A small whitewashed country house at the very top of the valley
Sweet Home Masca is the topmost house in Masca, a hamlet of fewer than a hundred residents perched on a knife-edge ridge inside Tenerife's Teno Rural Park. The country house holds two ground-floor units behind a whitewashed façade that opens onto a tile terrace looking straight down the volcanic gorge toward the Atlantic. Hosted independently by Victoria and Mario (with day-to-day help from manager Andrei), the property runs to the rhythm of the village rather than a hotel desk.
Inside, the design is calm Canarian country: white-painted plank ceilings, terracotta-tile floors, neutral linen sofas with the property's signature lime-chartreuse throws, jadeite-glazed coffee mugs and a generous skylight that frames the ridge from the living room. Both units are fully non-smoking, both sleep two to three guests, both share the same panoramic outlook, and both come with private bathrooms and a spotless finish that guests single out again and again.
Where it sits, fewer than 100 residents and a road that gets you there
Masca is reached only by the TF-436 mountain road from Santiago del Teide, paved in the 1970s and famously narrow and serpentine, guests describe it as fun rather than scary, and the host has confirmed the property is accessible in a small hire car. The free public parking bay is about 50 metres from the entrance; from there you walk in. The property sits at roughly 600 m above sea level, on the ridge above the village square and the 16th-century church.
From the front door it's a few minutes' walk to the Mirador de Cruz de Hilda viewpoint, the closest sunrise spot, and to the Mirador de Hilda Cafe, the only café within walking distance. The trailhead for the Barranco de Masca hike is around a 30-minute walk down. Beyond the village, the road carries on north to Buenavista del Norte and west to Punta de Teno; south you'll find Santiago del Teide (~3 km), Los Gigantes (~22 km) and Tenerife South Airport (~53 km, about 60–75 minutes' drive in light traffic).
Welcome treats, panoramic mornings and one of the cleanest skies in the Canary Islands
The single most-mentioned thing in 428 guest reviews is what's waiting when you arrive: a hand-picked welcome of wine, cake, croissants, fresh fruit, tea, olives and breakfast staples, set out by the host before check-in. Stocked by Victoria, refreshed for every stay, and the reason a long string of guests describe their stay as feeling like a friend's place rather than a rental.
Mornings happen on the terrace. The breakfast tray sits on a bamboo mat, jadeite-jade plates of jamón toast and fresh juice in front of you, and the volcanic ridge across the valley catches first light. Evenings turn the same view to silhouette and stars, Masca's altitude (~600 m) and lack of light pollution mean the night sky is one of the cleanest in the Canary Islands, with the Milky Way visible on most clear nights. The terrace is fitted with white wicker chairs, a hammock and a strip of lime-green astroturf grass that picks up the property's signature accent. Pets, smoking, parties and children under 12 are not accepted; quiet hours run from 23:00 to 09:00.
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Interesting Points About Sweet Home Masca
- Located at the very top of the Masca Valley in Tenerife's Teno Rural Park (the highest accommodation in the village before the closed-to-traffic hiking trail begins); the panoramic shared terrace looks straight down the volcanic gorge toward the Atlantic.
- Spanish vivienda vacacional licence VV-38-4-0096181 is publicly listed against the property, the Canary Islands' regulatory record of compliance with the Tenerife Holiday Home Act; a registration that sets the property apart from unlicensed Masca Valley short-lets.
- Two ground-floor units only across the entire inventory: a 25 m² Double Room and a 75 m² One-Bedroom Apartment, both step-free and sharing the same panoramic terrace; the structural-supply mix lets couples and family-of-three groups book directly without the typical multi-floor Tenerife villa accessibility trade-offs.
- Free 43 Mbps Wi-Fi (host-tested fibre speed) plus free public parking 50 metres from the door, in a Masca Valley setting where most peers ship without any documented Wi-Fi speed or parking arrangement; a practical pre-booking advantage for travellers planning to combine a Teno-park hiking day with a remote-work morning.
