The Scenic Northwest

  • Destination: El Guincho, Garachico, Icod de los Vinos, Rambla de Castro, Viñátigo Vineyards

Destinations: Icod de los Vinos, Garachico, Viñátigo Vineyards, El Guincho, Rambla de Castro.

Duration: 6 hours approx.

Pick-up time: 09.00 am (or another agreed time if you prefer)

This tour invites us to visit two of Tenerife’s landmarks. The first is Icod de los Vinos. The second is the old port of Garachico. We can approach both either from the pine forests and agricultural highlands, through tiny villages which time have hardly touched or from the scenic northwest highway.

Icod is home to the amazing thousand year old Dragon Tree, alongside San Marcos, one of Tenerife’s most beautiful churches, rich in Gothic and Flemish art. We might take a photograph or two at La Plaza de la Pila, which many consider to be the prettiest little square on the island.

Garachico is everyone’s favourite, a beautiful old town where time appears to have stopped many years ago. This means it retains a blend of simple Canary Island charm and beautiful nobility. Narrow cobbled streets lead in and out to inviting cafes and fish restaurants at the very edge of the island’s fiercest seas. Garachico was the home of some of the richest 16th century merchants like the Genoese Ponte dynasty which made fortunes exporting Malmsey wine. Indeed, until most of the town was destroyed by a great volcanic eruption in 1706, this was Tenerife’s port. We will certainly visit the charming Santa Ana church, monasteries and the beautiful old square surrounded by historic buildings. If there is time and the sea is calm a dip in one of the picturesque natural rock pools is recommended. If requested tou might prefer to sample some delicious traditional cuisine at a charming old-time restaurant.

But for those of you who would prefer a walk along the northern coastline, a track takes us from the pretty, cliff-top enclave of El Rosario, close to the Ruiz ravine as far as the village of Las Aguas, famous for its fish restaurant, and back. An alternative, with numerous climbs and descents through palm groves, takes us in the opposite direction towards Puerto de la Cruz from the San Pedro mirador and into a protected natural area known as Rambla de Castro.

The prices for our excursions do not include the purchase of food and drink, souvenirs, entrance fees to museums, etc. If you are in any doubt, please contact us.

Book Now