What to Do in San Cristóbal de La Laguna?

1 Plaza del Adelantado

Plaza del Adelantado is the starting point for many free tours or guided visits in La Laguna, Tenerife. Located right in the city center, the square is named after Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the conqueror of Tenerife and La Palma, who lived here in the early 16th century in what is now part of the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena.

Since its inception, this square has been the stage for the city’s most important public events, such as festivals, markets, processions, and even executions. In the center of the square is a marble fountain, the oldest in La Laguna, which was commissioned in Marseille, France, and transported by ship to its current location in 1870.

Surrounded by significant buildings, the square houses the Casa del Santo Padre Anchieta, the birthplace of San José Anchieta, a Jesuit missionary and saint from Tenerife, considered one of the founders of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. You’ll also find the small Hermitage of San Miguel, built in the 16th century, the Palacio de Nava, and the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena.

2 Palacio de Nava

Palacio de Nava is one of the most prominent buildings on Plaza del Adelantado, located at the northwest corner of the square and known for its two impressive facades.

This palace is a superb example of Canarian architecture, blending Baroque, Neoclassical, and Mannerist elements. Construction began in 1585 by order of Tomás Grimón, who was the governor of Tenerife at the time. However, the building underwent modifications during the 17th and 18th centuries, with its exterior completely clad in stone in 1776 by Tomás de Nava y Grimón y Porlier, giving it its current appearance.

Palacio de Nava was declared a Cultural Heritage Site with the status of Monument in 1976

3 Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena

The Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena is one of the most emblematic places to see in La Laguna. Founded in 1611, this convent was partly built on land that belonged to Alonso Fernández de Lugo, the Adelantado. Over time, the monastery became one of the most important on the islands, housing up to 100 women.

The monastery stands out for its architecture with clear Mudéjar influences, visible in its intricately carved wooden balconies and its Arab tile roof. These balconies allowed the nuns to observe the outside world without being seen.

The monastery’s church, accessible from the square, has a single nave topped with a bell gable on the facade. Inside, you can see three Baroque wooden altarpieces, as well as several 18th-century paintings by Canarian artists. The main altar is crowned by a mid-17th-century altarpiece featuring images of the Virgin of the Rosary, Saint Dominic, and Saint Catherine of Siena.

As a curious fact, the interior houses the body of María de León Bello y Delgado, known as “La Siervita,” a nun deeply beloved by the Canarian people. Her body, which remains incorrupt in a sarcophagus, can be visited each year on February 15th, the anniversary of her death. La Siervita is in the process of beatification due to the more than 1,200 miracles attributed to her, and it is customary for the faithful to leave messages with their requests.

4 La Casa de La Alhóndiga

La Alhóndiga, built in the early 18th century and renovated in the 19th century when it was attempted to convert it into a theater.

Originally, La Alhóndiga played a crucial role in helping the poorest residents by providing them with wheat when they couldn’t afford it or selling bread at low prices during difficult times. It also offered wheat for sowing to farmers, both for their own land and for land leased from the Cabildo.

Additionally, La Alhóndiga housed the Cabildo’s warehouses, especially for storing surplus crops. Throughout its history, it has served as a prison, school, and courthouse, among other uses. Today, the building is occupied by municipal offices.

5 La casa de los Capitanes generales

The Casa de los Capitanes Generales, also known as the Casa de los Alvarado-Bracamonte, is one of the houses to see in La Laguna. It was built between 1624 and 1631 by Diego de Alvarado Bracamonte, Captain General of Tenerife. The house stands out for its facade of red masonry and volcanic tuff stone, with a stone doorway featuring a balcony and a door framed by pilasters.

The building’s interior is organized around a large patio. Today, the house serves as the Town Hall of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the Tourist Office, the Mayor’s Office, and the International Center for the Conservation of Heritage (CICOP).

Historically, the Casa de los Capitanes Generales was the residence of six Captain Generals of the Canary Islands between 1705 and 1723. The building was declared a Cultural Heritage Site in 1981.

6 Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, also known as the Holy Cathedral Church of Our Lady of Los Remedios, is the most important religious monument to see in La Laguna. Its original construction began in the 16th century as the Church of Los Remedios, and in 1819 it was elevated to the status of a cathedral following the creation of the Diocese of Tenerife. The Neoclassical facade, built in 1820, was inspired by the Cathedral of Pamplona and designed by architect Ventura Rodríguez.

