El Tanque stands on the hillside of north-western Tenerife, 480 to 604 m above the Atlantic. It lies 6 km west of Icod de los Vinos and 53 km west of the island capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The municipality covers 23.65 km² and is home to about 2,800 people. It is a farming town on the green northern slopes, a long way from the resort coast in the south of the island.
El Tanque
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €). ATM withdrawals often incur charges of €1–8; bringing some cash (€50–100) can help avoid fees. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. Bizum (a Spanish payment app) is popular with locals and some businesses but requires a Spanish bank account. The islands are outside the EU's standard VAT area.
- Language
- Spanish (specifically Canarian Spanish dialect) is the native language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, but understanding outside these areas is very limited. In smaller towns and rural areas, English proficiency is minimal. Hotel and restaurant staff generally know basic English.
- Power plug
- Europlug (Type C) and Schuko (Type F) sockets; 230 V, 50 Hz
- Visa
- Schengen area: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals enter on national ID card or passport. Many non-EU nationalities have 90-day visa-free access. Non-EEA citizens staying longer than 90 days require an advance visa.
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Canary (UTC±00:00 in winter, UTC+01:00 in summer); one hour behind mainland Spain.
- Tap water
- Safe to drink throughout Spain. In some southern regions it has high mineral content and may taste unfamiliar; locals often drink bottled water instead. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available.
- Tipping
- Not mandatory or customary. In restaurants: not expected for simple meals or basic establishments; 5–10% in mid-range or upscale venues if service was exceptional. Always pay cash to the server, not on card. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may appreciate small tips in upscale settings but it is not expected.
- Emergency
- 112
When to go
High season
Nov – Apr
Winter brings the rain to Tenerife's north side, so the slopes around El Tanque are at their greenest, and at this height the evenings turn cool enough for a jacket.
Shoulder
May – Oct
Summer is dry, and the trade winds push cloud against the northern slopes, so the town often sits under grey skies while the south of the island is in full sun.
How long to stay
An hour or two covers the town itself, taken as a stop on a drive through the north-west of Tenerife. Icod de los Vinos is 6 km to the east, so the two fit comfortably into the same day. A night or more makes sense only if you want a quiet hillside base for the north-west, with Santa Cruz de Tenerife 53 km away.
What to see
Destinations in El Tanque
Frequently asked questions
Where is El Tanque?
In the north-west of Tenerife, 6 km west of Icod de los Vinos and 53 km west of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island capital.How high up is El Tanque?
The town sits at 480 to 604 m above sea level, on the hillside above the north coast.How big is El Tanque?
The municipality covers 23.65 km² and has about 2,800 residents.