A small town on the northern coast of Tenerife, Garachico is a charming and quaint oceanside place to spend a few hours. If you want to take a break from all the wonderful, though sometimes challenging, natural sights that Tenerife has to offer, Garachico is a great place for a peaceful afternoon.
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Getting to Garachico
Guaguas make it easy to reach almost every place in Tenerife. Guagua is the Canarian name for buses, make sure to memorize it as everyone uses this word. If you don’t have a car (a good option for shorter trips), make sure to get a Ten+ transportation card that you can recharge and use all over the island.
With the Ten+, you get a discount on all fares, so it’s worth having one if you plan on taking lots of guaguas. The easiest way to reach Garachico is from Puerto de la Cruz, with Guagua 363. You can check Titsa.com for all public transportation options.
Short history of Garachico
The town has a long and unfortunate history. Garachico was founded by a Genoan banker, Cristóbal de Ponte, soon after the conquest of Tenerife in 1496. Though nowadays it may not look like it, Garachico was Tenerife’s biggest commercial harbor. Its flourishing economy saw an abrupt stop in 1706 when the Trevejo volcano (also known as the Arenas Negras volcano) erupted.
Two huge rivers of lava flew downhill and destroyed both the harbor and most of the city. Some of the few buildings that survived were San Miguel Castle and La Puerta de Tierra. Los Acantilados de La Culata, the area that comprises Garachico, Icod de Los Vinos, and a few other small towns, is now a protected area with plants and animals unique to the island.
What to see in Garachico in half a day
Garachico is quite small, so you can see it all in just half a day. However, you may even stay longer to enjoy the natural pools. Depending on how much time you have, there are plenty of options.
If you’re short on time, you may even book a guided tour like this Tenerife Highlights Full-Day Tour, which also includes a visit to Garachico.
If you’re visiting on your own, here are some of the main places to check out in Garachico.
Explore the historical center of Garachico
What I liked the most about Garachico was the colorful and curated historical center. I think it’s worth visiting the small town even just to take a walk along the narrow alleys and check out the colonial houses, lovely squares, and beautiful churches. Make sure to look up at the beautiful wooden balconies, a characteristic of old towns in Tenerife.
Even if you don’t enter any museums or churches, it’s a quaint place to visit just for a relaxed walk and a coffee or lunch break. However, there are a few spots and landmarks you should make sure not to miss.
Parque de la Puerta de Tierra
In the center of the town, in Plaza Juan Gonzales de la Torre, you’ll find Puerta de Tierra. The gate is one of the few remains from Garachico’s golden age of the trade, back when it was the biggest commercial harbor on the island. The gate used to mark the entrance to the harbor in the 16th century, and it was part of a larger fortification that extended all the way to the castle. Nowadays, the gate is part of a small park where you can go for a walk in the shade of palm trees. Make sure to stop by during your walk around Garachico.
Plaza La Libertad
One place you must definitely see in Garachico is Plaza La Libertad, only two minutes from Puerta de Tierra. In between Santa Ana church and the Franciscan Convent, Plaza La Libertad is the main square in town. Have a coffee at the small kiosk in the square while you admire the town’s architecture and maybe pay a visit to Santa Ana church, the convent, or Casa Palacio de los Condes de la Gomera (House-Palace of the Counts of La Gomera). All around the square, explore the narrow alleys with lots of restaurants and small local shops.
El Caletón natural pools
The natural pools of El Caletón were created after the eruption of the Trevejo volcano and are among the main attractions in Garachico. Crystal clear waters surrounded by black lava rocks offer a truly spectacular setting for a swim. The water is usually calm, making swimming in the natural pools safe and relaxing. Spend a few hours sunbathing by the pools, swim with a view of the San Miguel castle, or have a drink or a meal at El Caletón restaurant. If you need even more reasons to visit, the entrance to the pools is free.
Castillo de San Miguel
Right by the natural pools, Castillo de San Miguel is one of the few buildings that survived the 1706 Arenas Negras eruption. If you have enough time, you can visit the castle for a small fee (2€). Inside, there is a small museum, and you can climb up to the tower for a view of the ocean and the pools. The castle is usually open from 10 am to 6 pm, but make sure to check in advance.
Mirador del Imigrante
Just a 15-minute walk from the center of Garachico, you can reach Mirador del Emigrante for a view of the bay and the city from above. Here, you’ll also find the Monument to the Canary Island emigrant inaugurated in 1990. Look for the plaque that describes the Arenas Negras eruption and how it affected the town and the bay. From here, you can have a better understanding of Garachico’s strategic position and how the town got tragically destroyed during the eruption.
Beaches in Garachico
Probably the best place for swimming and sunbathing in Garachico is El Caletón. However, there are a few beaches you can check out as well. On the way from the town center to Mirador del Emigrante, you’ll find El Muelle beach enclosed in the small bay. On the other side of the viewpoint, you can descend to Los Molinos beach and the small natural pool Charco de Los Frailes.
Where to stay in Tenerife
Depending on how much time you plan on spending in Tenerife, you may find a single accommodation in one of the main cities or move around. Since traveling around the island is fairly easy, even by bus (or guagua), I believe staying in a city like Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Puerto de la Cruz can be a good option.
I personally prefer the north of the island and in particular the Puerto de la Cruz area. Another option is staying in the south of the island, around Los Cristianos, but be prepared for highly touristy places. I found the north to have a more local feel, aside from the richer vegetation which is a big plus for me.
During most of my trips, I find accommodation on Booking.com. One of my favorite places in Tenerife was Canary Bio Hostel Tenerife in Los Realejos, a great area for hiking and enjoying Tenerife’s natural sights.
Finally, depending on where you travel from, you may need specific documentation to enter the Canary Islands. If you need support, you can check iVisa.com to find out what documents you need and even easily apply online.
Enjoy your trip to Tenerife and Garachico! More destinations in the Canary Islands will be coming soon!