The current cathedral, inaugurated in 1913, is Neo-Gothic in style, with ribbed vaults and a dome completed in 2014. The design of the new building was the work of engineer Rodrigo de Villabriga, and the main facade of the old temple was preserved.

Among the treasures housed in the cathedral are the tabernacle by José Luján Pérez and a large Baroque altarpiece by Hendrick Van Balen.

Admission Fee

Although entry for worship is free, here are the prices for the audio guide:

• General Admission: €7.00
• Seniors (65+): €6.00
• Groups (15+ people): €3.50
• Youths (13-18 years), university students up to 25 years, and unemployed persons: €5.50
• People with disabilities (33% or higher): €5.50
• Residents of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, people with disabilities over 63%, and children under 13: Free (audio guide: €2.00)

Opening Hours

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Saturdays: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Sundays: Closed

7 Teatro Leal

Teatro Leal was inaugurated in 1915. Its facade, featuring floral and animal motifs, is an example of modernist design, while inside, you can admire murals by Manuel López Ruiz and Manuel Verdugo.

Since its opening, Teatro Leal has hosted a variety of performances, from musical comedies and operas to the first film screenings in the municipality. It was restored and reopened in 2008.

The theater’s interior is truly beautiful, with a floor in the stalls area that can be leveled for different types of events. The theater’s walls are decorated with murals depicting romantic landscapes, seascapes, and scenes of local customs, creating a unique atmosphere for enjoying the performing arts.

8 Church of La Concepción

The Parroquia Matriz de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, commonly known as the Church of La Concepción, holds the distinction of being the first church founded in Tenerife, dating back to 1511, and is one of the most important sites to visit in La Laguna. Located in the Villa de Arriba, the area where artisans once lived, it contrasts with the Villa de Abajo, which housed political and religious power. Additionally, this was the site of the first Mass ever celebrated in Tenerife.

Its 28-meter-high tower, built between 1694 and 1697, stands out for its Tuscan style, reminiscent of the bell tower of Turin Cathedral. Throughout its history, the church has undergone several reconstructions and restorations.

Inside, the church houses the baptismal font where it is believed that the Guanches were baptized. The current structure includes a main chapel modified in the 18th century, and the bell tower offers panoramic views of the city.

Entrance Fee

• General: €2
• Residents of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Free

Opening Hours

• Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

9 Cayetano Gómez Felipe House Museum

Just a few steps from the bell tower of the Church of La Concepción, the Cayetano Gómez Felipe House Museum is an essential stop when visiting La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.

This traditional 18th-century Canarian house, with a charming vegetation-filled courtyard, was once the residence of Cayetano Gómez Felipe, a collector who amassed an impressive collection of antiques.

Inside the house, you’ll find a valuable collection that reflects the art, daily life, and customs of the Canary Islands over the centuries. A visit here allows you to delve deeper into the history of the archipelago and admire the architecture of this historic mansion.

Entrance Fee

• General: €5.00
• Residents: €3.50
• Reduced: €3.00 (for seniors 65+, students, unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, and teachers)
• Special rate for school or university groups: €2.50
• Groups of 10+ visitors and associations: €3.00
• Children under 9 years: Free

Opening Hours

• Tuesday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
• Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Monday and holidays: Closed

10 Church and Former Convent of San Agustín

The Church and Convent of San Agustín, founded in the 16th century by the Augustinian Order, has had multiple uses over the years. Originally built on a hermitage of San Roque, the building has served as a convent, infantry barracks, provincial library, educational center, first meteorological station, soup kitchen, and prison for the Spanish Falange during the Civil War.

Today, the convent houses the Casa de la Cultura and is renowned for its impressive Renaissance cloister, considered one of the finest in the Canary Islands. This cloister, with its stone and wood columns, spans two floors and contains the remains of important historical figures like the historian Juan Núñez de la Peña.

11 Salazar House

Salazar House is one of the most significant buildings to see in La Laguna, famous for its architecture that blends Baroque, Neoclassical, and Mannerist styles. Built in the 17th century by Cristóbal Salazar de Frías, the first Count of Salazar, this mansion features an impressive stone facade adorned with a marble family crest and gargoyles.

