Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava: two pearls of the north of Tenerife

Cécile Barrès
Jun 15
3 min read

Updated: Jul 7

A shared past, two faces

Located in the fertile Orotava Valley, these two northern Tenerife towns share a history deeply connected to the island's conquest, agriculture, and maritime trade. From the 16th century onwards, La Orotava became an important economic center thanks to sugar cane plantations and later vineyards, while Puerto de la Cruz (formerly the port of La Orotava) developed as a key export hub to Europe and the Americas.

Today, both towns retain a rich architectural heritage and an authentic atmosphere, very different from the large tourist resorts in the south of the island.

La Orotava: colonial elegance and living traditions

Located at the top of the valley, La Orotava enchants with the charm of its historic center, declared a historical-artistic site. There you can admire majestic stately homes, courtyards full of flowers, cobbled streets and carved wooden balconies.

Among the must-haves :

• The Casa de los Balcones, famous for its wooden balconies typical of Canarian architecture, now houses a craft center and a small museum.

• The Victoria Gardens, arranged in terraces, offer a pleasant walk between fountains and marble stairs, overlooking the sea.

• The church of La Concepción, with its baroque dome, is a beautiful example of religious art from the colonial era.

Every year, in the month of June, La Orotava stands out with its famous Carpet of flowers, a festival in honor of Corpus Christi. The streets of the centre are then covered with ephemeral carpets made of flowers, volcanic sand and natural pigments.

The most spectacular work can be found in the Town Hall square, where a huge floral tapestry is made from colored lands from the Teide National Park. This unique moment combines religious fervour, artistic creativity and popular tradition.

Puerto de la Cruz: between history, art and sea

Puerto de la Cruz, for its part, is today a very popular tourist destination, but it has maintained a human scale and historical charm.

Among the places you can not miss :

• The Botanical Garden (founded in 1788) houses an exceptional collection of tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world (beautiful! I have visited it several times and I personally love it 🥰).

• The old town, with its cobbled streets, colonial houses and small squares, is ideal for strolling.

• The promenade leads to Lake Martiánez, a complex of sea water pools designed by César Manrique, famous artist and architect from Lanzarote.

Defender of an architecture integrated in the environment, left a deep imprint on the aesthetics of the Canary Islands (especially in Lanzarote). His work in Puerto de la Cruz combines art, nature and public space in a unique harmony.

• The San Felipe Castle, a former fortress of the 17th century, today houses a cultural space with exhibitions and concerts.

Nature lovers will also enjoy the beach of Martiánez, or the magnificent Playa del Bollullo, one of the most beautiful virgin beaches on the island. Located to the west of Puerto, it is accessed on foot by a path that crosses banana plantations. Surrounded by cliffs and black sand, it offers a preserved environment, ideal for a quiet swim (but watch out for the currents!) (see my publication dedicated to the north coast of Tenerife).

Two complementary cities

Whether you prefer the tranquility and elegance of La Orotava or the animation of Puerto de la Cruz and its proximity to the ocean, these two complementary cities offer a beautiful immersion in the soul of northern Tenerife.

Between culture, heritage, lush gardens and quality of life, they are an essential stop to discover another facet of the island