Tacoronte, Tenerife: what to see, do and visit in one day

Tacoronte is one of those places in northern Tenerife that is worth discovering at a slower pace. Its historic centre, traditional Canarian architecture, natural landscapes and coastline reveal a side of the island that feels very different from its main tourist areas.

In a single visit, you can stroll past historic buildings, venture into the Agua García forest, head down to small coastal villages such as El Pris or Mesa del Mar and discover the winemaking tradition of the Tacoronte-Acentejo region.

You can spend a few hours exploring its main points of interest or set aside almost a full day to combine heritage, nature, coastline and gastronomy.

Why visit Tacoronte in Tenerife?

Discover a more local side of Tenerife in Tacoronte

Walking through Tacoronte brings you closer to a more everyday side of Tenerife. Its streets, squares, traditional houses and small neighbourhoods retain some of the character that defines the towns of the island’s north.

Here, the experience is also in the small details: stopping in a square, noticing the Canarian architecture, heading down to one of the coastal villages or discovering local produce. A different way to experience Tenerife beyond its most visited places.

Nature, heritage and coastline in Tacoronte

One of Tacoronte’s distinctive features is the variety of landscapes and experiences it brings together in one municipality. You can start by exploring the heritage of its historic centre, continue through the lush vegetation of the Agua García forest and end the day beside the Atlantic in El Pris or Mesa del Mar.

Add to this a food scene closely tied to local produce. The winemaking tradition of Tacoronte-Acentejo is one of the area’s defining features, alongside a growing commitment to Canarian craft beer. Nature, heritage, coastline and local flavours all come together within just a few kilometres, making Tacoronte much more than a visit to a town in northern Tenerife.

Must-visit places in Tacoronte.

Tacoronte’s heritage is concentrated mainly in its historic centre, where several of the municipality’s most representative buildings and spaces can be explored on foot. These are some of the places to include in your visit.

Sanctuary of the Santísimo Cristo de los Dolores

The Sanctuary of the Santísimo Cristo de los Dolores is one of Tacoronte’s most representative buildings and one of the main stops within its historic quarter.

It stands beside Plaza del Cristo and is linked to the former San Agustín convent. Its location makes it easy to include in a walk through the centre before continuing towards other points of interest in the old town.

Church of Santa Catalina and La Casona

The Church of Santa Catalina and La Casona form part of Tacoronte’s historic heritage and offer another opportunity to discover the municipality’s traditional architecture.

The church, whose origins date back to 1545, is particularly notable for its bell tower and is officially recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest), reflecting its historical and artistic value. Nearby, La Casona completes one of the key stops on a walk through the historic centre.

La Alhóndiga and El Calvario

La Alhóndiga was built in the 17th century as a public granary and today hosts a range of cultural events, particularly those connected with agriculture.

Opposite stands El Calvario, also dating from the 17th century, which served as a resting point during Holy Week processions. Two neighbouring landmarks that offer a closer look at the municipality’s past and traditions.

Hamilton Gardens

For a break between heritage visits, the Hamilton Gardens add a green pause to a walk through Tacoronte.

Its vegetation also offers a glimpse of the islands’ natural richness and a peaceful place to stroll before continuing to explore the municipality.

What to do in Tacoronte: plans and activities

Tacoronte beaches and natural swimming pools

Tacoronte’s coastline swaps long stretches of sand for volcanic coves, natural swimming pools, cliffs and small seaside communities. El Pris and Mesa del Mar are its two main references for getting close to the Atlantic and enjoying a swim against the backdrop of northern Tenerife.

La Arena Beach and Mesa del Mar

Mesa del Mar is home to La Arena beach, a black volcanic-sand beach reached through a distinctive tunnel carved into the rock. Its waters are generally calm, and the area also has a natural swimming pool, a sun terrace and a small jetty, making it a good option for spending a few hours by the sea.

The neighbourhood is also home to a picturesque chapel dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Carmen and lies within the Costa de Acentejo Protected Landscape. Its archaeological value adds another layer: part of this coastline is recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural due to caves linked to Tenerife’s early inhabitants. Nature, heritage and sea meet in the same place.

El Pris and its natural swimming pool

A few kilometres away, El Pris retains the character of a small fishing village closely connected to the Atlantic. Beside its cove is one of its main attractions: a natural swimming pool separated from the open sea by a wall, offering a distinctive place for a dip.

