10 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN LA LAGUNA, TENERIFE
What to see in La Laguna in Tenerife? Is a Visit to La Laguna worth it?
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, also called “La Laguna” is one of the most beautiful towns in Tenerife. In fact, it is the ancient capital of Tenerife.
La Laguna with its colonial heritage was declared Cultural Asset and World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999 for having preserved intact its original layout dating from the 15th century. This layout even served as a model for colonial cities in America.
Its architectural beauty, its lively streets, and all the history of La Laguna, makes it one of the best towns to visit on the island.
READ: 25 BEST THINGS TO SEE IN TENERIFE
Key Takeaways from a Visit to La Laguna in Tenerife
1. Rich History: La Laguna, the former capital of Tenerife, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its well-preserved colonial architecture and historical significance.
2. Vibrant Culture: The city is a hub for culture with numerous churches, convents, and historic buildings, alongside a lively student population contributing to a vibrant atmosphere.
3. Architectural Beauty: Walking through the old town, you’ll encounter beautiful examples of Canary Islands architecture, with colorful facades and wooden balconies.
4. Culinary Experience: The local cuisine reflects a mix of traditional Spanish and Canary Islands influences, with plenty of cafés and restaurants to explore.
5. Shopping and Markets: La Laguna offers unique shopping experiences, from local craft stores to lively markets, ideal for finding unique souvenirs.
Check out this drone footage for some aerial impressions
Overview of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
The Old Town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is located in a large fertile valley, in the municipality of the same name, La Laguna.
La Laguna is located in the northeast of Tenerife, between the Anaga massif and the mount of La Esperanza. Its altitude of 600 meters and its location to the north of the island, makes La Laguna the coldest town in Tenerife.
In the town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, there are lots to see. You can easily spend a full day to cover it all. Museums, historical houses, palaces, churches and many beautiful streets are to be discovered in the city.
Best Things to See in La Laguna in Tenerife
1. The Town Hall of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
You will find a magnificent architectural heritage in La Laguna, houses and mansions in the Old Town. These are imposing buildings built around patios with large sculpted facades.
Let’s start with the Town Hall of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It is a beautiful building built in 1511 to house the Cabildo or island government. In 1822 its facade was restored in Tegueste stone.
Location: here
2. Leal Theater
The Teatro Leal de La Laguna is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. This World Heritage Site, built in an eclectic style, with a white facade decorated with floral and animal elements, was designed by López Ruiz and Manuel Verdugo.
The Leal Theater is a cultural space in the town where music and theater performances take place. It is located in Calle de la Carrera, one of the main commercial and lively areas of La Laguna.
3. Tourist office
WAIT! you may skip this part by reading “tourist office” as a header of the best things to see in Tenerife. However, the office is located in a beautiful historical building with an interior patio where you take nice photos.
The Tourist Office is located in the beautiful 18th century Casa Capitanes or Casa Alvarado Bracamonte, located in the Old Town. A house whose facade was built using red volcanic stone. The Tourist Office is located in its beautiful patio.
In one part of this gorgeous house, you will find multiple guides which will explain to you what to see in the town and give you a very informative map with the main point of interest in La Laguna. So, yes, we highly recommend that you go there…
They also offer a free guided tour, which we highly recommend, as you can then enter many of the historical places and understand the history of La Laguna. Here are more information on the free tours.
4. The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
The city of La Laguna has many beautiful religious buildings such as large convents, churches, hermitages, chapels.
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is the oldest of the churches in La Laguna, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1947. Its main architectural element is its tower, a mixture of different styles due to the many renovations it underwent in the 17th century.
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is located at the end of Calle La Carrera. If you want, you can even walk the stairs all the way to the top of the bell tower for an amazing view of La Laguna and all the surrounding mountains.
5. Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Dedicated to the patron saint of Tenerife, the Virgen de los Remedios, La Laguna Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the symbols of the city.
The realization of its facade is inspired by the cathedral of Pamplona. Built in a neoclassical style, the interior has had many problems since construction began. Closed to worship for nearly 12 years due to construction work, it reopened in January 2014, making it a must-see when visiting San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
6. Tenerife History and Anthropology Museum
The visit to the museum allows you to discover the interior of a stunning Canarian house. The museum traces the history of the colonization of the island of Tenerife by the Spaniards, and then presents the economic and social development of the island. It is a good introduction to the discovery of the island.
7. Plaza del Adelantado
The Plaza del Adelantado is named in honor of Alonso Fernández de Lugo (1456 – 1525), conqueror of the island of Tenerife. Adelantado is a title granted by the Crown of Castile to all people appreciated for their military qualities.
