Tenerife: Canary History and Color Potatoes

The star of this two-hour tour is not a grand monument. It is the humble Canarian potato, grown in 29 colored varieties by local families since the 17th century. You walk through Icod el Alto, follow the old Camino Real, and learn how farming shaped this corner of Tenerife.

I like the small group of no more than eight, which gives the walk a personal feel. I also like the chance to see farming as a living part of local life, then taste organic colored potatoes when the season allows. The main catch is simple: this is a real walk over uneven farm paths, so it is not the right pick if you want a flat, easy stroll.

Key points to know before you book

• 29 local potato varieties: Learn why colored Canarian potatoes matter to island cooking and family farming.
• A historic village setting: The route begins at the Parish of Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje in Icod el Alto, in the hills above Los Realejos.
• The Camino Real on foot: This old route adds historical context, but its uneven ground calls for proper shoes.
• A visit connected to farming: The potato story is explained at a local home, giving the subject a direct, personal setting.
• Guides who offer island advice: Sara and the guiding team explain the area and can suggest places to eat and other things to do in Tenerife.
• Seasonal tasting: Potato samples may be included, but the exact varieties and tasting cannot be guaranteed year-round.

Why colored potatoes are the real attraction

You may come to Tenerife for volcanic scenery, beaches, or Teide, but food often gives you a clearer sense of daily island life. This tour centers on a crop that connects family tradition, agriculture, trade, and the local table.

The colored Canarian potatoes are unusual because the focus is not one famous variety. You learn about 29 types cultivated by local families since the 17th century. Their different colors, textures, and flavors help explain why potatoes remain more than a side dish in the Canary Islands.

The tour also gives you a useful correction to the usual Tenerife itinerary. Icod el Alto is not presented as a quick photo stop. You spend time walking through an agricultural village and hearing how local customs developed around the land. That slower pace is the point.

Depending on the season and available produce, you may taste several organic varieties. This is an important detail: the tasting is not guaranteed, and the exact selection can change. I would book this for the farming story first and treat the tasting as a welcome extra.

Starting beneath the parish flags in Icod el Alto

The meeting point is beneath the flags of the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, on Camino el Dornajo calle in Icod el Alto, 38414 Icod el Alto, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You should plan to arrive with enough time to locate the church and identify the group before the walk begins.

Icod el Alto is in the municipality of Los Realejos, at about 500 meters above sea level. That elevation matters for clothing. Tenerife can be warm at the coast while the hills feel cooler, cloudier, or breezier, so bring a light jacket even if the morning starts bright.

The start point also tells you what kind of outing this is. You are meeting in a working village, not at a major attraction with a large visitor center. The setting feels local and practical. Your guide gets you moving from the parish area into the village and surrounding paths.

You need your own vehicle to reach the meeting point unless you use bus line 354 from Puerto Cruz or Icod de los Vinos. The supplied information does not promise hotel pickup, so do not book this expecting transport from your accommodation.

Walking the Camino Real and the village

The historic Camino Real is the tour’s main walking thread. These old island routes once linked communities and helped people move goods and supplies across difficult ground. Here, the path becomes a way to connect Tenerife’s past with the farms and homes you see today.

Your guide explains the events and customs tied to the area while you walk. The exact stops are not listed in detail, so you should expect interpretation along the route rather than a fixed set of major monuments. That can be a strength: the focus stays on the place itself instead of rushing between formal sights.

The walk covers uneven ground and field paths. One participant specifically noted that you should be able to walk for two hours on rural tracks. Take that seriously. Comfortable walking shoes are the minimum, and hiking shoes are the safer choice if you dislike loose or irregular surfaces.

The route is suitable for all ages according to the activity details, but that does not mean it is effortless. Parents should judge the walk by their child’s ability to manage uneven paths. Anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider for current route details before booking.

You may find that the weather changes at this altitude. The tour operates in rain or shine, although severe weather can lead to rescheduling. Wear outdoor clothing, bring a hat, and use biodegradable sunscreen as requested.

Meeting the farming tradition at a local home

The potato story becomes more personal at a local home, where the cultivation of the crop is explained. This part gives the tour a useful human scale. Instead of hearing only general facts about agriculture, you learn how local families have kept these varieties in use over generations.

That family connection is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. The Canarian potato is not treated as a museum object. It is part of a continuing way of life, with farming methods and food traditions still linked to the village.

You also hear about sustainable farming practices. The tour explains how local methods help protect the environment and support the community. The supplied details do not specify particular techniques, equipment, or farm certifications, so you should not expect a technical agricultural workshop. Think of this as a guided introduction to the principles behind local farming.

For me, this section adds value that a standard food tasting would miss. You are not just sampling a product. You are learning why it exists, who keeps it going, and how rural Tenerife fits into the wider identity of the Canary Islands.

The seasonal potato tasting

If conditions and supplies allow, you taste different varieties of organic colored potatoes. This is likely to be a small tasting rather than a full meal, so plan to eat lunch separately.

The tasting matters because it turns an abstract lesson into something you can compare directly. Different potatoes can have different textures and flavors, and the guide can explain their place in local cooking. The exact tasting menu changes with the season, so keep your expectations flexible.

