La Victoria de Acentejo: Cultural Heritage, Landscapes and Crafts

La Victoria de Acentejo brings together protected cultural heritage, natural areas and local traditions. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can make history, landscapes, or the local wine and craft culture the focus of your trip.

Cultural heritage and local history

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación was built in 1537. On 20 December 1985, the Government of the Canary Islands protected the church as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Monuments category. Behind it stands the Pino Centenario: the tree witnessed the defeat of the Guanches and served as a bell tower for the first Mass after the battle. The Barranco de Acentejo also recalls the island’s history. It is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the Historic Site category and was the site of the Castilians’ defeat by the Guanches in 1494.

The Ermita y ex convento de Santo Domingo is a 17th-century hermitage that preserves a traditional Canarian wine press. The former convent served as a resting place for Dominican friars travelling between Santa Cruz and Isla Baja. Exhibitions on pottery, embroidery and cutwork, palm crafts, and traditional clothing at the Museo etnográfico offer insights into local culture and traditions. The museum is housed in two small buildings of traditional Canarian architecture near the El Palmeral recreation area. The present-day building of the Calvario de La Victoria also contains a small group of sculptures of considerable historical value.

The cultural route “Pueblo y paisaje de creación” is designed as a trail to twelve sculptures by Julio Nieto. These include “Evolution”, “Hoja de Parra” and “Cruz de San Juan”. As this is a recent cultural initiative and visiting arrangements may change, check in advance what options are currently available.

Protected landscapes and coastal views

The Las Lagunetas Protected Landscape covers 3,800 hectares and extends across La Victoria de Acentejo, Santa Úrsula, El Sauzal, Tacoronte, El Rosario and Candelaria. The Las Palomas Special Nature Reserve is smaller, at 584 hectares, and is shared between La Victoria de Acentejo and Santa Úrsula. The figures reflect different regional scales: Las Lagunetas spans six municipalities, while Las Palomas is shared by two.

A single viewpoint offers a different perspective. Mirador de la Sabina sits on the municipality’s cliff within the Costa de Acentejo Protected Landscape and offers panoramic views of Tenerife’s rugged northern coast. The municipality’s landscape thus brings together extensive protected areas spanning multiple municipalities and a specific viewpoint overlooking the coast.

Routes and different perspectives

The Rutas de las medianías comprise four routes with panoramic views of chestnut groves, vineyards and other cultivated land in the mid-altitude areas, as well as Mount Teide, the coast and the island’s northern sea. They are designed for travel by car; the estimated drive from the motorway access is 15 minutes. With their varied landscapes, these routes offer a way to explore the mid-altitude areas and coastal views within a shared theme.

The BC-1: Ruta Norte mountain bike route offers a different way to get around. Its main route is 84.852 kilometres long, with an additional 53.255 kilometres of branches and variants. The route crosses the higher-altitude areas of La Victoria de Acentejo and Santa Úrsula. The car-oriented Rutas de las medianías, with their landscape views, can thus be compared with a mountain bike route that has a designated main route and additional variants.

Crafts and wine traditions

La Victoria de Acentejo has a strong craft tradition that includes pottery, cutwork and the making of the popular Victoria chairs. These crafts are almost always made by women. Craftsmanship is therefore a distinct part of local culture, alongside the historic buildings and the ethnographic museum’s exhibitions.

Guachinches also shape the region’s food and wine culture: they serve wine from their own harvest, made by the farmer using traditional methods, alongside typical dishes. Those interested in the town’s culinary side will find a tangible link here between winemaking and local cuisine. Together with its protected landscapes, historic sites and cultural offerings, this gives a multifaceted impression of La Victoria de Acentejo.

Discover more destinations: San Juan del Reparo, Buen Paso, Villa De Arico, Buenavista Del Norte, Golf Del Sur, Adeje, Costa Adeje, La Guancha.

For the main travel overview: Tenerife.