Icor: Historic Hamlet and Protected Landscape

Those considering Icor as a travel destination will find a place with a clear historical focus: the hamlet is protected as a cultural asset, while the Barranco de Icor is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. A self-guided route and activities in the surrounding area complement these themes. This allows you to plan your trip around settlement history, landscape and other interests.

Historic Hamlet and Traditional Houses

The Caserío de Icor is protected as a cultural asset of cultural interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the category of Historic Site. Its protection dates back to a decree of 17 May 2005. Its history stretches back to the mid-16th century, when a settlement was established here whose residents grew wheat and grapevines, cultivated fruit trees, and raised goats and sheep. Agriculture and livestock farming are therefore among the defining themes of the settlement’s history.

The architectural styles also give the historic ensemble its distinctive character. It comprises traditional Canarian houses arranged in separate blocks, forming an L-shape or grouping building sections around courtyards. These layouts offer different spatial impressions of the same ensemble. Architectural features include roofs with Arabic tiles, as well as wooden floors and ceilings. Those interested in architecture can take in both the arrangement of the buildings and the materials used.

The hamlet is located along the main road at an altitude of about 330 metres above sea level. Its elevation and position along the road provide a brief sense of its location in addition to its historical context.

The Barranco de Icor and the Landscape

The Barranco de Icor is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (ZEC) under code ES7020118. The deeply incised ravine faces southeast and contains a significant stand of juniper woodland (sabinar). The area also includes the habitat type “Matorrales termomediterráneos y pre-estépicos” (code 5330). The landform, orientation, vegetation and habitat type each describe a different aspect of this landscape.

In the area around Icor, in neighbouring Fasnia, lies the Barranco de la Linde, which features a natural stone arch. The arch was formed by basaltic lava flows; it separates the municipalities of Arico and Fasnia and is located on the Icor-Las Eras road. Alongside the Barranco de Icor, this offers another distinct landscape feature in the surrounding area.

Route and Activities in the Surrounding Area

When planning your trip, you can also consider the self-guided route “Ruta autoguiada por Fasnia y Arico”. It includes the Caserío de Icor as a recommended stop. The route’s estimated total duration is 3 hours and 10 minutes; this time applies to the entire route, not just the stop in Icor.

Activities offered in the surrounding area at Finca El Helecho include workshops on making cheese and gofio by hand. If you would like to plan a workshop, check its availability with the organisers in advance. This lets you consider a possible workshop as a separate item on your itinerary alongside the historical and landscape themes.

Icor as a Destination for Your Hotel Search

When choosing your destination, you can consider whether you would like to focus mainly on the historic settlement ensemble, the Barranco de Icor or the self-guided route. The cultural and landscape themes give Icor a distinctive character; the nearby stone arch and workshops at Finca El Helecho add further options for different interests. If you are looking for hotels for a stay in Icor, deciding what to focus on can help you plan your trip around your own interests.

Discover more destinations: Juan Fernández, Punta Brava, La Orotava, La Caleta, Arico Viejo, El Tanque, Las Cañadas del Teide, El Sauzal.

For the broader travel overview: Tenerife.