History Tour in Tenerife | IRIS
From pirates to Hercule Poirot, Tenerife has enjoyed an eventful history since its first inhabitants arrived 3,000 years ago. This driving tour explores the highlights of the island’s story, taking in formidable castles, atmospheric caves and beautiful colonial-era architecture.
NEED TO KNOW The Ritz-Carlton, Abama’s concierge can book visits to the Cave of the Winds and the Pyramids of Güímar, and suggest lunch options in San Cristóbal de La Laguna or Santa Cruz de Tenerife. For a more relaxing tour, ask the concierge to arrange a chaueur.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
TF-5
Black Castle
TF-342
Garachico
Mirador El Lance
TF-366
Cave of the Winds
TF-421
Pyramids of Güímar
TF-1
TF-82
e Ritz-Carlton, Abama
TF-1 TF-82
From e Ritz-Carlton, Abama, head north on the TF-1 and TF-82, then descend into Garachico on the winding TF-421 (40.5km). Pause at the Castillo de San Miguel, built in the 16th century to fend off pirate attacks – climb the tower for wonderful views of the coast and the ocean. Head east on the TF-5, then take the TF-366 to visit the Cave of the Winds (9.5km), one of the world’s longest volcanic lava tubes, where archaeologists have discovered the buried remains of the island’s earliest inhabitants – the Guanches. Return to the TF-5, then pick up the TF-342 to the Mirador El Lance (19km), a viewpoint famous for a poignant statue of Mencey Bentor, a Guanches leader who jumped off a cliff in 1496 after the Spanish took control of Tenerife. Back on the TF-5, drive to San Cristóbal de La Laguna (54km), a Unesco-listed town full of colourful colonial-era architecture.
Pause here for lunch or head to the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (11km), where you can find out more about the Guanches civilization at the MUNA museum, admire the imposing Black Castle on the waterfront and go sleuthing for Calle Agatha Christie. e queen of crime worked on a Poirot novel during a stay on Tenerife in 1927. ere’s another mystery to be solved in Güímar (27.5km), south of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the TF-1 and TF-28 – the six stepped pyramids there are thought by some to have been built by ancient travellers from the New World, although others insist that they were put up by a local farmer. Decide for yourself as you stroll through the lush parkland that surrounds them, then head back to e Ritz-Carlton, Abama on the TF-1 (72.5km), stopping to admire a fortified sugar mill in Adeje, 10km from the hotel. Driving distance: 234km.
Adeje
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama Calle María Zambrano, 2, Carretera General TF-47 • Km 9 • 38687 Guía de Isora • Tenerife • España | Spain T +34 922 126 000 • ritzcarlton.com/abama
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