The modest fishing port of Garachico, with its narrow cobbled streets, rough fisherman's cottages and grand town houses was the original capital of Tenerife and in the 16th century was the island's most important port.
This prosperity was threatened first in 1645 as natural forces, in the shape of huge volcanic landslides, wiped out forty boats and killed over one hundred people, and again in 1706 when two slow moving lava prongs crept into town, filling the harbour and effectively rendering it useless to large scale commercial shipping.
The town today makes for an interesting visit, with its smattering of ancient landmarks. In particular the Castillo de San Miguel is well worth a visit with great views of the ocean from the castle's ancient ramparts. One of the main tourist attractions today is the series of rock pools behind the Castillo San Miguel.
These natural bathing pools are replenished by the sea and are great for swimming at low tide.
For the culture vultures a visit to the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Museum of Contemporary Art) should round off a trip to this historic and interesting town.
