Guía de Isora in Tenerife South named after a Guanche girl

It can be of interest to find out about the history of a place and how somewhere got its name. Guía de Isora was named after the Guanche girl’s name Isora. The Guanches were the original inhabitants of Tenerife before the Spanish conquest so it has a strong link with the island’s past in more ways than one.

The “Guía” part of the name of the large town means guide, and is making reference to the Virgin of the Light of the Guide, who is a the patron saint of the place. In Spanish she is known as Nuestra Señora de las Luz de la Guía. She has her own church by an impressive square on the Calle del Ayuntamiento.

To see such sights in Guía de Isora you have to stop and get out and have a look around. Driving through Guía de Isora you cannot appreciate what the town actually has in it, although you do go past the Cultural Centre on the coastal side of the main road, with a square that is used for fiestas.

This square is known as the Plaza del Pueblo de Garachico and it has small fountains along one side and a shrub border.

But if you stop and investigate the town on the other side of the road you will soon discover the Auditorium of Guía de Isora. This is where shows, exhibitions and big events get held.

The Calle La Cruz goes right past it and takes you to the main church and yet another square. Tall trees provide a place to cool off under on a hot day in Guía de Isora, and being in the south of Tenerife it often does get very warm there.

In addition to the church and square there is a children’s play area and some bars and restaurants nearby. There are some top-class eating places in Guía de Isora.

Guía de Isora has just about everything you would expect of a large town with lots of shops, including a pet store and a florist. There are several supermarkets, garages, restaurants, a post office, a hard-ware and gardening shop, a sports ground, a bus station and a cemetery.

Guía de Isora’s coat of arms depicts the hands of Isora and a Spanish conquistador. It is said to symbolise the happy union of the Guanches with their Spanish conquerors, although in reality this is very debateable considering the fierce battles the Guanche men fought with the Spaniards.

The mountain Pico Viejo (“Old Peak”) is a point of reference as a location on the island and a mastic tree, also shown, represents one of the ancient trees growing in the town.

Guía de Isora is very near to the village of Chirche in the mountains above, and on the coast below Guía de Isora are the resorts of Playa de San Juan and Alcalá.

Looking down over the sea, Guía de Isora also provides some splendid views of the island of La Gomera on a clear day.

At the far end of Guía de Isora, travelling further northwards towards Chio and Tamaimo, there is a very big shop, bar and restaurant that catering mainly for tourists. It stocks essential oils and perfumes, local arts and craftwork, traditional Canary Islands clothing and much more merchandise of potential interest to the coach parties that make a stop there.

There is a lot in Guía de Isora that makes this charming town in Tenerife well worth stopping off and having a look around for.