Costa de El Sauzal
Reclaimed wild coast beneath 300-metre cliffs. Coastal promenade, fishermen's caves, a chapel and views no bus can reach.
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A coastal promenade at the foot of 300 m cliffs in the Costa de Acentejo Protected Landscape. Over 400 illegal buildings were demolished to return the coast to nature. A walk past former fishermen's caves, the Ermita de la Virgen del Carmen, volcanic platforms and viewpoints. Access by car via a narrow road with a gate that closes at dusk, or on foot from Mirador de Las Breñas (steep descent). Only 31 parking spaces = silence and no crowds.
TF-5 exit La Matanza, direction 'El Caletón' → right 'El Sauzal' → left down the road with sign and gate. WARNING: the gate locks! Schedule: winter 8-19h, summer 8-22h.
31 free spaces at the bottom. Fills early at weekends. Gate locks on schedule! GPS: 28.4695, -16.4335.
Navigate to parkingWeekday morning - the coast all to yourself. Always check the gate times! The volcanic platforms let you dip your feet on calm days, but currents are treacherous. On the seabed lies the wreck of a 1966 DC-3 - fishermen rescued the passengers, a monument at Mirador de Las Breñas honours them.
The Costa de Acentejo is a Protected Landscape where between 2007 and 2011 over 400 illegal structures were demolished to restore the coastline. The 2.5 km coastal path runs past caves that served as fishermen's shelters, the Ermita de Rojas and volcanic platforms. In 1966 a DC-3 aircraft crashed into the sea off this coast. Local fishermen risked their lives to rescue the survivors. A monument at Mirador de Las Breñas honours their heroism. The area harbours endemic flora such as Lotus maculatus ('Pico de El Sauzal') and seabirds including Bulwer's petrel.
Car park at the end of the road → coastal path heading east → fishermen's caves (information panels) → Ermita Virgen del Carmen → volcanic platforms → final viewpoint → return the same way. Alternative: descent from Mirador de Las Breñas (30 min, steep).
Mirador de Las Breñas
Mirador de Las Breñas - panorama from above of cliffs and ocean. Sculpture of the fishermen-rescuers. Summer sunset.
Fishermen's caves
Former fishermen's caves - caves with historical panels. Raw, dramatic framing.
Volcanic platforms
Volcanic platforms - black rock against the blue Atlantic. Golden hour.