Hotel El Patio

Activities

• The banana plantation encircles you completely. It runs down to impressive sea cliffs. You’re free to follow your nose and paths are marked in different colours, each of which corresponds to the length of a particular walk.
  
  
• On your way out, stop at the family church. It was built in 1565 and it is still used for mass. It is made of local stone and has a pointed archway. The altar is neo-classical and the central painting – the Adoration of the King – is of Flemish origin. You’ll also find a Canarian pitch-pine pulpit and damask wall hangings. The small house next door was used by Augustine monks from 1692-1701 when their monastery was destroyed by fire.
  
  
• Drive up to Garachico and make a tour of the town. It’s utterly authentic, beyond the tourist trap. Don’t miss the town square, Glorieta de San Francisco or the tiny but wonderful gardens in Plaza de Juan Gonzales de La Torre. Here you will find the original arched entrance into town, the only piece of architecture to survive the 1706 volcano.
  
  
• Head down to the seafront at Garachico and you will find a number of volcanic rock pools. They are not hot springs, just sea water, but they are quite popular. They stretch over a relatively large area and are connected by labyrinthine paths cut into the rock. Waves come crashing in, but you don’t get wet. A great place to watch the sea.
  
  
• You’re in the loveliest part of Tenerife, the north western tip, La Isla Baja. Mountains rise behind, as does the odd mountain road. These are not for the faint-hearted and average speeds are about 30km/h, but a trip up into the hinterland takes you into some spectacular scenery. Climb up to El Tanque and you can stretch your legs in one of three nature reserves: the Teno Rural Park; the Forest Crown Nature Park; and the Chinyero Special Nature Reserve. Take the road on to Masca, don’t think about it, just go. You’ll find a tiny village half way up a mountain with vast views out to sea, utterly remote, of ethnological interest, a very special place.
  
  
• You can keep going and do a tour around the volcano; most people do. There’s a lookout half way along, where you can gaze out from the top of the mountain all the way down to the coast. There’s also a good restaurant up here where you can get a bite of lunch.
  
  
• Head to the western tip of the island for an 1883 lighthouse, volcanic bays, dreamy colours and spectacular views down the coast to the cliffs of Los Gigantes. There’s great hiking here, too.
  
  
• Golfers will be in heaven down at Buenavista; the course was designed by Seve Ballesteros. Seven of the holes run along the ocean (a magnet to most golf balls). See Rates for an idea of cost and ask at reception about tee times.
  
  
• Head up to Puerta de La Cruz. It’s the main town on the north coast, not too big, but worth a visit. The butterfly centre gets rave reviews, and is, apparently, much more interesting than you’d ever imagine.
  
  
• There's also a decent black sand beach at Playa San Marcos (La Mancha), a 2km walk (or 4km drive) to the east of the hotel