Garachico & Icod de los Vinos★★
Garachico was once the most important port of Tenerife — until 1706, when an eruption of the Trevejo volcano buried the town under lava and destroyed the port. Today, Garachico is a sleepy town with a melancholic beauty: magnificent Renaissance palaces remind of its former prosperity, and the natural sea pools (El Caletón) formed by the lava flow are one of the great attractions of the north coast — free swimming in crystal-clear seawater amidst black lava formations.
The Plaza de la Libertad with its old laurel trees, the Castillo de San Miguel (16th century, now a small museum, 2 €), and the Iglesia de Santa Ana form a harmonious ensemble. Garachico is the perfect place for half a day — strolling, swimming, sitting in a bar on the square, and enjoying the tranquility.
Icod de los Vinos is located 15 minutes east and is famous for the Drago Milenario — the "Thousand-Year-Old Dragon Tree." The gnarled tree (actually probably 600–800 years old, not 1,000) is the most photographed plant monument in the Canary Islands: 16 meters high, trunk circumference of 6 meters, and the crown extends over 50 m². You can see it for free from the Plaza Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres, but the entrance to the surrounding Parque del Drago (5 €) is worth it for close-ups and the beautiful botanical garden.
Wine lovers take note: The Cueva del Viento near Icod is the longest lava cave in Europe and one of the longest in the world (18 km of passages, 200 m accessible). The guided tour through the volcanic tunnels lasts 2 hours and costs 20 €. Advance booking required.
💡 Tipp
The natural pools of Garachico (El Caletón) are best at high tide — the water is then freshly replenished and the pools are deeper. Bring a towel and water shoes, as the lava rock is rough. Park on the outskirts and walk in.
