A medieval tournament with dinner sounds like a gimmick. At Castillo San Miguel, it’s actually horse acrobatics plus crowd-friendly theatre in a real castle setting. I love how the evening feels built for families, yet it still has enough pace and humor to work for adults. I also like that the meal happens during the show, so the night stays moving.

One thing to consider: the dinner is part of the performance flow. If you’re expecting a long, quiet meal, this isn’t that kind of evening.

Key Things I’d Notice First

• Arabian and Spanish horse acrobatics add real adrenaline beyond standard stage combat
• Count Don Rodrigo and the Countess set the tone right from the entrance
• Dinner is served during the tournament, so plan to eat while the action rolls
• VIP means preferred seating plus a glass of cava, and it can be worth it for front-row views
• Pickup is optional, but north Tenerife pickup only runs on Saturdays

Castillo San Miguel: A Proper Castle Setting in Southern Tenerife

This is a 6000-square-meter fortress built with canto stone, the kind you see across the Canary Islands. That matters more than you’d think. When the venue looks and feels like a castle, the show stops feeling like a rented stage and starts feeling like you’ve stepped into a world.

The night begins at the entrance, decorated with armor, swords, chests, and period-style writings. Then you’re greeted by Count Don Rodrigo and his daughter, the young Countess. It’s a simple trick, but it gets you in the mood fast. The staff and performers keep the “medieval household” vibe going as you’re guided toward the main show area.

One practical note: the experience is staged for an evening schedule, not a daytime wander-through. Once the show starts, you’ll be focused on the tournament and where you sit matters.

The 19:30 Tournament: Knights, Fair Fights, and Horse Action

The core of the night happens in the Sala de los Torneos. This is where you’ll watch tournaments, fair fights, and other medieval games under theatrical lighting and choreography.

What makes this show stand out is the mix of styles. You get the classic knight-and-battle energy, but you also get acrobatics on Arabian and Spanish horses. That’s the part that tends to win over kids and adults alike, because it’s not just acting—it’s athleticism. When the horses move and the performers work the arena, it turns the volume up across the whole crowd.

You’ll also see performers who are clearly comfortable with live audience energy. Some moments are designed for cheering and participation, so if you don’t mind being a bit involved, you’ll have an easier time enjoying the whole flow.

As for the “seriousness” of the combat: this is family entertainment. The goal is fun, drama, and spectacle rather than realism.

How the Dinner Works: What You Eat During the Show

Dinner is served during the tournament. That’s the big structural difference versus typical shows where you eat first and watch afterward.

The menu is:

• Seasonal vegetable cream with cheese cubes
• Baked Chicken Garrote in its juice with baked potatoes and seasoned tomato
• Ice cream cake with chocolate syrup

And drinks included with dinner:

• Red and white wine
• Mineral water
• Orange juice

In real-world terms, this means you should treat the meal as part of the entertainment. One downside people point out is that you don’t get a long, uninterrupted sit-down. Serving can happen while the action is pulling your attention, and it can be a little harder to fully enjoy the table moment-by-moment.

Still, the overall food feedback is strong. People describe it as cooked well and satisfying, even if it’s not trying to be gourmet. Portion sizes are not huge, and that’s worth knowing ahead of time. If you love theatre more than fine dining, it matches the spirit of the night.

Vegetarian Option

If you’re vegetarian, you’re not stuck eating nothing. A vegetarian guest was served a separate option—vegetarian lasagna—and said it was very good.

VIP Seating and the Cava Upgrade: Is It Worth Paying Extra?

If you want the show in your line of sight, the VIP option is the cleanest upgrade. It gives you preferred seating plus a glass of cava.

Whether VIP is worth it comes down to what matters to you:

• If you’re the type who wants the best angles for the horse action and choreography, VIP can be a sensible spend.
• If you’re okay with standard seating and you’re mainly there for the atmosphere, you may feel you’re not getting a huge “extra” beyond what’s already included.

One thing I’d flag: some people expected the VIP difference to be more dramatic. So if you’re buying VIP just for the idea of an exclusive experience, set your expectations around seating and a cava glass—not a totally different show.

Timing That Actually Helps: Doors Open 18:30, Show Runs 19:30 to 21:30

Here’s the schedule you should plan around:

• Door open: 18:30
• Show starts: 19:30
• Show ends: 21:30

The easiest way to have a smooth evening is to arrive after doors open but before the main start time. That gives you breathing room to park, check in, and get settled without feeling rushed.

