Santiago del Teide Holidays

Travel Agent's View

Santiago del Teide is set in a sheltered valley and is ideal for those seeking a relaxing holiday in quiet surroundings

Located on the north west of Tenerife, Santiago del Teide is set in a sheltered valley and is ideal for those seeking a relaxing holiday in quiet surroundings. The village offers a selection of fine restaurants and a popular attraction is the 17th Century church of San Fernando.

Other nearby attractions include the picturesque village of Masca. The closest beaches are a short drive away at Los Gigantes or Playa de la Arena.

Tenerife south airport is approx 50 km from Santiago del Teide.

Insider's View

The perfect base for anyone who enjoys walking, most people only know Santiago as the place where the coach turns left to climb the serpentine road into Masca.

ideal spot in which to sit amidst the scent of the eucalyptus trees with a cold Dorada, break out the cheese and ham bocadillos and watch the pony and trap rides go by

This rural hamlet is in my top five favourite places on Tenerife. The perfect base for anyone who enjoys walking, most people only know Santiago as the place where the coach turns left to climb the serpentine road into Masca. I always pop into the picturesque church of San Fernando Rey and pose for a photo beside the Guanche statue of Alonso Diaz with his goat; he makes a great photo with the church behind him.

More or less opposite the church is a shady picnic zone with a busy kiosk which sells ice creams, beers, coffees and snacks. This is my ideal spot in which to sit amidst the scent of the eucalyptus trees with a cold Dorada, break out the cheese and ham bocadillos and watch the pony and trap rides go by from the Visitor Centre of the Casa del Patio opposite.

An easy, quick walking hit is the walk over the little bridge in the village to follow the Camino del Virgin de Lourdes as it climbs up the hillside to the tiny altar. A fresh spring here creates a little oasis of honeysuckle and roses and it's a scented, stunning view over the valley and the village from here; another one for the memory stick.

In the hamlet of Arguayo just above Santiago you'll find the Cha Domitilia pottery co-operative where you can watch clay being thrown by hand without the use of a wheel as it's been done for centuries. I like to support the venture by picking up some pottery to take home, even though it looks completely out of place on the Ikea shelving unit.

And the must-sees? The Casa del Patio Visitor Centre opposite the picnic area is a stunning 17th century mansion with an excellent tasca restaurant whose menu includes delicious tapas and fresh, local produce; riding stables, a craft shop and extensive grounds where a family of ducks and a handful of hens roam free.
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