Tenerife shopping in Garachico leaves an impact of charm and times gone by.

Tenerife shopping in Garachico absolutely had to be part of our private Tenerife tours when my kids were on the island, some time ago.

To find the sea side place on a map, please, look here.

Please, enlarge Google's map, double click on Icod de los Vinos and, your will see Garachico, nearby. Very easy, you'll see...

To shop in Tenerife was not the only objective. It was essential to get the Tenerife feel by this tiny town or, rather village with all the typical Tenerife history of the old place of the Guanches while doing a tour of its special shops. Memories and photos to take home with counted most.

Not much of the unusual Tenerife beach side is to be seen except for the beach front veranda. It's an ideal place to relax all day and
to have a sundowner in the evening.
The rock pools Garachico belong to unusual Tenerife beaches. Mount Teide Tenerife which crowns the quaint town rather prominently is not in the picture.

Thinking of it I so much regret that we had no time for any tours or private excursions to Teide , either. The kids only had 5 days of vacation for Tenerife as part of business travels to London.

Beside, I was quite broke, then. Spain's highest peak had snow on it being January; they also were still shivering thinking of the cold British capital.

But, Garachico had to be seen.

By the way, the town is so dangerously close to the mountains above which reach down to it that everybody was holding their breath during the Tenerife wildfires in 2007, which was much later than our shopping tour.

Tenerife swimming in the rock pools of the little town

Our Tenerife shopping spree Garachico started off in Puerto de la Cruz with the mountain bus by Titsa (por la montaña) #354. (By car you best take the TF 42 Road )

Once up by Realejos Alto, we all enjoyed the tremendous coastal views from the height of the bus. But, my son in law's stomach almost turned during the numerous sharp road bends. And, he is such a hardened sportsman, you know... Quite unreal...

We should have rented a car.

We caught a connection bus in Icod de los Vinos at the bus station, by the way.

We arrived late morning for our Tenerife shopping tour in Garachico. Time enough to make the few Tenerife shops in Garachico before Siesta. You shouldn't forget that most shops are closed during siesta between any time from 1.p.m.to 17 p.m.for 2 or, 3 hours every day. The time may be used on the beach in Garachico, instead. There, you can take refreshments or, sample the Tenerife cuisine in form of delicious little tapas.

Tenerife history was greeting us when we arrived. It was the Castillo de San Miguel. It's right by the sea shore. History Tenerife tells of the Neolithic Guanches found in this area by the Spanish conquerors. It also speaks of pirate attacks when the port Garachico and its Tenerife trade were still in its hay days. What a place for Tenerife shopping... You feel the history even more because you are not in a Tenerife city.

By the way, something on history Tenerife which is more like a legend in connection with Garachico.

You may see that light clothes are fine during Tenerife shopping in winter in Garachico. That's me and son Marc by the way in the photo. Andrew even took off his shoes.
Very much a South African custom with youngsters, you know..
Andrew is my son in law. The cobble stone street with the geranium pots and the the pastel colored square houses was leading to the main Plaza or town square. Often, quaint patios are hidden behind the most ordinary looking house entrance doors.

Here is more typical Canary Island house in Garachico which we saw in Garachico county. Utterly charming... Isn't it?

The cobble stones lead us to the town's center square. We past the corner by Hotel Quinta Roja. The red building was a surprise.

We were looking through one of its open doors. This rural hotel in the middle of a town where I would like to spend a night during a Tenerife shopping tour in Garachico had been lovingly restored a little while ago.
Casa Roja is for ever described as of baroque style which is utter nonsense.
We couldn't browse for longer. We were all a little hungry by now. After eating we would do our real Garachico tour through the town. The pavilion in the middle of the square offered shade, drinks and, food. We decided to have bocadillos (French loafs) with cheese and ham and of course some tapas. We picked them as small salads.

Convent San Francisco de Asís which we could see from our table during our Tenerife shopping tour was one of the many great sturdy historical buildings in the quaint little town. They were in such charming contrast of Tenerife architecture to the little,

simple, old Tenerife townhouses in Garachico. Most of those old, massive buildings are housing art galleries, museums, libraries and other public amenities.

The Tenerife shops in Garachico are in the
little houses, though.
That's much better.
You will see why just now.

Our way back took us through narrow roads.

There are not many.

We also passed by Iglesia Santa Ana or,
church Santa Ana.

One of the loveliest shops in Garachico is El Limonero which has so many things for a
holiday home in Tenerife or just gifts.

Before I forget it: The best about shopping in Garachico is that little shops and galleries are open at night. I don't remember until what time. But, ask on arrival. They should at least be open until 9 p.m.

Going back and forth in the little town is no problem at all. That way you can plan your whole Garachico Tenerife shopping well beforehand. You may fit in as many other activities as you like.

There is a strong similarity between Garachico and the old part of La Orotava. Some of its charm can be seen in Townhouses in la Orotava . La Orotava has excellent shops for gifts, handicraft and attractions for art shopping, similar to Garachico, but is a real town.

Garachico doesn't have the space for big clothes stores such as the capital Santa Cruz. nor for many dress boutiques like La Orotava. It couldn't accommodate large supermarkets, either.

Garachico had 5542 inhabitants in 2006. Just figure how small a place it is...

Mind holidays for shopping, please...

On August 15th and 16th you most probably will not find anything open for Tenerife shopping in Garachico. Those are festive days of Garachico Romeria de San Roque They might change the days for the church procession or the Romeria. It would be wise to phone the Tenerife tourist information Garachico first. Telephone: 922 133461

The Catholic Church in Spain was strong and rich after the discoveries of South America. That shows in Tenerife churches as well as in Tenerife art and handicraft in Garachico. It is very likely that skills were taught in Garachico convents. Hence, again and again Garachico Tenerife history influences Garachico shops very much.

Compared to Los Gigantes or Puerto de Santiago you will not find any shops for marine gear in Garachico. Garachico has no Marina (yacht harbor like Los Gigantes or, in other words no real harbor.

Had there not been the fatal Trevejo eruption in 1706 (right next to Tenerife mount Teide) Garachico might also be a Tenerife tourist resort like Los Gigantes where many a private holiday home in Tenerife may be found. You may book into one of the Tenerife hotels in Garachico.

But no hotel is absolutely needed for a one day Tenerife shopping tour in Garachico.

We took a direct bus back that went mainly by the coastal road. We all arrived back in Puerto de la Cruz tired but, pleased. The bus ride by the coast didn't cause any upset tummies. It also went much faster.

You may see a mapa/ map of Garachico region, here. Puerto de la Cruz would be exactly where the map ends on the top right. The map shows Puerto de Santiago which also stands for Los Gigantes on the bottom left. So much to distances. It should be more or less 90 km from Garachico to the capital when taking the coastal road and the inland free way from Los Realejos onwards, later. To Los Rodeos North Airport it should be about 80 km. To Puerto de la Cruz about 50 km.

Shopping Puerto Cruz comes with insider tips such as shops for shoes, sound and vision as well as Todo shops.

Please, go back to general best Shopping in Tenerife including electronics, clothes and, more is all to be found in the capital Santa Cruz. It's also a place that merits Tenerife tours more than once for all kinds of reasons. Culture and going out in Tenerife is only just one of them.

Tenerife online for Spain shops in the Internet.

Piramides Martianez for Sunday grocery shopping and more.

Hypershop Carrefour Tenerife where you might find the cheapest oil for your car.

Ikea Tenerife by Santa Cruz for home and garden shopping with many great, cheap ornaments and more.

Zara Tenerife shopping where I liked Santa Cruz Zara best.

- HomePage -