Garachico, between lava and legend : a reconstructed jewel on the edge of the Atlantic

I will have the pleasure of welcoming you to my guest rooms Un Jardin al Mar, located in Genovés, which is part of the municipality of Garachico, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain😊

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An authentic atmosphere

Garachico is seduced by its tranquility (despite the influx of tourists during the day, especially on weekends!) and its strong identity. It is a village of singular beauty; Placed between the slopes of the volcano and the immensity of the ocean, it hides a rich history... and eventful.

Founded in the 15th century, the city experienced great prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries thanks to the trade of malvasia wine exported to Europe. This flourishing port attracts many ships and allows the village to develop economically and culturally.

But in 1706, a volcanic eruption destroyed the port and part of the village, ending its commercial role. Despite this, Garachico is reborn and still retains traces of its rich past.

A historic center full of charm

   Walking through the cobbled streets of Garachico is like stepping back in time. The historic center, classified as a Site of Cultural Interest, houses magnificent Canarian mansions with wooden balconies, pretty shaded squares, convents and churches.

    Among the unmissable :

• The Plaza de la Libertad, living heart of the village,

• The convent of San Francisco, today transformed into a cultural center and museum,

• The church of Santa Ana, rebuilt with sobriety after the eruption,

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

      The "charcos", a bath in the lava

At the foot of the village, the famous natural pools (called here "charcos") of El Caletón were formed by lava during the eruption of 1706. They now offer a unique place to swim in summer, between volcanic rocks and sea spray. Attention, in winter, access can be closed depending on the weather conditions and the dangerous nature of the ocean 🤨