Paisaje Protegido de los Acantilados de la Culata

Paisaje Protegido de los Acantilados de la Culata is a protected landscape on the northwestern coast of Tenerife, spanning the border between the municipalities of Garachico, El Tanque, Los Silos, and Icod de los Vinos. Covering more than 540 hectares, it consists of a dramatic stretch of coastal cliffs rising straight from the Atlantic Ocean, right next to the town of Garachico, famous for the volcanic eruption that reshaped it in 1706.

How did these cliffs form?

The Acantilados de la Culata are what geologists call a fossil sea cliff — a rock wall that once marked the island's coastline before later volcanic eruptions pushed the shore further out into the ocean. The formation built up through successive layers of lava and pyroclastic material, from the earliest stages of the island's volcanic history through to the eruption of the Garachico volcano in 1706, which finally set the coastline in its current position. The result is a rock face rising several hundred metres, valued for its geological and geomorphological significance and considered one of the most notable examples of this type of formation in the Canary Islands.

What wildlife lives on the cliffs?

Despite the steep, hard-to-reach terrain, the Culata cliffs support a rich and largely endemic flora. Dozens of plant species found only in the Canary Islands have been catalogued here, including species endemic to Tenerife alone and others endemic to the wider Macaronesian region. Patches of habitats typical of the archipelago survive on the slopes, including sabina (juniper) scrub, palm groves, and remnants of laurisilva, the laurel forest characteristic of the archipelago's more humid areas.

The cliffs are also an important breeding site for birds of prey and songbirds. Species nesting here include the tagarote falcon (a local subspecies of peregrine falcon), buzzard, and sparrowhawk, while the coastline is frequented by the Cory's shearwater, a seabird typical of Canary Island waters. Songbirds present include warblers, canaries, flycatchers, and robins.

How do you get there?

The most convenient access is from the centre of Garachico via the TF-421 road, which climbs up towards the cliffs, offering coastal and ocean views along the way. Given the steep, rocky terrain, the area draws mainly hikers and nature watchers rather than beach-style visitors.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Acantilados de la Culata? A protected landscape covering a stretch of fossil sea cliffs on the northwestern coast of Tenerife, spanning more than 540 hectares.

Which municipalities does this protected area cover? The area spans four municipalities: Garachico, El Tanque, Los Silos, and Icod de los Vinos.

Why are the cliffs ecologically important? Because of the large number of endemic plant species and surviving patches of rare habitats such as laurisilva forest and sabina scrub, as well as populations of birds of prey, including the tagarote falcon.

How do you reach the cliffs from Garachico? Via the TF-421 road, which climbs from the centre of Garachico up towards the cliffs.

Is this a spot for a beach visit? No — the terrain is steep and rocky, better suited to hiking and landscape viewing than beach relaxation.