Also note the experience is listed as about 2.5 to 3 hours. That lines up well with the show runtime plus time for entry and dinner service.

Getting There: Own Transport, Free Parking, or Optional Pickup/Drop-Off

You have three practical transport paths:

1. Bring your own transportation and use the free private parking service available for clients during the show.
2. Choose pickup and drop-off if it’s offered for your area.
3. If you’re staying in northern Tenerife, remember: pickup from the north is only offered on Saturdays.

If you do use pickup, the pick-up windows are described as happening between 16H45 and 17H25 depending on where you stay. It may not be exactly at your hotel entrance, and you should expect that you’ll receive the exact pickup point after booking. Make sure your phone number includes the correct prefix so staff can match you up smoothly.

Night-out logistics tip

This kind of show is easiest when you remove the taxi stress. If your hotel is within the pickup zones, that’s often the difference between a relaxed evening and a scramble right at the start time.

What This Experience Is Best For (And Who Might Find It Less Fun)

This is one of those rare “works for everyone” evenings—because it’s built around multiple kinds of entertainment, not just one.

Families with kids

The show earns praise for being high production quality and very engaging for children. If your kids like knights, horses, and interactive crowds, this is the kind of event that can feel like a full theme-park moment without needing rides.

Couples and adults

Adults also tend to enjoy it, especially if you like live performance. The humor and theatre energy aren’t only for kids, and the pace keeps the night from dragging. It’s also a solid pick if you want something different from the usual beach-and-dinner routine.

History and culture fans

It’s not a museum lecture. But the medieval characters, the castle atmosphere, and the themed tournament give you a more “lived-in” feeling than a generic performance space.

Possible mismatch

If you’re obsessed with big gourmet dining or you want a slow-paced evening, the dinner being folded into the show might feel like a compromise. Also, a few people mention the dinner portion isn’t huge, and that’s normal for this format.

The $56 Price: What You’re Actually Getting for the Money

At about $56 per person, the value depends on what you compare it to. If you’re comparing it to a regular dinner plus a standalone ticket for theatre, it stacks up well because you get:

• Entry to the show
• Dinner with specified courses
• Drinks included during dinner (wine, water, orange juice)
• Optional transportation in some cases

The strongest value argument here is that the ticket wraps together three things people usually pay for separately: a venue experience, a live show, and a meal. Even if the food is more “well-executed dinner” than “fine dining,” you’re not walking in hungry and waiting.

If you’re on a tight budget, I’d treat this as an evening you spend once—because it’s the kind of event you’ll remember, especially for the horse action.

Small Extras That Make the Night Feel Complete

There are small touches you can tack onto the evening:

• A souvenir shop on site with items like shirts, tiaras, and fans
• A photo taken at the start that one guest estimated at around 8 euros

These are optional, but they fit the overall “castle night” vibe. If you like tangible memories, grab the photo. If you don’t, don’t feel pressured—your main purchase is the show and dinner.

Should You Book This Medieval Dinner Show?

Book it if you want an easy, fun evening with real production energy—especially if you’re travelling with kids or you’d like one night that feels like an event, not just a meal.

Think twice if you’re picky about quiet dining time, because dinner runs alongside a fast-moving tournament. Also, if you hate any hint of “being part of the crowd experience,” the interactive theatre style may feel a bit too lively.

My practical takeaway: if your goal is a memorable Tenerife night that mixes spectacle, characters, and a filled-in dinner, Castillo San Miguel is an excellent choice.

FAQ

What time does the show start and end?

The door opens at 18H30. The show starts at 19H30 and ends at 21H30.

Is dinner included with the ticket?

Yes. Your ticket includes entry to the show with dinner, served during the tournament.

What’s on the dinner menu?

Dinner includes seasonal vegetable cream with cheese cubes, baked chicken garrote with baked potatoes and seasoned tomato, and ice cream cake with chocolate syrup.

Is there a vegetarian option?

Yes. A vegetarian meal can be provided, and one vegetarian option mentioned is vegetarian lasagna.

What does the VIP option include?

The VIP option includes preferred seating and an invitation to a glass of cava.

Do they offer pickup from northern Tenerife?

Pickup is optional from the South or from the North, but pickup from the north is only offered on Saturdays. Pickup typically happens between 16H45 and 17H25 depending on where you stay.