Garachico walking tour, Tenerife

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24675 pts.

Off the path Explo

68 %

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Score

3.4 / 5

Comments

This spot is locally famous. A bit touristic, but very nice Fritz.
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- Description
  
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  Cool description and you added a tip for a unique visit Fritz!
- Plans & useful information
  
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  Yes, and you added a plan!
- Pictures
  
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- Precise localization on map
  
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- 1 specific article for 1 specific spot
  
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  Yep.
Explo Popularity

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Small and really pleasant little town, on the West side of the northern coast. It was not yet polluted by tourism. The city centre has kept its authenticity and it is very pleasant to take a glass on Plazza Liberdad...

Explo History and Description:

Founded in 1496 just after the conquest of Tenerife, Garachico was formerly (16th and 17th centuries ) the island largest trade port. The city was so wealthy that one of the streets was paved with marble, but only notable could walk on !

Unfortunately two disasters compromised its destiny :

in 1646, 100 people were killed and 40 boats were destroyed in a landslide.
In 1706 a rash of an annex crater of Teide volcano covered a part of the city with ashes and filled the port.

It was the end of its prosperity ; merchants moved to settle at Puerto de la Cruz, in a more tranquil location !

During its successful period (wine and sugar intensive trade with the Americas), many Cubans and Venezuelians came to settle at Garachico. Even today, there are still symbols of these mixtures of culture, especially in expressions like "guagua" (to designate an autobus) !

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The Liberdad Plaza.

Graced with Palm trees, shaded by magnificent trees, the plaza and its cafés are very animated. The statue of Simon Bolívar reflects the vividness of transatlantic ties with South America.

All around are located several interesting monuments :

the Church and the convent San Francesco
the Santa Anna church with its all white campanile. It has beautiful doors of the 16th century
the Quinta Roja (16th century), now transformed in a charming hotel.

Walk along the streets where you will discover many traditional houses with their wooden carved balconies. Have a look at the Villafuerte Marquis and Cristobal de Ponte houses. These men were the founders of the city in 1496.

Close to the sea is located the old 16th century fort : Castillo de San Miguel with its small museum.

Swim in the sea water natural swimming pools formed by the lava.

My experience and personal tips:

It is absolutely necessary to stop sometimes for a drink and watch at the people.

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How getting there:

Afficher Garachico , tenerife sur une carte plus grande

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A tip to sleep:

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