Rooms & Accommodation at Sweet Home Masca
Double Room
2 guests · ~25 m² · Private balcony & terrace · Garden, mountain & landmark views · Private bathroom
A 25 m² ground-floor room with a private balcony and a small terrace, garden / mountain / landmark / city views, a private bathroom (free toiletries, towels, hairdryer) and a kitchenette set-up, microwave, fridge, kettle, coffee machine, toaster and a dining table, but no stovetop. Heating, fan, flat-screen TV with satellite channels and 43 Mbps Wi-Fi. Couples particularly like this room, and the bed comfort draws consistent praise. The smaller of the two units; private entrance, ground-floor access, no smoking, no pets.
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One-Bedroom Apartment
Up to 3 guests · ~75 m² · 1 bedroom + sofa bed · Full private kitchen · Patio + balcony + terrace
The full apartment, 75 m² across a separate bedroom with one extra-large double bed, a long living-and-dining room with a sofa bed (sleeps a third guest), a fully equipped private kitchen (stovetop, microwave, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, refrigerator, full kitchenware, dining table) and a private bathroom with walk-in shower or bath. Plus the property's signature outdoor space: a patio, a balcony AND a terrace, all on the ground floor with a private entrance. Heating, washing machine, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, 43 Mbps Wi-Fi. Only a little more than the Double Room and roughly three times the floor area.
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Best Suited For
- Couples on a slow-travel honeymoon or anniversary: they are the guests who leave happiest
- Photographers, hikers and stargazers who want a panoramic terrace and the cleanest skies in the Canary Islands
- Travellers chaining north-west Tenerife: Masca + Teide National Park + Los Gigantes: over 4–7 nights
- Anyone who wants a self-catering kitchen and the time and quiet to actually use it
Worth Considering Alternatives If
- Families with children under 12: the property accepts only guests aged 12 and over, with no cots and no extra beds available
- Travellers without a hire car: the village is reachable by TITSA bus 355 but evening dining and grocery runs realistically need a car
- Anyone who needs a 24-hour staffed reception: the host meets you on arrival from 17:00 and is on-site, but there's no overnight desk
- Beach-resort travellers: Masca sits at 600 m altitude in a mountain hamlet; for sand and pools, the south coast resorts are an hour away
Amenities & facilities
Property facilities
- Sun terrace
- Garden
- Outdoor seating area
- Outdoor dining area
- Private balconies and patios
- Free public parking 50 m from the door
- Bicycle and walking starts on the doorstep
- Not available: Swimming pool
- Not available: On-site restaurant
- Not available: Spa or wellness centre
- Not available: Airport shuttle service
In your unit
- Private bathroom (free toiletries, towels, hairdryer)
- Heating
- Fan
- Flat-screen TV with satellite channels
- Minibar
- Tile/marble floor with carpet softening
- Wardrobe or closet
- Linen and towels included
- Iron + ironing facilities
- Hand sanitiser
- Board games / puzzles
Kitchen / kitchenette
- One-Bedroom Apartment: full private kitchen with stovetop, microwave, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, refrigerator, full kitchenware, dining table
- Double Room: kitchenette only, microwave, fridge, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, dining table (no stovetop)
- Washing machine in both units
- Cleaning products
Connectivity
- Free Wi-Fi (43 Mbps measured), fast enough for HD streaming and video calls
- Sockets near the bed
Policies
- Children: 12 years and older only
- No cots or extra beds available
- Pets not allowed
- Smoking not allowed
- Parties / events / hen and stag groups not allowed
- Quiet hours 23:00–09:00
- prepayment on behalf of the property
Accessibility
- Both units are entirely on the ground floor with private entrances
- Note: the wider village and surrounding terrain are steep, not recommended for guests with serious mobility impairments
Location & getting to Sweet Home Masca
Sweet Home Masca sits at 28.3114° N, −16.8418° W on the ridge above Masca village in the municipality of Buenavista del Norte (Santiago del Teide is the nearest town to the east). The hamlet has fewer than 100 permanent residents and is part of the Teno Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2002, at roughly 600 metres above sea level on a ridge between two volcanic ravines.