Alonso Fernández de Lugo also took part in the conquest of the islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma, of which he was supposed to become governor. His death is shrouded in mystery, as it is believed he was poisoned by his sons in order to inherit the title of Adelantado. As one can guess, the conquest of the Canary Islands did not happen without betrayal.
Around the Plaza del Adelantado, there are many significant buildings in the history of La Laguna. We therefore recommend that you take advantage of the view from the square to see the old house where Father Anchieta was born (founder of the city of São Paulo in Brazil), the small chapel of San Miguel which is the oldest in the city dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, head of the armies.
Location: here
8. Calle Nava and Grimón
La Laguna was considered the intellectual capital of the Canary Islands. Thus, the street of Nava y Grimón was the place where intellectuals and great thinkers of the 17th century met to discuss politics, culture and religion.
From the street, you can observe many historic buildings. Some of them have been transformed into beautiful hotels.
Location: here
9. Salazar House
A visit to Casa Salazar is a must if you plan to visit San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Casa Salazar is an old mansion built in the 17th century in the Baroque style.
This house belonged to the Salazar family, a very wealthy family who owned a fleet of ships sailing to America. Inside, there is a central courtyard adorned with orange trees.
Location: here
10. Square of the Supreme Council of the Canaries
Make a final stop at the square of the Supreme Council of the Canaries. This place is absolutely gorgeous surrounded by palm trees and many historical buildings.
From there continue your walk through the street of Saint Augustin where you can further appreciate the beauty of La Laguna in Tenerife.
Location: here
How to get to San Cristóbal de La Laguna in Tenerife?
First of all, you should know that Tenerife North Airport is located in the municipality of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Tenerife has 2 airports, the other ones being located in the South. If you land in Tenerife North Airport, you can make La Laguna your first visit in Tenerife.
Getting to San Cristóbal de La Laguna by car
The best way to explore Tenerife is by car. It is easy to drive on the island (except perhaps to Masca – more info here). From the airport it’s a few minutes’ drive will get you to the ancient capital.
However, be aware that parking can sometimes be a bit of an issue as the town is very popular with tourists. However, after waiting for a few minutes in one of the main parking (here), we got a spot, yay!
By Bus
Finally, you can also take the bus in Tenerife, pretty much anywhere. Simply check TITSA website.
Where to stay in La Laguna
The town of San Cristobal de La Laguna offers charming accommodations in the historic center.
Our Recommended Hotels:
$$$ – La Laguna Gran Hotel
$$ – Hotel Laguna Nivaria Hotel & Spa
Other things to see near La Laguna
Bajamar – Punta Hidalgo
The villages of Bajamar and Punta Hidalgo are located in the northern coast of the municipality of La Laguna which offers a beautiful landscape and great outdoor activities next to the sea. Beaches, swimming pools, promenades by the sea, hikes in the Natural Park of Anaga, and restaurants where you can taste the gastronomy of Tenerife.
Besides, you can also discover the beaches of Troche, San Juan or El Arenal. The pools of Bajamar or El Arenisco are ideal for swimming as the sea can be quite rough in this part of the island.
Anaga Rural Park
Located in the northeast of the island of Tenerife, the Anaga Rural Park has been declared a Natural Park for its amazing landscape. It is one of the areas of greatest geological value in Tenerife and of great biodiversity.
Discover the many viewpoints to contemplate the beautiful landscapes of the park. The main ones are Mirador de Jardina, the Mirador de La Cruz del Carmen (close to the Visitor Center, starting point for hikes in the park), Mirador del Pico del Inglés (3 km from La Cruz del Carmen, beautiful 360º panoramic views of the Park Rural d’Anaga) and the Mirador de Abicor (inside the Anaga Park, 6 km from the Pico del Inglés Mirador, beautiful panoramic views of the park and the coast).
In conclusion about La Laguna
Visiting San Cristóbal de La Laguna is an absolute must if you travel to Tenerife island. This is where we felt the true soul of the Canary Islands with all its history.
We spent almost a full day exploring the city where we had a really good time.
We can’t recommend enough a visit of this place in Tenerife.
For more information on the best things to do and see in Tenerife, check out this post: 25 AWESOME THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN TENERIFE
Tenerife is a great destination to travel to. No wonder, why it is one of the most popular islands in the Canary!
If you have any questions about Tenerife or San Cristóbal de La Laguna, feel free to leave a comment below.
All our posts about the Canary Islands can be found here.
HAPPY TRAVELS!
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