Updated in 2026.<\/strong> Tenerife’s Ancient Dragon Tree is one of those stops that looks small on the map but ends up featuring in every conversation about the trip. It stands in Icod de los Vinos, beside the historic centre, and although many people arrive \u201cjust to see it for five minutes\u201d, it is worth planning the visit so that you do not rush, park badly or pay admission without knowing what it includes.<\/p>\n\n

This guide brings together the important information for 2026: prices, reference opening times, what you can see inside the Dragon Tree Park, where you can view it for free, how much time to allow and how to combine it with Garachico, Cueva del Viento or a route through northern Tenerife.<\/p>\n\n

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Ancient Dragon Tree at a glance<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Where it is:<\/strong> Icod de los Vinos, beside Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n.<\/li>\n
Official admission listed by the Island Council:<\/strong> adults \u20ac5, students and pensioners \u20ac3, children under 8 \u20ac2.50, Icod residents free.<\/li>\n
Recommended time:<\/strong> 30 to 60 minutes if you visit the park at a relaxed pace.<\/li>\n
Free option:<\/strong> see it from the area around the square and the outside viewpoint.<\/li>\n
Best combination:<\/strong> Icod, Garachico and a swim at El Calet\u00f3n if the sea is calm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
What is the Ancient Dragon Tree of Icod?<\/h2>\n\n
The Ancient Dragon Tree is the great natural symbol of Icod de los Vinos and one of the botanical icons of the Canary Islands. Its popular name sounds like an old tale, but one point needs clarifying: it is traditionally called \u201cancient\u201d or \u201cthousand-year-old\u201d because of its exceptional longevity, although the exact age of a dragon tree cannot be calculated like that of other trees with clear growth rings. Even so, this is an extraordinary, enormous, living and carefully protected specimen.<\/p>\n\n
The Tenerife Island Council notes that the tree has undergone restoration and conservation work, and that it was protected by diverting the road that once ran very close to it. That detail matters: it is not merely a beautiful photograph, but a delicate living organism that requires space, monitoring and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n
See the Tenerife Island Council’s information about the Ancient Dragon Tree<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Admission price in 2026<\/h2>\n\n
The Tenerife Island Council’s official information lists the following prices for the Dragon Tree Park:<\/p>\n\n
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Adults:<\/strong> \u20ac5.<\/li>\n
Students and pensioners:<\/strong> \u20ac3.<\/li>\n
Children under 8:<\/strong> \u20ac2.50.<\/li>\n
Residents of Icod de los Vinos:<\/strong> free admission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
If you are visiting as a group, using a special discount or travelling during a period of change, confirm the price before buying. This is not an attempt to create mystery where there is none: visitor prices can change, and this post is here to help you, not to leave you arguing at the ticket office over fifty cents.<\/p>\n\n
Dragon Tree Park opening times<\/h2>\n\n
Ticket channels checked for 2026 show summer opening hours of 09:00 to 20:00, from April to September, and winter opening hours of 09:00 to 18:00, from October to March. Even so, before driving to Icod, confirm the opening hours for that day if you intend to arrive late, are travelling on a public holiday or have a very tight itinerary.<\/p>\n\n
See the opening times published by the Dragon Tree Park ticket channel<\/a><\/p>\n\n
What you can see inside the Dragon Tree Park<\/h2>\n\n
Admission is not only for getting closer to the dragon tree. The site serves as a botanical garden for Canarian flora, with native species and a short route through the ravine surroundings. Tourism information describes the park as a space dedicated to Canarian endemic species, with cardons, spurges, palm trees and other elements of local vegetation.<\/p>\n\n
You will also find internal viewpoints and interpretive areas. Do not expect an enormous park that takes half a day: this is a short, attractive and fairly easy visit if you do it without rushing. Its appeal lies in seeing the dragon tree close up, understanding its scale and then walking around Icod.<\/p>\n\n
Can you see the Ancient Dragon Tree for free?<\/h2>\n\n
Yes. You can see it without entering the park from the area around Plaza de la Constituci\u00f3n and the outside viewpoint. The view is not the same as from inside, but it may be enough for a quick stop. If you are interested in photography or botany, or want to see the tree more closely, admission makes more sense.<\/p>\n\n
A tip: if you are travelling with people who tire easily, look at it from outside first. If the group wants to, go in. If not, walk around Icod, have a coffee and nobody gets annoyed. Some holidays are saved by not imposing an admission ticket that only one person wanted.<\/p>\n\n
How to get there and where to park<\/h2>\n\n
The Dragon Tree is in central Icod de los Vinos, so the usual approach is to arrive by car and look for parking around the town centre. Do not try to park at the entrance when it is busy: it is normally easier to leave the car a little farther away and walk.<\/p>\n\n
From Puerto de la Cruz, you reach it along the northern coast on a route that is very easy to combine with Garachico. From southern Tenerife, the journey is longer, so it is best included in a full-day route through the northwest.<\/p>\n\n
What to see near the Ancient Dragon Tree<\/h2>\n\n
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Historic centre of Icod de los Vinos:<\/strong> the square, church, historic streets and local shops.<\/li>\n
Garachico:<\/strong> one of the most beautiful towns in the north, a short drive away.<\/li>\n
El Calet\u00f3n:<\/strong> natural pools in Garachico, but only when the sea is calm.<\/li>\n
Cueva del Viento:<\/strong> a guided visit that should be booked in advance.<\/li>\n
Northwestern viewpoints:<\/strong> perfect if you are heading towards Buenavista, Teno or Los Silos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
A well-rounded route would be Puerto de la Cruz, Icod, the Ancient Dragon Tree, Garachico and a return journey along the coast. If you start in the south, you can combine Icod with Garachico, Masca or Los Gigantes, but set off early and do not fill the day with an impossible number of stops.<\/p>\n\n
Tips for visiting the Dragon Tree in 2026<\/h2>\n\n
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Go early<\/strong> if you want easier parking and photographs with fewer people.<\/li>\n
Do not reduce it to a photograph.<\/strong> Take a few minutes to appreciate the scale of its trunk and crown.<\/li>\n
Confirm the opening hours<\/strong> if you are visiting late in the day or on a special date.<\/li>\n
Combine it with Garachico<\/strong> to make the journey more worthwhile.<\/li>\n
Respect the surroundings.<\/strong> It is a living symbol, not a stage set.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
Frequently asked questions about the Ancient Dragon Tree<\/h2>\n\n
How much does it cost to enter the Dragon Tree Park in 2026?<\/h3>\n
The Island Council’s official information lists \u20ac5 for adults, \u20ac3 for students and pensioners, \u20ac2.50 for children under 8 and free admission for residents of Icod de los Vinos.<\/p>\n\n
Can I see the Ancient Dragon Tree without paying?<\/h3>\n
Yes. You can see it from outside, from the area around the square and the viewpoint. To see it more closely and walk through the botanical garden, you need to enter the Dragon Tree Park.<\/p>\n\n
How much time do I need to visit the Dragon Tree?<\/h3>\n
Between 30 and 60 minutes is usually enough. If you also walk around Icod or combine it with Garachico, allow half a day.<\/p>\n\n
Is the park worth entering?<\/h3>\n
Yes, if you are interested in seeing the tree close up, walking through the garden and better understanding the surroundings. If you only want a quick photograph, you can see it from outside.<\/p>\n\n

