|
Tacoronte in Tenerife’s north is well known for its vineyards |
|
Written by Steve Andrews
|
 Tacoronte is a city and a municipality in the north of Tenerife that is famous for its vineyards and the wine from the region known as “Tacoronte-Acentejo,” however, many other crops grow very well on the fertile soil of the area too. Apples, figs and many other fruit trees can be seen on the farms and in gardens around Tacoronte. In fact, there is a well-known agricultural market, better known as “El Mercadillo” that takes place on weekends on the outskirts of Tacoronte along the road to Valle Guerra.
 The main road through Tacoronte has an assortment of shops and businesses but if you go down the side streets you will find much more places of interest including a theatre. There are plenty of restaurants in Tacoronte with several of these being Chinese. The main street even has a shop specialising in African arts and crafts and this is next to a gift shop decorated with butterflies and very eye-catching.
 Tacoronte has around 22,000 people living as residents of the area and is very close to El Sauzal. Tacoronte is also not far from the Tenerife North airport, Los Rodeos, as well as being near to La Laguna via the TF5 Autopisa del Norte (Northern Motorway).
 The name Tacoronte is said to be derived from "Tagoro," meaning "place where the Council of Elders meet," and the borough covers the area that was once one of the nine Guanche kingdoms or “menceyatos” before the Spanish conquest. Sebastián Machado, who was one of the conquistadors, is credited as the founder of the original town back in the 17th century.
Amongst fine examples of traditional Canarian architecture in Tacoronte is the Church of Santa Catalina, which was built on the site of a former hermitage, and the Casa de la Alhóndiga that dates back to the 17th century and has been modernised to a degree and converted into an exhibition and conference centre.
 Villages of Tenerife North just outside Tacoronte are La Caridad and Los Naranjeros, whilst its impressive coastline offers Mesa del Mar and the fishing village of El Pris. Tacoronte is also close to Agua García where there are some fine examples of laurisilva forest where wildlife enthusiasts would find much to delight them.
Several buses go to or through Tacoronte with the 101 from Santa Cruz to Puerto de la Cruz, the 107 Santa Cruz to Buenavista, the 012 local service to Mesa del Mar, the 022 to Agua Garcia and the 023 to El Pris.
Tacoronte and its surrounding villages and area are well worth visiting for a taste of what the north of Tenerife has to offer.
|
Tenerife Island 
