Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village
Explore the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished Abades leprosy village, a ghost town frozen in time by medical progress.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer people, more atmospheric
Abades Abandoned Leprosy Village
Best Time
Fewer people, more atmospheric

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Explore the hauntingly beautiful, unfinished Abades leprosy village, a ghost town frozen in time by medical progress.
"An impressive and unusual site, perfect if you like history, photography, or simply discovering hidden places."
🎧 Get the Audio Guide
Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Eerie Church
Central Courtyard
A hauntingly beautiful, unfinished church that feels like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.
Ruined Patient Accommodations
Scattered throughout the village
Wander through the skeletal remains of buildings, imagining life in this forgotten settlement.

Panoramic Island Views
Higher points of the village
Enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding Tenerife landscape and coastline from this unique vantage point.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Audio Guide Advantage
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
I explored various abandoned places on the Island of Tenerife (Canaries), Spain (OC)
🎧 Get the Audio Guide
Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring.
House at abandoned leprosy station in Tenerife, Canary Islands [OC]
💧 Bring Water & Snacks
No facilities on-site. Stay hydrated and fueled for your exploration.
🚗 Easy Access by Car
Free parking available. A rental car is ideal for reaching this remote spot.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎧 Get the Audio Guide
Enhances the experience with historical context and character voices. Worth the cost!
👟 Wear Sturdy Shoes
Uneven terrain and debris mean comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must for exploring.
💧 Bring Water & Snacks
No facilities on-site. Stay hydrated and fueled for your exploration.
🚗 Easy Access by Car
Free parking available. A rental car is ideal for reaching this remote spot.
📸 Photography Paradise
Capture the unique atmosphere and urban decay. Great for photographers!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Abades abandoned leprosy village a fascinating and unique site, offering a mysterious and eerie atmosphere perfect for history buffs and photographers. While the lack of information boards is noted, the optional audio guide is highly recommended for a richer, more contextualized experience. It's a poignant reminder of medical progress and an intriguing exploration into a never-completed past.
"We really enjoyed visiting this place. The abandoned buildings and especially the church create a unique and mysterious atmosphere that left us fascinated. Even though the information board with the QR code was damaged, we still loved walking around and exploring everything on our own. It’s an impressive and unusual site, perfect if you like history, photography, or simply discovering hidden places. Definitely worth a visit!"
An Na
"Visiting this abandoned leper colony was a truly unique experience. The place feels like a forgotten ghost town – slightly eerie, especially when you’re there all alone. The buildings are mostly open and walkable, but honestly, we didn’t dare to explore too deep inside. The atmosphere was spooky enough that we only entered the church, which felt like stepping into a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie.
If you’re into abandoned places or urban exploration, this spot is definitely worth checking out – just be ready for the chills."
Otakar Klika
"It was really fun to visit this village, built for people with leprosy, but it was never used because penicillin was discovered before the village was completely done. If you are into urban exploring, it's a must.
Just a short walk from the beach nearby, we visited it between two snorkeling rounds."
Andrea Dancs
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The village is best reached by car, with free parking available nearby. It's located off the main road, making it a relatively easy detour. If you're relying on public transport, it might be more challenging to reach directly, so a rental car is highly recommended for flexibility.
While there aren't extensive signs, the village is quite visible once you're in the vicinity. Look for the distinctive abandoned structures. The audio guide instructions can also help with orientation.
Yes, some visitors have combined their visit with a trip to the nearby beach, noting it's a short walk between the two. This makes for a nice half-day excursion.
Many visitors rent a car to explore Tenerife, which makes reaching Abades straightforward. It's also a popular stop for those exploring the southern coast of the island.
While official guided tours might be limited, an audio guide is available for purchase and highly recommended. This provides a self-guided tour with historical narration.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the village itself is generally free. However, an audio guide is available for purchase (around £8.99), which is highly recommended for a richer experience.
As an abandoned site, there are no official opening hours. It's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and visibility. Avoid visiting at night.
The church is part of the abandoned village complex and is generally accessible without a separate fee. It's a key highlight of the site.
Most buildings are open and accessible, but caution is advised. Some visitors prefer not to explore too deeply inside due to the eerie atmosphere and structural integrity.
The audio guide can typically be purchased on-site or through a QR code link provided at the location. It's advisable to check for availability beforehand if possible.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The atmosphere is described as unique, mysterious, eerie, and slightly spooky, especially when you're there alone. It feels like a forgotten ghost town.
Comfortable, sturdy, closed-toe shoes are essential due to uneven terrain and debris. Layers are also advisable as it can be windy.
While generally safe during daylight, exercise caution. Some buildings may have structural issues. Stick to well-trodden paths and avoid venturing into unstable areas.
There are no toilets or shops directly at the leprosy village. It's recommended to bring your own food and drinks.
The village was built in the 1940s to house people with leprosy but was never fully completed or used due to the discovery of penicillin. It stands as a testament to a time before effective treatments.
📸 📸 Photography
Absolutely! The abandoned buildings, unique architecture, and eerie atmosphere make it a photographer's dream, especially for urban exploration and atmospheric shots.
Late afternoon often provides beautiful golden hour light, enhancing the mood. Midday can be harsh, but still offers good visibility.
The church, the patient accommodation ruins, and any vantage points offering views of the village and surrounding landscape are highly recommended. Look for interesting textures and light patterns.
Yes, many buildings feature graffiti art, adding another layer of visual interest for photographers.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the buildings and landscapes. A prime lens can be useful for detail shots. A sturdy tripod can help with low-light conditions if you stay until dusk.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photographers & Urban Explorers
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Unfinished Dream: History of Abades
However, fate intervened. The discovery and widespread availability of penicillin revolutionized leprosy treatment, rendering the extensive facilities at Abades largely obsolete before they were even fully completed or occupied. This medical advancement, a triumph for humanity, meant the village remained an unfinished project, a ghost town frozen in time. The project was abandoned, leaving behind a unique architectural landscape that now draws curious visitors and urban explorers.
Today, walking through Abades is like stepping into a historical narrative. The audio guide plays a crucial role in bringing this history to life, narrating stories from the perspectives of imagined staff, patients, and clergy. While the guide initially blurs the lines between reality and fiction by portraying life as if it happened, bonus tracks clarify that the village was never truly inhabited, offering a more accurate, albeit less dramatic, conclusion to its story.
Exploring Abades: What to Expect
The atmosphere is a significant draw. Described as eerie, mysterious, and even spooky, especially when you find yourself alone, the silence is punctuated only by the sounds of nature. This quiet solitude, combined with the visual decay, creates a powerful and thought-provoking environment. It’s a place that encourages reflection on past medical challenges and the resilience of the human spirit.
For those interested in photography, Abades is a goldmine. The textures of the weathered concrete, the play of light and shadow through empty window frames, and the surrounding natural beauty provide endless opportunities for capturing striking images. The graffiti that adorns many walls adds a contemporary layer to the historical ruins, creating a unique juxtaposition.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit