Garachico and Icod de los Vinos sit six kilometres apart on the north-west coast, joined by the TF-42. That makes them one of the easiest pairings on the island: a town built on old lava with sea pools in it, and a town whose main sight is a single enormous tree. Half a day covers both without hurry, a full day if you swim. [S1]

Getting there

From the south, the router takes you up the TF-1 and over the TF-82 through Santiago del Teide, then down to the coast. From Costa Adeje to Garachico that is about 49 km and roughly 50 minutes without traffic. From Puerto de la Cruz it is the other way round: west along the TF-5, then the TF-42 coast road, about 27 km and 35 minutes. Between the two towns it is 6 km and about ten minutes. [S1]

The climb over the TF-82 is the part that takes longer than the map suggests; we plan more than the router’s figure for any mountain leg.

Turismo de Tenerife also publishes a car route from Garachico through El Tanque, Los Silos and Buenavista to Teno and Masca, which is the natural continuation if you have a whole day. [S2]

Garachico: the town the volcano reshaped

Garachico was founded in 1496 by a Genoese merchant, Cristóbal de Ponte, and was one of Tenerife’s main ports until the eruption of 1706. [S3] Walk the grid of the old centre and you pass most of what the Cabildo’s tourism site lists: the Iglesia de Santa Ana, the former convents of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, the Casa de los Condes de La Gomera, the park of the old Puerta de Tierra and, on the seafront, the small Castillo de San Miguel. [S3]

El Caletón pools

El Caletón is a group of natural pools in the lava along the seafront, at Avenida Tomé Cano. Turismo de Tenerife describes the bathing as suitable for everyone and the water as usually calm, but warns that the sea along this stretch is often strong and to take care with the swell. [S4]

In practice that means: look before you get in. The north coast can go from flat to white water in a day, and the pools are only as calm as the ocean outside them allows. We don’t give opening times because the official page doesn’t list any; this is open coastline, not a ticketed pool. [S4]

Icod de los Vinos: the Drago Milenario

Icod’s old centre is compact and protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Start at the Plaza de la Pila, walk to the Iglesia de San Marcos and the Plaza Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres; the dragon tree park is a few minutes away on foot. Turismo de Tenerife suggests one and a half to two hours for a relaxed visit, more if you go into the park. [S5]

The tree itself, the Drago Milenario (Dracaena draco), stands in the Parque del Drago, a three-hectare garden with paths, a cave reconstructing Guanche life and viewpoints. On 9 October 2026 the official tourism page listed the general adult ticket at 5 €, with reduced prices for students, pensioners and children; it also notes the park is not wheelchair accessible. [S6]

The same page gives two different sets of opening hours in different sections, so check the park’s own site, icoddelosvinosturismo.com, on the day rather than trusting a number in an article, including this one. [S6]

Where to leave the car

Icod de los Vinos. Turismo de Tenerife is direct about it: parking around the historic centre can be limited, especially in high season. It points to the Parking del Drago, a covered car park next to the dragon tree park, and to street parking further out. [S5] That covered car park is the simplest option with a convertible, because you can leave the roof closed and the car out of the sun.

Garachico. We did not find a current official list of car parks or regulated zones for Garachico, so we won’t invent one. What works for us: leave the car where the signs at that exact spot are clear, and walk. The centre is small and flat, and the pools are on the same seafront. Our parking guide for Tenerife explains how to read the bay markings and signs.

One rental detail worth knowing before you squeeze into a tight bay next to a kerb or a lava wall: our insurance does not cover damage to tyres and wheel rims. [S7] In old towns we would rather walk five more minutes than scrape a rim.

How we’d plan the day

Our own order, if the sea looks good: Icod in the morning, when the park and the old centre are quieter and the car park easier, then lunch, then Garachico in the afternoon for a walk and a swim. If the swell is up, swap it: Garachico’s centre and the seafront view are worth it even when you can’t get in the water.

For a longer north-side day, our Northern Tenerife day trip links these two towns with La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz. If you’re heading on along the coast, best coastal convertible drives covers the roads that make an open roof worthwhile.

Which car for this drive

The TF-82 and TF-42 are winding but fully paved, and any car in the fleet handles them. Our pick for this route is the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet R-Line: an automatic with four seats and room for three bags. [S8] The BMW 320d Cabriolet, also an automatic, has a folding metal hardtop that closes fully when the north gets damp, and the Ford Mustang EcoBoost Cabriolet is the one for the coast-road drive itself; its page does not state the gearbox, so ask us if you need an automatic. [S8] All open-top cars are in our cabriolet category.

FAQ

How long does it take to drive from the south of Tenerife to Garachico?

From Costa Adeje about 49 km and around 50 minutes on a router, via the TF-1, TF-82 and TF-42; plan more for the mountain section. [S1]

Can you swim in Garachico’s natural pools?

Turismo de Tenerife describes El Caletón as suitable for bathing, with a warning that the sea here is often strong. Check the swell on the day before getting in. [S4]

How much does it cost to see the dragon tree in Icod?

On 9 October 2026 the official tourism page listed 5 € for an adult ticket to the Parque del Drago, with reductions. Check current prices and hours on icoddelosvinosturismo.com. [S6]

Where do you park to visit the Drago Milenario?

Turismo de Tenerife recommends the Parking del Drago, a covered car park next to the park, because parking in the old centre is limited. [S5]

Sources (checked 2026-10-09)