A Guide to Garachico: Tenerife’s Charming, Historic Port
Garachico is known as the prettiest town on Tenerife, which is the largest of the seven Canary Islands (a Spanish chain off the coast of Morocco).
The charming small city is home to beautiful architecture (rare for Tenerife), along with:
- coastal and mountain views
- unique natural sites
- a great hiking trail
- renowned restaurants and local cafes
Tours of Garachico & Tenerife
If you’re on a cruise, or basing yourself in Santa Cruz or somewhere else on Tenerife, these are great tour options to consider, which will take you to Garachico.
➡️ Click for Tour: Garachico & Tenerife
➡️ Click for Private Tour: Garachico & Masca
How to Get to Garachico
Garachico is on the northwestern coast of Tenerife. The drive is:
- 90 minutes from Tenerife South Airport
- 60 minutes from Tenerife North Airport
On the Canary Islands, CICAR is the most popular car rental company. I book them directly through Discover Cars, which compares their prices to the big international rental companies.
🚘 Click to Search Rental Car Rates
Where to Stay in Garachico
There are a few hotel and rental options in town. You can plug your dates into this interactive map to see what’s available:
We stayed at Suites Tizon, which is a historic building with a handful of large guest suites upstairs from a well-known restaurant.
Sites to See in Town
Garachico has several shops, selling local crafts, foods, and aloe-based scents.
The plaza is always busy, with an outdoor cafe serving coffee and snacks.
Castillo de San Miguel
Right on the coast in town, you’ll find a small 15th-century fortress built to protect the port of Garachico. It’s a piece of history that survived the 1706 volcanic eruption.
The Natural Pools (Piscinas Naturales)
A number of natural coastal pools (formed by lava flows) are open seasonally for swimming.
Strong waves had the pools closed on our visit, but they can get very crowded during the summer.
The other islands in the Atlantic, like the Azores and Madeira, are also known for their naturally-formed coastal pools.
Playa El Muelle (or Playa de Garachico)
There’s a small black sand beach west of the pools, where you’ll find locals jumping in off the rocks and walkway above.
- Entry Cost: Free
The Thousand-Year-Old Dragon Tree
The famous Millenary Dragon Tree is one of the most important natural and historical symbols of the Canary Islands.
You’ll find it in nearby Icod de los Vinos (a short drive from Garachico) in the botanical garden.
The tree is said to be the oldest on the Canary Islands, standing 16 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 20 meters.
➡️ Click to Book: Parque del Drago
- Location: Parque del Drago in Icod de los Vinos
- Entry Cost: 10 Euros
Banana (Platano) Farms
Banana farming is one of the Canary Islands’ most important agricultural industries. Thousands of hectares across Tenerife are covered in banana plantations, especially in the north (around Garachico), where the climate is wetter.
The fruit is marketed as Plátano de Canarias, a protected designation product known for being smaller, sweeter, and more aromatic than typical export bananas. Most are shipped to mainland Spain.
Mount Teide
From Garachico, you can see Mount Teide, the (still active) volcano that wiped out part of the island in 1706. Its last eruption was in 1909. Teide is the tallest point in Spain, the third-tallest volcano in the world, and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Best Hike Near Town
I’d definitely recommend hiking up to San Juan del Reparo from Garachico.
It’s a 2-mile trail that starts in town, and leads you up a well-marked, well-traveled volcanic rock path.
I loved seeing the succulents growing out from the side the lava rocks!
A series of switchbacks will bring you up in elevation, and you’ll have coastal views for the entire hike.
It’s short, but challenging, with a few spots that are pretty steep. Still, it’s appropriate for all ages and abilities. The series of switchbacks can be seen here on the hiking trail map in green:
Thankfully, there’s a small local bar right at the top (Bar Las Nieves)! You’ll need a water (and maybe a beer as a reward).
Walking west down the road, you’ll find another restaurant with a great view of the coast. Look for Restaurante Mirador de Garachico. Enjoy a drink and meal with this view:
Garachico’s Best Restaurants
You’ll find a nice mix of local cafes and upscale fancy restaurants. These are a few of my favorites.
El Caleton
Right on the coast, near the pools, you’ll find a favorite spot in Garachico: El Caleton is a cafe built right on top of the lava rocks, surrounded by crashing waves.
- Open: 12:00 – 9:00 daily
- No reservations needed
A storm moved in when I went to take a photo, but picture tables and umbrellas all over the rocks, with an amazing view!
El Rebojo
El Rebojo is right on the main plaza, and listed in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand, which means high-quality food at good value. It focuses on modern interpretations of traditional Canary Islands cuisine, with small seafood plates (“Bocados del Mar”) and tasting menus highlighting local ingredients.
- Reservations required
Restaurante Silogia
Silogia is of the most acclaimed restaurants in Garachico (inside Hotel La Quinta Roja), featuring contemporary Canarian cuisine.
- Reservations required
Tizon
Tizon is a small, upscale spot focusing on charcoal-grilled dishes and a strong Spanish wine list. This is the restaurant below the suites we stayed in.
- Reservations required
Restaurante Arístides
I’m listing this one, which isn’t fancy at all, because the owners and staff are so friendly! Traditional local food is served.
- No reservation needed
Brief History of Garachico
Founded in the late 15th century, shortly after the Spanish conquest of Tenerife, Garachico quickly grew into the island’s most important port.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, ships from Europe and the Americas stopped here to trade wine, sugar, and other goods, making the town wealthy and influential.
Garachico’s prosperity came to a sudden end in 1706, when the volcano erupted, sending lava flows into town. Lava buried much of the harbor, destroying its port and effectively ending Garachico’s role as Tenerife’s center of commerce.
Despite the devastation, residents rebuilt the town into the beautiful, quieter coastal community we can visit today.
Final Thoughts: How Much Time Do You Need in Garachico?
I’d say three nights will give you plenty of time to relax, hike, and drive up into the hills to see Masca!
Much of the historic architecture in town was rebuilt in traditional style centuries ago. Today, Garachico is considered one of the best-preserved historic towns on the island, and a “must-stop” for visitors driving along Tenerife’s northwest coast.
While much of the architecture around Tenerife is less than appealing, Garachico is the gem that stands out!
