El Balcón Viewpoint

Walk down the stairs from the roadside and the platform juts out from the stone wall of the cliff, with the Atlantic directly below. The coast runs away from it in a line of towering ridges, each one dropping into the sea behind the last: the formation nicknamed the Dragon's Tail.

On a clear day Tenerife sits on the horizon across the water. Late in the day the sun goes down into the ocean on that side, and the cliffs and the sky change colour by the minute. Sunset is the reason to make the long drive. The wind blows straight in off the sea, and there is nothing at the platform but the view.

• Bring a layer: the platform is exposed and it can be very windy, even when the day feels warm.
• No food, water or toilets: there is nowhere to eat nearby and no toilets or drinking water at the viewpoint. Bring water and snacks.
• Fill the tank first: the drive in is long and winding, so set off with fuel to spare.
• Parking is limited: the free car park beside the viewpoint fills up at popular times.
• No wheelchair access: the platform is reached by stairs down from the road.

The approach is a long drive on narrow, winding mountain roads that need your full attention the whole way. The free car park, asphalted, sits about 36 m from the viewpoint, and from there stairs take you down to the balcony. Spaces are limited and go quickly at busy times.

If you stay for sunset, the drive back runs on the same narrow bends in the dark. Take it slowly, especially if mountain roads are new to you.

The nearest bus stop, Cruz Roja, is about 3.3 km away in a straight line.

Best: late afternoon into sunset, on a clear day. The viewpoint looks out over the open ocean towards Tenerife, so the sun sets into the sea in front of you, and clear air brings the island onto the horizon.

Avoid: hazy or cloudy days, and leaving the drive down until long after dark. Cloud hides Tenerife and flattens the cliffs, and the narrow mountain road is far harder to drive at night.