Planning a trip to Tenerife? We recommend planning a few days in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. This is one of our favorite towns on the island: its historic colonial center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its colorful facades and cobbled streets make it a destination apart in the Canary archipelago.
In this article, we share 6 reasons to visit La Laguna in Tenerife.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Is La Laguna worth a visit?
Yes, San Cristóbal de La Laguna is well worth a visit. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city boasts a colonial historic center of rare coherence, where each street tells the story of several centuries of history. We were seduced by its colorful facades, lively squares and the quality of its architectural and museum heritage.
In our opinion, it’s the most beautiful town on Tenerife. You’ll find remarkable religious monuments as well as museums accessible to all ages. We list the reasons in more detail below. You can also take a look at our selection of the city’s top attractions.
We list the reasons in more detail below. You can also take a look at our selection of the city’s top attractions.
Reason 1 – A UNESCO-listed historic center
The historic center of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is, in our opinion, one of the best-preserved colonial heritages on the Spanish islands. Listed by UNESCO, it can be explored on foot, along cobbled streets lined with colorful facades that bear witness to the Conquista period. We were struck by the coherence of the whole: houses with wooden galleries, sculpted portals, discreet interior patios. The Plaza del Adelantado forms the heart of this area, surrounded by remarkable buildings including the Palacio de Nava, the Hermitage of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Town Hall. You can stroll around freely, without paying an entrance fee, making it an ideal starting point for exploring the city. Moreover, La Laguna’s urban planning served as a model for many colonial cities founded in Latin America, giving it a historical importance that extends far beyond the archipelago’s borders.
WHERE TO STAY IN San Cristobal de La Laguna
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Centrally located, with lots of historical charm
La Laguna Gran Hotel – Check photos and availability
Hotel Laguna Nivaria – Check photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in San Cristobal.
Reason 2 – Its churches and remarkable monuments
La Laguna is home to an exceptional concentration of religious buildings, each with its own identity. La Nuestra Señora de los Remedios Cathedralwhose origins date back to the 16th century, was renovated in the 20th century and declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1983. We were impressed by its neoclassical façade and richly decorated chapels. L’Church of the Concepcióna National Monument, is the city’s oldest building: its Mudejar coffered ceilings and Baroque ornamentation make for a richly decorated interior. Equally surprising is theSanto Domingo de Guzmán Church hides behind its sober facade walls covered with striking frescoes and murals. You can visit these three monuments at a reduced rate with a €2 combination ticket, making the whole experience very affordable. Visit the official website for more info here.
HAVE FUN IN TENERIFE: activities
Reason 3 – Its rich and varied museums
La Laguna’s museums are of an unexpectedly high quality for a city of its size. Tenerife’s Museum of History and Anthropology, one of the island’s finest museums, is housed in the Casa Lercaro, a typical Canarian mansion with wooden galleries and patios, and traces the island’s cultural evolution through archaeological finds and ethnographic objects. We spent a very instructive time there.
At the other end of the thematic spectrum, the Musée de la Science et du Cosmos offers a fun, interactive approach to science, with a planetarium, permanent exhibitions and workshops for all ages. It’s an ideal place for families. Finally, the Casa Cayetano Gómez Felipe, an 18th-century Canarian house, houses several thousand antiques from Asia and the Americas, illustrating Tenerife’s role in trade between Europe and the New World. So, are you ready to learn new things in this city full of surprises?
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Reason 4 – An ideal city for strolling
One of our great pleasures during our stay in La Laguna was how easy it was to get around. All the major sites in the historic center are just a few minutes’ walk from each other, allowing you to build your own tour without any constraints. We appreciated this freedom of wandering, which gave us time to observe the architectural details: the sculpted coats of arms of the Palacio de Nava, the baroque facade of the Casa Salazar and its patios, freely accessible, or the imposing Casa de los Capitanes generales which houses the City Hall and Museum. You can also climb to the top of the Torre de la Concepcióndeclared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2012, for an unobstructed view of the city’s rooftops and the surrounding mountains. In fine weather, you can even see the neighboring island of Gran Canaria from the summit.
