Tenerife, Spain, march 2025 - Jan & Jan-Jan's Rejseklubben

The village of Masca is a mountain village in the west of Tenerife and regarded as the most beautiful and picturesque village on the island. Masca is at 650 m altitude about 100 inhabitants. During the day it is overrun by tourists, but in the early mornings and evenings it regains its authenticity. The Masca Gorge is a canyon running from Masca until the coast, and albeit a strenuous 3-hour walk either way.

Masca was a Guanche settlement before the Spanish conquest of 1496. There is a popular myth that Masca used to be a pirate hideout, but there is no evidence for the claim although it certainly helps to draw tourists to the village. Until the 1980s, Masca was informally called the lost village because it lacked road access and could only be reached by horse, donkey, or by foot. This isolation allowed Masca to preserve much of its authenticity.

The village is quite overrun by tourists with cheap vendors and touts around. And while the gorge and serpentine road are impressive, it is questionable whether the trip is worth it, especially since the gorge and hike itself is permitted only to a few people during the weekend.