Icod de los Vinos and the Thousand-Year-Old Dragon Tree

Icod de los Vinos is a small town on the island's north-west coast that most visitors skip — which is exactly why you should go. Its narrow lanes, wine cellars and one botanical icon make it a memorable half-day.

The thousand-year dragon tree

The Drago Milenario, a Canarian dragon tree (Dracaena draco) said to be over a thousand years old, grows in a small park in the town centre. Its umbrella crown is one of the island's most photographed sights. The best photos come mid-morning, when the light hits the crown — and the viewpoints from the park roof frame it perfectly.

Wine country

Icod gives its name to the region's wines — the town sits at the heart of the Tenerife wine trail, with bodegas and tasting rooms on the edges of the centre. The volcanic soils of the north-west produce crisp whites that go perfectly with the local cuisine.

Around town

Icod's own historic quarter — declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2004 — is worth a wander, its narrow cobbled streets converging on the Church of San Marcos. From Icod it is a short hop to the lava pools and fortress of Garachico, and the road south climbs into the forested highlands. The coastline here is the wild, black-rock north coast at its best — nothing like the resort beaches of the south.

Planning the trip

The town works beautifully as a stop on a west-coast day trip or combined with Garachico for a full day. Add it to your itinerary and you will see the hidden gems the south misses entirely. Beneath the town runs the Cueva del Viento, one of Europe's longest lava-tube systems.