Fascinating Tenerife: its most beautiful villages

The Canary Islands are one of the biggest attractions in Spain when it comes to choosing a place to go on holidays. Its paradisiacal beaches, its spectacular volcanic nature and its great weather have made it a very popular place at any time of the year. Of all the islands that make up the archipelago, the largest one does not disappoint. Here, we will review the 11 most beautiful villages of Tenerife. Charming places both on the coast and inland, spaces to learn a little more about this special island.

Garachico

The village of Garachico is considered one of the most charming of the whole island as it has been built adapting to the morphology of the coast. Today it has an enveloping aspect towards the sea, drawn with picturesque white houses. It is located in the northeast of the island and besides its impressive coastal view, it has places of interest among its streets such as the convent of Santo Domingo, the castle of San Miguel or the church of Santa Ana.

Vilaflor

Located in the southern foothills of Mount Teide is Vilaflor, a charming inland village ideal for lovers of hiking and nature. This place was for a long time a place of passage of the inland routes and today is surrounded by pine forests that give it a unique rural aspect. It also has several historical buildings such as the hermitage of San Roque or the hermitage of Calvario.

El Sauzal

El Sauzal is one of those villages that do not leave indifferent, as it contains both history and ecosystem in equal parts. This place is like a coastal village located in the north of Tenerife. However, in this area of the island, the terrain tends to be elevated and the population instead of being on the beach, is on the plain of one of many cliffs. It has incredible views of both the ocean and the Teide. In addition, it has tourist attractions such as the church of San Pedro Apostle.

Caserío de Masca

There are small villages in the Spanish geography that seem lost in time and undoubtedly Caserío de Masca is one of them. Located in an inland terrain full of ravines, the village was for decades isolated and today you can see that it is intact compared to the rest of the cities. Its tile and stone houses blend perfectly with the palm trees and wild landscape that surrounds it. Undoubtedly one of the most recommended villages for rural and sustainable tourism in Tenerife.

Teno Alto

Tenerife is not only dream beaches, there is also space for places of calm and retreat and Teno Alto is one of its best examples. This small village formed by a few houses is located in the west of the island, within the Teno Rural Park. It offers its visitors a space of silence in the middle of nature. Its stone houses and winding streets have made it one of the favorite places for rural tourists.

Arico

Arico is located in the south of Tenerife and is an exceptional town with a perfect balance between the attraction of the sea and the historical legacy of the island. The town is divided into the new and the old part. While in the new part you have access to the sea in one of the areas with the calmest waters of the south coast, in the old part you have access to a whole series of buildings of interest. Good examples are the church of San Juan Bautista, from the XVII century or the church of the Virgen de la Luz and the hermitage of San Bartolomé.

Tegueste

At the northern tip of the island of Tenerife is the picturesque village of Tegueste, one of the places that best represents the agricultural spirit of the interior of the island, full of vineyards and crops. Its white houses and its beautiful church of San Marcos contrast with the green of the palm trees and vegetation. Tegueste is a village that is worth a walk to enjoy the tranquility and soak up the rural atmosphere of the Canary Islands.

San Juan de la Rambla

Tenerife has small fishing villages hidden in the middle of the coastal geography and the cliffs of the northern part of the island. San Juan de la Rambla is one of them. Polished around cliffs and breakwaters, this small town is composed of colorful fishermen’s cottages built haphazardly on the hill. An ideal place to escape from the chaos and connect with the sea, enjoying the local cuisine. In addition, from the Ruiz ravine you have a privileged view of the area.

Santiago del Teide

Santiago del Teide is located in the northeast of the island and looks like something out of another planet. Its location, in the middle of volcanic soil, gives it a filmy appearance full of unusual rock formations, something that makes it a great starting point for hiking trails. On the other hand, it has one of the cleanest and quietest beaches on the island, the Arena beach. In addition to being versatile for both sea and mountain tourists, it has heritage sites of interest such as the church of San Fernando Rey or the Casa del Patio.

El Tanque

El Teide is one of the main attractions of the island, but you should not overlook all the villages that are located at the foot of this huge volcano and are full of charm. Specifically, El Tanque is located in the northern part of the island and is composed of small houses camouflaged among the trees, giving it a beautiful rural air. This inland place is one of the smallest in Tenerife but it keeps in its interior architectural jewels like the church of San Antonio de Padua. In addition, it is the starting point of some of the most beautiful inland routes of the lower island.

Fasnia

Fasnia is one of the villages with more historical legacy of all Tenerife. Despite its small size, it keeps among its boundaries some important archaeological remains, specifically in the ravines of Herques and Los Muertos. In addition, it has an old town full of historical sites such as the hermitages of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, La Montaña or San Joaquín. Strolling through its streets is practically being in a living museum. It also has a great agricultural influence and an incredible location just minutes from the sea.