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Icod de los Vinos is a municipality in northern Tenerife, stretching from the slopes of Mount Teide down to the Atlantic. Its name comes from the vineyards that still cover the hillsides, and its symbol is the Drago Milenario, the islands’ most famous tree.
There are no large hotels here: almost all the accommodation consists of holiday homes scattered between the town centre, the coast and the higher neighbourhoods. Choosing where to stay in Icod de los Vinos means deciding how high up you want to be, what views you’d like and how much you want to rely on a car.
We hand-pick the homes in this guide for their amenities and location.
See all the options on our accommodation in Icod de los Vinos page.
How to choose an area in Icod de los Vinos
The municipality lies on a hillside: the town centre is halfway up, the coast is below and the agricultural neighbourhoods are higher up, with winding roads connecting them.
- The historic centre: Canarian houses with wooden balconies, San Marcos Church and Parque del Drago. Ideal if you want bars, shops and buses within easy reach.
- The coast: San Marcos Beach, with its black sand, and neighbourhoods overlooking the sea. Ideal if you want to go for a swim without using the car.
- The mid-altitude area: Neighbourhoods such as Buen Paso or Cueva del Viento, among farms and vineyards, with cooler temperatures and more peace and quiet. Ideal for families looking for a pool and garden.
If you don’t have a car, stay near the town centre. With a car, any area makes a good base for exploring the north-west.
Homes with pools for families and groups
The Atlantic is cool in the north for most of the year, so having your own pool can make all the difference. These three homes have one.
Los Huertos Conect with the nature & relax
Sleeps six and has a private pool, garden and sea-view terrace, as well as a play area and high chair for little ones: a great choice for families. Pets are allowed, though there may be an extra charge. Check the house rules: minimum stay of three nights and quiet hours from 20:00.
Suite 85, Villa Boutique privada con piscina
Two bedrooms for four, a private pool and garden, and just 160 metres from the Cueva del Viento visitor centre: ideal if the volcanic tube is top of your itinerary. Check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00, and San Marcos is about three and a half kilometres away for a swim in the sea.
Casa Quemahierro 1
The closest to the sea in our selection: Playa Moreno is about 450 metres away. It has an outdoor pool, garden, sea-view terrace and washing machine, as well as private parking. The bus station is 2,4 km away, so having a car is best.
Homes for couples and independent stays
If you don’t need a pool, these three homes focus on terraces, views and self-catering.
Casa Mannheim
One bedroom for two, with a garden, patio, balcony and terrace overlooking the sea and town: our pick for couples. The kitchen has a dishwasher, and there’s free private parking. Quiet hours start at midnight.
C D Domínguez
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms for four, with a terrace and balcony overlooking the sea and mountains, and Playa Moreno and San Marcos just 1,5 kilometres away. A good fit for a small family or two couples. Parking is public, on the street, and pets aren’t allowed.
Buen Paso
Sea-view terrace, garden, fully equipped kitchen and free private parking; pets also stay free, which is unusual. The downside is clear: there’s no internet, so this is a place to truly switch off. Minimum stay is three nights.
What to see in Icod de los Vinos and nearby
You can see the Drago Milenario from the square in front of San Marcos Church, but it’s worth going into Parque del Drago, which surrounds it with Canarian flora. It has been a National Monument since 1917, and the island council estimates the tree is between 800 and 1.000 years old.
The Cueva del Viento runs beneath the municipality. Formed by lava from Pico Viejo about 27.000 years ago, it is Europe’s longest volcanic tube. Visits are only possible with a guide, in groups of no more than fifteen, and places fill up fast: book before you arrive.
Garachico, with its natural pools at El Caletón, is just a few kilometres away, and the Teno massif lies further on. If you’re planning to climb Mount Teide, from January 2026 reservations and a fee for non-residents are required for the Telesforo Bravo and Montaña Blanca-La Rambleta trails.
When to visit Icod de los Vinos
Northern Tenerife is mild year-round: greener and a little cloudier than the south, and cooler in summer. Spring and autumn are ideal for walks and for visiting the wineries of the Ycoden-Daute-Isora appellation.
The biggest event is Tablas de San Andrés, when young people race down the town’s steep streets on wooden boards. In 2026, the descent takes place on Sunday 29 November, with the uncorking of the new wine on Friday 27, according to the town council. The town gets busy, so book early.
If you’re counting on visiting San Marcos Beach, be aware that it has lost sand and its restoration project has been stalled for years. Ask your accommodation about access conditions before you go.
Getting there and getting around
The nearest airport is Tenerife North, just over 30 km away via the northern motorway; the journey from Tenerife South takes more than an hour. TITSA buses connect Icod with Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz, but connections to the higher neighbourhoods are poor.
Outside the town centre, a car is almost essential, and nearly all our homes have parking. Find flights, ferries and transfers in our guide to getting to Tenerife.
Icod de los Vinos is one of the places to stay in our guide to where to stay in Tenerife, within our guide to where to stay in the Canary Islands. If you prefer the sunny south, see where to stay in Adeje and where to stay in San Miguel de Abona.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions that come up most often when planning a stay in Icod de los Vinos.
Where is the best place to stay in Icod de los Vinos?
It depends on how you plan to get around. The historic centre is best if you don’t have a car: the Drago Milenario, San Marcos Church, bars, shops and bus station are all within walking distance. The mid-altitude area, in neighbourhoods such as Buen Paso or Cueva del Viento, has homes with pools, gardens and sea views, and is quieter, but you’ll need a car. The coast is for anyone who wants the sea a short walk away.
Are there hotels in Icod de los Vinos?
Almost all accommodation in Icod consists of holiday homes: self-contained properties with kitchens, terraces and often private pools and parking. They suit families, groups and stays of several days. Many require a minimum stay, have set check-in times and ask guests to keep noise down at night. If you’d prefer a hotel with traditional services, Puerto de la Cruz, about half an hour away by car, offers more choice.
How do you visit Cueva del Viento?
Cueva del Viento, Europe’s longest volcanic tube, can only be visited with a guide, in groups of no more than fifteen people. Each visitor gets a helmet and torch, as the passageways have not been adapted for visitors. Places often sell out, so book ahead and wear closed-toe shoes. If you want to stay nearby, several of our homes are in the mid-altitude area, close to the visitor centre.
Do I need a car to stay in Icod de los Vinos?
You can get around the town centre on foot and by bus, as TITSA connects Icod with Puerto de la Cruz and Santa Cruz. But the municipality is a hillside with scattered neighbourhoods, and bus connections to homes in the mid-altitude area and on the coast are poor. Garachico, Teno, Masca and the drive up to Mount Teide are also best explored by car. That’s why almost all the homes we’ve picked have parking.
When are the Tablas de San Andrés in Icod?
Tablas de San Andrés takes place in late November, around the eve of the saint’s day. In 2026, the descent down the steep streets of the town centre will be on Sunday 29 November, and the new wine will be uncorked on Friday 27. It’s the town’s most popular festival, with busy streets and open wineries: book well ahead if you want to experience it, and leave your car outside the centre.
