Where We Stay
The attractive pueblo of Tejeda has pretty white-washed houses and is set high in the mountains, at the heart of a UNESCO World Biosphere, with stunning views. It sits amidst some of the most dramatic scenery on the island, at the head of a huge rust-red ravine that plunges westwards to the coast. Around the village, the terraced hillsides are planted with thousands of almond trees, which blossom in February in a most spectacular way. The town itself trickles steeply down a number of terraced ridges, and the centre is dominated by the Church of La Virgen del Socorro. Tejeda’s setting is breath-taking and the town makes a fantastic base for walkers. The town has a range of shops and services, including a chemist, a bank and a post office, a new library with internet access, two grocery stores where local Tejeda cheese and delicious fruits from the area can be purchased. There are a number of restaurants and bars, many with terraces overlooking the ravine, and probably the most famous artisan bakery on the island, hand-making a variety of delicious almond based specialities – we particularly recommend mazapán, a thick cake made from ground almonds and honey, and bienmesabe which is an almond purée which is best poured over vanilla ice-cream.
The newly opened Hotel Rural Fonda de la Tea has traditionally decorated, en-suite rooms leading off a typical Canarian “patio”, and there are lovely views down the Tejeda Ravine. The terrace faces west so enjoys amazing sunsets as the sun sinks behind Tenerife. Fina, the owner, is passionate about her hotel, which is built round a sensitively converted fonda (inn), and pays very close attention to the detail. The small restaurant is intimate and unpretentious, but serves some of the best food in town. The property is in the centre of the pueblo, within easy walking distance of all museums, the church, the bakery and the other shops and amenities.
