The history of the millenary dragon tree of Tenerife
The dragon tree of Tenerife is one of those places that you should not miss on your visit to the island if you are looking for places with charm and a lot of history. The one known as the Drago Milenario is located in Icod de los Vinos, located in the northwest of Tenerife. Visiting the dragon tree is a highly recommended plan, but so is walking the cobbled streets of this municipality.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about this popular dragon tree in Tenerife. In addition, we also include the most outstanding points of interest in Icod de los Vinos, so you can combine your visit to the dragon tree with other activities. Read on and take note!
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The dragon tree of Tenerife, a place with a lot of history
The dragon tree of Icod de los Vinos is a specimen of the species Dracaena Draco Canariensis. And although there is no clear consensus on the part of experts when it comes to estimating their age, it is estimated that they are around 800 years old. This figure makes it one of the longest-lived species in the world.
Not only is its longevity one of the most prominent factors, but also its dimensions. It is more than 16 meters high, has a base of 20 meters in circumference and weighs approximately 40 tons. It has more than 300 main branches and its flowers are small and green or yellow. In times of good flowering, more than a thousand bouquets of this flower can bloom.
Another of the points that is most striking is that the inside of its trunk is hollow, resulting in a huge cavity 6 meters high. A fan was installed inside the dragon tree that facilitates the movement of air and prevents the development of fungi. As other measures to protect and conserve it, the town council of the municipality of Icod de los Vinos diverted a road that passed near it. To this day, this emblematic species is not in danger.
The history of the dragon tree and its characteristics have made it a natural symbol not only of this municipality, but also of the island of Tenerife. It was declared a National Monument in 1917. Without a doubt, it is worth spending part of the trip contemplating the beauty of the Dragon-Tree of Tenerife. It’s a place that doesn’t let anyone down!
The Drago Park
In the surroundings of the dragon tree you can find a beautiful garden with numerous endemic species. In total, 3 hectares of extension where you can enjoy Canarian flora such as tabaibas, cardons, heather, palm trees, vines, lime trees or laurels, among others. Likewise, in the Parque del Drago it also offers other attractions, such as a cave where an aboriginal burial is represented.
Local tip: Parque del Drago is open from Monday to Sunday. Between the months of April and September, the schedule is from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The rest of the year the opening hours are reduced to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The price for adults is €5 and €2.50 for children under 8 years old. But if you don’t want to pay an entrance fee, don’t worry, as you can see it from the square of the Parish Church of San Marcos.
Other visits in Icod de los Vinos and close to the millenary dragon tree
The Drago Milenario is probably the best known and most popular attraction in Icod de los Vinos, but not the only one. A good plan is to combine your visit to the dragon tree of Tenerife with a walk through the historic center of the municipality. You will be able to get to know the charm of this town better!
Among the most recommended places we find the Chapel of Sorrows or the Casa de los Cáceres. Several hermitages such as El Calvario, the Ermita de las Angustias or San Antonio are also recommended stops. To these are added the Ex-Convent of San Francisco, the Church of San Agustín, the Parish of San Marcos, the Plaza Andrés de Lorenzo Cáceres and the Plaza de la Constitución.
A swim on the beach? It's also possible!
If you chose Tenerife as your holiday destination, it’s probably also because of its many beaches and warm climate all year round. After seeing the largest dragon tree in Tenerife, what do you think of the plan to go down to the coastal area of Icod de los Vinos?
Here you will find San Marcos Beach, one of the quietest beaches in the north of the island. It is especially frequented by locals, which differentiates it from other more touristy beaches. Thanks to its particular shell shape, it is sheltered from the waves and offers a calm tide.
In addition, it includes all the amenities you may need. From showers and sun lounger rental, to bars and restaurants with sea views and where you can stop for lunch. You’ve already felt like taking a good bath, right?
The Cueva del Viento, another of the attractions of Icod de los Vinos
Did you think there were no more activities to do in Icod de los Vinos? Well, take note, because in addition to the popular dragon tree of Tenerife, the Cueva del Viento is also located here. One of the most recommended options and with the best ratings on channels such as TripAdvisor.
The Cueva del Viento originated around 27,000 years ago after the eruption of the Pico Viejo volcano. It is the fifth largest volcanic tube in the world, with 18 kilometers currently surveyed. And best of all, you can visit its interior and admire the great geological value of this place. Learn more about the Cueva del Viento in “Visit the amazing Cueva del Viento in Tenerife”.
What did you think of our article on the dragon tree of Tenerife? Undoubtedly, nature always surprises us and this is one of its most spectacular manifestations on our island. We recommend you visit the Drago Milenario and, of course, also enjoy everything that the municipality of Icod de los Vinos has to offer.