![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tenerife-living.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/9.png\")
Cica Ezust Playa Baja Larga.<\/p><\/div>\n
The history of Alcal\u00e1 begins in the middle of the 19th century. At that time, shepherds from the highlands of the municipality of Gu\u00eda de Isora and fishing families from Garachico and Gran Canaria decided to settle on a volcanic terrain located on a small bay on the southwest coast of Tenerife.<\/p>\n
In 1865 the small settlement had just 52 inhabitants living in 11 single-storey houses. Their livelihood came from livestock, fishing and cereal cultivation.<\/p>\n
Alcal\u00e1 as a traditional fishing village<\/h3>\n
For much of its history, Alcal\u00e1 lived mainly from fishing and agriculture. Even today you can still see large farms around the town that remind us of this agricultural period.<\/p>\n
A coastal road connecting Los Gigantes, Playa San Juan and Adeje crosses the village and divides it into two areas. The part closest to the sea is the oldest and also the most visited by those who come to discover the charm of the place.<\/p>\n
Although the fishing port ceased to operate in 2010, the seafaring spirit is still present in the village.<\/p>\n
Alcal\u00e1 and the tuna tradition in the Canary Islands<\/h3>\n
Tuna fishing has been an important activity in the Canary Islands for centuries, especially between the 19th and early 20th centuries.<\/p>\n
Between 1837 and 1838, factories were set up on several islands where tuna was preserved by salting. For a few years production grew strongly, although in 1851 the industry suffered a crisis due to high taxes and the high cost of transporting salt from other islands.<\/p>\n
Despite this, fishing continued to be a fundamental activity in many coastal towns, including Alcal\u00e1.<\/p>\n
The cannery and salt mines of Alcal\u00e1<\/h3>\n
In the first half of the 20th century, the local economy revolved mainly around the fishing sector. Between the 1920s and 1950s, industrial demand for tuna increased, which increased activity in the waters off the western islands.<\/p>\n
In 1934, 43 fishermen were already working at Playa de Alcal\u00e1. Part of the tuna caught was salted, but another part was processed into oil for canning.<\/p>\n
In response to this demand, in 1938 the businessman \u00c1lvaro Rodr\u00edguez L\u00f3pez founded a canning factory on the outskirts of the village. Around 90 people worked there, both men and women.<\/p>\n
Two years later, in 1940, the brothers F\u00e9lix and Jos\u00e9 Reyes built the Salinas de Alcal\u00e1 to produce the salt needed for the canning industry. At that time the village was still small: in 1950 it had just 356 inhabitants.<\/p>\n
Over time, the local economy diversified. During the second half of the 20th century agriculture, especially the cultivation and export of tomatoes and bananas, became another important economic engine.<\/p>\n
Later, with the development of tourism in the south of Tenerife, the economy of the village began to transform.<\/p>\n
What happened to the port and fisheries?<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tenerife-living.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8.png\")
Laura Carvajal Playa Baja Larga Panoram<\/p><\/div>\n
The fishing port of Alcal\u00e1 ceased to operate in 2010. The Cofrad\u00eda de Pescadores Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Luz de Gu\u00eda Isora then moved its headquarters to the nearby port of Playa San Juan.<\/p>\n
Currently the entire fleet - coastal, purse seine and deep-sea - is based there. Between 2006 and 2020, the confraternity had 33 coastal fishing boats and 9 vessels dedicated mainly to tuna fishing.<\/p>\n
However, fishing boats can still be seen in Alcal\u00e1. Many remain on dry land, as the fishermen still use the old port facilities as a dry dock to repair and paint their boats.<\/p>\n
Traces of the past that can still be seen in Alcal\u00e1 Although the town has changed a lot, there are still traces of its history.<\/p>\n
The old cannery<\/p>\n
The building of the former cannery still exists and is located in the street that is now called, appropriately enough, Calle La F\u00e1brica.<\/p>\n
Today the smell of fish has been replaced by the aroma of freshly baked bread and Mediterranean food. The building now houses a restaurant and a bakery, and until recently there was also a supermarket, recognisable by its orange colour.<\/p>\n
The old salt mines and the Hotel Meli\u00e1<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tenerife-living.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/casco-historico-de-La-Orotava.png\")
