Vilaflor de Chasna: the highest village in the Canary Islands awaits tourists
In Tenerife is located the highest village of the Canary Islands, Vilaflor de Chasna, known for its vineyards and historical heritage.
Did you know where the highest village in the Canary Islands is located? It's not Gran Canaria, not Lanzarote, and not Fuerteventura, but Tenerife! Although there are many beautiful towns there, such as Tejeda, Teguise, or Betancuria, the record holder for altitude is Vilaflor de Chasna. It is in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the very heart of the Teide Island.
Vilaflor de Chasna is a kind of rural town that stretches on the southern slopes of the island, at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level. With an area of 56.26 km², it is also one of the highest in Spain. It borders La Orotava, Arona, Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel, and Adeje. The nature here is very beautiful: pine forests all around, the Teide National Park is not far away, and the streets are paved with cobblestones and built with traditional houses.
Previously, the locals lived by growing potatoes, grapes, and almonds. They were good at it because the soils there are volcanic and the water is of high quality. By the way, the highest vineyard in Europe is located here – at an altitude of 1,600 meters! Therefore, the local wine is special and very tasty.
The grapes grow high (from 1,100 to 1,500 meters) and are well adapted to the local soils. This makes it very high quality and competitive. Therefore, recently there have been more and more vineyards in Vilaflor de Chasna.
One of the most famous places in Vilaflor de Chasna is the English House (Casa Inglesa). It was built in the 19th century near the cypresses on the square of the Church of San Pedro Apóstol. Once, the British woman Mary Edwards and the priest Thomas Gifford Nash lived here, and now it is a parish house.
This town is important for the history of the Canary Islands. In 1626, Saint Brother Pedro was born here, the first Canary saint who preached in Guatemala.
Although Vilaflor de Chasna is the highest village in the Canary Islands, there are other towns in Spain located high in the mountains.
If you want to visit the highest village in the Canary Islands, then from Santa Cruz de Tenerife or San Cristóbal de la Laguna you need to take the TF-1 (Southern Highway) and turn off at exit 62, which leads to the TF-65 road. And if by public transport, you can get there by buses 482, 419 and 342.