El Montillo Nature Park is located in the north of the island of Tenerife, in the town of La Matanza de Acentejo. The town is known for being the site of the Battle of Acentejo in 1494, when the indigenous inhabitants known as Guanches defeated the Castilian army. In another article we talked about what to see in Matanza de Acentejo. Now, we want to focus on El Montillo, which is both an urban park and a nature reserve. In the last few years it has also become a hub for leisure and sport activities in nature for the people of Tenerife.
El Montillo Nature Park: images that will remain etched in your memory
El Montillo Park is a beautiful nature reserve that started being built in 2009. After ten years of construction work, it was inaugurated in 2019 after some minor hurdles. The reason for the delay was a controversy over a possible impact on an endangered species: the Pimelia radula radula beetle. Today, the park is a prime example of a sustainable space that maintains a balance between conservation, respect for the natural environment and responsible use of our surroundings.
During the initial phase, the park covered 30,000 m², making it the largest green area in La Matanza de Acentejo. Today, it’s over 57,000 m². What’s more, the El Montillo Nature Reserve includes 410 plants and a multitude of fruit trees, Canary Island pines, palm trees and other endemic species. The park is designed primarily for children, which is why there are several play areas for children. However, adults and the elderly can also enjoy this natural recreation area. The park can be visited every day from 8:00 am to 8:30 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, opening hours are extended to 9:00 pm.
What to see in El Montillo Nature Park in La Matanza
The first thing you see when you enter El Montillo Nature Park, apart from its spectacular vegetation, is a map provided by La Matanza de Acentejo Town Hall. It shows the route you can take and your position at any given moment. Let’s take a look at what attractions you can find in the nature reserve:
- Visitor centre
- Plaza de la igualdad (‘Square of equality’), with an allegorical sculpture
- Open-air amphitheatre, perfect for cultural events, concerts and plays
- Lake with a waterfall and small boats
- Children's playground with sand from the beach and areas with slides, swings and a zip line
- Café with two terraces and affordable prices
- Fitness park with different exercise machines, especially for the elderly
- Dog park with an agility course and drinking fountains
- Sports circuit with machines for jumps, abdominal exercises, cardio, etc
- Los agricultores (‘The farmers’) sculpture, depicting a man and a woman, tribute to the farmers of La Matanza de Acentejo
- Beach football pitch
- Space to practice callisthenics
- El Lago and La Escombrera viewpoints
- Climbing wall
- Skatepark with a separate pump track area for children’s beginner practice
- Visitor centre
- Plaza de la igualdad (‘Square of equality’), with an allegorical sculpture
- Open-air amphitheatre, perfect for cultural events, concerts and plays
- Lake with a waterfall and small boats
- Children's playground with sand from the beach and areas with slides, swings and a zip line
- Café with two terraces and affordable prices
- Fitness park with different exercise machines, especially for the elderly
- Dog park with an agility course and drinking fountains
- Sports circuit with machines for jumps, abdominal exercises, cardio, etc
- Los agricultores (‘The farmers’) sculpture, depicting a man and a woman, tribute to the farmers of La Matanza de Acentejo
- Beach football pitch
- Space to practice callisthenics
- El Lago and La Escombrera viewpoints
- Climbing wall
- Skatepark with a separate pump track area for children’s beginner practice
The green area also has several picnic spots, benches and tables where you can stop to eat and rest. You will also find many bridges and streams where you can take fantastic photos. Finally, it’s an inclusive space. The park has numerous ramps adapted for people with disabilities and prams.
How to get to El Montillo Nature Park in Tenerife
La Matanza de Acentejo is just 26 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. You can also opt for taking one of these buses: 101, 102 or 30. Once in the town, the park is located on Calle Carretera de San Antonio. It’s practically in the centre of La Matanza de Acentejo, so getting there is relatively easy. If you use the town hall as a reference point, take Calle Real and Calle de La Resbala towards Calle de la Carretera de San Antonio.
If you’re travelling by car, free parking is available on site. Spaces for electric vehicles are also available. The parking isn’t very big, but if you go during the week, you won’t have any problem finding a place. If you decide to visit on a weekend when it’s more crowded, you can also find parking along the road.
Now you know everything about El Montillo Nature Park. If you have already decided to spend your holidays in the north of Tenerife, you cannot miss this natural paradise. All that’s left is to look for accommodation. San Diego Apartamentos offers ten rooms on a marvellous eco-friendly avocado farm. We can also recommend activites in Tenerife on the island of Tenerife. If you want a holiday with views over the sea and Mount Teide, get in touch and book your holiday rental now.
