Garachico Steps Up Restoration of Its Historic Houses as Abandonment Spreads

Garachico's historic quarter, rebuilt after the 1706 eruption, is grappling with a growing number of abandoned homes.

17th-Century Heritage in Decline

Several houses show structural damage stemming from years of neglect.

Public Grants Fall Short of What Needs Restoring

The council has boosted its grant schemes, though it admits the funding available still falls short.

The Risk of Becoming a Weekend-Only Town

Residents' associations warn that, without a decisive policy, Garachico risks turning into a town of second homes.

Residents Call for More Tax Incentives

They are calling for additional tax breaks for those who live permanently in the historic quarter.

A Town Rebuilt Twice Over

Garachico was devastated by the 1706 lava flow, which buried its old harbour and forced much of the settlement to be rebuilt on top of the volcanic rock itself. That rebuilding produced the street layout now protected as a Site of Cultural Interest, with stone-built mansions and wooden balconies typical of traditional Canarian architecture. Local historians recall that the town had to reinvent its economy after losing its role as the island's main port, a process that, they say, bears striking parallels with today's challenge of stopping the old quarter from emptying out.

Compared With Other Protected Historic Quarters in the Canaries

Heritage officials compare Garachico's situation with that of other protected settlements in the archipelago, such as La Orotava or San Cristóbal de La Laguna, where renovation grants coexist with similar struggles to retain a resident population. The difference, they note, is Garachico's much smaller size, which means each abandoned home has a proportionally greater impact on the look of the historic ensemble.

Tourism as Both Ally and Threat

Garachico's own tourist appeal, led by the natural rock pools of El Caletón, is fuelling demand for second homes and holiday lets, which, according to property sources, competes directly with efforts to keep a stable population in place. Residents' associations insist any renovation grant should be conditional on the property being used as a permanent home, to stop restored houses ending up as holiday rentals all the same.

The Island Council Joins the Municipal Grant Effort

Tenerife's Island Council has announced it is considering topping up the municipal grants with a dedicated island-wide scheme for historic centres at risk of depopulation, with Garachico high on the priority list. Sources at the island body acknowledge that coordination between administrations will be key if the tax incentives residents are calling for are to become a reality any time soon.