Tenerife Holidays - Leaving the Beaches Behind

The island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands is just as well known for its pretty towns and rural villages as it is for its beach resorts.   Join us as we take you on a brief tour of our top 10 inland towns and villages; often overlooked by the first-time visitor to Tenerife.

Arico

Located in the mountainous area of southern Tenerife, Arico is made up of Arico el Viejo [Old Arico], Arico el Nuevo [New Arico] and the Villa de Arico [Arico Town], all of which preserve a traditional atmosphere synonymous with rural tourism.  Visitors here will be rewarded with stunning scenery, ravines, gorges, hillsides and farmland.  Arico is also well known for its cheese, home-made honey, potatoes, wines, tomatoes, smoked "gofio" [corn] and fruit. 

Granadilla

The area of Granadilla de Abona stretches from the sea to the peak of the Guajara Mountain [2718 metres].  The actual town of Granadilla offers visitors winding streets and traditional houses as well as friendly restaurants.

Guimar

Although Guimar lacks a little charm, it is in a unique position - located between the green north and the dry south.  However, this town is most famous for its pyramids [Pyramides de Guimar].  If you make your way up the slope behind the town you will come across six large mounds - the Tenerife step pyramids - that were once thought to be just piled of stones cleared by nearby fields.  However, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl completed excavations and discovered carefully built structures arranged in large steps leading to a ceremonial platform on top that were aligned with the summer and winter solstices.  If you come to Guimar you can go the visitors' centre [Casa Chacona] and look round the pyramids. 

Icod de los Vinos

The centre of Icod de los Vinos is dominated by one of the oldest and most spectacular examples of the dragon tree.  Legend has turned this tree into a "millennium tree" [1000 years old] but it is calculated to be between 600 to 800 years of age with its circumference at the base being 12 metres and reaching a height of 17 metres. There are other things to see here such as the Plaza de la Iglesia that has a lovely 15th century church worth visiting.  Sit for a while in the square and sample the local wine. A butterfly garden [Mariposario del Drago] can be found near to the Plaza, where you can see colourful tropical butterflies. 

La Laguna

Also known as San Cristobal de La Laguna, this town is best known for its traditional Canarian colonial architecture, pretty cobbled streets with brightly painted houses with wooden balconies, renaissance churches and formal plazas with fountains and dragon trees. La Laguna has, in fact, been the political, economical and social core of Tenerife for over 4 centuries.  During the day, the town is a haven for shoppers with a range of small and exclusive shops.  Head to one of the parks or squares for lunch in a tasca [small restaurant] to taste some of the local cuisine.

La Orotava

Located in the north of Tenerife, La Orotava is a town of big houses and cobbled streets and located in the heart of a valley of banana plantations.  The old part of the town has been declared a Monument of National Artistic and Historical interest with streets packed with balconies crafted from tea wood, mansions and gardens.  A complete contrast with the coastal resorts, La Orotava has an embroidery and lace-making school with around 20 students each year located in Las Casas de los Balcones where you can visit a museum as well as watch craftsmen demonstrating pottery and basket making.   Visit La Orotava during the Corpus Christi Festival [usually in late May] when you will find intricate pictures made from flowers and volcanic soil being used.  No artificial colouring is used in the pictures which makes this art even more extraordinary.  Head to the Town Hall Square to find the best displays.

Los Realejos

The district is made up of 5 nature reserves that are full of green and leafy spots.  The name "Realejos" means "royal camp" and the town is divided into 2 sections - Realejo Alto [Upper Realejos] and Realejo Baja [lower Realejo].  You will find that Alto is the oldest of the 2 and the main attraction here is the church that dates back to 1498 and is the oldest in Tenerife.

Masca

Masca offers visitors stunning scenery is the main attraction of this pretty village [considered one of Tenerife's prettiest].  Masca is located in the north-east of Tenerife and although it has access to the sea below, it is reached by a winding mountain road. Take lunch here and you will get some wonderful views,  and then walk down to the coast.  Known as the Barranco de Masca hike, this is one of the best walk on the island and takes around 6 hours to complete the round trip.  Starting in Masca village, the route ends at a small beach surrounded by the Los Gigantes cliffs. On the route you will pass through ravines and at its narrowest the gorge is just 20m wide and filled with rock formations and vegetation. A perfect day out.

Tacoronte

Tacoronte's principal fame is its wine production.  The fertile soils and climate here are ideal for productive vineyards that result in some of Tenerife's most prized wines.  Many of the wines are light, but some are sherry-like varieties with around 17% strength.  Don't miss the Casa del Vino La Baranda - a wine museum just outside of the town.  Also in the town is the church of Santo Cristo overlooking the wide plaza that is worth visiting.

Vilaflor

Vilaflor is the highest village in the Canary Islands, and will seduce you with its lush forests and clean skies.  The village was originally named Chasna and the story is that it owes its name to the Spanish exclamation when encountering as beautiful native girl "Vi la flor de Chasna" - I saw the flower of Chasna".  Today, you will still see the village marked as Vilaflor de Chasna.   Stargazing is a popular activity in Vilaflor as are hiking, cycling and paragliding.  The streets are both traditional and full of atmosphere with 17th and 18th century preserved houses and mansions, some of which offer visitors places to have lunch with a local glass of wine.  You may notice when visiting other areas of Tenerife that bottled water comes from Vilaflor as the town has an abundant natural spring.

So if you decide to leave the beach behind in an effort to discover the pretty towns and villages Tenerife has to offer, you will not be disappointed.  With plenty of hotels and rural houses available, you will be able to benefit from the peace and quiet that inland Tenerife brings.

Author : Gail Hewitt - Corona Holidays