking and dancing that await you.
Finally, our golden rule is, without a doubt, that you go with an empty stomach and dare to try the event’s typical gastronomy, whether it is what they offer you from the carts or what you will find at the traditional stalls.
The perfect refuge to rest after the party
After an intense day of Canarian festivities and traditions, your body will ask for rest. The Apartamentos El Beril are the ideal enclave to round off this cultural experience without losing the connection to the essence of the island.
Located in the exclusive area of La Caleta, in Costa Adeje, and just a 10-minute drive from the heart of the town of Adeje, these accommodations offer you the refuge with views of the Atlantic that you need. Their unmistakable traditional Canarian style architecture and facilities designed for disconnecting will keep you in an authentic bubble. And, to complete the experience, you will have a staff that stands out for its hospitality and will always be ready to advise you on the schedule of these festivities, the best way to get there, and their timetables. Everything you need to guarantee a unique holiday experience.
Discover a destination where a privileged location and maximum comfort come together to give you an unforgettable getaway. Book your next stay now.
