Abades, Tenerife

In 1943, a leprosy village was built on the hill above Abades, complete with a hospital, crematorium, numerous bungalows, an administration building overlooking the sea, and a large concrete church in Francoist style, featuring a prominent cross that is visible from the nearby motorway.

Goat keepers used to live in natural caves after the few winter rainfalls, then headed back to Arico during the long dry season.

Abades is a very quiet place to stay during the winter, but warm weekends and school holidays bring a sudden rush of activity.

This resort has nine restaurants/pubs available around the square and in the new buildings close to the sea; two small supermarkets, two real estate offices, a Boxing- and a Fitness studio, and a scuba diving centre which are open every day.

The access to Abades is very easy thanks to the motorway, only 12 minute drive from the Reina Sofia TFS airport, on the Autopista TF-1 direction Santa Cruz, former exit 18; now km 42.