Practically, the geography of staying here is straightforward: drive in from Tenerife South Airport via the TF-1 motorway → TF-82 north → TF-436 west, park 50 metres from the front door, walk into the village on foot. The TF-436 is the only road in; from December 2025 the Cabildo de Tenerife runs the official TITSA bus 355 from Santiago del Teide as the access route to the Masca Gorge trailhead, but you don't need to use it to reach the property, driving is fine, and the host has confirmed a small hire car handles the road comfortably.
- Mirador de Cruz de Hilda viewpoint: Within walking distance · 5-min walk
- Mirador de Hilda Cafe: A couple of minutes' walk
- Masca Gorge trailhead (Barranco de Masca): ~30-min walk from the door
- Restaurante La Piedra: ~0.8 mi · 15-min walk
- Restaurante El Guanche: ~1 mi · 11-min drive
- Masca Beach (Playa de Masca): ~1.8 mi · accessed via the gorge trail or boat from Los Gigantes
- Teide National Park (boundary): ~4.5 mi · UNESCO World Heritage site
- Punta de Teno Lighthouse: ~9 mi · north-west tip of Tenerife
- Los Gigantes cliffs and marina: ~22 km south · whale-watching trips
- Santiago del Teide: ~3 km east · banks, supermarkets
- Tenerife South Airport (TFS): ~33 mi · 60–75-min drive
- Tenerife North Airport (TFN): ~42 mi
Getting to Key Locations
Masca Gorge (Barranco de Masca)
Tenerife's signature ravine hike, a one-way descent through volcanic basalt walls from the village down to Masca Beach. Reopened after a long closure and now strictly regulated: pre-book a slot on the Cabildo de Tenerife's official site, wear proper hiking footwear, and arrange the boat back from Masca Beach to Los Gigantes. From December 2025 the TITSA route 355 bus from Santiago del Teide is the mandatory transfer to the trailhead. ~30-min walk from Sweet Home Masca's door.
View on Map
Photo: Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA 3.0
Teide National Park
UNESCO-listed volcano park surrounding Mount Teide (3,718 m), Spain's highest peak and the world's third-largest volcano measured from its ocean-floor base. About 4.5 miles from Masca by road; the cable-car runs from the south side and the night-sky observatory at Izaña does open public sessions. The drive across via the TF-38 / TF-21 takes about 90 minutes from the property and is a classic Tenerife day out.
View on Map
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Los Gigantes cliffs and marina
The west-coast sea-cliffs that gave the resort its name, vertical basalt walls up to 600 m tall plunging straight into the Atlantic. About 22 km south of Masca on the TF-436. The marina is the launching point for whale-and-dolphin-watching trips and the boat back from Masca Beach after the gorge hike. Pair with sunset at Mirador Archipenque on the way home.
View on MapHow to get to Sweet Home Masca
- From Tenerife South Airport (TFS / Reina Sofía): About 53 km, 60–75 minutes' drive in light traffic. Pick up a hire car at the airport, small cars are fine, the host has confirmed it. Take the TF-1 motorway westbound for ~35 km, exit toward Santiago del Teide / Los Gigantes (junction Adeje – Guía de Isora), then follow the TF-82 north through Guía de Isora and Chío until you reach Santiago del Teide (~25 km). At Santiago del Teide turn left onto the TF-436 signed for Masca / Buenavista, allow 25–30 minutes for the final 6 km on a paved but very narrow, hairpin-bend road. Park in the marked free public bay and walk the final 50 m to Camino la Vica.
- From Tenerife North Airport (TFN / Los Rodeos): About 42 mi (~70 km), roughly 90 minutes' drive. Take the TF-5 west toward Icod de los Vinos, then the TF-820 / TF-373 south through El Tanque to Santiago del Teide, then the TF-436 west to Masca.
- By bus, no car: TITSA route 355 (Buenavista del Norte ↔ Masca ↔ Santiago del Teide) calls at Cruz de Hilda within walking distance of the property, daily including weekends. Reaching Masca by public transport from either airport involves multiple changes and is realistic only if you're staying several nights and don't intend to leave the village much. Bus 355 is also the official transfer for the Masca Gorge hike from December 2025 onwards.