Admission price in 2026<\/h2>\n\nThe Tenerife Island Council’s official information lists the following prices for the Dragon Tree Park:<\/p>\n\n\nAdults:<\/strong> \u20ac5.<\/li>\nStudents and pensioners:<\/strong> \u20ac3.<\/li>\nChildren under 8:<\/strong> \u20ac2.50.<\/li>\n

Frequently asked questions about the Ancient Dragon Tree<\/h2>\n\n

How much does it cost to enter the Dragon Tree Park in 2026?<\/h3>\nThe Island Council’s official information lists \u20ac5 for adults, \u20ac3 for students and pensioners, \u20ac2.50 for children under 8 and free admission for residents of Icod de los Vinos.<\/p>\n\n

Can I see the Ancient Dragon Tree without paying?<\/h3>\nYes. You can see it from outside, from the area around the square and the viewpoint. To see it more closely and walk through the botanical garden, you need to enter the Dragon Tree Park.<\/p>\n\n

How much time do I need to visit the Dragon Tree?<\/h3>\nBetween 30 and 60 minutes is usually enough. If you also walk around Icod or combine it with Garachico, allow half a day.<\/p>\n\n

How much does it cost to enter the Dragon Tree Park in 2026?<\/h3>\n
The Island Council’s official information lists \u20ac5 for adults, \u20ac3 for students and pensioners, \u20ac2.50 for children under 8 and free admission for residents of Icod de los Vinos.<\/p>\n\n

Can I see the Ancient Dragon Tree without paying?<\/h3>\n
Yes. You can see it from outside, from the area around the square and the viewpoint. To see it more closely and walk through the botanical garden, you need to enter the Dragon Tree Park.<\/p>\n\n

How much time do I need to visit the Dragon Tree?<\/h3>\n
Between 30 and 60 minutes is usually enough. If you also walk around Icod or combine it with Garachico, allow half a day.<\/p>\n\n