Although a devastating fire in 2006 destroyed much of its interior, the facade remained intact, and the building was restored to become the episcopal seat of the Nivarian diocese. Inside, you’ll find a beautiful courtyard with columns supporting the galleries, as well as the Chapel of the Bishopric, considered a gem of modern religious art in the Canary Islands.

Before becoming the episcopal seat, Salazar House had other uses, such as being the home of the El Porvenir Casino. Today, in addition to its architectural value, it houses important artworks by painters like Francisco Bonnin and sculptors like Mariano Benlliure.

12 Lercaro House – Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife

Lercaro House is an architectural gem to visit in La Laguna. It belonged to the influential Lercaro family of Genoese origin and was built in the 17th century. Its facade features a spectacular portico and the family crest, while the interior surprises with a charming courtyard where wood is the dominant material.

The house is also shrouded in legend: Catalina Lercaro, a young member of the family, is said to have thrown herself into the courtyard well to avoid an unwanted marriage. Since then, some claim to have seen her spirit wandering through the halls.

Today, this building, also known as Casa Ponte Fonte, houses the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife, where you can learn more about the island’s history from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

Lercaro House is also famous for its impressive woodwork on windows and balconies, and its courtyard with Corinthian columns and a mill.

Entrance Fee

• Adults: General: €5.00, Canarian residents: €3.00
• Students, retirees, seniors 65+, large families, and groups of 8+: General: €3.50, Canarian residents: €2.00
• Children under 8, ICOM members, teachers, and guides with groups, school groups from the Canary Islands: Free
• Free entry hours: Friday and Saturday from 4:00 PM until closing.

Opening Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Sundays and holidays: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

13 Casa Montañés

Montañés House, built in 1746 by Francisco Montañés, is a fascinating example of the blend of 18th-century European styles. The building is organized into three floors: the first, used as a warehouse and servants’ quarters; the second, as the main residence of the owners; and the third, as a private granary. The entrance door is large to allow the passage of goods, and next to it are public stone urinals, a courtesy for the workers.

The square-shaped courtyard combines Andalusian style with elements typical of Castilian manor houses. During a restoration in the 1980s, frescoes were discovered on the upper floor with neo-Arab and Pompeian decorations, as well as a representation of the Virgin of Candelaria. Today, this building houses the Consultative Council of the Government of the Canary Islands.

Opening Hours

• Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Friday to Sunday: Closed

14 La Laguna Market

Visiting the market is one of the must-do activities in La Laguna. It is located in the popular Plaza del Cristo, right in the historic center of the city. This market is a bustling place with numerous stalls offering top-quality products.

At the entrance, you’ll be greeted by colorful flowers, followed by the fruit and vegetable section in the central courtyard. At the end of the building, you’ll find fresh fish, and on the sides of the first two courtyards, butcher and grocery stalls. Do you like collecting magnets like I do? This is your place!

In addition to the main building, there’s an annex with shops selling fabrics, shoes, live animals, and more. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Farmers’ Market is also set up in this area.

Opening Hours

• Monday to Saturday: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
• Sunday: 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM

15 Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo

A few meters from the La Laguna Market is the Royal Sanctuary of the Holy Christ of La Laguna. Although its facade is simple, inside you’ll find one of the most revered images in the Canary Islands, the Holy Christ of La Laguna, a 16th-century Gothic sculpture by Louis Van Der Vule. This Flemish image arrived on the island in 1520 and has become a symbol of devotion for the inhabitants of Tenerife.

The Sanctuary is part of an old convent complex that includes the residence of Franciscan friars and other historical facilities. The convent was founded after the Conquest and has undergone several remodels. The architecture of the building combines traditional Canarian elements with Baroque influences, highlighted by its stonework facade and belfry decorated with volutes and ornamental vases.

The interior of the Sanctuary features a single nave with a neoclassical-style wooden ceiling and an impressive main altarpiece covered in silver, where the image of Christ is housed. This altarpiece also includes a tabernacle and a niche adorned with wood carvings and gold leaf.

Opening Hours

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Sundays and holidays: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Map of Things to Do in San Cristóbal de La Laguna

Below is a map created with Google Maps so you can easily add all the points mentioned in the infographic.

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