After visiting volcanic Garachico, we drove to Masca. In my honest opinion, the most impressive location in Tenerife. One that I first visited in 2020 and returned numerous times, presenting it to my friends and family.

A narrow and curly road goes between Mirador Altos de Baracán (ca. 800 m/2625 ft) and Mirador de Cherfe (ca. 1000 m/3280 ft). This time we started in Mirador Altos de Baracán where the winds were powerful! Then, we slowly descended to Mirador La Cruz de Hilda for a quick overview of the village.

Masca Valley | H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The settlement of Masca is situated at around 650 m altitude (ax 2133 ft) where the valley is beautifully presented. The only road swirls from left to right. Behind us looms tall Roque Tarucho and in front the mountains form a picturesque V shape. When the sky is clear, it's even possible to see La Gomera, the island South West from Tenerife.

Obviously, such a wonder attracts many visitors. Therefore, driving through Masca is like the special stage in racing world. You have to be cautious and vigilant. Car clutches are easily burned, buses require extra space on turns, and there are plenty inexperienced tourist drivers.

To admire Masca, I recommend starting the trip early in the morning. You should be around 9 AM at either Mirador Altos de Baracán or Mirador de Cherfe to have enough time to slowly drive through the valley and absorb the spectacular views.

Finding parking is tricky. There are some spots next to the roundabout, but you have to be very lucky to get one. Recently, they built additional spaces along the road near Bar Restaurant Masca. But bear in mind that you'll need to walk a bit to get to the main square.

Lastly, one of my favorite restaurants on the island is called “El Guanche” Alte Schule and is located on the way to Masca viewpoint. A Swiss family bought a former school and turned it into a delightful vegetarian destination. On a separate occasion, I organized my birthday here, brought my parents, and tasted everything they had on the menu.

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The Eggplant Volcano (volcán de berenjena) is definitely my favorite, and there's nothing better than indulging it with the stunning view of the valley. They have two terraces, and some tables are pleasantly shaded by trees. Most importantly, “El Guanche” Alte Schule is secluded, which creates even more magical atmosphere.

Delicious meals and great views in “El Guanche” Alte Schule

Unsurprisingly, due to countless recommendations and thousands of 5-star reviews, everyone tries to dine here. The owners could easily triple the prices, expand to nearby buildings or turn it into a reservation-only restaurant. Instead, they limited their business hours.

Currently, they're open only between 1 and 4 PM Monday to Thursday. I highly respect that. They turn their massive success into an exclusive lunch destination that's still accessible for locals and visitors alike. Because coming here during the work week, finding parking, and waiting in a queue to be seated is entirely worth the experience.

In short, Masca is the place I often come back to. The combination of the towering nature and the small and colorful village is extraordinary. One day, I'll come back here to challenge myself for the famous 6-hour Masca hike along the gorge.