Español
English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
日本語
中文
La Orotava presides over the valley that bears its name, in northern Tenerife, and is the island’s largest municipality: it stretches down to the coast and up to the summit of Teide. Its historic centre, designated a historic site, retains grand houses with carved wooden balconies and steep, cobbled streets.
This isn’t a place to lie on the sand, but to experience a historic town and head up Teide without crossing half the island. Here are the areas that work best and the homes we choose individually.
How to choose an area in La Orotava
The municipality has a lot of steep terrain, and it all depends on whether you want to explore on foot or have more space:
- The historic centre: around the town hall square, La Concepción and Calle San Francisco. Everything is within walking distance, but the streets are steep and parking is tricky.
- The valley and mid-altitude areas: homes among orchards and vineyards, with views. You get a garden and peace and quiet, but you depend on a car.
- The lower part, towards the coast: among banana plantations, close to Playa del Bollullo and Puerto de la Cruz. There are plenty of fincas with pools here.
If you’re travelling as a couple and want to walk out for dinner, choose the historic centre. If you’re a family or group planning to explore the island, a finca will give you more space and parking.
Places to stay in La Orotava
Holiday homes are the main option here, and our selection reflects that. We start in the historic centre and move on to the fincas; you’ll find the rest on our page of places to stay in La Orotava.
Orotava The Home - Vacational rental with the lifestyle of 1700 and the comfort of 2022
Its main advantage is being right in the historic centre: Santo Domingo Church and the Ibero-American Museum of Crafts are about 70 metres away. It offers three accommodation options, with one to four bedrooms, a kitchen, terrace and washing machine. There’s no parking, and parties and stag or hen parties aren’t allowed.
CASA BEATRIZ
Designed for large groups: three bedrooms and three bathrooms for eight people, plus a garden, balcony, terrace and mountain views. The upper floors are only accessible by stairs, there’s no parking, and guests are asked to keep quiet from ten at night until eight in the morning.
La Casa de Lucy & Karin
A detached 150 m² home for five people, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and sea and mountain views. The garden, terrace and hot tub make it tempting to stay in. Free parking is public and nearby, and check-in ends at nine in the evening; let the property know in advance.
If you’re looking for your own pool, these are the three fincas that have won us over most.
Finca Cebollino
Its private outdoor pool is open year-round and is surrounded by a garden, terrace and barbecue. With free private parking, it’s a convenient base for exploring the north by car. Playa del Bollullo is 2,7 km away, and check-in is only available between five in the afternoon and ten at night.
Finca de Luna
A detached 74 m² home for four people, with an outdoor pool, garden and terrace with views. It suits couples or small families travelling by car: private parking is free. You need to arrive before eight in the evening and let the property know your arrival time; airport transfers cost extra.
La Favorita
Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a private pool, barbecue and a terrace overlooking the sea make this a good choice for a group of friends or two families. Pay attention to the check-in time: it’s limited to one hour, from two to three in the afternoon. Parking is public, free and cannot be reserved.
What to see in La Orotava
Start your walk on Calle San Francisco, where the 17th-century Casa de los Balcones showcases a Canarian courtyard with tea-wood galleries. The grand Baroque Church of La Concepción is nearby, and further down is the town hall square, with the Hijuela del Botánico behind it.
The Victoria Gardens, set on terraces above the valley, are worth a visit, as is the water mill route, where gofio is still ground. From the historic centre, the TF-21 road climbs via Aguamansa and La Caldera to Las Cañadas del Teide; downhill, you’ll find Playa del Bollullo, with its black sand, and Puerto de la Cruz.
Festivals and when to go
The big event takes place in June, one week after Corpus Christi, with Carpet Thursday: more than thirty flower carpets, designated an Asset of Cultural Interest since 2007, and a large tapestry made from Teide volcanic sands in the town hall square. The Baile de Magos, which draws more than 30.000 people, and the San Isidro pilgrimage, organised by the Liceo de Taoro since 1936, are held during the same weeks.
In late October, the town council’s Finados programme usually offers free tours of the historic cemetery and theatre performances in Victoria Gardens. The weather is mild year-round, though cooler and cloudier than in the south: you’ll want a jacket in the evenings in the historic centre.
Getting there and getting around
Tenerife North Airport is about half an hour away via the TF-5; it takes more than an hour from the southern airport. By bus, route 101 connects La Laguna with La Orotava, route 351 goes down to Puerto de la Cruz via the Botanical Garden, route 353 runs a circular route that includes Los Realejos, and route 346 climbs to Aguamansa and La Caldera.
Since January 2026, hiking to Teide’s summit via Telesforo Bravo or Montaña Blanca has required a reservation and an ecotax, which is free for Tenerife residents. The Cabildo also plans to control access to the park and introduce shuttle buses in 2027. Find out more in our guide to getting to Tenerife.
La Orotava is part of our guide to where to stay in Tenerife. For sun and beaches in the south, see where to stay in Adeje or, for golf near the airport, where to stay in San Miguel de Abona. If you’re planning to visit several islands, start with where to stay in the Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions that come up most often when planning a few days in La Orotava.
What is the best area to stay in La Orotava?
It depends on how you travel. The historic centre, between the town hall square, La Concepción and Calle San Francisco, is ideal for walking around and going out for dinner without a car, although the streets are steep and parking is difficult. If you’re travelling with family or in a group and plan to explore the island, homes and fincas on the outskirts offer pools, gardens and parking.
Is it better to stay in La Orotava or Puerto de la Cruz?
They’re only a few kilometres apart and complement each other. Puerto de la Cruz has more hotels, a promenade and beaches, and works better if you want to swim every day or get around by bus. La Orotava is quieter and more historic, with homes with gardens or pools, and lies on the road to Teide. If you’re looking for authenticity and space, choose La Orotava; if you prefer a coastal atmosphere, choose Puerto de la Cruz.
Do you need a car to stay in La Orotava?
Not if you’re staying in the historic centre: you can explore it on foot, and buses connect it with Puerto de la Cruz, Los Realejos, La Laguna and Aguamansa. For Teide, the beaches and the northern towns, a car is almost essential. Check the parking arrangements when booking: several homes in the historic centre don’t have any, while Finca Cebollino and Finca de Luna offer free private parking.
How do you get up to Teide from La Orotava?
The TF-21 road leaves the town and climbs via Aguamansa and La Caldera to Las Cañadas: few bases are this close to the national park. Since January 2026, the trails to the peak, Telesforo Bravo and Montaña Blanca, have required advance reservations and an ecotax, except for Tenerife residents. The Cabildo also plans to control access and introduce shuttle buses in 2027. Check the conditions before you go.
When are the La Orotava carpets?
In June, on the Thursday of the week after Corpus Christi, which the town calls Carpet Thursday. That day, more than thirty flower carpets cover the historic centre, and a large tapestry made with sands from Teide is created in the town hall square. The Baile de Magos and the San Isidro pilgrimage also take place during those weeks, so it’s best to book ahead.