The activity itself lasts two hours, including the guided walk, sightseeing, food tasting when available, and the farming explanation. That is enough time for a focused introduction, but not enough for a full farm day or cooking class.

One practical benefit is the chance to ask what to look for in restaurants afterward. Sara, one of the guides, has also pointed participants toward a local restaurant for lunch. That kind of advice is useful after a food-centered walk, especially if you want to continue with Canarian dishes rather than return to familiar tourist food.

The guides and the small-group advantage

The experience is offered in Spanish and English, with a live guide. The group is limited to eight participants, a useful size for a village walk and a visit connected to a private home.

Sara has led the experience for some groups, and the guiding team includes two guides. The strongest praise has focused on their friendly manner, clear explanations, enthusiasm, and willingness to share practical advice for the rest of a Tenerife stay.

That last point can make the tour especially useful at the start of your holiday. You can ask about places to eat, sights to visit, and how to shape the rest of your time on the island. I would not book it solely as a general Tenerife orientation, since the central subject is local farming, but the extra advice is a welcome bonus.

The small group also helps with questions. You can ask about the potatoes, the Camino Real, the village, or farming without trying to speak over a large crowd. In a rural setting, that personal contact is worth more than a polished but hurried presentation.

How much value do you get for $29?

At $29 per person, this is a reasonably priced two-hour experience, especially if you value a guide-led cultural outing rather than a major paid attraction. The price includes the guided tour and, depending on season and availability, a tasting of several organic colored potatoes.

The value comes from three parts:

• A small group with a live Spanish- or English-speaking guide.
• A village walk tied to local history and agriculture.
• Access to a personal explanation of Canarian potato growing, with a possible tasting.

The uncertainty is the tasting. Because it depends on season and supply, the price should make sense to you even if no tasting is available on your date. The tour’s lasting value is the story and the walk, not the amount of food served.

You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Tenerife plans. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Check the current start times before booking, since the two-hour duration does not identify one fixed departure each day.

Who should book this walk?

I would choose this tour if you want to see a quieter side of Tenerife and enjoy learning through a local food tradition. It suits people who like short walks, village settings, farming stories, and small groups.

It is also a good fit for an early holiday outing. The guides can help you get your bearings and suggest other places to visit, while the two-hour length leaves plenty of time for lunch or another activity.

Families may find the subject engaging, and the activity is described as suitable for all ages. Still, the uneven ground makes footwear and walking ability important. It is not a good choice if you need a completely level route or prefer to spend the day seated.

You should also consider the weather and your transport. Bring a jacket at 500 meters, dress for outdoor conditions, and arrange a car or use bus 354 from Puerto Cruz or Icod de los Vinos. Without your own transport or a workable bus connection, reaching Icod el Alto may be inconvenient.

Practical preparation for the two-hour route

Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes rather than sandals. The Camino Real and farm paths can be uneven, and the activity information specifically recommends footwear suited to walking outdoors.

Pack a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and a jacket. Weather can shift in the hills, and the tour runs in light rain unless severe conditions make rescheduling necessary.

Bring your own vehicle if you plan to drive. The meeting point is at the parish in Icod el Alto, not a hotel or central transport hub. If you rely on the bus, check line 354 carefully for the day and time of your booking.

Finally, arrive ready for a flexible food experience. The potato tasting depends on the season and what is available, so the tour may be strongest at one time of year and more educational at another. Ask about current availability if tasting is your main reason for booking.

My call: a good choice for curious eaters

I recommend this tour if you want a personal, low-key experience that connects Tenerife’s food with its rural past. The 29 potato varieties, the Camino Real, and the local home visit give the outing a clear identity. It is not a generic sightseeing walk.

The guides are a major part of the appeal. Sara and the wider team bring warmth, practical island advice, and clear enthusiasm to the experience. That makes the tour useful beyond its two-hour schedule.

Book it if you are comfortable walking on uneven ground and can reach Icod el Alto without trouble. Skip it if you want a guaranteed tasting, a polished attraction with fixed displays, or an entirely flat route. At $29, it offers solid value when you treat it as a guided cultural walk with a possible food tasting, not as a full meal or farm excursion.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins beneath the flags of the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje in Icod el Alto, Los Realejos, at Camino el Dornajo calle, 38414 Icod el Alto, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

How long does the activity last?

The guided walk and sightseeing experience lasts two hours.

What languages are available?

A live guide is available in Spanish and English.

How large is the group?

The activity is limited to eight participants.

Is a potato tasting included?

A tasting of different organic colored Canarian potatoes is available depending on the season and what is available. It is not guaranteed for every departure.

How many Canarian potato varieties are discussed?

The tour focuses on 29 colored Canarian potato varieties cultivated by local families since the 17th century.

Do I need a car to reach the meeting point?

You need your own vehicle or can use bus line 354 from Puerto Cruz or Icod de los Vinos.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable or hiking shoes, comfortable outdoor clothing, a hat, biodegradable sunscreen, and a jacket suitable for changing weather at about 500 meters in altitude.

Is the route suitable for all ages?

The activity is suitable for all ages, but you must be able to walk over uneven ground and rural field paths for the duration of the tour.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour operates rain or shine, but severe weather may lead to rescheduling. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.