Icod de los Vinos Holidays: Caves, Climate and Getting There
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 24,024 residents
Icod de los Vinos sits inland on Tenerife, about 219 metres above sea level, a town of some 24,000 people. What sets it apart is what lies beneath and around it: a cluster of caves and archaeological sites tied to the island's Guanche past, all within roughly a mile of the centre. The Cave of the Guanches, the Caves of Don Gaspar and the Museo Guanche give it a strong cultural pull, while a butterfly farm adds a family-friendly stop. Temperatures stay mild through the year, with daytime highs between 20°C and 27°C, and both Tenerife airports are around 34 minutes away by road.
Why go
- The Cave of the Guanches and the Caves of Don Gaspar lie under two miles from town.
- Daytime highs range from 20°C to 27°C, with very little rain from May to September.
- Tenerife South, with direct flights from the UK, is roughly a 34-minute drive away.
Top sights in Icod de los Vinos
Caves, Guanche heritage and butterflies
The headline sight is the Cave of the Guanches, a cave and archaeological site about a mile from the centre that appeals to culture lovers, nature fans and families alike. Close by, roughly 1.1 miles out, the Caves of Don Gaspar are a protected cultural property and another archaeological site worth pairing with it.
Nearer the centre, the Museo Guanche, about 0.7 miles away, focuses on the Canary Islands and is a good introduction before heading underground. Two further caves, the Cave Guanche culture site and the Cueva del Rey, are each around 0.8 miles from town, and the Butterfly Farm, about 0.75 miles away, is an easy win for children.
Tours and tickets for activities in and around Icod de los Vinos can be booked directly on this page.
1archaeological siteCave of the Guanches
1 mile from the centre · Photo
cave and archaeological site, Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife
3museum
4zooButterfly Farm
1 mile from the centre · Photo
5caveCave Guanche culture
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Caves of Don Gaspar
archaeological site · 1 mile from the centre
Cueva del Rey
cave · 1 mile from the centre
Tours & tickets in Icod de los Vinos
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Icod de los Vinos can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Icod de los Vinos
An inland base with a small-town feel
Icod de los Vinos is not on the coast; it sits at around 219 metres, so staying here means an inland town base rather than a beachfront one. With a population of about 24,000 it is large enough for everyday needs, and its main sights are clustered within about a mile of the centre, which suits families and anyone who prefers a quieter stay.
If you would rather base yourself in a bigger town, Los Realejos, Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava are all within about 12 miles. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Icod de los Vinos and the villages around it is a hire car from Tenerife South (TFS), about 34 min away.
Best time to visit Icod de los Vinos
Mild weather almost all year
- 22°CJan8 mm
- 20°CFeb12 mm
- 22°CMar29 mm
- 23°CApr15 mm
- 22°CMay5 mm
- 24°CJun17 mm
- 26°CJul1 mm
- 27°CAug3 mm
- 26°CSept6 mm
- 27°COct20 mm
- 26°CNov7 mm
- 23°CDec12 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Almost every month suits a visit: the climate data picks out January and March through December as the most pleasant, leaving only February, the coolest month with highs around 20°C and lows of 15°C.
The warmest spells come in August and October, when highs reach about 27°C and nights stay around 20°C to 21°C. The driest stretch runs from May to September, with July seeing barely 1mm of rain. March is the wettest month, with about 29mm over seven rain days, and October is the next damper month at around 20mm.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C | 16°C | 8 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 20°C | 15°C | 12 mm | 11 h |
| Mar | 22°C | 16°C | 29 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 17°C | 15 mm | 12 h |
| May | 22°C | 17°C | 5 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 24°C | 19°C | 17 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 26°C | 20°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 27°C | 21°C | 3 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 19°C | 6 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 27°C | 20°C | 20 mm | 11 h |
| Nov | 26°C | 18°C | 7 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 23°C | 16°C | 12 mm | 10 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flying in from the United Kingdom
Tenerife South (TFS) is the airport to look at first, as it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It lies about 24 miles from Icod de los Vinos, roughly a 34-minute drive. Tenerife North (TFN) is a similar distance, about 24 miles and also around 34 minutes by car, but it has no direct UK flights, so you would need to connect.
Ferries are also an option. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, about 81 miles away, has sailings to mainland Spain at Huelva and Cádiz as well as other islands. Closer to town, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, around 29 miles away, and Los Cristianos, about 22 miles away, connect to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.
By air
- Tenerife South (TFS)24 miles, about 34 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Tenerife North (TFN)24 miles, about 34 min by road
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (22 miles), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (29 miles), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (81 miles).
Icod de los Vinos is good for
Around Icod de los Vinos
Easy trips across northern Tenerife
Garachico is the closest neighbour at about 3 miles, with La Guancha and San Juan de la Rambla each around 4 miles away. A little further, Los Realejos and Santiago del Teide are both roughly 8 miles off, and Buenavista del Norte is about 9 miles.
For larger towns, Puerto de la Cruz is around 11 miles away and La Orotava about 12 miles. From Los Cristianos, roughly 22 miles away, ferries run to San Sebastián de la Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro if you fancy another island.
Tips from Robin
Practical pointers before you go
Remember that Icod de los Vinos is inland, at about 219 metres, so you will not step out of your door onto a beach. Car hire makes sense, as both airports are around 34 minutes away and the day trips spread across the north of the island.
The caves and the museum are close together, roughly a mile from the centre, so you can group several into a single outing. If you are travelling in March, pack a light layer and a waterproof, as it is the wettest month.
Questions people ask
Which airport is best for Icod de los Vinos from the UK?
Tenerife South (TFS) is the better choice, as it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. It is about 24 miles away, roughly a 34-minute drive. Tenerife North is a similar distance but has no direct UK flights.
Is Icod de los Vinos on the coast?
No. Icod de los Vinos is an inland town on Tenerife at around 219 metres above sea level. Its appeal lies in its caves, archaeological sites and the Museo Guanche rather than a seafront, so a hire car helps for wider exploring.
What is the weather like in Icod de los Vinos in winter?
Winters are mild. January sees highs of about 22°C and lows of 16°C, while February is the coolest month at around 20°C by day and 15°C at night. December reaches about 23°C, with only a handful of rainy days.
Is Icod de los Vinos good for families?
Yes. The Cave of the Guanches, the Cueva del Rey, the Museo Guanche and the Butterfly Farm are all suited to families, and all lie within about a mile of the centre, which keeps journeys short for younger children.
What day trips can I take from Icod de los Vinos?
Garachico is about 3 miles away, with La Guancha and San Juan de la Rambla around 4 miles. Los Realejos and Santiago del Teide are roughly 8 miles off, while Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava are about 11 and 12 miles away.