Visiting Colorful Masca, The Most Beautiful Hamlet On Tenerife We’ve Seen

Masca is the most beautiful village in Tenerife and likely to be the most beautiful in the whole Canary Islands archipelago. For a reason! Situated in the Teno Rural Park, on the western slope of the Teno mountains, it is a unique hamlet situated in a remote, beautiful location in Tenerife. What sets it apart from other hamlets is its main center, which runs along a ridge underneath a bullet-shaped pinnacle, giving it a mini Machu Picchu appearance. The steep ravine walls rising on either side of the hamlet add to the drama, and La Gomera, framed in the V of the ravine leading west to the ocean, is an added bonus.

The picturesque village of Masca is definitely a must-see.

How to reach Masca

Masca is accessible via the TF-436 narrow mountain road running between Santiago del Teide (South-East of Masca) and Buenavista del Norte (on the North coast). The road runs through some of the most stunning scenery on the island.

The road is most enjoyable by car, as there are many places to stop on the way and enjoy the views of the mountains, valleys and the laces made by the road. If you’re used to or like to drive fast, you’ll have to calm down. No, seriously. Don’t expect to do more than 25km/h on average (15 mph).

From Santiago del Teide on the TF-82, turn in direction of Masca on the TF-436. And then relax and enjoy.

The road will go uphill first, reaching a pass with a jaw-dropping view of the Teno mountains with the road built on the slopes. After the pass, hairpins after hairpins, you will finally reach the village of Masca. There is a relatively spacious car park.

Why visit Masca?

The tiny hamlet of Masca is one of the most precious jewels in Tenerife. As simple as that! Once you reach Masca, the natural beauty of this remote and stunning place will overwhelm you.

Masca has become a popular destination, so we would suggest arriving early (or late) in the day to avoid the crowd and enjoy the best views and breathing space. Then you can take your time in the hamlet, walking along rural houses linked by cobbled walkways. Most of the tourists won’t even go so far (good for us and for you!).

In our case, we were early and had little to no traffic on the road. We reached Masca around 10 am and the hamlet was nearly void of tourists, either we have been lucky or that’s a general rule. Let us know in the comments!

But if you really want to make the most of your day (inducing further “WOW”), you may want to hike from the hamlet through the Masca Barranco (Masca Gorge) to the Atlantic and the Playa de Masca. The hike is about 4km long and will take 3h going downhill and 4h uphill. It is not very long but demanding. Be well prepared and equipped as it is difficult and technical.

Please note that the trail has been closed for years as it was too dangerous. The path reopened on 27/03/2021 with improved safety and a much better control system:

• The Masca Barranco trail opening times are from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm in summer or 5:00 pm in winter
• The gorge is subject to temporary closures, for example, if the weather is bad
• You need to make your reservation and get your ticket (free for now) online via the official booking system

A final word about Masca in Tenerife

Make the most of your trip to Tenerife and the Canary Islands by combining a visit to Masca with a walk through the gorge. You’ll get to enjoy breathtaking views, and create incredible memories that will last a lifetime.