Things to Do in La Orotava
1. Plaza de La Constitución
Start your day at Plaza de la Constitución, right in the historic centre of La Orotava. Locals call it Plaza del Kiosko, and it’s a great spot to snap a few photos while enjoying views over one of the oldest towns in the Canary Islands.
Built in the 17th century, the Church of San Agustín blends Mudejar, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Just next door you’ll find the Casa de la Cultura, which used to be the Convent of Nuestra Señora de Gracia.
2. Liceo de Taoro
Not far from the square, you can wander into the gardens of the elegant Liceo de Taoro. Founded in 1855 as the “Falansterio de Taoro”, it was meant to promote culture and leisure among workers and artisans. Over time, it became “La Esperanza”, later merged with the Philharmonic society and was renamed “Liceo de Orotava”. It’s been known by its current name since 1924.
From 1927, access was limited to members of the Sociedad Cultura Liceo de Taoro. That said, I definitely recommend visiting the gardens, the entrance hall, and a few of the front rooms. Wander around and head up the stairs to get one of the best panoramic views of La Orotava.
If you search for it on Google, you’ll find it listed as “Cafetería de Taoro“. So yes, it’s also a café with great value for money – perfect for grabbing a drink while enjoying the scenery.
Entry Fee
- Free
Opening Hours
- Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
3. Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja
Just a few steps from the Liceo de Taoro, you’ll come across the Jardines del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja, also known as the Jardines Victoria. Don’t worry if you see both names – they refer to the same place.
These gardens were originally built as a mausoleum for Diego Ponte del Castillo, who was denied burial in the local cemetery by the Catholic Church due to his Masonic ties. In the end, he was accepted and laid to rest in the family crypt.
The gardens are made up of seven terraced levels and are set on a high point of La Orotava. It’s a lovely place for a stroll, with scenic views and colourful flowers everywhere. To me, it feels like a charming little maze where getting lost is part of the fun.
Entry Fee
- Free
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
4. Hijuela del Botánico
As you head downhill from the Jardines Victoria, you’ll come to another lovely spot in La Orotava — the Hijuela del Botánico. With a dragon tree over 200 years old, these gardens might not be as grand as the previous ones, but they’re definitely worth a visit.
They’re called Hijuela del Botánico because they belong to the Jardín de Aclimatación in Puerto de la Cruz.
Entry Fee
- Free
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
5. Town Hall of La Orotava
Very close to the botanical gardens, you’ll spot the Town Hall of La Orotava. Inaugurated in 1895, it’s housed in the Palacio Municipal. With its striking pink façade, it’s impossible to miss — located at one end of the square.
If you climb the stairs, you’ll get one of the best views over the rooftops of the town’s most iconic buildings. On the left-hand side of the staircase, there’s a small pond with a little bridge, and on the right, a fountain surrounded by plants and flowers.
When I visited, there wasn’t much going on, but if you go between May and June for Corpus Christi, you’ll see the famous Alfombras de La Orotava. These floral carpets, made with flowers and volcanic sand from Teide National Park, have been declared of Cultural Interest — and they take 50 days to complete!
If you’d like to learn more about this tradition, check out the Interpretation Centre of Ephemeral Art: Alfombras de La Orotava.
6. La Casa de los Balcones
Probably the top must-see in La Orotava is the Casa de los Balcones. Built in the 17th century by one of the most prominent families in town, this three-storey house features a long balcony on the top floor and five balconies on the second. Naturally, it was built using Canarian pine wood.
Inside, you’ll get a feel for what life was like back then as you explore the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and a lovely interior courtyard filled with greenery.
Your ticket includes a free audio guide you can download to your phone, so you can learn all about daily life in the past.
Entry Fee
- Adults: €6
- Canary Islands residents: €3
- Students: €3
- Visitors with reduced mobility: €3
- Children under 12: Free
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Book your tickets for La Casa de los Balcones
7. Molino de Gofio La Máquina
Just to the right of the Casa de los Balcones, you’ll find the Molino de Gofio La Máquina.
Gofio, a type of flour, is one of the cornerstones of Canarian cuisine. The Guanches — the aboriginal people of the Canary Islands — used gofio in all sorts of dishes, which is why it’s still such a key ingredient in local food today.
Built in the 17th century, this mill originally ran on water power, though nowadays it’s powered by electricity. The entire process is still done by hand using stone mills to make gofio from mixed grains, maize, wheat, spelt, oats, or chickpeas.
If you’re curious to learn how gofio is made, taste it, and maybe take some home, the Molino de Gofio La Máquina is definitely one of the top things to do in La Orotava.
Entry Fee
- Free
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Book tickets for La Casa de los Balcones + Gofio Mill
8. Casa Lercaro
Built in the 17th century, Casa Lercaro belonged to a wealthy family that lived in the town after the Spanish conquest. Its Baroque-style façade features the classic wooden balconies decorated with flowers.
Inside, you’ll find a restaurant and a café spread across several rooms and outdoor areas. I really recommend stepping in and checking out the rooms, all furnished with period pieces.
