La Orotava is a town of about 36,000 people in the northern part of Tenerife. The first thing that strikes you as you approach the town is the beauty of the countryside and the slopes covered with banana trees and vineyards. This is one of five wine producing regions of Tenerife, with about 2,500 acres of grapes. In the early days of settlement they also grew sugar; many fortunes were made in those days, establishing the town and setting the stage for its prosperity today. The valley is a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables and the red wine they produce is superb.
Although La Orotava isn’t a bustling metropolis, there is plenty to see and do in and around the town. One of the most popular attractions is the Hijuela del Botanico, a botanical garden with thousands of species from Spain, Australia, Asia, the Americas and Africa. You will also see hundreds of the dragon trees the island is famous for, their gnarly trunks rising to a green crown. Some have said they resemble mushrooms; others have compared them to umbrellas but whatever you think they look like, they are majestic and oddly beautiful.
From there, if you haven’t already, you may want to go to Mirador de Humboldt. This scenic view is truly spectacular and offers you a panoramic look at nearly the entire valley. Situated high in the hills surrounding La Orotava, you’ll be able to look down at the town and green countryside as if you’re standing in the clouds. There are a few shelters there if you’d like to take a picnic lunch while you enjoy the scenery. You’ll also have a wonderful vantage point to see Mt. Teide, Tenerife’s volcano that has been inactive for more than a century.
La Orotava offers guided tours of the small city, too. Most tours like to start with Casa de los Balcones, a journey through a group of Canarian houses with balconies. You’ll be able to walk through beautiful inner courtyards and enjoy views of the valley. Casa Mendez-Fonseca is particularly impressive and has a strange little museum upstairs plus local wine tasting.
Like other cities on the island, La Orotava has lots of churches and monasteries. Iglesia de la Concepcion is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture with its twin towers and impressive dome. You’ll want to photograph this beauty but as well as a daytime picture you should wait until dusk or shortly after when the dome is lit from beneath. It’s a stunning sight with the maroon sky as a backdrop.Stop by and see Iglesia de San Agustin, a fine example of Baroque architecture.
You’ll also enjoy the formal Victoria Gardens, whose walking paths wind through a riot of colors and textures lent by the thousands of flowers and other plants. Equally impressive is the Carrara marble mausoleum designed by architect Adolph Coquet in 1882. Never used as a tomb, the beautiful white marble has stately carved columns and niches and looks almost like a dignified miniature mansion.
Other places of interest include the municipal palace, El Ayuntamiento, which offers tours to those interested. There is a wax museum and several 17th century homes you can explore. The Museo de Ceramica has nearly a thousand pieces of pottery scattered throughout the huge charming mansion that houses the collection. Museo de Artesania Iberoamerica is located in a Dominican convent and has crafts from Spain and Latin America on display.
If you visit La Orotava in June you’ll get to take part in the Feast of Corpus Christi. For this festival the streets are covered with carpets of flowers, as is the town hall. The Guinness Book of Records recorded its tapestry of colored soil, sand and flowers as the biggest of its kind in the world.
Nightlife in La Orotava is not completely absent but is largely hotel based. There are a few bars scattered throughout the town but most people have a few quiet drinks in the bars or restaurants of their hotels. If you crave more excitement in your evenings, you can go to the nearby resort of Puerto de la Cruz where you’ll find vibrant crowds and plenty of noise!
La Orotava is not a shore side town but does have a few small beaches. These small, secluded black sand coves are not crowded with tourists and great places to go for some quiet sun and a dip in the ocean. Some can be reached by car but most are accessible only by foot. El Bollullo, El Cancon and Martin Alonso are three of the most easily reached. A fourth, Los Patos, is a beach where clothing is optional!