Garachico, Tenerife: must-see sights, tourist reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

There are places on the planet that you must see at least once in your life. They are not very popular in the global tourism business, but their visit leaves an indelible mark on the memory for many years. One such place is Garachico, Tenerife.

General information

In the Atlantic Ocean, the paradise Canary Islands are lost, which annually host hundreds of thousands of tourists on their land. Among them is Tenerife - an island with magnificent beaches and old settlements. Among them, Garachico stands out - a town with a rich history.

Garachico, Tenerife, is one of the most colorful towns in all the Canary Islands, and it is here, despite the official belonging to Spain, that a truly Spanish spirit is felt. The coastline was created thanks to volcanic rocks, so the color of the beaches and reefs is black. It is in the crevices that tourists swim all year round.

Garachico in Tenerife appeared in the eighteenth century. Throughout this small town there are signs,telling one story or another. The city has a huge number of all kinds of tourist shops, souvenir shops and, of course, cafes where you can try local food, consisting of local fresh seafood. In 1706, a volcanic explosion occurred on the island, and most of the buildings had to be restored. It is all the more pleasant to walk along small narrow streets with a camera and collect interesting shots for a long memory.

How to get there

Inexperienced tourists may wonder how to get to Garachico in Tenerife. The best way to do this is by car. There are several companies operating on the island that provide car rental services. It is enough to have a driver's license and a security deposit with you, and the car is yours. On a trip to Garachico, you need to focus on the TF-42 highway, which runs along the entire coast. The TF-82 also takes you to Garachico, but this route is dangerous because it passes through volcanic peaks. You need to be very careful when moving along the serpentine. If you or your loved ones get motion sickness, be sure to take pills or special sweets with you, as stopping on a serpentine is dangerous and highly undesirable.

There is an option to get there by bus. But this is not the best idea, it is better to refuse it if there are other options. There is no direct bus service, you will have to make two or three transfers, which is not particularly pleasant in the heat. The total cost of the bus ride is approximately equal to the cost of renting a car, so makea choice in favor of comfort.

Palace House of the Counts of La Gomera

There are enough attractions in the city, so the question of what to see in Garachico in Tenerife will not arise. First of all, go on an excursion to the palace house of the Counts of La Gomera, which has another, unofficial name - "house of stone". Its construction began in 1666 and at first only two masters were hired - stonemasons Antonio Perez and Luis Marichal. The exterior and interior decoration of the house is made of volcanic stone, which the craftsmen carefully polished and gave a delicate shape. It is sad that after a volcanic eruption in 1706, the house was destroyed almost to the ground. It has been completely restored with all the unique details. Now the house is open to the public every day from 10.00 to 16.00.

St Anne's Church

In the photo of Garachico in Tenerife, you can see a very beautiful high tower. This tower belongs to the church of St. Anne, which was built at the beginning of the fourteenth century. It is noteworthy that at first the project was conceived without a tower. It began to be built only in 1615, and then the bells were placed in it. The volcanic eruption in 1706 destroyed almost everything to the ground. The restoration took seven years. Now, for a nominal fee, anyone can climb the tower, admire the view of the city and take beautiful photos.

La Puerta de Tierra Park

One of the most interesting places to visit in the town of Garachico onTenerife is a garden-park "La Puerta de Tierra". The park was created artificially, but the architects reproduced all the historical interiors as accurately as possible. A unique artifact installed in the park is the gate that has survived to this day. It was through them that the newcomers to the city passed, and through them the people who left it came out.

A unique feature of the park is the original press, a mechanism used to crush grapes to make wine. Also on the territory there is a monument in memory of the founder of the town of Garachico - Cristobal de Ponte.

Monastery of Santo Domingo

The Monastery of Santo Domingo is the oldest monastery in Tenerife, and the most beautiful. This is a large two-story building, which is decorated with carved balconies in the Portuguese style. Part of the facade and interior decoration is decorated with volcanic stone, which gives the monastery a majestic, unique look. During the famous volcanic eruption in 1706, the monastery of Santo Domingo was not damaged at all, as it was at a decent distance from the lava flow. However, in the twentieth century, the building was abandoned and almost forgotten, as it collapsed due to dilapidation and lack of proper repairs. Only a few years ago, a group of philanthropists undertook a major overhaul of the building, and now it is a nursing home, which was given the name of the Virgin Mary.

Fortress San Miguel

During the reign of King Felipe II, a decree was issued on the construction of a fortress that would protect the island fromforeign sea invaders. This is how the fortress of San Miguel appeared, small in scale, but very skillfully designed. The volcanic eruption touched this structure quite a bit, destroying only part of the wall. The destruction was quickly restored, and the fortress continued to serve as a talisman to the island from corsairs and sea robbers.

Today, the fortress is open to visitors daily. On its territory, several cannons of those times were left as museum exhibits, with which you can take pictures. Sometimes the fortress building serves as an exhibition space for artists and photographers.

Reviews of tourists

Reviews of Garachico in Tenerife, despite the excellent location in the Atlantic Ocean, are very diverse. It is best to visit these places for people who are interested in history, love walking and want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. For a quiet relaxing holiday this place is perfect. It is better to come here without young children, for whom there are practically no places and entertainment equipped for recreation. Rather, Garachico will be of interest to older schoolchildren, as the trip will allow them to see historical places with their own eyes and feel the spirit of the events of bygone years.

Garachico is a great place for people who appreciate delicious food and drinks. Needless to say, the wine produced in the local Spanish vineyards is considered one of the best in the world. The cuisine, according to travelers, is beyond praise and captivates not with the complexity of the dishes, but, on the contrary, with its simplicity. All dishes are prepared from freshseafood in front of your eyes, where you can add spices and olive oil to your own taste during the cooking process. This is also a kind of attraction of Garachico in Tenerife. It's worth remembering this. Tenerife and Garachico are must-sees, seasoned travelers advise.