This might be the most authentic village in Tenerife! Garachico is a colorful coastal town with a fascinating volcanic story, home to traditional Canarian houses, a beautiful old town, and scenic natural pools. This historic village has ties to South America, and we couldn’t help but feel like we were back in Colombia as we walked the cobbled streets surrounded by lush plants and trees. Find out all our favorite things to do in Garachico, including where to stay and eat on your visit.
Things to do in Garachico
Garachico is one of the oldest villages in Tenerife, once the most critical and active port in the Canary Islands. Devastatingly, a volcanic eruption destroyed the village in 1706, with very few buildings surviving. However, the town has returned stronger than ever — it’s colorful, happy, sunny, and one of the most picturesque places in Tenerife! It was even voted one of the ‘Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España‘ (the prettiest villages in Spain).
Note: Garachico is not very big; it only takes about an hour to explore the old center. For this reason, we recommend stopping here while following our Tenerife itinerary. However, it could also make an excellent base for your stay.
Head first to Plaza de la Libertad, the beating heart of the town — a charming central square surrounded by stunning buildings, palm trees, and beautiful streets to explore. Some of the must-see things to do in Garachico are in this square:
Convento de San Francisco
Discover this historic convent off Plaza Libertad. Inside, there’s a beautiful interior courtyard and a small museum with some interesting information about the volcanic eruption.
Entry fee: 2 EUR/2.50 USD (check opening times in advance, as sometimes it’s closed temporarily)
Iglesia de Santa Ana
Unfortunately, this pretty whitewashed church was one of the buildings destroyed during the volcanic eruption. It was rebuilt in 1706 and is open to the public.
We recommend paying the 2 EUR/2.50 USD entry fee to climb to the top of the bell tower. Incredible views!
Book this popular tour of north Tenerife (including a stop in Garachico!)
Simon Bolivar Statue
We learnt a little about the liberator Simon Bolivar when we were in Colombia, but we had no idea of his connection to Tenerife! His ancestors were originally from Garachico.
Our Top Tip: In the center of Plaza Libertad, there’s an old bandstand, which has now been cleverly refurbished as a bar. Stop for a drink on the terrace; it has such a great atmosphere!
Hotel La Quinta Roja
This beautiful ‘red’ hotel is situated within a historic 17th-century mansion, home to a typical Canarian central courtyard. You can have a scenic dinner here, which looks delicious (reserve your table here). We also think this hotel would be a wonderful place to stay!
Viewpoints in Garachico, Tenerife
Next, get up high for a bird’s eye view of the epic coastline in Garachico! We found a couple of fantastic viewpoints on our trip, both within walking distance of the old center.
The first is Mirador Emigrante, which is just a 15-minute walk — and one of the most popular things to do in Garachico! You’ll find some interesting information about the volcanic eruption here, which you can learn about while you look out over Garachico’s terracotta roof, the wild, volcanic coast, and Roque de Garachico in the distance. Here is the Google Maps location.
If you want more of a hidden gem, we recommend heading for this more tranquil viewpoint (see the exact location here). While you can walk here, it’s a 20-minute uphill climb, so it’s easier to drive if you have a car. Well worth it for the impressive views of the village, the Atlantic Ocean, and volcanic pools once you reach the top!
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Castillo de San Miguel
Unlike most buildings in Garachico, Castillo de San Miguel was one of the few to survive the eruption, making it one of the oldest structures in the area! This scenic volcanic stone castle was once an old defense fortress, protecting the village from pirate attacks.
Nowadays, there’s a small museum inside with exhibits on local history. You can also climb up the tower for excellent views of both the ocean and the nearby natural pools. Unfortunately, it was closed when we came, and we couldn’t find much information about opening times. Even without visiting the inside, we still found beautiful views, especially around sunset!
Natural Swimming Pool: Piscinas Naturales El Caletón
The eruption on Tenerife and the subsequent flow of burning hot lava to the ocean left a series of volcanic rock pools along the island’s rugged coastline. Now they’re used by locals and visitors as a place to snorkel, swim, and refresh during the hot summer months. The Atlantic Ocean is often very rough in Tenerife, so the pools provide a fantastic alternative!
