Guaza between volcanic landscapes, nature and history

Guaza is at its most distinctive where landscape, early history and modern-day discoveries come together: Montaña de Guaza rises more than 400 metres above sea level and has two concentric craters. Lava from the eruption formed the Mesas de Guaza and a small coastal cliff. The Mesas de Guaza preserve remnants of Cardonal-Tabaibal vegetation, including the Cardoncillo Ceropegia fusca and other typical lowland species.

Landscape

The desert-like vegetation of Montaña de Guaza provides refuge for steppe birds such as the stone-curlew, southern grey shrike and trumpeter finch. Montaña de Guaza also serves as a nesting site for populations of Cory's shearwater, yellow-legged gull and trumpeter finch, among others. The area surrounding Montaña de Guaza is designated as the ZEPA ES0000345 “Rasca y Guaza” special protection area for birds; the designation was made by a government resolution dated 17 October 2006.

The TF-665 connects Guaza and Los Cristianos and is one of the most important paved roads approaching the Montaña de Guaza natural monument. An unpaved access road suitable for vehicle traffic to the natural monument begins near Guaza del Medio at the TF-665.

History

Montaña de Guaza contains pre-Hispanic caves, huts and Guanche burial areas. The La Rasca archaeological zone comprises three clearly defined areas containing most of the indigenous or pre-Hispanic remains: Malpaís, La Laguneta, and Las Mesas and Montaña de Guaza.

The quarries in the Mesas de Guaza also date back at least to the end of the 17th century. Loza chasnera was extracted from them for churches and manor houses in Tenerife and La Gomera. Montaña de Guaza also contains subfossils of extinct species of great scientific interest.

Culture

Every year, Guaza holds fiestas in honour of Santa Teresa de Jesús and San Jerónimo. From 25 to 27 October 2024, the fiestas included religious and traditional events; a procession took place on 26 October. Arona ArqueoViva invites visitors to transform themselves into archaeologists for a day in a real-life setting.

Hiking and golf

The Ruta Acantilado de Guaza passes quarries for chasnerian slabs and offers extensive views of Rasca and the settlement of Palm-Mar from the southern edge. A hiking trail on the northern flank of Montaña de Guaza begins at the TF-6223 road and leads to the summit at an altitude of 430 metres.

Golf Los Palos is located on the Guaza–Las Galletas road at kilometre 7 in Arona. Golf Los Palos has a golf school with PGA-qualified coaches and offers individual and group lessons in several languages.

When selecting a holiday apartment in Guaza, compare the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer pages. Which of these details matters for your travel planning depends on your personal priorities and the type of stay you want.

More local pages for your travel planning: Buzanada, Tacoronte, Arafo, Costa Adeje, San José de los Llanos, El Sauzal, Ravelo and Juan Fernández.

For the main travel overview: Tenerife.