Its appearance changes with the tides. At high tide, ocean water flows in and renews the pool, making it seem to merge visually with the sea. It is a different way to enjoy a swim while life continues around this small maritime community.

If you can choose when to visit, late afternoon brings an extra reward: from this stretch of coast you can enjoy the colours of sunset with Mount Teide forming part of the view

Viewpoints overlooking the Tacoronte coast

The steep slopes between inland Tacoronte and the Atlantic create several places from which to take in the coastline from above. On the road descending towards El Pris, the views reveal the small fishing village tucked beside the ocean and the rugged coastline of northern Tenerife.

The road to Mesa del Mar offers another perspective, with the Costa de Acentejo cliffs and the Atlantic taking centre stage before you reach sea level. From the road to La Esperanza, the landscape changes again, opening up a broader view of the area and highlighting the contrast between Tacoronte’s green interior and its volcanic coastline.

Rather than looking for a single viewpoint, pay attention to the landscape as you travel around the municipality: in Tacoronte, the road down to the coast is part of the experience too.

Tacoronte town: a walk through the historic centre

One of the best ways to get to know Tacoronte town is on foot. Its historic centre brings together several of the municipality’s main heritage buildings, making it easy to discover them on a single walk.

A gastronomic and wine route through the village.

Discovering Tacoronte also means discovering its food. The municipality has places recognised with Guía Repsol ‘Solete’ distinctions, alongside a cuisine closely connected to local produce and traditional Tenerife recipes.

Grilled cheese with palm honey and gofio, Canarian potatoes, Canarian-style squid in sauce, goat meat and marinated chicken are some of the dishes worth trying during your visit.

Wine deserves special attention. Tacoronte forms part of the Tacoronte-Acentejo Designation of Origin, and the variety of wineries in the region makes it easy to complement your route with a visit or tasting and get closer to northern Tenerife’s winemaking tradition.

Alongside wine, Canarian craft beer has also found its place in this part of the island. Some breweries offer the chance to learn about the production process and taste different styles, adding another gastronomic experience to the route. Between Canarian cuisine, wineries and craft beer, Tacoronte can also be discovered through its flavours

Where to stay in Tenerife

Tacoronte can easily become a day trip during a stay in Tenerife. Having a good base makes it easier to plan different days combining nature, beaches, gastronomy and visits to some of the island’s towns and cities.

At Kora Living, you have two options from which to keep discovering Tenerife:

From either property, you can set aside a day to discover Tacoronte and combine its historic centre with the Agua García Forest, the coast and local gastronomy.

Places worth exploring near Tacoronte

Tacoronte’s location makes it easy to continue your route through other parts of northern and north-eastern Tenerife. If you have a car, you can combine your visit with some of these places.

El Sauzal y sus miradores

Tacoronte’s location makes it easy to continue your route through other parts of northern and north-eastern Tenerife. If you have a car, you can combine your visit with some of these places.

San Cristóbal de La Laguna

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a perfect stop for continuing your exploration of northern Tenerife. Its historic centre invites you to simply start walking among pedestrian streets, squares, palaces and traditional houses with colourful façades.

A place to enjoy its heritage, stop at one of its terraces and soak up the atmosphere of one of the island’s most historic cities.

Puerto de la Cruz and the La Orotava Valley

Puerto de la Cruz combines its history as a coastal town with one of the best-known tourist atmospheres in northern Tenerife. Its black-sand beaches, tropical gardens and traditional architecture sit alongside spaces designed by César Manrique, such as Lago Martiánez. With Mount Teide forming part of the scenery, it is worth walking along the seafront and wandering through its streets.

And while you are in the north, make time for La Orotava too. Its historic centre, traditional Canarian architecture and views across the valley invite you to explore without rushing. It is no coincidence that it belongs to the Cittaslow network, an approach to destinations closely linked to nature, culture, traditions and a slower local rhythm.

Anaga and its natural landscapes

In the north-east of Tenerife, Anaga Rural Park, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, reveals one of the island’s greenest and most rugged landscapes. Its jagged mountain ridges give way to deep ravines and valleys descending towards the Atlantic, creating scenery that feels completely different from other parts of Tenerife.

As well as its wealth of endemic flora and fauna, Anaga offers numerous opportunities for walking and discovering small settlements and beaches among the mountains. A perfect setting to end the route by swapping streets and heritage for trails, forest and nature.