Their habitual residence is in Valdelagua (an exclusive urbanization located north of Madrid) and they own various international real estate properties, including a mansion in The Bahamas, Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem frequently travel to a place where they do not have a home. This is the municipality of Guía de Isora, in the southwest of Tenerife. There, far from the media spotlight, they find the balance between privacy, nature and gastronomy for their vacation, staying at the prestigious hotel The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama.
However, beyond this exclusive resort, Guía de Isora is one of the great secrets of Tenerife. Less crowded than other tourist areas on the island, it combines small traditional towns, a coast of volcanic origin, spectacular viewpoints and a privileged natural environment presided over by Mount Teide.
Located on the western slope of Tenerife, the historic center of Guía de Isora preserves the quiet atmosphere of traditional Canarian towns, with low-rise streets, garden squares and buildings that recall the region's agricultural past. From there it is easy to explore the different centers of the municipality, which extend from the midlands to the coast.
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One of the biggest attractions is Abama Beach, a small bay of golden sand protected by a dam that keeps its waters especially calm. Unlike many volcanic beaches in Tenerife, here the light color of the sand and the intense blue of the Atlantic create a landscape very different from the usual one on the island. The beach is located at the foot of the Ritz-Carlton, which is on top of a cliff. Therefore, the hotel offers direct access to the sand via a private funicular or train.
Wouter Hagens
A few minutes away are also some of the most spectacular settings on the Tenerife coast, such as the impressive cliffs of Los Gigantes, which reach several hundred meters high above the ocean and offer some of the best boat excursions to observe cetaceans, one of the most popular activities in this part of the island.
For those seeking nature, the municipality also serves as a gateway to trails that ascend to the high areas of Tenerife, where the landscape changes completely between pine forests, ravines and viewpoints with views of the Teide National Park.
Michael Gorski
What to do in Guia de Isora
Beyond bathing and resting by the sea, Guía de Isora invites you to discover a much more leisurely Tenerife. One of the best experiences is touring the western coast at sunset. From different viewpoints it is possible to see how the sun hides behind the island of La Gomera, one of those natural spectacles that have turned this part of the Canary Islands into a place especially appreciated by travelers in search of tranquility.
Sea lovers can snorkel, kayak or take excursions for responsible dolphin and whale watching, since the waters between Tenerife and La Gomera are home to one of the most important resident populations of cetaceans in Europe.
Tourism Guide of Isora
Gastronomy also occupies a prominent place. Some of the most prestigious restaurants in the Canary Islands are concentrated in the surroundings of Abama, several of them recognized with Michelin stars, while the municipality also abounds in guachinches (typical traditional establishments where homegrown wine is sold accompanied by homemade food) and family restaurants where you can discover traditional Tenerife cuisine, from wrinkled potatoes with mojo to fresh fish or the island's artisan cheeses.
Those who prefer a more relaxed day can simply enjoy the natural pools, visit small nearby towns or visit the banana plantations that are still part of the area's agricultural landscape.
Iain Cameron
Where to eat in Guía de Isora
The gastronomic offer of Guía de Isora is one of the great reasons why many travelers repeat their destination.
Within the Abama complex, haute cuisine proposals stand out such as MB, which has two Michelin stars under the direction of chef Martín Berasategui, or Akira Back Tenerife, where Japanese and Korean cuisine is combined with international influences.
Another of the most appreciated addresses is El Mirador, located on the ocean and specializing in fish and seafood with privileged views of the Atlantic.
Outside the resort, it is worth looking for one of the traditional guachinches spread throughout the municipality, where it is possible to try homemade recipes made with local products and Tenerife wines in a much more informal and authentic atmosphere.
elmirador.tenerife
Where to sleep in Guía de Isora
The great hotel benchmark in the municipality is, without a doubt, The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama, the same establishment that Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem choose for their family getaways.
In addition to being located on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the complex stands out for its Moorish-inspired architecture, subtropical gardens, several swimming pools, access to a practically private beach area via funicular and one of the most complete gastronomic proposals in the Canary Islands.
However, if the price is too high for your budget, in Guía de Isora there are also tourist apartments, small rural hotels and boutique accommodations for those looking to get to know this part of Tenerife without necessarily staying in a luxury resort.
The Ritz-Carlton
What to do around Guia de Isora
If you have a car, the area around Abama beach is an excellent base to discover some of the most spectacular landscapes in Tenerife. Just twenty minutes away are the Los Gigantes Cliffs, one of the great natural icons of the island. Its walls of volcanic origin, which rise up to more than 600 meters above the ocean, can be seen from different viewpoints or during a boat excursion, one of the best ways to also observe dolphins and whales in the wild.
Playa de la Arena is also very close, in the neighboring municipality of Santiago del Teide. Awarded the Blue Flag, it stands out for its characteristic black volcanic sand and especially clean waters, ideal for spending a different day at the beach.
Around Tenerife
Those who prefer to walk will find one of the most interesting trails on the island in the nearby Barranco de Masca. The route, which descends between impressive volcanic walls to a small cove, requires prior reservation and good physical condition, but is considered one of the most spectacular hiking experiences in the Canary Islands.
Another essential excursion is to the Teide National Park, located just over an hour by car. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is home to the highest peak in Spain and a unique volcanic landscape made up of lava flows, volcanic cones and rock formations that seem from another planet. Even without ascending to the top, exploring its viewpoints and trails allows you to discover one of the most impressive natural spaces in the country.
If the trip coincides with the right season, it is also worth visiting the natural pools of Alcalá, a pleasant place to swim when the sea is calm and watch the sunset over the island of La Gomera.
Pedro Szekely
Precisely this combination of privacy, volcanic landscapes, first-class gastronomy and a pleasant climate all year round explains why Guía de Isora has become one of the favorite refuges of Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. A corner of Tenerife where luxury coexists with nature and a perfect place to disappear, at least for a few days.
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