The most popular natural pools on Tenerife, and the safest, are the Piscinas Naturales El Caletón in Garachico. Here you’ll find several pools formed by the eruption that have been made easier to access with steps into the water, as well as other services like bathrooms and lifeguards. Stone paths surround the pools, where visitors lay their towels to sunbathe, as they look out over the pools, the Atlantic Ocean, and San Miguel Castle. Best of all, they’re free to visit!
After your dip, I highly recommend grabbing some ice cream across the road at Gelateria Artesanal Italiana Fragola — my favorite one in Tenerife (and I tried a few!).
Note: Unfortunately, when we visited (March), the pools were closed as the ocean was too rough. This is often the case during the winter and early Spring months. As far as we know, there is no way to check this online, so the best option is to check the live cameras in Garachico, Tenerife. Check this one that looks directly onto the pools.
Beach: Playa de Garachico
Now it’s time for beach relaxation! Right next to the village is the volcanic black sand beach ‘Playa de Garachico’. The small stones make the ocean extra blue and clear here, although it’s a good idea to check the weather in advance, as sometimes it can be too rough for swimming.
It’s always suitable for sunbathing, though! We loved chilling on the beach for an hour or two, soaking up the beautiful views of the rugged cliffs that frame the beach. It was one of our favorite things to do in Garachico.
Book this popular tour of north Tenerife (including a stop in Garachico!)
Cafes and Restaurants in Garachico
Garachico is also a fantastic place to try some of Tenerife’s local delicacies, and its coastal position means it’s excellent for freshly caught seafood, too. Some must-tries in the town are:
- El Rebojo: Stylish eatery that’s heaven for fish lovers. Try the ceviche! Reserve your table
- El Caleton: Best views in Garachico. Dine on local favorites with an incredible view of the volcanic pools and the ocean.
- Proa Norte: Traditional tapas and delicious seafood for a reasonable price.
- Quinta Roja: Upscale dining in the famous 17th-century mansion. Book your table here
- Gelateria Artesanal Italiana Fragola: My favorite ice cream in Tenerife!
Hotels in Garachico
As one of the most picturesque towns in Tenerife, Garachico is a wonderful place to stay. It also makes a great base to do a Tenerife itinerary, close to popular towns La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz, and with easy access to natural gems like Teide National Park.
Note: We chose to stay in Puerto de la Cruz, which we loved! From here, it was just a 30-40 minute drive to Garachico, perfect for a half-day visit. (See all hotels in Puerto de la Cruz)
Discover all our favorite things to do in Tenerife!
How to Visit Garachico, Tenerife
The journey to reach Garachico is an adventure in itself! Steep winding roads lead down to the village, with plenty of viewpoints where you can stop and take in the views of the Atlantic Ocean and one of the oldest villages on the island.
By Car
If you’re visiting Garachico on a half-day trip, we recommend traveling by car for more flexibility (easier to follow our Tenerife itinerary and add on other stops).
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Note: Sometimes it can be challenging to find parking in Tenerife, especially if arriving in the middle of the day. We found a few parking spots in and around the village, but the biggest is this location. (We’ve added more options on our Google Maps below)
By Tour or Bus
Depending on where you’re traveling from, the TITSA public buses are also available. Plan your route here.
Alternatively, choose one of the many day tours of north Tenerife which include a stop in Garachico. They usually include a return transfer from your hotel and a local guide. (See all tours to Garachico)
From the Airport
If you’ve picked a hotel in Garachico for your Tenerife itinerary, you’ll need directions from the airport. There are two airports in Tenerife, one located in the north (closest to Garachico) and one in the south.
- From the south airport: 1 hour 15 minutes by car. There is no direct bus to Garachico, but you can take bus 111 to Costa Adeje and then change onto bus 460, which will drop you outside Quinta Roja Hotel.
- From the north airport: 45 minutes driving. There is no direct bus to Garachico from here either. Instead, take bus 30 from the airport to Puerto de la Cruz, then change to line 363.
Top Tip: Check with your hotel if they can arrange to collect you from the airport, or book a private transfer here.
Garachico, Tenerife Weather
Fall and Spring are both great times to visit. However, the Atlantic can still be a bit cold for swimming during this time. We visited in March, which we found perfect for exploring; the days are sunny and clear, and the landscapes are particularly luscious.
The summer months are the best to take advantage of the beach and natural pools, but these are also the busiest. Book your tours and hotels in Garachico well in advance if visiting during this time.
By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost.
Thank you for your support. ♥️
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Garachico via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.