Tenerife is a very popular destination for tourists from all around the world, welcoming millions of visitors a year.
Last year a whopping 6.5 million travellers descended on the Canary Island, while more than four million have visited to date this year.
Like many Spanish resorts, it has become the victim of its success, facing problems of overcrowding particularly at peak holiday periods. However, there are still places on the island relatively untouched by tourists and which provide a perfect respite from the crowds.
One such place is the beautiful picturesque fishing village of Los Abrigos on the south east coast of the island.
It was once known as El Abrigo, (“the overcoat”) as it is one of only a few naturally protected harbours in the south of the island.
Los Abrigos is actually reminiscent of an English fishing village, with a footpath down to the port and the long harbour wall.
It is a fully working fishing port, with the fresh sea catch sold at a market close to the harbour. Locally caught species include such savoury delights as hake, Atlantic wreckfish and gilt-head bream.
The traditional way to cook fish is to split the spine in half and put it on a grill with chopped garlic.
Served with mojos along with the obligatory Papas Arugagas, small potatoes cooked in very salty water – this makes a very tasty simple meal.
Such dishes used to be readily available from a handful of small fish restaurants in the village. However, these local food outlets have long since made way for a wide variety of eateries to cater for growing tourist numbers.
The new restaurants offer a much wider range of imported products, including lobsters, oysters, mussels and clams. There are a couple of beaches close to the village, which are less populated than others on the island.
Los Abrigos has both a volcanic and sandy beach, where sun lovers can brush up on their tans in relative peace.
Located just a couple of minutes drive from Tenerife south airport, the village has attracted great interest from developers.
