Las Zocas, Mountain village in San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, Spain
Las Zocas is a mountain village on volcanic terrain in San Miguel de Abona, Tenerife, situated at roughly 600 meters elevation. The settlement sits among fields and terraces carved into the dark landscape, with views stretching across the southern part of the island.
The village formed during Spanish colonization of the Canary Islands when farmers began settling the volcanic highlands in the 16th century. It grew from the need to develop this challenging terrain for agriculture.
The name refers to the traditional terraces that farmers built into the slopes to hold and direct water across the land. People here maintain these structures and still use them today to grow potatoes and vegetables.
The village has small shops, a pharmacy, and sits along walking paths that lead through the surrounding countryside. Wear sturdy shoes for exploring, as the terrain is uneven and rocky throughout the area.
Some irrigation systems here date back centuries and were specially designed to work with the black volcanic rock, capturing water and releasing it slowly across fields. These ancient methods still work today and show the ingenuity of early settlers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
