El Sauzal
The most elegant balcony on North Tenerife. Cinematic sunsets over Teide, historic gardens and local wine in a 17th-century hacienda. Authentic northern Tenerife without the crowds.
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El Sauzal is one of those towns most tourists fly past on the motorway - and that's their loss. Perched between the sea and green hills, this well-kept little town in northern Tenerife offers three things at once: breathtaking views of Teide and Atlantic cliffs, excellent local wine with Denominación de Origen, and a tranquility you won't find in the southern resorts.
The heart of any visit is Parque de los Lavaderos - a former municipal washhouse turned into gardens with cascades, endemic flora and a mirador looking straight at Teide. In 1987 the authorities transformed the area around the natural springs into a recreational park full of plants, fountains and viewpoints - the result is stunning, especially at sunset when the volcano turns golden.
Casa del Vino La Baranda occupies a 17th-century hacienda and is dedicated to promoting and tasting Tenerife wines. You can visit the winemaking museum, sample local DO Tacoronte-Acentejo wines and buy bottles unavailable off the island. Right next door - Casa de la Miel, where you can discover the secrets of the endemic Canarian black bee and extraordinary honeys produced from tajinastes, palms and other plants unique to the Canary Islands.
Mirador de la Garañona is a sweeping viewpoint terrace - one of the best panoramic spots in northern Tenerife, overlooking the protected cliffs of the Acentejo coast. For an evening dinner with a view: Terrazas del Sauzal is the best address in the area.
TF-5 exit 21. Follow 'Centro Urbano'. 15 min from Puerto de la Cruz.
Arrive before sunset - leave your car at Mirador La Garañona and walk down to Parque de los Lavaderos. Look for the stone arches that create a natural frame for Teide - a legendary shot. Then head back to Casa del Vino for a tasting: ask for the local red Tacoronte-Acentejo - they don't export it. NOTE: Casa del Vino is closed on Sundays. For dinner, definitely Terrazas del Sauzal - the sunset view over the Atlantic is one of the best on the island.
After the conquest of Tenerife in the 15th century, the conqueror himself, Alonso Fernández de Lugo, chose El Sauzal as his family's residence. Its name comes from the Canarian willows (Salix canariensis) that grew around the natural springs.
Start at Plaza San Pedro → walk 5 min down to Parque de los Lavaderos → head up to Casa del Vino for a tasting → finish with dinner at Terrazas del Sauzal at sunset.
Parque de los Lavaderos
At sunset, use the stone arches to frame Teide.
Mirador de la Garañona
Top-down cliff view, best in the morning to avoid backlight.
La Baranda Chill-Out
Terrace bar / Brunch
Classic north Tenerife spot with a terrace overlooking Teide and the Atlantic, especially spectacular at sunset. Two floors with a glass floor on the upper level and a viewpoint walkway. Relaxed atmosphere. Menu: croquetas, huevos rotos, burgers, salads, cocktails. Brunch available Tuesday to Sunday, reservation required via WhatsApp. 4.4/5 based on 8,000+ Google reviews. Closed Mondays. Phone/WhatsApp: +34 680 39 02 72.