Sight guide · Tenerife · Spain
Visiting La Orotava old town
Above Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava's steep streets hold some of the island's finest 17th-century mansions, including the Casa de los Balcones with its carved pine balconies and courtyard.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
La Orotava old town is a neighbourhood in La Orotava, Tenerife. Allow 2–3 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Neighbourhood
- Area
- La Orotava
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, architecture, free and photo spot
- Best months
- May–June and September
About La Orotava old town
Above Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava's steep streets hold some of the island's finest 17th-century mansions, including the Casa de los Balcones with its carved pine balconies and courtyard. The Hijuela del Botánico and the terraced Victoria gardens are close by, and for Corpus Christi the town lays out carpets of coloured volcanic sand in the main square.
Tip: Wear sturdy shoes: the old town climbs steeply, and the upper streets give views across the valley to Teide.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: La Orotava.
Best time to visit La Orotava old town
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- May: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- June: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 0 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Tenerife has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
La Orotava old town is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Teide National Park and Teide cable car and summit.
- No. 10 of the 19 sights in our Tenerife things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tenerife.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Tenerife.
If you like La Orotava old town
- Teide National Park — Las Cañadas del Teide, Half to full day
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna old town — San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Half a day
- Masca village and gorge — Teno, 2–3 hours for the village
- Garachico and El Caletón — Garachico, 2–3 hours
Staying near La Orotava old town
Where to stay in Tenerife compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at La Orotava old town?
Plan 2–3 hours.
+Is La Orotava old town free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit La Orotava old town?
May–June and September, the quietest of the good months. Wear sturdy shoes: the old town climbs steeply, and the upper streets give views across the valley to Teide.
+Do I need to book La Orotava old town in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.