Rural tourism in Tijarafe will see you enjoy not one, but a multitude of natural spaces all of incomparable beauty.
In the northwest of the island of La Palma, Tijarafe reveals places of rugged coastal landscapes, one of the most distinctive being the Proís de Candelaria, a breath-taking cove with numerous caves. Continuing along the coast you will also find , La Cueva Bonita (the beautiful cave), el Pozo de Tinizara (the Well of Tinizara) in the Barranco de Garome and the two beaches Playa de la Veleta and Playa del Jurado.
If you find yourself inland you can discover impressive natural enclaves such as the Caldera de Jieque, which has a connecting route to the Roque de los Muchachos, the highest point of the island or the Protected Natural Area of the Barranco del Jurado that ends on the coast in a small cove.
What’s more, there is an extensive network of spectacular viewpoints spread throughout the town offering magnificent views. Near the coast you will find the viewpoints Almacén de Pedro Gómez or the Mirador del Jurado and if we go inland, you can visit the Mirador Astronomical of La Muralla, the Mirador del Buen Jesús. In Barranco de las Angustias you have Mirador del Time, where you can view the striking panoramic view of the Aridane Valley.
Would you like do know a little of Tijarafe´s history? The earliest recorded origins of the town are in the year 1492 when the Castilians arrive and form alliances with the Aboriginal residents.
It was the Castilians who left their mark and among their diverse heritage are two stand out religious buildings, which are both classified as Assets of Cultural Interest.
The first being the Church of La Candelaria, that has an impressive Canarian baroque altarpiece in its interior dating back from the seventeenth century. The second is found in the neighbourhood El Jesús, located on the Barrance del Jurado, named the Ermita del Buen Jesús and dates back to the sixteenth century.
It is also worth mentioning the Casa del Maestro Ethnograhic Museum, that displays samples of aboriginal art and the José Luis Lorenzo Barreto Ethnographic Museum which shows a varied exhibition of history and local customs.
Are you interested to know what is eaten in Tirajafe? As it’s located in the Canary Islands, the traditional Canarian cuisine is the base of many dishes. Local products and meats are its main ingredients, as well as its star product Palmero cheese, a grilled cheese made with Mojo Picón (a spicy red pepper sauce).
Additionally, we cannot miss the opportunity to talk about its patron saint festivities, dedicated to the Virgen de la Candelaria, which begin on 7th September. 1923 saw the beginning of the town´s lively pyrotechnic parade El Danza del Diablo (The Devil´s Dance) which has been catalogued as both an Asset of Interest Cultural as a Festival of Tourist Interest.
Lastly, we can explain a little about its economy, which for a long time based on agriculture, mainly the cultivation of bananas, and, to a lesser extent, livestock. The tourism sector has grown a lot, and of course in this fantastic rural environment, what stands out the most is the rural tourism.
