Villa De Arico: Canarian architecture and hiking trails

Villa De Arico is known for its historic center, a clearly identifiable cultural heritage site: the ensemble has been protected as a “Bien de Interés Cultural” in the “Conjunto Histórico” category since 2005. The municipality of Arico also offers hiking trails and the seasonal Ruta de la Miel.

Local history and Canarian architecture

The oldest buildings in Villa De Arico, also known as El Lomo or “Lugar de Arriba,” date from before the settlement was founded in the 1590s. Villa De Arico was granted the title of villa in 1916. The dates of the oldest buildings and the later granting of the title offer different points of reference for the history of the town.

The oldest houses in the historic center are examples of traditional Canarian architecture and are usually arranged around rectangular courtyards. The center is dominated by single-story houses with framed doorways, cornices and decorations made of local stone. The courtyard layout and the design of the façades are distinct architectural features.

For comparison nearby: the protected historic ensemble of Arico Nuevo contains numerous old houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, arranged in a linear pattern. Villa De Arico and nearby Arico Nuevo therefore offer different examples of historic settlement and architectural forms.

The most important architectural ensemble in Villa De Arico is the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista and its surroundings; it was declared a Monumento Histórico-Artístico in 1985. The present building dates from the 18th century. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross and comprises a single nave, a main chapel and two side chapels. A Mudéjar-style coffered ceiling is another feature of the church.

The artistic treasures of the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista include depictions of the Virgen de Abona, the Virgen del Rosario and the Virgen del Carmen. The valuable Castilian Gothic carved figure Nuestra Señora de la Virgen de Abona has been in the church since 1761; Virgen del Mar is another name for the same figure. On Calle del Calvario there is also a small chapel with a gabled roof of French tiles, a stone entrance arch and a mosaic floor.

Hiking trails and seasonal experiences

According to information listed in August 2026, the PR-TF 86 begins in Villa de Arico. The linear route is 23.0 kilometers long and rated very difficult; its homologation status is still being processed. The trail passes through Corona Forestal Natural Park and Teide National Park. Its landscape stretches from cultivated land to the pine forest near Ortiz and the La Puente climbing area.

The nearby PR-TF 86.1 variant is listed as 1.6 kilometers long, with a duration of one hour. It offers a way to explore the entire La Puente climbing area. Another hiking route runs from Plaza de los Condes de Santa María de Abona in Villa De Arico along old paved paths to the hamlet of El Río. Check the current conditions for your chosen route before setting out.

On the second weekend of May, the Ruta de la Miel takes place in the higher part of the municipality of Arico: a hike celebrating the diversity of honey produced in Tenerife. This seasonal experience includes visits to traditional apiaries, explanations of honey production and a tasting of local products. Check the dates for the relevant year and seasonal packages before your trip.

For information about getting around the municipality, the Oficina de Información Turística de Arico is located at Calle Benítez de Lugo 1. An old paved path connects the church square with Calle Benítez de Lugo and the public water fountain.

Discover more destinations: Poris De Abona, Jaca, Punta Cueva De Los Moñigos, San Juan del Reparo, Guía De Isora, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, La Zarza, Las Mercedes.

See the overview of the wider travel region: Tenerife.