Garachico, between lava and legend : A reconstructed jewel on the Atlantic coast

I chose to inaugurate this section dedicated to the remarkable towns and villages of northern Tenerife with Garachico, because my own village, although located a few kilometers uphill, belongs to the same municipality.😊

An authentic atmosphere

Garachico charms with its peaceful atmosphere (despite the influx of tourists, especially on weekends!) and its strong identity. It is a village of singular beauty: nestled between the volcanic slopes and the vastness of the ocean, it holds a rich — and tumultuous — history.

A past forged by fire… and wine

Founded at the end of the 15th century by a Genoese banker, Garachico quickly became one of the most important ports in Tenerife.Thanks to its strategic location, the village enjoyed great prosperity during the 16th and 17th centuries, especially through the trade of Malvasía wine, which was highly prized in Europe — particularly in England.

English, Flemish, and Spanish ships would dock here to load this sweet, aromatic wine, grown in the surrounding volcanic valleys. This thriving trade brought wealth to the village, which saw the rise of elegant mansions, convents, and a flourishing commercial network. Garachico became a true economic and cultural hub of the island.

But this golden age came to a sudden end in 1706, when the eruption of the Trevejo volcano (also known as Arenas Negras, mentioned in the post about the northwestern volcanoes) sent a devastating lava flow down to the coast. In just a few days, the port was buried, warehouses and homes by the sea were destroyed, and Garachico lost its status as a commercial center to other ports, such as Puerto de la Cruz.

Yet the village does not disappear. It is gradually being rebuilt with a deep resilience, and today retains many testimonies of its golden age.

A historic centre full of charm

Walking through the cobbled streets of Garachico feels like stepping back in time. The historic centre, designated as a Site of Cultural Interest, is home to beautiful Canarian mansions with wooden balconies, charming shaded squares, old convents, and centuries-old churches.

Among the must-sees:

• Plaza de la Libertad, the vibrant heart of the village,

• The Convent of San Francisco, now home to a cultural centre and museum,

• The Church of Santa Ana, rebuilt with sober elegance after the eruption,

• Castillo de San Miguel, a small 16th-century fortress facing the ocean, a vestige of the port’s defensive past.

The charcos, a bath in the lava

At the foot of the village, the famous natural pools of El Caletón were formed by lava during the 1706 eruption. Today, they offer a unique place to swim in summer, surrounded by volcanic rocks and sea spray. In winter, access may be restricted depending on weather conditions and the ocean’s dangerous currents.🤨

Festivals and living traditions

Garachico is also a village deeply rooted in its traditions. Throughout the year, it hosts several popular festivals, which I will highlight in a future post dedicated to this topic.

In February or March, Garachico also celebrates Carnival! In a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere, colorful parades, music, dancing, and costumes fill the village streets. It’s a great opportunity to experience the warmth of local traditions — while avoiding the massive crowds of the big carnivals in Santa Cruz or Puerto de la Cruz. 😊😊