Tenerife is the largest and most famous of The Canary Islands and, beyond the glitz and glamour of sun, sea and partying, is a mysterious and deeply historical place. There are plenty of hidden gems for more adventurous holidaymakers to sink their teeth into in order to discover the dark and creepy history that most people rarely get to know.
Want to discover what lurks beneath the surface? It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it’s certainly for the thrill-seekers! Dive into the hidden terrors of Tenerife…
The Vilaflor Ghost
There have been many rumours of paranormal activity in the small mountain village of Vilaflor, terrifying locals and travellers alike. The story goes that before the Spanish conquest, a Spanish captain fell in love with a young woman from the village (which was inhabited at the time by the Guanche people and known as Chasna). So obsessively did the captain desire the woman, he captured and imprisoned her – only to be utterly heart-broken when she escaped his grasp and fled. The captain died of his anguish, and the final words to have left his mouth (as the story goes) were ‘Vi la flo de Chasna’ – ‘I saw the flower of Chasna’. According to local people, his ghost still haunts the village to this day.
Barranco de Badajoz
Near the town of Guimar, renowned for its curious stone pyramids, is a beautiful and mysterious ravine called Barranco de Badajoz, which has been haunted by tales of paranormal and extra-terrestrial sightings. According to legend, a young girl disappeared over a hundred years ago and seemed lost forever, despite long and arduous searches for her. Inexplicably, that same girl is said to have reappeared decades after she was originally lost, not having aged a bit – sparking fear, confusion and enduring tales of ghosts, UFOs and other terrors that lurk beyond.
Garachico
A former seaport, Garachico is known for being one of the most beautiful and historic towns on Tenerife, attracting many thousands of tourists each year. The lasting reminders of the authentic Tenerife transfers you back to a time before it became a hotspot for travellers, and the beautiful old manor houses and churches emanate the remnants of past lives lived. However, it is sometimes said that these old houses hide some dark secrets, and there has been a host of reports of paranormal sightings around the town. These tales afford certain parts of Garachico a very spooky and mysterious atmosphere.
Haunted Caves
As we know from the story of The Ghost of Vilaflor, the history of the ancient Guanche people is a tragic and bloody one. Many of them were killed by Spanish soldiers during the conquest of the island, and countless others were enslaved. Tenerife boasts some of the most beautiful natural caves in the world, including Europe’s largest lava tube cave. Some claim it as fact, others as myth, but many of these caves are said to be haunted by the spirits of the Guanche people. Take a tour and decide for yourself…
How to Get There
There are two airports on the island of Tenerife. Transfers from both are readily available to destinations all over the island, straight to the door of your accommodation – making life very easy. It’s a good idea to book your Tenerife transfers in advance before you leave home so you can start your holiday smoothly.
For the average tourist, Tenerife’s obvious pleasures lie in the sandy beaches, bars and clubs and luxurious hotels. The island is much more than this however, and more adventurous and curious travellers can discover the incredible history and sometimes dark mysteries of this wonderful place.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Tenerife transfers Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.
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