Entry Fee
- Free
Opening Hours
- Monday to Saturday: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
9. Iglesia de la Concepción
Opened in 1788, the Iglesia de la Concepción is often referred to as the “Cathedral of La Orotava” – although technically, it isn’t one.
Its dome, inspired by the Cathedral of Florence in Italy, is visible from just about everywhere along the route you’ve followed today. The Baroque façade features two towers, medieval-style gargoyles, and a statue of the Immaculate Conception right above the balcony.
I visited during Holy Week, and the church was filled with beautifully decorated statues ready for the procession.
10. Museo de Artesanía Iberoamericana de Tenerife
If you’ve got some time left or you’re really into museums, the Museo de Artesanía Iberoamericana de Tenerife is housed in a lovely 17th-century building that used to be the Convent of San Benito de Abad.
Inside, you’ll find a permanent exhibition featuring traditional crafts, textiles and ceramics from across Ibero-America.
Entry Fee
- General admission: €2
- Free for Canary Islands residents
Opening Hours
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Excursions from La Orotava
From La Orotava you can easily visit Icod de los Vinos, Puerto de La Cruz and Garachico. Everything is close enough to get there by bus or rental car with no hassle.
As you’ve seen, there are plenty of things to do in La Orotava. But if you want to keep exploring other parts of the island, here are some excursions I think are really worth it:
Take the cable car up Mount Teide
You simply can’t leave Tenerife without taking a trip up Mount Teide. If you want to do it the easy way, with everything organised and a guide to explain what you’re seeing — this one’s for you.
Book a Teide Cable Car Excursion
Banana Plantation Tour
This visit to a banana plantation gives you the chance to try fresh bananas grown right here in Tenerife. You’ll also learn about their history and how they’re cultivated — plus get to stroll among the banana trees.
How to Get to La Orotava
Tenerife has two airports, but the best way to get to La Orotava is by flying into Tenerife North Airport, which is around 26 kilometres away. It’s the most convenient option by far.
That said, if you find a good deal on a flight to Tenerife South, no worries. In that case, your best bet for getting around the island is by rental car, so you’re not relying on guaguas (buses). You’ll find car hire offices both at the airport and in the port. I always use CICAR when I visit the Canaries – they’re super reliable.
If you don’t drive or don’t have a licence, you can always use the Titsa buses (guaguas). From Tenerife North Airport, take the bus to Puerto de la Cruz bus station – the journey takes just over 30 minutes. From there, you’ll have several connections to get to La Orotava by bus. I recommend downloading the Titsa App to check all the routes. You might need to change buses once or twice, but it’s a solid option if you don’t want to drive.
Where to Stay in La Orotava
Staying in La Orotava is a great idea if you’re looking for peace and quiet, away from the busy southern resorts and the more touristy spots like Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna.
You’ll find all kinds of accommodation here, for every budget. In fact, choosing to stay in La Orotava is a great option if you’re after something a bit different during your time in Tenerife.
Where to Eat in La Orotava
While the places to eat in La Orotava might be a bit more limited, there are a few restaurants that will definitely surprise you with their quality.
Here are some of my top picks: Restaurante Victoria, Casa Palacio Lercaro, and Casa Egón.
Frequently Asked Questions about La Orotava
If you still have questions about your trip to La Orotava, here’s a quick summary of the most common ones, along with a recap of the most important things to see in La Orotava.
How long does it take to see La Orotava?
As I mentioned at the beginning of this guide, you could see the highlights of La Orotava in just over an hour. That said, if you want to visit everything properly, I recommend spending at least half a day.
Is La Orotava worth visiting?
Absolutely. La Orotava is definitely worth it – here you’ll find one of the most beautiful Canarian houses with wooden balconies in Tenerife: the Casa de los Balcones.
What can you see in La Orotava in one day?
Start in Plaza de la Constitución, a place full of history. Then stop for a coffee at Cafetería Liceo de Taoro. Afterwards, take a walk through Jardines Victoria and Hijuela del Botánico – you’ll even spot the sea in the distance.
Next, visit the Town Hall and Casa de los Balcones, one of the town’s most iconic buildings. Don’t miss Molino de Gofio La Máquina to learn about traditional milling, then continue to Casa Palacio Lercaro.
End your day at Iglesia de La Concepción, and wrap up with a visit to the Museo de Artesanía Iberoamericana to explore the art and culture of the Canary Islands.
What can you see in La Orotava for free?
There are quite a few free spots to enjoy in La Orotava. Start with Plaza de la Constitución, then explore Jardines Victoria and Hijuela del Botánico – perfect for a stroll in nature.
You can also visit Iglesia de La Concepción for free. The Town Hall is another one, as well as Molino de Gofio La Máquina.
What to do in La Orotava with kids?
Jardines Victoria and Hijuela del Botánico are two great spots to visit in La Orotava with children. Since they’re open-air and surrounded by greenery, they’re perfect for letting little ones play in nature.
Map of Places to Visit in La Orotava · Tenerife
Here’s a Google Map to help you easily add all the locations I’ve shown you in the infographic:
What to See in Tenerife in One Week
If you’re planning to visit the largest island in the Canary archipelago, here’s a 7-day itinerary around Tenerife to make sure you don’t miss any of the highlights.
