Pyramids of Guimar

Stepped platforms of dark lava stone, stacked dry and squared off at the corners, rise in terraces across the park. The tallest reaches 12 m, about the height of a four-storey building, with stairs on its western side.

The real draw is the argument. Heyerdahl saw a stopping point on ancient voyages between Egypt and the Maya, and the park tells his story: two pavilions hold models of his boats and a full-size replica of the reed boat Ra II. Archaeologists dug beneath the stones and dated them to the 19th century. Under the edge of one pyramid they found a walled-up lava cave with Guanche finds from 600 to 1000 AD, older than the structure above it. Astronomers showed that the long sides of some terraces line up with the solstices.

Around it all run gardens of exotic plants, including one of poisonous species.

• The displays lean towards Heyerdahl's theory; the 19th-century dating gets little space, so read up on both views before you go.
• Take the audio guide and do not skip the film; the site makes far more sense with them.
• A visit on the standard ticket takes about an hour and a half.
• Most of the visit is outdoors among the gardens, so bring a jacket or an umbrella if the weather looks unsettled.
• Toilets are on site, and the park works well with children.

The park sits in Chacona, a district of Güímar on the east side of Tenerife. Most people come by car: a free car park lies about 40 m away, and there is free parking along the street as well, so you pull up close to the entrance and walk straight in.

By bus, the nearest stop is Pirámides de Güímar, about 75 m away; the Chacona stop is about 240 m away. Once inside, everything is reached on foot along the paths through the grounds.

Best: a dry morning, soon after opening.

Avoid: a day of steady rain, or the middle of a hot summer afternoon.

Most of the visit is spent walking between the pyramids, gardens and pavilions in the open air, and lava stone soaks up the sun and gives back its heat by midday.