La Orotava is one of the most beautiful and historically important towns on Tenerife. Located in the fertile Orotava Valley beneath Mount Teide, the town is famous for its colonial architecture, wooden balconies, steep cobbled streets and traditional Canarian atmosphere. Unlike the large beach resorts of southern Tenerife, La Orotava offers visitors a quieter and far more historic side of the island.
The town developed during the wealth generated by agriculture and trade following the Spanish conquest of Tenerife. Many of the grand mansions and churches visible today were built by wealthy families involved in wine, sugar and later banana production. Walking through La Orotava still feels noticeably different from many modern resort areas, with narrow streets, old courtyards and historic stone buildings preserving much of the town’s original character.
One of the best-known landmarks is the Casa de los Balcones, a traditional Canarian mansion famous for its carved wooden balconies and interior courtyard. The building has become one of Tenerife’s most recognisable examples of traditional island architecture and offers insight into how wealthy families once lived on the island.
La Orotava is also known for its gardens and views across northern Tenerife. Due to the town’s elevated position, many streets and plazas overlook the Orotava Valley, the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide rising dramatically above the landscape. The cooler climate and fertile volcanic soil allow lush gardens, palms and exotic plants to grow throughout the town.
Every year La Orotava hosts some of Tenerife’s most famous religious and cultural festivals. During the Corpus Christi celebrations, enormous carpets made from coloured volcanic sand and flower petals are created across the streets and plazas in highly detailed artistic patterns. These temporary artworks attract visitors from across the Canary Islands.
The town also serves as a gateway to Teide National Park and the mountainous interior of Tenerife. Scenic roads climb directly from La Orotava towards volcanic landscapes and pine forests higher on the island.
For many visitors, La Orotava provides one of the most authentic and culturally rewarding experiences in Tenerife and remains one of the island’s finest historic towns.
Google map La Orotava (town)
Best Things to Do in La Orotava
Explore the Historic Old Town
La Orotava’s old town contains some of the best-preserved historic architecture in Tenerife. Steep cobbled streets, churches, wooden balconies and traditional mansions create a very different atmosphere from the island’s modern beach resorts. Walking through the historic centre is one of the best ways to experience traditional Canarian culture and architecture.
Visit the Church of Our Lady of Conception
The Church of Our Lady of Conception is one of the most important religious buildings in northern Tenerife and dominates the skyline of La Orotava with its large dome and twin bell towers. Built mainly during the eighteenth century, the church contains ornate interior decoration, religious artwork and impressive stone architecture reflecting the wealth once generated in the Orotava Valley.
Google map Church of Our Lady of Conception 4.6/5
Explore Hijuela del Botánico
Hijuela del Botánico is a small but attractive botanical garden located within the town centre. Originally linked to the botanical gardens of nearby Puerto de la Cruz, the gardens contain tropical plants, palms and exotic species brought to Tenerife from around the world. The shaded pathways and quiet atmosphere make it a pleasant place to escape the steeper streets of the old town.
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Visit Casa de los Balcones
Casa de los Balcones is La Orotava’s most famous historic building and one of Tenerife’s best-known examples of Canarian architecture. The sixteenth-century mansion contains carved wooden balconies, interior courtyards and displays of traditional crafts and clothing. The building remains one of the town’s main cultural attractions.
Google map Casa de los Balcones 4.3/5
Visit Molino de Gofio La Máquina
Molino de Gofio La Máquina is one of the few traditional gofio mills still operating in Tenerife. Gofio, a toasted grain flour, has been an important part of Canarian cuisine since Guanche times. Visitors can see the milling process and learn more about one of the Canary Islands’ oldest and most distinctive traditional foods.
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Visit a Working Banana Plantation
The fertile volcanic soil and mild climate of the Orotava Valley have made banana cultivation one of the region’s most important industries for generations. Several nearby plantations offer guided visits where visitors can learn how Tenerife bananas are grown, harvested and exported while exploring the lush agricultural landscapes surrounding La Orotava.
See the Corpus Christi Sand Carpets
La Orotava is internationally famous for its Corpus Christi celebrations when large carpets made from coloured volcanic sand and flower petals are created across the streets. The detailed designs often depict religious scenes, local traditions and historical events. Although temporary, they are considered among the most impressive festival artworks in Spain.
Walk Through the Victoria Gardens (Marquesado de la Quinta Roja Garden)
The Jardines Victoria are terraced gardens overlooking the Orotava Valley and Atlantic coastline. Stone staircases, fountains and tropical plants create a peaceful atmosphere while the elevated position provides some of the best panoramic views in northern Tenerife.
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Drive Towards Teide National Park
La Orotava is one of the main gateways to Teide National Park. Scenic mountain roads climb from the town through forests and volcanic landscapes towards Mount Teide, making the route one of the most impressive drives on the island.