Visit La Orotava
La Orotava is a pretty town which is well known for its attractive courtyards and lovely carved balconies. It is situated on the north coast of the island of Tenerife in the Western Canary Islands.
Explore La Orotava
La Orotava sits in a particularly fertile part of Tenerife and is surrounded by tropical fruit plantations and the majestic peak of La Teide dominates the scenery behind the town. It is considered to be one of the loveliest parts of Tenerife and definitely worth visiting.
La Orotava attracted wealthy residents from Spain and Italy in the 17th and 18th centuries and its elegant houses today give you a glimpse back to those days. Typical Canarian architecture with beautifully carved wooden balconies and pretty courtyards abound as you wander around the streets and squares of La Orotava. The Casa de los Balcones (House of the Balconies) and the Casa del Turista are both fine examples which are open to the public.
Casa Lercaro is particularly Canarian in style and is now a restaurant and a shop and so you can visit it and see the beautifully carved wooden balconies.
The old town of La Orotava has been declared a Site of National Historic and Artisitic Interest. Dominating the old part of town is the church of the Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion. It was built in the 18th century it is Baroque in style and has attractive twin towers.
Garden lovers should be sure to visit the botanical gardens, Hijuelo del Botanico, which are packed with tropical plants from around the world. There are also dragon trees which are one of Tenerife's strangest plants. They resemble a giant cactus in the form of a tree. The sap is a reddish colour and was once thought to hava magical properties.
Another popular garden is the Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja, also known as Jardin Victoria which is a bit easier to remember! The 18th century gardens have a formal French style and are laid out in various terraces spreading downhill from a marble mausoleum.
As you leave La Orotava head for the viewpoint - the Mirador de Humboldt where you get fantastic views over the La Orotava valley towards Mount Teide.
A good time to visit is during La Orotava's main festivals which are the Corpus Christi festival in May/June and the Carnival in Feb/March. During the festivals carpets of flowers and volcanic sand are laid out along the streets adding to the beauty of the town.
What to see in La Orotava at a glance
- Casa de los Balcones
- Casa del Turista
- Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion
- Hijuelos del Botanico, botanic gardens
- Dragon trees
Places to visit nearby
La Orotava is close to Puerto de la Cruz. which has an attractive old centre and an excellent lido.
It is worth taking time off from the beaches to explore the beautiful Park Teide dominated by Spain's third tallest mountain, Mount Teide.
Garachico is a very pretty coastal town and well worth a visit.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Western Canary Islands guide.
Photos of La Orotava
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Map of La Orotava and places to visit
La Orotava places to visit
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is a lovely little harbour town situated at the foot of Mount Teide. It has colourful stucco buildings and lots of attractions nearby.
Puerto de la Cruz guide
Loro Park
Loro Park is one of the top attractions of Tenerife. It is a large zoo with a dolphin display and tree-tops jungle walkway.
Loro Park guide
Park Teide
In Park Teide is Mount Teide, a dormant volcano and the highest peak in Spain. The park is a treat and not to be missed.
Park Teide guide
Icod de los Vinos
Icod de los Vinos has an attractive main square and the oldest dragon tree of the Canary Islands.
Icod de los Vinos guide
La Laguna
La Laguna,San Cristobal de La Laguna,was originally the capital of Tenerife this inland town remains the cultural capital of Tenerife.
La Laguna guide
Garachico
Garachico is a lovely jewel of a town, tiny but very elegant with colourful stucco buildings, elegant plazas, convents and mansions.
Garachico guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Western Canary Islands