Tenerife, Hotel Gran Meli\u00e1 Palacio de Isora aerial view<\/p><\/div>\n
The Salinas de Alcal\u00e1 operated until 1984 and the following year they were partially demolished. The Hotel Meli\u00e1 was later built on the same site.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the hotel boasts the largest artificial saltwater lake in Europe. It is unclear whether this feature was intended as a tribute to the old salt pans or simply as a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
Why does the Avenida Mar\u00edtima de Alcal\u00e1 have a curious name?<\/h3>\n
The promenade that passes in front of the Hotel Meli\u00e1 and connects with the bathing areas of Alcal\u00e1 seems to have no name. However, on official maps it appears as Paseo Mar\u00edtimo Gabriel Escarrer.<\/p>\n
This name refers to Gabriel Escarrer Juli\u00e0, Spanish businessman, founder and president of the hotel group Meli\u00e1 Hotels International, whose hotel is located right next to the promenade.<\/p>\n
Where is Alcal\u00e1 and what can you find there today?<\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tenerife-living.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/10.png\")
Marc Switten Alcala<\/p><\/div>\n
Alcal\u00e1 is a coastal town with a local atmosphere, known for its seaside square - Plaza Llano - where a lively farmers' market is held every Monday.<\/p>\n
The square is surrounded by restaurants, bars and small caf\u00e9s, and large trees provide shade for much of the day. From here you can easily access the promenade that runs along the coast to Los Gigantes, where there are several natural areas for swimming, snorkelling or simply enjoying the Atlantic.<\/p>\n
Many travellers choose Alcal\u00e1 precisely because of this balance between tranquillity and authenticity. If you are looking to stay in the centre of the town, Tenerife Living's flats El Medio and El Piso are a very convenient option, as they are just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the main points of the town.<\/p>\n
Staying in Alcal\u00e1: experiencing the town like a local<\/h2>\n
One of the best ways to discover Alcal\u00e1 is to stay a few days and experience the quiet rhythm of the town: have breakfast facing the sea, stroll through the Monday market or watch the sunset from the promenade.<\/p>\n
Laura Carvajal Playa Baja Larga Panoram<\/p><\/div>\n
The fishing port of Alcal\u00e1 ceased to operate in 2010. The Cofrad\u00eda de Pescadores Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Luz de Gu\u00eda Isora then moved its headquarters to the nearby port of Playa San Juan.<\/p>\n
Currently the entire fleet - coastal, purse seine and deep-sea - is based there. Between 2006 and 2020, the confraternity had 33 coastal fishing boats and 9 vessels dedicated mainly to tuna fishing.<\/p>\n
However, fishing boats can still be seen in Alcal\u00e1. Many remain on dry land, as the fishermen still use the old port facilities as a dry dock to repair and paint their boats.<\/p>\n
Traces of the past that can still be seen in Alcal\u00e1 Although the town has changed a lot, there are still traces of its history.<\/p>\n
The old cannery<\/p>\n
The building of the former cannery still exists and is located in the street that is now called, appropriately enough, Calle La F\u00e1brica.<\/p>\n
Today the smell of fish has been replaced by the aroma of freshly baked bread and Mediterranean food. The building now houses a restaurant and a bakery, and until recently there was also a supermarket, recognisable by its orange colour.<\/p>\n
The old salt mines and the Hotel Meli\u00e1<\/h2>\nTenerife, Hotel Gran Meli\u00e1 Palacio de Isora aerial view<\/p><\/div>\n
The Salinas de Alcal\u00e1 operated until 1984 and the following year they were partially demolished. The Hotel Meli\u00e1 was later built on the same site.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the hotel boasts the largest artificial saltwater lake in Europe. It is unclear whether this feature was intended as a tribute to the old salt pans or simply as a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
Why does the Avenida Mar\u00edtima de Alcal\u00e1 have a curious name?<\/h3>\n
The promenade that passes in front of the Hotel Meli\u00e1 and connects with the bathing areas of Alcal\u00e1 seems to have no name. However, on official maps it appears as Paseo Mar\u00edtimo Gabriel Escarrer.<\/p>\n
This name refers to Gabriel Escarrer Juli\u00e0, Spanish businessman, founder and president of the hotel group Meli\u00e1 Hotels International, whose hotel is located right next to the promenade.<\/p>\n
