Do you know Garachico? This coastal town in northern Tenerife is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the foothills of the Teno Massif. We were seduced by the uniqueness of this city, which has preserved its historic colonial center while offering a spectacular natural setting forged by the volcano. In this article, we share 6 reasons to visit this city.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Is Garachico worth a visit?
Yes, Garachico is worth the detour in our eyes. This small town in the north of Tenerife combines intact colonial heritage, natural pools of volcanic origin and an authentic local atmosphere, far removed from the island’s major tourist resorts. Here we found a rare balance between history, nature and tranquillity.
We list the reasons in more detail below. You can also take a look at our selection of the city’s top attractions.
Reason 1 – The natural pools of El Caletón, born of a volcanic disaster
In 1706, a volcanic eruption devastated much of Garachico and buried its port under lava. What the catastrophe destroyed on the one hand, it created on the other: the cooled rocks formed a series of natural basins directly open to the Atlantic, known today as El Caletón. We were struck by the contrast between the dark volcanic rock and the deep blue of the ocean, particularly striking at high tide, when the waves crash against the lava ledges. At low tide, the pools offer ideal conditions for swimming in calm, temperate water. You can also walk along the rocks to get a close-up view of the sea, as long as you keep an eye on the waves. Access is free of charge. To get the most out of your swim, we recommend you bring water shoes: the volcanic soil is uneven.
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Reason 2 – An intact colonial heritage, rescued from the eruption of 1706
The eruption of 1706 ravaged much of the city, but many buildings survived – and that’s precisely what makes a visit to the historic center so interesting. San Miguel Castle, built in 1575 to protect the town from pirate raids, is one of the few buildings to have survived the disaster. Its walls of canto stone, typical of the Canary Islands, bear witness to sober, functional military architecture.
Nearby, the Church of Santa Ana, founded in 1520, paid a heavy price for the disaster. The eruption completely destroyed the interior, sparing only a tiny fraction of the original structures. What you see today is in fact a meticulous reconstruction of the 18th century. We particularly appreciated its remarkable coffered ceiling: although it’s a faithful replica inspired by the traditional Mudejar style – born of the encounter between Islamic and Christian cultures – the reconstruction work is so meticulous that you’d almost forget that the original masterpiece disappeared under the lava. The side chapels, adorned with Baroque altarpieces, complete the ensemble magnificently.
The Casa Palacio de los Condes de La Gomera, a 17th-century stately home, completes this remarkably well-preserved civil heritage. You can cover all these sites on foot in just a few hours.
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Reason 3 – Alleys and squares where time stands still
Garachico is best explored on foot. Its cobbled streets, warmly tinted facades and carved wooden balconies create a city on a human scale, without the hustle and bustle. We took our time wandering around, discovering buildings such as the Casa de los Molinos and the Casa de los Ponte, which bear witness to the town’s heyday as one of Tenerife’s busiest ports. The Plaza Libertad, the city’s main square, is the hub of local activity. It is lined with historic buildings, including the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, formerly the Convent of San Francisco, dating from 1524. The façade features two particularly elaborate masonry doors. Inside, the Mudejar-style octagonal coffered ceiling and La Vera Cruz chapel, built in the early 17th century, are well worth a stop. Admission is 1 euro. To enjoy the city in peace and quiet, we recommend arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Reason 4 – A waterfront between contemporary art and the Atlantic horizon
A stroll along Garachico’s waterfront offers an unexpected surprise: contemporary sculptures in white marble stand out against the black of the lava and the blue of the Atlantic. The most remarkable work is by Japanese artist Kan Yasuda, entitled Tensei Tenmoku (Door without Door), installed on the seawall and composed of Italian marble elements. We found that the confrontation between the whiteness of the marble, the volcanic lava and the immensity of the ocean created an image of great visual coherence. The combination of sea and mountains in the background gives this walk a rare breadth. The sunset is particularly interesting: the changing lights on the water and the relief of the Teno Massif offer a new spectacle every evening. Access is unrestricted, and the walk is an easy stroll from the historic center.
Reason 5 – A window on Canarian history, between convents and watchtowers
Two places, just a few minutes apart, each shed their own light on the history of Garachico and the Canary Islands. The Convento de la Inmaculada Concepción, built in the mid-17th century, is a large, strikingly sober building. Severely damaged by fire in 1709, it still houses a community of nuns. Although the building is known locally as the Monasterio (or Convento) de la Inmaculada Concepción, the sisters who live there belong to the Franciscan Conceptionist order. Artisanal pastries are no longer sold on a daily “self-service” basis at the turn, but are now mainly ordered in advance (by telephone or via their page here).
Set back from the town, the Mirador del Emigrante offers panoramic views of Garachico, the coast and the mountains. Inaugurated in 1990, this belvedere pays tribute to the Canaries who left the island over the centuries in search of a better life – a historical reality specific to the archipelago, often overlooked by visitors. We appreciated the explanatory panels on the 1706 eruption. It’s less than a 5-minute drive from the center, with some parking available.
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Reason 6 – An ideal base for exploring northern Tenerife
Garachico can be reached from Puerto de la Cruz in 40 minutes and from Santa Cruz de Tenerife in around 1 hour. Its position on the north-west coast makes it a convenient base from which to reach many destinations in the area. A few kilometers away, Icod de los Vinos is home to the famous Drago Milenario, a centuries-old dragon tree considered to be one of the oldest of its kind. In the other direction, Buenavista del Norte and Punta de Teno offer coastal landscapes of austere beauty, with cliffs plunging into the ocean and vegetation adapted to the prevailing winds. We recommend that you bring your own car to explore this part of the island, which is poorly served by public transport. Organized excursions from Garachico are also available if you prefer to delegate the logistics.
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Some disadvantages of a trip to Garachico
Crowds and parking in high season
Garachico is a popular spot, not least for its natural pools. In high season, the town’s two main parking lots – one near the beach, the other to the east of the historic center – fill up quickly in the morning. We recommend arriving early to avoid long turns. The historic center remains pleasant to explore on foot, but the area around the natural pools can get crowded at peak times in summer.
A city to visit on an excursion rather than a long stay
Garachico is a small town that can be explored in half a day to a full day, depending on your pace. There are a few charming hotels – including the Hôtel San Roque, housed in an 18th-century stately home – but the accommodation on offer is limited compared with the island’s other major resorts. If you wish to stay here, we recommend that you book in advance. For a denser program or more extensive beaches, it’s a good idea to combine Garachico with other destinations in the north of Tenerife.
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Check opening hours
Many Garachico sites have limited or irregular opening hours. The Church of Santa Ana, for example, is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. except on Saturdays, and masses may restrict access at certain times. The Château de San Miguel is not always open to the public, and only offers roof climbs for special exhibitions. We advise you to consult the local tourist office beforehand to avoid disappointment on the spot. Visit the official website for more info here.
How to get to Garachico
Garachico can be reached from the main road on Tenerife’s north-west coast, the TF-5: Garachico is located on Tenerife’s north coast, around 27km west of Puerto de la Cruz.
- 40min drive from Puerto de la Cruz – find a car
- 1h drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 1h15 drive from Costa Adeje
- The main TF-5 road runs along the north coast and easily connects the island’s towns to Garachico.
- Day trips available from several towns on Tenerife
- By cab or private transfer – see options
- By bus, line 363 runs from Puerto de la Cruz to Garachico, or from the south (Costa Adeje), take line 460 to Icod de los Vinos, then change to line 363 (or 325) to Garachico.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
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Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
