Tenerife is very similar to other countries because of the gastronomy and nearness of its people. But we share something special with a place 5000 km away from the island: Egypt and it’s pyramids.
The Güímar’s Pyramids are an important point of interest from the southern municipality, declared Good of Cultural Interest. But its origin remains a mystery. Maybe the guanches, farmers, imitation of other constructions… There is no shared theory about how they appeared in this place.
But they are magic. Summer Solstice is celebrated in June and you’ll be able to see the “double-sunset” from this point. Pyramids are perfectly aligned and in the corner from one of them, you’ll be able to see, with glasses provided by the museum, how the sun disappears almost completely, to reappear a few moments later. If you want to know a little bit more about it, click on the image.
But, just a question. How many poisonous plants have you ever seen? You probably couldn’t tell. The Ethnographic Park of Güímar’s Pyramids is a big outdoor museum that gathers different routes and gardens of canary species, but one of the most appreciated is the Poisonous Garden. You’ll see 70 species from all over the world, a unique exhibition in the islands. Myths and legends about the poison, medical use of some of the species, toxic grade…A perfect place to visit with the family.
But it is not the only thing you’ll be able to find in the museum. The Botanical route with numerous endemic species like the Canary Palm, the Cardon, The Dragon tree or the Canary Pine. But don’t worry because you won’t get lost as every species has its scientific name and some of them have an info panel .
The Export Route is one of the most interesting things. If I ask you to think about a yellow and canary fruit, what do you think about? Precisely. The banana is one of the main export products, as well as the sugar cane, the wine, tomato and ‘cochinilla’ (Red Mealybug). An appreciated insect which provided us with tint. How? On this site they explain it very well.
But the culture and history can’t be missing in any museum. Topics like agriculture, crafts, gastronomy, mythology, conquer, emigration or native sports are just some of them. It would be very interesting to learn how people from Tenerife used to get the water, what is the ‘gofio’ and why we love it, or discover the beautiful traditional suits. As well as the volcanic route, where you can discover rocks and typical volcanic material from Tenerife.
Don’t miss Tropicarium, where you’ll learn the strategies orchids and carnivorous plants use to survive with high temperatures and high humidity. You will be able to understand why these two groups of plants draw the attention of Charles Darwin.
Moreover, the Sustainable Garden recreates the flora of a canary ravine. Used as a sustainability model and educates the visitors. The sustainability of this garden is 100% fulfilled because water is constantly recycled and reused, allowing plants to take advantage of the waste generated by the fish themselves. An amazing idea.
But apart from outdoors routes, you’ll find a museum where you learn about investigations of the pyramids origin, as well as one of the most famous photographic exhibitions of stepped pyramids in the world. You can also find a documentary film about Thor Heyerdahl, the construction’s investigator on the Auditorium or a big exhibition of the Pacific islands o una gran muestra dedicada a la navegación y descubrimiento de las islas del Pacífico, like the Easter Island.
As you can see, this museum is not just about stacked little stones. The pyramids are the main asset, but there are all little parts of Canarian life to be explored. Maybe, once you leave, you’ll fully understand the Canary Islands.
How to arrive to Pirámides de Güímar
You will be able to access the Parque Etnográfico Pirámides de Güímar differently. You can take the bus line 121 from Intercambiador de Santa Cruz or from the intercambiador in La Laguna, just next to the lines 120, 101 y 111. You’ll arrive at the Pirámides bus stop and you’ll have to walk 650 m, or just over 10 minutes.
If you want to visit it by car, you should take the TF-1 road until you arrive at Güímar. You have to take the Exit 22, continue on Güímar’s road to Puertito de Güímar/TF 612.
If you would like to have more information about public transportation to arrive at the museum, don’t hesitate to check the following link.
Schedule
The museum is open all the year, excep December, 25th and January, 1st. Working hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where to purchase tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the website with a validity frame of 6 months or in person . There are four types of tickets depending on what do you want to visit.