Garafía
Located in the north of the island, La Villa de Garafía is a rural oasis that houses the Astrophysical Observatory of Roque de los Muchachos, one of the most important windows to the universe in the world. This municipality offers multiple options to enjoy the tranquility there, such as walking its trails, watching the sunset from Callejoncito Beach, photographing some of its impressive ravines or observing how time seems to have stopped through its traditional architecture.
For lovers of astronomy, the Roque de Los Muchachos, within the Caldera Taburiente National Park,offers one of the cleanest skies in the world, where you can contemplate the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Its newly opened visitor center, allows you to delve into the secrets of the universe and even visit the Roque de los Muchachos Astrophysical Observatory, where scientists from all over the world work. During the day in this area, the highest on the island, the phenomenon known as the Sea of Clouds occurs, which makes the visitor think they are floating above the sky.
A Trip to the Past
The Tablado neighborhood , a protected natural area, under the category of Protected Landscape, is one of the best examples of rural architecture on the island. Located between the ravines of Los Hombres and Fagundo, the visitor who approaches this silent corner will be able to gain an idea of what Palmerian villages were like in the past. Garafía shares with Barlovento the legendary LP 109 road, a trip to the past and a scenic road at the destination.
In the small neighborhood of Juan Adalid, time also seems to have stopped decades ago due in large part to its geographical location. To access this corner, a former fertile area of orchards and agriculture, it is necessary to travel by 4×4, with the descent on foot being a more advisable option. However, the effort will be worth it once the imposing La Centinela Mountain, is crowned, which offers a panoramic view over the La Luz ravine.
Finally, in the natural park of La Zarza and La Zarcita , archeology enthusiasts will be able to delight in the rock engravings of La Zarza, which stand out both for the breadth of their engraved surface, 29 panels, and for the complexity and chronology they show. The La Zarcita also has 18 panels and various motifs.
Garafia is also the birthplace of one of the most beautiful legends on the island: la pared de Roberto.The story, which is located at the northern end of the Caldera de Taburiente, where there is a rocky wall that rises as a wall, tells the misfortunes of two lovers of whom the devil became jealous and ended up raising a wall between their two towns so that they would not see each other again.
Connection with Nature
For nature lovers, Garafia is the natural municipality par excellence. Here nature is exhibited in all its fervor, and the visitor can enjoy relaxation, tranquility and disconnection. A spectable that, from May, offers in Roque de los Muchachos a whole palette of colors and an indescribable beauty of the hand of the tajinastes in flower, codeso, retama and retamón.
The town is also known for its multiple trails such as the G R 130 that runs from Barlovento to Garafía (passing through the Fagundo Ravines y los Hombres, los Gallegos, los Franceses, El Tablado and Don Pedro); Las Tricias (which reaches Dragos de Buracas) and the PR LP 9.2, from La Zarza to Don Pedro, passing through the Caldera del Agua.
The trail from Las Tricias to los Dragos de Buraca is a small route that runs through a very traditional area of the island, with good and beautiful examples of Canarian popular architecture and the highest concentration of dragos on the island.
Water lovers can also immerse themselves in the natural pools of Lomada Grande or float in the so-called Porís de Santo Domingo. Both locations must be reached by a 4x4 vehicle, and be very careful with the state of the sea, since in this area of the island the waves can be quite strong, as well as its currents. . Another place to take a dip is Callejoncito Beach, which has a thin layer of black sand in summer.
For those who wish to rest in the middle of nature, the San Antonio del Monte Recreational Area is located in an environment surrounded by Monteverde and has a food area with stoves, wood ovens, water, tables, benches, toilets, recreational spaces, a children's playground, as well as a camping area suitable for motorhomes. The Park also has a viewpoint at the top of the San Antonio del Monte mountain from which it is possible to observe a wide strip of the coast of Villa de Garafía.
Festivities and Gastronomy
Garafía is known for hosting one of the most peculiar events on the island: the Fiesta de San Antonio del Monte Garafía. This holiday, one of the most anticipated of the year, is usually held on the Saturday closest to June 13. Religion, cattle, verbenas, crafts and local food are combined in this celebration, recommended for those who wish to get to know Palmerian culture up close. On that day, the surroundings of the Hermitage of San Antonio del Monte are filled with visitors from all over the island who enjoy animal exhibitions and competitions between livestock from different families.
Gafaría is also recognized for its tea wines, with an intense flavor, and wineries such as Bodegas Perdomo, Bodegas Vitega, Níspero or Tagalguén, as well as for its cheese, a gold star product of the municipality.
Finally, this population has its own Gofio Interpretation Museum, a key food in the Canary Islands. Opened in 2016, the museum is inside the Tricias Mill, which was in service until 1953. Inside, it offers the possibility of visiting the original structure and machinery of the mill.