Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
THE PATRON SAINT OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. Candelaria houses the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria - the most important sanctuary in the entire Canarian archipelago. In front, 9 BRONZE STATUES of the Guanche menceyes (4-5 m tall) guard the temple facing the ocean. Behind, the Cave of Achbinico where two Guanche shepherds found the image of the Virgin before the Spanish conquest. Cultural Heritage Site. FREE. And 5 minutes away: LA COFRADIA DE CALETILLAS - fishermen's guild restaurant with ocean terrace, fresh fish straight from the harbour, fried octopus, local prices. THE PERFECT HIGHWAY STOP on the TF-1 between the south resorts and Santa Cruz/north: exit the motorway, 45-90 minutes of culture + spectacular lunch, and continue on your way.
Candelaria is the spiritual heart of the Canary Islands and one of the smartest stops on any Tenerife route.
The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is the first Marian church of the entire Canarian archipelago and a listed cultural asset (Bien de Interés Cultural). The present building (designed 1948, consecrated 1959) has three naves with Mudéjar-style ceilings, a 25 m dome and a 45 m tower with a Canarian balcony. The architect was José Enrique Marrero Regalado. Inside stands the figure of the Virgen de Candelaria, affectionately known as 'La Morenita', carved in 1827 by Fernando Estévez from La Orotava. This is a replacement: the original Gothic figure was lost in a flood in 1826. The Guanches venerated her under the name Chaxiraxi: 'mother of the sustainer of heaven and earth'. Pope Clement VIII proclaimed her Patron of the Canaries in 1599; Pius IX confirmed this in 1867. In 2011 the basilica received the title of minor basilica. Free entry.
In the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, opposite the Basilica, stand 9 bronze statues of menceyes (Guanche kings), 4-5 metres tall, the work of sculptor José Abad from La Laguna, unveiled in 1993 on basalt plinths. Facing the ocean as if still guarding the coast. Waves break VERY close to the statues: the jetty gets wet. Spectacular, but watch your phone and children.
Behind the Basilica, below the La Magdalena cliff, is the Achbinico Cave (14 m long, 6 m wide, 5 m high): the place where it all began. Around 1392, over a century before the Castilian conquest, two Guanche shepherds found a Gothic figure of the Virgin here. Antón Guanche, a baptised Guanche who had escaped from Castilian captivity, was the first to identify it as the Virgin Mary and told the mencey about the Christian faith. The cave became the first Christian pilgrimage sanctuary in the Canary Islands. Today a replica figure is kept in the crypt of the Ermita de San Blas. In 2024, the world premiere of the opera 'Chaxiraxi' (Emilio Coello) dedicated to the story of the discovery was held at the Basilica.
Candelaria sits right on the TF-1 motorway, halfway between the south and Santa Cruz. The perfect stop: 45-90 minutes of culture, lunch at La Cofradía de Caletillas (5 min along the promenade), and on you go.
RIGHT on the TF-1. From Costa Adeje/south: TF-1 towards Santa Cruz → Candelaria exit. ~45 min. From Santa Cruz: TF-1 south → Candelaria exit. ~15-20 min. From South Airport (TFS): ~35 min. From North Airport (TFN): ~25 min. From La Laguna: ~20 min. From Puerto de la Cruz: TF-5 → TF-2/TF-1 → ~50 min.
TITSA lines 111, 112, 115, 120, 121, 122 - many lines pass through Candelaria as it's on the main motorway. Bus station 5 min walk from the Basilica.
Get here by busLARGE and EASY parking next to the Plaza de la Patrona (where the Menceyes and Basilica are). No problems on weekdays. Weekends and holidays: busier but usually space available. 15 August: IMPOSSIBLE to park, use public transport.
Navigate to parkingMenceyes at sunset: golden light on the bronze statues with the sea behind is an epic photo. But be careful: waves break very close. The jetty gets wet. Watch your phone, camera and small children.
Many tourists see the Basilica and the menceyes and leave. Mistake. The Paseo de San Blas (5 min behind the Basilica) leads to the Achbinico Cave (14×6×5 m) and Ermita de San Blas: the SOURCE of everything you see. The contrast between the enormous Basilica and the humble cave is beautiful.
La Cofradía de Caletillas (5 min along the promenade): fried octopus is the house speciality. Two people ~35-45 EUR with wine. Arrive before 13:30 on weekends. Nearby there is also a simpler chiringuito of the fishermen's guild by the jetty.
CANDELARIA AS A ROUTE STOP (from south towards north):
TF-1 → Candelaria exit 12:00 - Parking by Plaza de la Patrona (easy, spacious) 12:10 - Menceyes: stroll among the 9 statues with the sea 12:30 - Basilica: interior (free, 15 min) 12:50 - Paseo de San Blas → Cave of Achbinico / Hermitage (origin of everything) 13:10 - Seafront promenade towards Las Caletillas (5 min) 13:30 - LUNCH: La Cofradía de Caletillas (fried octopus, grilled fish, ocean terrace) ~1h 14:30 - Back to car → continue TF-1 to destination
Total: ~2.5 hours. ZERO stress, LOTS of culture, GREAT food.
SUNSET ALTERNATIVE (coming from north towards south): Arrive Candelaria ~17:00. Walk, Basilica, cave. Menceyes at sunset (spectacular photos). Dinner at Cofradía. Return via TF-1.
9 Menceyes with the ocean
9 Menceyes with the ocean behind - bronze statues of the Guanche kings with waves crashing against the seawall. ICONIC.
Basilica from the square
Basilica from the plaza with the Menceyes on both sides - monumentality and history.
Achbinico Cave / San Blas Hermitage
Hermitage of San Blas / Cave of Achbinico - tiny cave in the cliff face, contrast with the enormous Basilica.
Seafront promenade
Seafront promenade: views of the black sand beach, cliffs, waves.
Menceyes at sunset
Menceyes at sunset - golden light on the bronze statues with the sea behind.