The Sitio Litre garden is the oldest on the island of Tenerife. It was built in 1730 around the house of the same name, which was the headquarters of a Dutch company exporting wines from the Canary Islands. But this colorful garden is best known for having been frequented by such illustrious figures as the British writer Agatha Christie!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Garden Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, north of 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.
Content
Is a visit to the Sitio Litre Orchid Garden worthwhile?
Yes, this garden is well worth a visit! Subtropical, it stretched over 4,000m2 around the Sitio Litre house when it was created in 1730. This colonial villa, reputed to be the oldest in Tenerife, was frequented by many famous people. We really enjoyed walking in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, William Wilde (father of writer Oscar Wilde), and painter and botanist Marianne North. We found the garden very pleasant, with its impressive trees and orchids.
This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Puerto de la Cruz, and one of the best activities in town!
What you can see
Water lilies
Right from the start of our visit, this pond full of water lilies caught our eye. We found their sheer number impressive, covering almost the entire surface of the water! They were surrounded by lush green vegetation and exotic trees, which immediately set the tone for the visit.
A house dedicated to Agatha Christie
We then passed a small house dedicated to Agatha Christie. Indeed, the British writer stayed at the Sitio Litre villa in 1927. She was so inspired by the garden that she dedicated a collection of short stories to it, entitled The Mysterious Mr Quinn (1930). It was this character who was represented alongside her in this little cabin, along with the author’s key works.
WHERE TO STAY IN Puerto de la Cruz
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Right in the center
Hotel AF Valle Orotava – Check photos and availability
Near the beach
Hotel AluaSoul Orotava Valley – Check photos and availability
On the heights
Hotel Botanica y Oriental Spa – Check photos and availability.
Atlantic Mirage Suites & Spa Hotel – Check photos and availability
Tigaiga Suites apartments – Check photos and availability.
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Puerto de la Cruz.
A beautiful covered driveway
The garden includes a covered walkway which we found very beautiful, leading to an equally pretty fountain. The lush vegetation is marked by exotic flowers in shades of purple and pink, making the garden even richer. Don’t miss the impressive Cassier tree overlooking the driveway.
A statue of Alexander von Humboldt
A little further on, we noticed this statue of the German explorer and botanist Alexander von Humboldt. In fact, he attended a party given in his honor in the garden in 1799. He is said to have knelt down to thank God for such beauty when he arrived in the Oratava Valley!
Parrots
We passed by a birdhouse housing a number of parrots. They were Agapornis, also known as “inseparables” because they live in pairs. Native to South Africa, they dazzled us with the shimmering colors of their plumage!
Many orchids
The Jardin Sitio Litre is also called the “Jardin Sitio Litre Orchid Garden”, but don’t expect to see a spectacular collection of orchids. We did, however, admire some pretty specimens in pots in a small greenhouse.
An impressive dragon tree
This is the most striking tree of the visit, 600 years old! Although smaller, it reminded us of the famous dragon tree at Icod de los Vinos. To admire it, why not opt for an excursion? We recommend this one-day itinerary, which will enable you to observe it and visit the splendid Mount Teide.
A carp pond
Last but not least, we observed numerous carp in a dedicated pond. We could even feed them! We were amazed at the diversity of the species represented, all of which had flamboyant colors.
Garden Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife: how to get there
Where is the garden?
- In the town of Puerto de la Cruz,
- in the Malpais district, a 10-minute walk from downtown.
Access by car and parking
You’ll need to park in one of the parking lots below, as the streets are on slopes and have no parking spaces. The nearest is the Martiánez shopping center, a 5-minute walk away. There is also a parking lot at Plaza Constitucion, a ten-minute walk away.
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.
Public transport access
There is no public transport serving the garden.
Visiting difficulties
The garden ground is flat, with no particular difficulties. However, the neighborhood is on a slope, and there is a staircase to reach the entrance.
Visit Sitio Litre Orchid Garden: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The garden is open daily from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Here are the prices:
- General rate: €4.75
- Reduced rate for Spanish nationals: €3.50
- Children’s rate (4-12 years): €2.37
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 20 to 45 minutes for the visit.
Best moment
We were able to make our visit in peace and quiet by going as soon as it opened and during the week. We recommend you do the same if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
Direction of visit
There’s no set way to visit, so we followed the main path.
Visiting with children
There is no specific tour for children. On the other hand, painting workshops are held regularly in the garden, which can be an interesting activity for the whole family. To find out more, visit the official website here.
Eating out
The garden features a restaurant, offering breakfast and brunch menus. It features a pleasant terrace and is open daily from 10:30 am to 2 pm. Reservations are required. Visit the official website here for more information.
You’re just a ten-minute walk from the historic center, where you’ll find a wide range of restaurants. Find out more about our selection of the best restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Puerto de la Cruz. Our accommodation recommendations in our dedicated article!
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