- Driving the TF-436, what to expect: The road is paved and perfectly safe, but it is narrow and serpentine; first-timers consistently describe it as fun rather than scary. Drive slowly, use the marked passing bays for oncoming traffic, and avoid the road in heavy fog or after sunset on your first visit. The village interior is for residents only, park where indicated and walk in.
- Arrival: Check-in is from 17:00. Victoria or Mario will meet you on arrival at the property; Andrei is on-site as manager. Quiet hours run from 23:00 to 09:00. Do a supermarket run in Santiago del Teide on the way up, the village shop is tiny and most local restaurants close in the evening. Children under 12 are not accepted, and pets and smoking are not permitted.
Masca and the Teno Rural Park
Masca is the most cinematic village in Tenerife: a cluster of white houses clinging to a knife-edge ridge in the Teno Rural Park, surrounded on three sides by volcanic ravines. Until the TF-436 was paved in the 1970s, the hamlet was reachable only on foot or by mule, and the slow rhythm has stuck, terraced fields, palm-thatched roofs, fewer than a hundred residents and a small church on the village square. Local stories have it that the gorge was a hideout for Berber pirates raiding the north-west coast in the 17th century; folklore or not, it gives the village a quiet romance you don't find on the resort coast.
The headline experience is the descent through the Barranco de Masca to the black-sand cove of Masca Beach, a ticketed, one-way hike from December 2025 onwards, with mandatory transfer by TITSA bus 355 from Santiago del Teide and a boat back to Los Gigantes. But the village itself rewards a slower visit: sunrise from the Mirador de Cruz de Hilda, a barraquito at one of the panoramic cafés, a wander past the church on the square, and after dark one of the cleanest skies in the Canary Islands. The closest town is Santiago del Teide (~3 km east); Buenavista del Norte sits to the north and the dramatic Los Gigantes sea-cliffs ~22 km south on the coast.
The sweet spot for a visit is March–May and September–November, when temperatures are 18–24 °C, the trail is open, the air is clear and the village is quiet. Summer can be hot in the gorge (the trail closes early on hot days) and winter nights at altitude can drop near freezing, bring a layer.
What guests say about Sweet Home Masca
Scores and review counts are aggregated from verified guest bookings on major travel platforms.
Exceptional
Sweet Home Masca consistently delivers in the Exceptional tier, guests describe a panoramic terrace at the top of the Masca Valley, a hands-on host who makes arrival feel like staying with a friend, and an unusually well-equipped country-house unit. Recurring caveats are practical, not service-related: the winding TF-436 access road for nervous drivers, cool winter nights at altitude, and the lack of a late-night dining option in the hamlet itself. Couples are comfortably the guests who leave happiest.
An amazing place. Don't hesitate, the views from the balcony are spectacular, the area is stunning and so peaceful, and the apartment is clean, well-equipped and homely. Already planning my return.
Danielle
An amazing place. Don't hesitate, the views from the balcony are spectacular, the area is stunning and so peaceful, and the apartment is clean, well-equipped and homely. Already planning my return.
2026-04-18Stunning views and a lovely vibe inside the apartment. The balcony is outstanding, and the welcome treats, sugar, tea, cake, cereal, were a real positive. We'd have stayed longer if we'd known how wonderful it was.
2026-04-06Paradise. Secluded from tourists, beautiful trails down to Masca, peaceful and a phenomenal view. Absolutely nothing we didn't like.
2026-02-28What a gorgeous place and the kindest host. I can't wait to be back.
2026-01-29A very cosy rural house with everything you need, microwave, fridge, kettle, coffee machine, hairdryer, and lots of thoughtful touches: muffins, wine, several teas, olives, croissants. The owner sent clear instructions and photos in advance. The shower is small and the room felt cool at night without permanent heating, but we'll definitely come back.
2026-01-28Excellent communication, very understanding host, unbeatable location. We loved it here.
2026-01-27Perfect location and Andrei was very helpful and understanding throughout the stay.
2026-03-20Good to Know Before You Book
Drive the TF-436 in daylight first time
The road from Santiago del Teide is paved and perfectly safe in a small hire car, but it's narrow and serpentine, allow about 25 minutes for the final 6 km, use the marked passing bays for oncoming traffic, and avoid your first drive in heavy fog or after dusk.
