Garachico

Updated 2 August 2026

Garachico

Founded in 1496, main commercial port of TenerifeExported wine and sugar to America and EuropeVolcanic eruption of 1706 buried the port

Founded in 1496, Garachico was Tenerife's main commercial port during the 16th and 17th centuries, exporting wine and sugar to the Americas and Europe, which made it a prosperous town rich in convents, churches and noble houses. At dawn on 5 May 1706, the Montaña Negra volcano (Trevejos eruption) began an eruption lasting about 40 days, whose lava flows buried much of the town and completely blocked its port, though without causing any deaths. Trade moved to Puerto de la Cruz and the town was reduced to a small fishing port, but it was rebuilt while preserving its historic layout.

Today it is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of Spain and its old town is designated a Site of Cultural Interest.

Gallery

Garachico before the 1706 eruption, engraving by Leonardo Torriani (c. 1590) — Leonardo Torriani (Dominio público)

Plan of the fortress of Garachico harbour, 1686 — Pedro Agustín del Castillo y León (Dominio público)

View of Garachico today, rebuilt after the 1706 eruption — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Castillo de San Miguel — El fosilmaníaco (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Piscinas naturales de El Caletón — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Convento de San Francisco — Wolfgang Sauber (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Iglesia de Santa Ana — Chmee2 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Puerta de Tierra — Cayambe (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Roque de Garachico — Paweł Szubert (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Full municipality guide

History, points of interest, photos and traditions of Garachico

See the municipality guide

Essential information

Accessibility

By car, you can reach it from the north of Tenerife: from the TF-5 highway, connect with the TF-42 road, and from the interior (El Tanque), descend to the coast via the TF-421. There is free parking without a parking meter next to the promenade (including a large parking area in the same zone, near the pier and the natural pools of El Caletón) and another free area next to the football field, all just a few minutes' walk from the town center. By bus, TITSA line 363 connects Garachico with Icod de los Vinos, Puerto de la Cruz, and Buenavista del Norte. The historic center is compact and can be comfortably explored on foot.