Where is Alcal\u00e1 and what can you find there today?<\/h2>\nMarc Switten Alcala<\/p><\/div>\n
Alcal\u00e1 is a coastal town with a local atmosphere, known for its seaside square - Plaza Llano - where a lively farmers' market is held every Monday.<\/p>\n
The square is surrounded by restaurants, bars and small caf\u00e9s, and large trees provide shade for much of the day. From here you can easily access the promenade that runs along the coast to Los Gigantes, where there are several natural areas for swimming, snorkelling or simply enjoying the Atlantic.<\/p>\n
Many travellers choose Alcal\u00e1 precisely because of this balance between tranquillity and authenticity. If you are looking to stay in the centre of the town, Tenerife Living's flats El Medio and El Piso are a very convenient option, as they are just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the main points of the town.<\/p>\n
Staying in Alcal\u00e1: experiencing the town like a local<\/h2>\n
One of the best ways to discover Alcal\u00e1 is to stay a few days and experience the quiet rhythm of the town: have breakfast facing the sea, stroll through the Monday market or watch the sunset from the promenade.<\/p>\n
Tenerife, Hotel Gran Meli\u00e1 Palacio de Isora aerial view<\/p><\/div>\n
The Salinas de Alcal\u00e1 operated until 1984 and the following year they were partially demolished. The Hotel Meli\u00e1 was later built on the same site.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the hotel boasts the largest artificial saltwater lake in Europe. It is unclear whether this feature was intended as a tribute to the old salt pans or simply as a tourist attraction.<\/p>\n
Why does the Avenida Mar\u00edtima de Alcal\u00e1 have a curious name?<\/h3>\n
The promenade that passes in front of the Hotel Meli\u00e1 and connects with the bathing areas of Alcal\u00e1 seems to have no name. However, on official maps it appears as Paseo Mar\u00edtimo Gabriel Escarrer.<\/p>\n
This name refers to Gabriel Escarrer Juli\u00e0, Spanish businessman, founder and president of the hotel group Meli\u00e1 Hotels International, whose hotel is located right next to the promenade.<\/p>\n
Where is Alcal\u00e1 and what can you find there today?<\/h2>\nMarc Switten Alcala<\/p><\/div>\n
Alcal\u00e1 is a coastal town with a local atmosphere, known for its seaside square - Plaza Llano - where a lively farmers' market is held every Monday.<\/p>\n
The square is surrounded by restaurants, bars and small caf\u00e9s, and large trees provide shade for much of the day. From here you can easily access the promenade that runs along the coast to Los Gigantes, where there are several natural areas for swimming, snorkelling or simply enjoying the Atlantic.<\/p>\n
Many travellers choose Alcal\u00e1 precisely because of this balance between tranquillity and authenticity. If you are looking to stay in the centre of the town, Tenerife Living's flats El Medio and El Piso are a very convenient option, as they are just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the main points of the town.<\/p>\n
Staying in Alcal\u00e1: experiencing the town like a local<\/h2>\n
One of the best ways to discover Alcal\u00e1 is to stay a few days and experience the quiet rhythm of the town: have breakfast facing the sea, stroll through the Monday market or watch the sunset from the promenade.<\/p>\n
Marc Switten Alcala<\/p><\/div>\n
Alcal\u00e1 is a coastal town with a local atmosphere, known for its seaside square - Plaza Llano - where a lively farmers' market is held every Monday.<\/p>\n
The square is surrounded by restaurants, bars and small caf\u00e9s, and large trees provide shade for much of the day. From here you can easily access the promenade that runs along the coast to Los Gigantes, where there are several natural areas for swimming, snorkelling or simply enjoying the Atlantic.<\/p>\n
Many travellers choose Alcal\u00e1 precisely because of this balance between tranquillity and authenticity. If you are looking to stay in the centre of the town, Tenerife Living's flats El Medio and El Piso are a very convenient option, as they are just a few minutes' walk from the sea and the main points of the town.<\/p>\n
Staying in Alcal\u00e1: experiencing the town like a local<\/h2>\n
One of the best ways to discover Alcal\u00e1 is to stay a few days and experience the quiet rhythm of the town: have breakfast facing the sea, stroll through the Monday market or watch the sunset from the promenade.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tenerife-living.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/11.png\")