Children under 12 aren't accepted, and there are no cots or extra beds
This is a couples-and-solo-traveller property. Children aged 12 and over are welcome, but no cots are available and extra beds aren't offered.
The Masca Gorge hike is permit-only and one-way
From the front door it's a ~30-minute walk to the trailhead, but you must pre-book a slot on the Cabildo de Tenerife's caminobarrancodemasca.com, wear proper hiking footwear, and arrange the boat return from Masca Beach to Los Gigantes. From December 2025 the official TITSA bus 355 from Santiago del Teide is the mandatory transfer to the start. The village itself stays freely open and free to visit.
Stock up before you climb, and pack a layer
The village shop is tiny and most evening restaurants close, do a supermarket run in Santiago del Teide on the way up. The One-Bedroom Apartment has a full kitchen; the Double Room has a microwave, kettle, fridge and toaster but no stovetop. Nights at 600 m altitude are noticeably cooler than the south coast even in summer, bring a layer.
Photos of Sweet Home Masca
Frequently asked questions
Sweet Home Masca is at Camino la Vica 50, 38489 Masca, the topmost building in the village of Masca, in the Teno Rural Park on Tenerife's far north-west coast. The most reliable way to arrive is by hire car from Tenerife South Airport (~53 km, 60–75 minutes via TF-1 → TF-82 → TF-436). Free public parking sits 50 metres from the door. TITSA bus 355 also stops at Cruz de Hilda within walking distance, daily including weekends.
Yes, the host has confirmed Sweet Home Masca is perfectly accessible in a small hire car. The TF-436 from Santiago del Teide is paved and well-maintained, but it's narrow and serpentine, with hairpin bends and passing bays. Drive in daylight first time, take it slowly and use the marked passing bays. First-timers consistently describe the road as fun rather than scary.
Check-in is from 17:00 and check-out is until 12:00. The host meets you on arrival from 17:00 and lives on site, so early or late check-in can sometimes be arranged on request, message the property time. Quiet hours run from 23:00 to 09:00.
Yes, free public parking is available about 50 metres from the entrance, with no reservation needed. The parking is open to the public but is rarely full because Masca is a small hamlet. The village interior is residents-only beyond the parking bay; you walk in from there.
Yes, the Mirador de Hilda Cafe is a couple of minutes' walk for coffee with a view. The village restaurants, Restaurante La Piedra, El Guanche – Alte Schule and a handful of small bars, sit within a 15-minute walk. Most close in the evening, however, so the host recommends driving 10–15 minutes to El Palmar (Meson del Norte, Bar Tasca Baracan) or Santiago del Teide for dinner. The village shop is tiny, do a supermarket run before climbing.
Yes, but with current rules: the trailhead is about a 30-minute walk down from Sweet Home Masca, and the Barranco de Masca trail is now permit-only and strictly one-way. You pre-book a slot on the Cabildo de Tenerife's official site (caminobarrancodemasca.com), wear proper hiking footwear, and arrange the boat back from Masca Beach to Los Gigantes. From December 2025 the TITSA bus 355 from Santiago del Teide is the mandatory transfer to the start. The village itself remains open and free to visit.
The Double Room is 25 m² with a private balcony and terrace, a private bathroom and a kitchenette (microwave, kettle, fridge, coffee machine, but no stovetop). The One-Bedroom Apartment is 75 m² with a separate bedroom (one extra-large double), a sofa bed in the living room (sleeps a third guest), a full private kitchen with stovetop and full kitchenware, plus a patio AND balcony AND terrace. Only a little more for roughly three times the floor area, most guests pick the apartment if availability allows.
Pets are not allowed; smoking is not allowed anywhere on the property; parties / events / hen and stag groups are not allowed. Children aged 12 and older are welcome, but children under 12 are not accepted, and no cots or extra beds are available. The property is best suited to couples and solo travellers.
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Ready to book Sweet Home Masca?
Pick your dates and check availability. Free parking 50 metres from the door, welcome treats waiting on arrival, and one of Tenerife's most photographed terraces.
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