Icod de los Vinos is known for two things: Icod, as the town is commonly known, is home to the oldest tree on the island of Tenerife. It is said that the tree is several thousand years old. It is for this reason that the mighty dragon tree is known as the ‚Drago Milenario‘. Furthermore, this little mountain town boasts a wide variety of fine wines as well as many buildings well worth seeing.
„Drago Milenario“: Dragon tree in Icod de los Vinos
The famous dragon tree stands in the centre of the town. A park has since been built around it, though it is not necessarily worth a visit. From the elevated church square, visitors to the town already have a perfect view of the Drago.
Until a few years ago, the „Drago Milenario“ was thought to be up to 3,000 years old. However, its age has since been revised to around 400 years. The cult surrounding the „millennium tree“ is kept alive not least because of the publicity it brings to the town and the numerous cosmetic products named after the Drago.
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The wines of Icod de los Vinos
But it’s not just the dragon trees that make Icod de los Vinos worth a visit. The town also offers a variety of wines, some of which are very good indeed. Tourists are often approached by representatives from various wine shops and invited to wine tastings, some of which are even free of charge. Nevertheless, visitors to the town are advised to explore on their own and, if interested in the wines, to seek out the specialist shops independently.
Sights in Icod de los Vinos
The church, from whose square the Drago Milenario is clearly visible, is called „Iglesia de San Marco„. It was built in the 15th/16th century. Subsequently, this beautiful Renaissance-style building was enlarged on several occasions. The church’s ceiling was crafted from pine wood sourced from the Canary Islands. However, the church was not originally renowned for its architectural beauty, but above all for its treasure: the „Iglesia de San Marco“ houses the largest, intricately crafted silver cross in Europe.
With Europe’s longest lava cave, Icod de Los Vinos boasts yet another attraction that is unique in Europe. You can find all the information you need in our detailed article on the „Cueva del Viento„.
Icod de los Vinos is situated in the north-west of Tenerife. The town has a population of over 24,000 and covers an area of just under 96 square kilometres. Icod is very easily accessible by bus. The town is also linked to the major cities of Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz via the Northern Motorway (TF-5).
Places of interest in the vicinity of Icod de los Vinos
From Icod de los Vinos, you can reach Garachico in just a few minutes. A visit to this port town is well worth it, as it is considered one of the most beautiful towns on the island. With a bit of planning, both towns can easily be visited in a single day.
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