Reason 5 – Its proximity to Anaga Rural Park
A few kilometers north of La Laguna lies the Anaga Rural Parkrecognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. It’s a land of forests, towering peaks and isolated villages, in stark contrast to the urban atmosphere of the historic center. It’s a great place for hiking! The Sentier des Sens(Camino de los Sentidos) is particularly suitable for families: lined with interactive terminals in the laurel forest, it is accessible to all. The park’s close proximity to the city makes La Laguna a very complete base, combining urban heritage and unspoilt nature in a single holiday. You can reach the park by car in around 20 minutes from the center.
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Reason 6 – A strategic location and a mild, year-round climate
San Cristóbal de La Laguna is located in the north of Tenerife, just a 10-minute drive from Tenerife North airport and 15 minutes from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This location makes it a natural point of entry to the island, whether for a short stay or a longer trip. We liked the ease with which you can get from the city to other destinations on the island. Like the rest of Tenerife, La Laguna enjoys a pleasant year-round climate. We came in winter: temperatures were cool in the evenings but quite pleasant during the day, ideal for a walking tour. Summer is busier, so we recommend spring or autumn to enjoy the city in the best conditions. To reach the historic center from the airport, take bus line 20 ( Intercambiador La Laguna stop), then walk for 15 minutes, or rent a car to explore the island on your own.
From June to November, the weather is mild, with very few days of rain and water temperatures around 23-24°C (73.4-75.2°F). Ideal for swimming!
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Some disadvantages of a trip to La Laguna
High season tourist numbers
La Laguna attracts a growing number of visitors, especially at weekends and during the summer months. Some monuments, such as the Cathedral or the Torre de la Concepción, may be fully booked or require a wait. We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially for the Cathedral with audioguide, and plan your accommodation well in advance. We advise you to avoid midsummer if you want to enjoy the alleys without too many people. The advantage? It’s a year-round destination!
>>> Book your accommodation in La Laguna now <<<
The Museum of Science and Cosmos, a little out of the way
While all the monuments in the historic center are within walking distance of each other, the Museum of Science and Cosmos is an exception: it’s a 20-minute walk from the heart of the city, or 5 minutes by car. It’s not a major obstacle, but it’s worth anticipating in your day-to-day organization. We suggest you visit at the beginning or end of the day, in combination with a stroll to the outlying districts. For families who want to take advantage of this opportunity, arranging their own transport is the most practical solution.
Timetables for monuments
Many of La Laguna’s sites have special opening hours, which can make an impromptu visit difficult. The Cathedral is closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays except for masses. La Torre de la Concepción is only open from Monday to Friday. La Casa de los Capitanes Generalesis open only on weekdays, with opening hours varying according to the season. To avoid unpleasant surprises, we recommend that you consult the official websites or call the locations whenever possible before you leave. A well-prepared day allows you to combine several visits without wasting time.
DISCOVER San Cristobal La Laguna
How to get to La Laguna
San Cristóbal de La Laguna lies to the north of Tenerife, between Tenerife Nord airport and the capital Santa Cruz. You have several options for accessing it:
- By plane: you can land at Tenerife North Airport, which is served by a number of international airlines, then take a cab – check flight times
- By car: from Tenerife North airport, allow around 10min. From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, approx. 15min. We recommend that you park your car at the free, 24-hour Parking Aparcamiento Adelantado, a stone’s throw from Plaza del Adelantado, and then explore the center on foot. (More info on parking here)
- By bus: line 20 runs from Tenerife Nord airport to La Laguna ( Intercambiador La Laguna stop), then a 15-minute walk to the historic center. Visit the official website for more info here.
- By streetcar: two lines connect Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Visit the official website for more info here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
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- The must-dos
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SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
