In Spain there are some truly incredible cities that are worth discovering. There is a hamlet hidden between the mountains who was nicknamed the “Machu Picchu Spanish“. It is located in the Canary Islandsspecifically in Tenerife. Do you want to know what city it is?
The “Spanish Machu Picchu” is in Tenerife
The most visited rural hamlet in Tenerife is Mask and only about 90 people live there. This municipality belongs to the municipality of Buenavista of the North and is located in the middle Teno Massif in an idyllic enclave surrounded by nature, at an altitude of 750 meters.
Masca was a narrow and lost corner of civilization. Electricity arrived not so long ago and the roads were only dusty roads. For a few years, there was only one means of communication with the outside world: the Guanches PathThis route connected this hamlet to Santiago del Teide.
The small houses of Masca are lined up on the mountain ridges. From the Cherfe viewpointLocated on the road that arrives from Santiago del Teide, you can see this small town of Tenerife.
What to see in Masca?
Tourists visiting Masca are impressed by the natural beauty of the surroundings. The farm offers craft shops, bars and restaurants. Furthermore, it is declared Property of cultural interest with the category of historical site and this importance is reflected in the city’s ethnographic museum.
In Masca you can see the oldest of its buildings, the Alinke house in the hamlet of Piedra or a small 18th century church. This place brings together the charms of Teno Rural Park and traditional Canary Island architecture. If you want to see other hamlets in the surrounding area, you can go to El Palmar, Las Portelas and Teno Alto.
For hiking enthusiasts, you can hike one of the most popular and impressive routes in Tenerife, the Masca Ravine. It is approximately 4 kilometers long and has a slope of 580 meters. This path crosses one of the oldest areas of the Canary Islands, with seven million years of history.
How to get to Masca?
You can reach Masca by car from Santiago del Teide or from Buenavista del Norte. The route is short, but be careful because the road is narrow, winding and you will frequently come across buses (guaguas). The first option will avoid a long stretch of curves, while the second will guarantee a view of the cliffs. If you want to use public transport, you can take bus lines 355 and 365 from different points on the island.
