The Drago Milenario in Icod de los Vinos

The Drago Milenario is probably the most famous tree in the Canary Islands. You see it on postcards, fridge magnets and even the old 1,000-peseta notes, and it’s one of Tenerife’s great symbols. We’ve visited it several times, with and without the girls, and here I’ll tell you everything you need to know before going to the Parque del Drago in Icod de los Vinos: what it is, how much it costs, how old it really is and even how to see it for free.

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What is the Drago Milenario? (and why it isn’t quite “thousand-year-old”)

The Drago Milenario is a specimen of Dracaena draco, the Canary Islands dragon tree, and it’s the largest and oldest known in the world. It stands about 17 metres tall, has a base circumference of 20 metres and weighs around 150 tonnes. An absolute beast of a tree.

That said, the “thousand-year-old” part is more legend than science. For years it was said to be thousands of years old, but current estimates put it at between 800 and 1,000 years. It falls just short of a millennium, but it’s still impressive. In 1917 it was declared a National Monument and today it’s, without doubt, the most photographed tree in Tenerife.

The legend of the Drago

Like any good Canarian place, the Drago has its own legend, and it’s a beautiful one. The story goes that long, long ago there was a dragon called Ladon, who guarded the Garden of the Hesperides — which was none other than the Canary Islands. When he died, his blood spilled onto the earth and from each drop a dragon tree sprouted. And here’s the lovely part: when you cut a dragon tree, its sap is a deep red, like blood. They call it “dragon’s blood” and it was once used as a remedy. Tell the kids the story before you go in and the visit is transformed.

What you’ll see at the Parque del Drago

Something many people don’t realise: the Parque del Drago isn’t just the tree. It’s a botanical garden of about three hectares, with loads of species endemic to the Canary Islands, that’s a real pleasure to stroll through. The route is short and flat, and ends right at the foot of the Drago, which is where you really grasp how enormous it is. There are spots with views over the town and the coast, perfect for the obligatory photos.

Parque del Drago opening hours and prices (2026)

The Parque del Drago is open every day of the year, though the hours change with the season:

• 1 April to 30 September: 9:00 to 20:00.
• 1 October to 31 March: 10:00 to 18:00.

Tickets are very cheap:

For the reduced rates you may be asked for ID, so bring it just in case.

Check prices and book

How to see the Drago Milenario for free

And now the trick everyone’s after: yes, you can see the Drago Milenario for free. You don’t need to go into the park. Right next door, in Plaza de Andrés Lorenzo Cáceres, beside the church of San Marcos, there’s a viewpoint from which you can see the whole Drago, fairly close up, without paying a thing.

That said, here’s my honest opinion: for how little the ticket costs, we think it’s worth going in. Seeing the Drago from below, at its feet, and strolling through the botanical garden is another experience. But if you’re in a hurry or on a tight budget, the viewpoint does the job nicely.

How to get there and parking

The Drago is right in the centre of Icod de los Vinos, in the north of Tenerife. You have several ways to get there:

By car

You can park for free on the surrounding streets, though it’s not always easy to find a spot. The easy option is the Parking del Drago, a 2–3 minute walk from the entrance.

By bus (guagua)

From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, line 108. From Puerto de la Cruz, line 354.

On an organised excursion

If you’d rather not drive, there are excursions that combine the Drago with the Teide, Masca and Garachico in a single day:

Is it worth it? And with kids?

I’ll be honest: the Drago is a short visit. In about 45 minutes to an hour you’ve seen it all at a relaxed pace, garden included. It’s not a half-day plan. But it’s one of those places you have to see at least once, because it’s the symbol of Tenerife and because, in person, it genuinely impresses.

With kids? It works really well as a stop within a day around Icod. What ours liked most was the dragon legend and hunting for the little dragon trees around the garden. The route is flat and buggy-friendly, so no complications.

Your full day in Icod de los Vinos

Since you can see the Drago in under an hour, the thing to do is combine it with more plans. Icod de los Vinos makes for a great full day:

• The Mariposario del Drago (butterfly house) is literally next to the Parque del Drago, and the girls love it.
• ARTlandya, the doll museum, is 4 km away and is a different plan that’s really worth it.
• A local guachinche: Icod is wine country and has some of the best guachinches in the north.
• Garachico, one of the prettiest towns in Tenerife, is a 10-minute drive away.

I’ll leave you more things to do in Icod de los Vinos here in case you want to plan the full day.