An Overview: What to see, things to do, the weather and the best hotels Garachico
The name Garachico means “small island”, a term from the language of the canary indigenous people (Guanches). But it is actually a village in the north-west of Tenerife. Once this was the economic centre of the Canaries. The town, including the port, was almost completely destroyed by lava masses in the 17th century. After its reconstruction, only the monastery church of San Francisco remained. Today Garachico is especially popular with culture lovers.
Learn here everything the place has to offer, this way you can quickly figure out whether Garachico is the ideal holiday destination for you on Tenerife.
Index
The guided tours in Garachico
If you want to go on holiday in Garachico, you should be prepared from the start that you will not find as many excursions offers as in the other holiday bastions on the island. In Garachico, however, you can visit sights, enjoy nature or just relax. For everyone who wants to take part in one or the other tour, we have put together a small selection below:
Bus tours: From Garachico you have the opportunity to take part in bus and minibus tours. Here you explore the island or parts of it in a comfortable bus, make stops in between to take photos or to stretch your legs and get a lot of interesting information from the experienced guides who accompany you.
Bicycle and e-bike tours: Rent a bike or e-bike and use it to explore the neighbouring towns of Los Silos and Buenavista, for example. It’s worth it, because the beautiful surroundings offer a variety of different routes.
Hiking: There is a total of over 50 hiking trails that lead through Garachico. These vary between the different levels of difficulty and are all of different lengths. One can confidently say that there really is a suitable route for everyone.
The things to see in Garachico
Garachico is particularly popular with tourists interested in culture. There are many old buildings, churches and monuments that are reminiscent of times gone by. We have put together a list of the sights that you should definitely visit:
Viewpoint Mirador de Garachico: From here you get a good view of Garachico. You can see the harbour, the various churches and also the natural pools. There is a restaurant and a café on site for snacks and a souvenir shop.
Roque de Garachico: This is a rocky island 77m high, which was created during the volcanic eruption in the 17th century. It has become the symbol of the city and is home to many species of birds.
Ermita de San Roque: This 18th century church is a place of pilgrimage that takes place on August 16th every year. It is the destination for numerous pilgrims. It was once built as a chapel in honour of Saint Roch and is now a popular tourist attraction.
San Francisco Convent Church: This church was also badly damaged in the volcanic eruption, but has been well restored. Its specialty is the wooden ceiling in the Mujédar style.
Museum in the Castillo de San Miguel: This small historical museum has a permanent exhibition. There are various display boards with information on geography, history and also on the flora and fauna of the region and the island. This small castle made of black lava stone is located directly on the sea. Arturo tabacos: A small cigar shop where you can even watch the owners roll their cigars. Good value for money and recommended for any cigar lover.
The shopping possibilities
Those who want to visit a beautiful handicraft market should come to the beach promenade in front of the Castillo de San Miguel every first Sunday of the month, because this is where the so-called “Mercadillo” takes place.
Many more small shops from local artists and craftsmen can be found in the side streets of San Francisco’s Church Square. Most of all, a lot of handmade jewellery made from black lava stones is sold.
The Nightlife
If you walk through the small town, you will find many small bars and restaurants, especially on the promenade. During the day you can enjoy a good coffee here and, in the evening, there is beer and delicious cocktails. There are quite a few options to choose from if you want to have a drink after dinner.
The weather all year round in Garachico
On average, Garachico reaches a temperature of 17.5 degrees, throughout the year. The warmest months are July, August and September, where you can expect temperatures of up to 26 degrees. During this time also, the water reaches its maximum temperature of 21.4 degrees. It is coldest in February with 16-17 degrees on good days and 11-13 degrees on bad days. It rarely rains in Garachico, which is why nothing should stand in the way of your excursion plans.
The beaches and their features
In Garachico you will not find any fine sandy beaches, but some black pebble beaches and natural sea pools. In the following, we would like to introduce you to some beaches and their special features:
Piscinas Naturales El Caletón: This is not a beach, but a collection of several sea pools. These were created naturally during the volcanic eruption in the 17th century. The individual pools are all located along the beach promenade. They are of different sizes and depths, so that you can use the appropriate pool depending on your preference. There are various restaurants on the promenade, so that you have the opportunity to eat and drink something after swimming.
San Marcos Beach: Many people call it the quietest beach in the north of Tenerife. A beautiful, small, black sand beach on the turquoise sea, only 8km from Garachico. The beach is protected from waves, which is why it is very safe even for small children, who want to play in the shallow water. You can borrow sunbeds and there are a few restaurants.
Playa de las Aguas: The black pebble beach is right next to the small marina in Garachico, from here you can see the various yachts when mooring. This beach is also good for snorkelling and diving, as the waves are usually not too strong.
Playa del Muelle: Another small black pebble beach. This beach is protected from waves by the fishing port and thus enables safe and relaxed swimming. If you just want to lie in the sun and relax, you should rather pack an extra towel, as the stones can be very uncomfortable.
Some of the best hotels
In the place Garachico there are no huge hotels, like the ones you know from some other tourist metropolises of Tenerife. Instead, you will find many old buildings that fit perfectly into the cityscape. The hotels in town also impress with their antique, yet modern interior design. Below are some of the most popular hotels in Garachico:
Isla Baja Suites: It is a very authentic colonial style building. In the mornings, a continental breakfast awaits you in the restaurant, for the other meals you can either walk a few minutes and eat something in town, or cook yourself in your suite. The rooms are basically small apartments, fully equipped with a kitchenette and living room and many even offer a sea view.
4 Stars
Hotel San Roque: The 4-star hotel is located in an old villa from the 18th century and perfectly reflects the charm of the city. The hotel is only for adults, so peace and quiet is guaranteed here. There is a small pool and a terrace with a sea view. It also offers a spa area with a sauna, massages and manicures. In the restaurant you can enjoy Mediterranean and Spanish specialties, but also international dishes. You can borrow tennis equipment or bicycles. The hotel offers horseback riding, diving and canoeing tours for an additional charge, but these take place outside the hotel complex.
Hotel Quinta Roja THe Senses Collection: The quiet 4-star hotel is located in the middle of the city. It offers its guests a pool, a restaurant and also a gym. Free parking is only 100 m away. Here you can also rent bicycles to explore Garachico and the surrounding area.
For Families
Hotel Rural El Patio: A great hotel for families in the middle of a banana plantation. It’s more of a small hotel with just 26 rooms, but it still has a pool and daily breakfast with ocean and mountain views. There is a playroom for the children and a bar for the adults.
It is without a doubt one of the quieter resorts on Tenerife, find here all the things to do in Garachico:
