Leprosy ruins and a grand basilica—on one day. This private Tenerife alternative tour strings together Candelaria’s Black Madonna Basilica and the abandoned leprosy settlement in Arico, plus seaside villages and Atlantic viewpoints that feel far from the usual island circuit. I like how the day mixes sacred spaces with offbeat history, so you get more than pretty scenery.

You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water, and there’s a built-in photo session to help you remember the weird-and-wonderful parts. One thing to plan for: you’ll do an about 3-hour round-trip easy walk in Arico, so bring shoes you’re comfortable with on uneven paths.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Theo tailors the pace to your group, and keeps the day working with your time window.
• Candelaria’s seaside square has major statue work along the sea wall and the Basilica area is easy to enjoy.
• Arico’s leprosy complex includes a church and buildings created for patients, staff, and daily life.
• Arico el Nuevo adds real breaks with coffee, a sandwich, lighthouse views, and optional ocean time.
• Pyramids of Güímar is optional and worth it only if you want the science-versus-mystery angle.

A private Tenerife day that avoids the busiest boxes

This is a private tour for up to four people, which matters on Tenerife. You’re not sharing a bus full of strangers, so your guide can slow down when something catches your eye (or speed up when you’d rather chase the view). Starting at 10:00 am also helps you beat the rush, especially around the more famous coast towns.

The route is built around a few anchors, then flexible time in between. Most entrances are free, and optional adds (like lunch and the Pyramids) let you shape the day instead of paying for things you might skip.

Stop 1: Candelaria’s Black Madonna, the seaside promenade, and cave chapel time

Candelaria is a pilgrimage town, and the big draw is the Basilica area tied to the Black Madonna, patron of the Canary Islands. Even if you’re not chasing religious sites, the setting works: the plaza sits right by the sea, and the sea wall is lined with nine colossal statues of Guanche chiefs.

I love how easy this stop feels to experience at street level. After you take in the Basilica and the main square, you can wander the old-town area, duck into nearby cafes, and grab a snack. There’s also the Cave Chapel of San Blas—small, atmospheric, and a nice change from open squares.

Practical note: this part of the day is mostly low-effort walking. If you want a calm start before the longer walk later, Candelaria is a good place to warm up.

Stop 2: Arico’s leprosy village and the Franco-era church complex

Then the day pivots into something you’ll rarely find on a standard cruise shore excursion: a former leprosy settlement in Arico, described as a mysterious abandoned village tied to patients and a dedicated community. The setting is part history lesson, part quiet haunting, with views over the Atlantic and surrounding mountains.

The heart of it is the village’s architecture—buildings in a late-Francoism / Spanish Fascist style that were created for the leprosy facility. The site is said to include the kind of infrastructure you’d expect in a self-contained world: a crematorium, a very impressive church, a school, a hospital, recreational spaces, and accommodation blocks. And yes, there’s a famous area often referred to as the Cathedral of Lepers.

This is where having a strong guide really counts. Theo and other guides on this tour are set up to explain not just what you’re looking at, but how it all fit together—why these buildings were built, and what life in the complex would have meant. You get time for photos, and you’ll likely find yourself looking at details you’d normally rush past.

One consideration: this stop carries serious subject matter. If you prefer only light, carefree sightseeing, take that into account. If you like real places with real context, this one gives you that.

Stop 3: Arico el Nuevo villages, lighthouse views, and beach-and-swim freedom

After the heavier history, Arico el Nuevo feels like a reset button. You head down to another white village area where you can pause for coffee and a sandwich, then continue on a longer but scenic return route.

This section is built around coastline breaks. You’ll pass several nearby beaches, see a picturesque lighthouse, and then loop back toward the original white village point. The final stretch gives you a chance to reach the beach, and if conditions are right for you, there’s an option to get into the ocean and swim.

I like this part because it’s not just sightseeing. It’s practical. Your guide gives you room to breathe, eat something, and decide on the spot whether you want more time at the water or to keep moving toward the next stop.

Optional stop 4: Pyramids of Güímar—when mystery and science both matter

The Pyramids of Güímar stop is optional, but it can be a satisfying add if you enjoy theories, exhibits, and walking a botanical garden. You’re looking at six terraced pyramids built with volcanic rock, and the story here leans into the debate over what they were for—agricultural terraces, ancient observatories, or something tied to celestial alignments.

The site also highlights the work of Thor Heyerdahl, including how his theories about transoceanic connections shaped public interest in the pyramids. If you like cultural artifacts and context, the associated ethnographic displays add a lot of texture beyond the stone structures.

And then there’s the garden part: the Ethnographic Park & Botanical Garden is included with the visit, so you can slow down and enjoy plants from different places rather than rushing through another museum.

Heads-up on cost: admission is not included for the Pyramids stop. If you’re cost-conscious, decide early whether you want this extra education-versus-mystery angle. It’s included in the plan time-wise, but it’s not free.

Optional stop 5: Guímar lunch that tastes local (not touristy-only)

Lunch is optional in Guímar, and it’s not included in the tour price. The area has restaurants where you can usually find items like chicken, pork, rabbit, fish, pasta, and local wines.

This is a nice setup because your guide can match the restaurant choice to what you actually want. If you want something lighter after walking, you can aim for that. If you’re hungry, you can pick a heavier plate.

One more reason this works: it keeps you from feeling stuck in a set menu situation. You stay in control of what you spend.

What’s included (and why that matters on a day like this)

For a full-day private outing, the included basics are genuinely useful:

• Pickup offered (you send your pickup location ahead by email/WhatsApp/Telegram)
• Air-conditioned vehicle for comfort across Tenerife’s roads
• Bottled water
• Photo session so you’re not just taking selfies all day
• Mobile ticket

Most main stops have free admission, which helps keep the day from turning into a surprise-cost marathon. The two big potential extras are the optional Pyramids of Güímar admission and lunch.

Price and value: $378.71 per group up to 4

At $378.71 per group for up to four people, the pricing makes sense if you’re traveling with others. If you split with a full group, that can work out to about $95 per person—often comparable to what you’d pay for a shared excursion, but with the big benefit of a private guide.

What you’re really paying for is the mix:

• a driver who handles a complex route,
• time in places most people skip,
• and a guide who can adjust on the fly.

The value is strongest if you care about atmosphere and context, not just checkboxes. If you’re the type who wants a quick drive-by tour with minimal walking, you might feel the cost more than the fun.

Timing and walking: the day rhythm you should expect

The tour runs about 7 to 8 hours. Timing changes based on whether you add the Pyramids stop and what you choose for lunch.

Walking is the only real effort point. The Arico walk is described as very easy but still about 3 hours round trip. That means it’s easy-going, but it’s long enough that you should wear shoes you’d normally wear for a real hike.

Candelaria and the beach segments are lighter, with more wandering and breaks. Still, expect some uneven ground and coastal paths.

Who should book this (and who should skip)

Book this tour if you want Tenerife with personality. You get a pilgrimage town by the sea, then a real historic site tied to leprosy, then back to beaches and white villages. It’s also great if you like a guide who can tailor the day, which Theo is specifically praised for.

Skip it if you:

• hate history that’s dark in subject matter,
• or want a mostly seated, minimal-walking itinerary.

Should you book this Tenerife Alternative Tour?

Yes, if you’re looking for an island day that feels personal and local, not a cookie-cutter checklist. The best parts are the pairing of Candelaria’s major Basilica setting with Arico’s former leprosy complex, and the fact that the tour doesn’t leave you stuck there—there are beach breaks and time to breathe.

I’d book it even more confidently if you like your sightseeing explained. The guide focus here is strong, and that makes the unusual stops land in a way a self-guided wander won’t.

FAQ

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

Start time is 10:00 am.

Do you offer pickup?

Yes, pickup is offered. You send your pickup location by email, WhatsApp, or Telegram.

What language is the tour in?

The tour is offered in English.

How much walking is included?

There’s a very easy walk in Arico of about 3 hours round trip, plus additional light walking around towns and beaches.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and not included in the tour price.

Are admission tickets included?

Most stops list free admission, but the Pyramids of Güímar admission is not included.

What’s included in the price?

Included are bottled water, a photo session, and an air-conditioned vehicle. A mobile ticket is also provided.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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