There are plenty of viewpoints in Tenerife where you can stop the car, take a quick photo and carry on.
The viewpoint at Parque del Drago in Icod de los Vinos deserves a bit more time.
From one spot, you can take in the Teide, the Atlantic Ocean, Icod’s historic old town and the famous Drago Milenario, along with some of the greenest landscapes in the north of Tenerife.
It’s basically a rather impressive Tenerife highlights reel… without having to move very far.
Views from Mount Teide to the Atlantic
One of the first things you’ll notice is the view towards Mount Teide.
Below Spain’s highest peak stretches the vast green landscape of the Corona Forestal, covering much of the higher ground around Icod de los Vinos.
Turn your attention towards the coast and the scenery changes completely, with the deep blue Atlantic stretching towards the horizon.
On a clear day, it’s a brilliant reminder of just how varied Tenerife’s landscape can be within a surprisingly small area.
A glimpse into Tenerife’s rural past
Another landmark visible from the viewpoint is the historic Hacienda de Boquín, whose origins date back to the 17th century.
Located beside the Barranco de Caforiño within the protected landscape of the Acantilados de La Culata, the surrounding countryside is shaped by old agricultural terraces, traditional cultivation and centuries of human activity.
You can also see towards Las Cañas, another area closely connected with Icod’s agricultural history.
The historic Hacienda de Las Cañas, also known as Hacienda de Gallegos, has witnessed the changing fortunes of local agriculture, from vineyards in earlier centuries to the banana plantations that now form such a recognisable part of northern Tenerife’s landscape.
Icod de los Vinos from above
The viewpoint also gives you an excellent perspective over the historic centre of Icod de los Vinos, which has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest.
Among the old buildings and traditional Canarian architecture, the Church of San Marcos Evangelista stands out particularly clearly.
Its origins stretch back to the early 16th century, making it another reminder that Icod has considerably more history behind it than many visitors realise.
And, of course, the Drago Milenario
The star attraction is impossible to miss.
The Drago Milenario is one of Tenerife’s most recognisable natural landmarks and one of the great symbols of the Canary Islands.
From the viewpoint, you get a particularly impressive perspective of the enormous dragon tree and its surroundings.
For more than 30 years, Parque del Drago has worked to protect this extraordinary specimen and preserve the environment around it.
Even if you’ve seen countless photos of the tree before visiting, seeing it properly in its setting is something else entirely.
A great place to finish the day
If you can time your visit for later in the afternoon, even better.
As the sun begins to drop, the viewpoint becomes a lovely place to watch the changing light over Icod, the surrounding countryside and the Atlantic.
Within a single 360-degree panorama, you have Mount Teide, the Drago Milenario, historic Icod de los Vinos, traditional agricultural landscapes and the ocean.
Not bad for one viewpoint.
If you’re exploring the north or northwest of Tenerife this summer, Parque del Drago and its panoramic viewpoint are well worth adding to the list.
Take your time, walk around Icod afterwards and don’t just turn up for a quick photograph of the famous tree.
There’s quite a lot more to see when you actually look around.
Click here to read the original article.