About 30 km west of Puerto de La Cruz lies the charming town of Garachico. It’s a true gem, both for its location and its beautiful old town. Garachico and its port were founded in 1496 by Genoese banker Cristobal de Ponte, and for over two centuries, it was one of the island’s most important ports, serving as a hub for trade with America, Europe, and Africa. The main goods traded through Garachico were wine and sugar.

In 1706, the Trevejo volcano erupted, flooding the town with lava. While the eruption did not cause any fatalities, the material damage was significant, particularly in the port, which was almost completely submerged in lava, rendering it unsuitable for large ships. One of the remnants of this eruption is the numerous natural pools that formed where the lava reached the ocean. These pools are now one of the town’s tourist attractions.

Today, Garachico is home to just under 2,000 residents (the entire municipality has about 5,000) and is a key tourist attraction on the island. It is the only town on Tenerife included in the list of “The Most Beautiful Towns in Spain.”

For us, this town is the perfect spot for a few hours of walking, and we return regularly. There are small, charming streets, beautiful old buildings—some dating back to the 16th century—a promenade by the ocean, and plenty of delightful restaurants and cafés.  

The town is large enough to keep things interesting but small enough that you won’t get tired exploring it. Parking is generally not an issue, as there’s a large free parking area on the site of the former football stadium (on the left when coming from Puerto/Icod).