“I’ll tell you a secret, my girl, the real capital of Tenerife is in La Orotava.” It’s hard not to have heard this phrase if you live in Tenerife. And it is what it is The best preserved villa on the island It also contains a great deal of ancient history. This was the kingdom of Taoro, the country of the richest Guanche Menceiato in Tenerife. Until it was sacked and destroyed by the conquistadors back in 1496.
The conquest of Tenerife ended here, in the same place where Bentor killed himself before Alonso Fernandez de Lugo. Hanged upside down and enslaved As he and his troops later did the Guanche people. As always, history is written by the victors, but even today in La Orotava you can feel all the resistance from a city that had much less means of warfare.
What to see in La Orotava
Are you planning to visit La Orotava? With this brief historical introduction, we invite you to visit the most famous manor houses, battle sites and things to do nearby. Enjoy the city of Tenerife!
A house with balconies
This is probably the most visited place in La Orotava. In it you will find a museum, an impressive facade and services such as a restaurant. price for that Admission for adults is 5 euros Discounts for children, students, residents, limited mobility and people over 65 years old. There is also an option to include lunch. Visits are possible Monday through Sunday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.. You can Buy tickets for Casa de los Balcones online.
Museum and Ethnographic Park
Since its inauguration in 2002, it has gradually become one of the most popular places in the city. Although it is not very large, it is worth it for those who do not have much knowledge of what life was like in the country.
It is located on Calle Alzados Guanches s/n and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm.. The ticket price is 2 euros for adults and 1 euro for children from 8 to 15 years old. Children under 8 years old have free entry.
Church of the Conception
Also known as the Basilica or Cathedral of La Orotava, this is a church that has had components added to it from the 15th century to the present day. This is one of the must-visits if you love religious architecture. Free entry.
Torrehermosa house
It is located in front of the old Santo Domingo Monastery and was built in the 16th century. visible from the outside.
City Hall Square
In general, the squares of La Orotava are an excellent example of what was once a temporary residence of the conquerors. From this square you can enter the botanical garden and explore the historical center.
What to do near La Orotava
“Send” move to 0 area of Guachinchi: This is what the Tenerife people call it, since La Orotava is the most typical place for the Guachinches along with Santa Ursula, La Matanza and La Victoria de Acentejo.
Take the opportunity to visit El Teide: After thoroughly preparing your visit Teide You will know that there are many travelers (especially from the south) who come down through La Orotava after seeing the National Park. This is a good idea, a much better idea than climbing La Orotava, as this is the entrance that takes the most time due to the winding nature of the trail.
Get to know Puerto de la Cruz: Take the opportunity to explore the beautiful Puerto de la Cruz belonging to La Orotava and relax Martianes Lakes, built by Canarian architect and artist Cesar Manrique.
Visit Humboldt Viewpoint: Humboldt View offers breathtaking views of the La Orotava Valley with the Teide on the horizon. It is currently closed, but there are views from the grounds.
Practical information for your visit to La Orotava
La Orotava is a city with over 40,000 inhabitants, making it one of the largest of Tenerife’s cities in the north. Therefore, it has all the necessary services. however, Its historical center can be visited in just a few hours.
in fact, The usual thing is to visit El Teide, go down to La Orotava, eat at a Guachinche in the area, and visit the town after eating.. If you are not going to visit the Botanical Garden, Ethnographic Museum and Casa de los Balcones, you can take a walk that will give you a complete picture of the city in just 2 hours.
There is a resident council on the island If you park outside the historical center Because its narrow streets can be too much for a traveler who rents a car that doesn’t drive well. There are plenty of parking lots in the suburbs. Yes indeed, Get used to the slopes Because the whole city is in one of them.
The municipality of La Orotava extends from the valley to the coast, so although the city is located on a high point, it has a beach, beautiful and isolated. Bolulo beach. Even Puerto de la Cruz belongs to this municipality.
Finally, keep in mind that if you’re one of those people who can’t resist having a beer or soft drink during your visit, it’s typical to do so Quincentennial Square.