Escape the southern beach resorts and explore the UNESCO World Heritage historic city of La Laguna, with its 16th-century street plan, colonial architecture, and vibrant student atmosphere. Continue to the spectacular Anaga Rural Park with ancient laurel forests.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife's former colonial capital, lies 10 kilometres from Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the island's northeast — approximately one hour by car from the southern beach resorts, or reachable by TITSA bus from Santa Cruz. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, La Laguna was founded in 1496 as the first unfortified Spanish colonial city, its planned grid of streets laid out without encircling walls in a design that became the template for urban planning across the Spanish Americas, influencing cities from Havana to Lima. Today the historic centre is fully pedestrianised, its streets lined with whitewashed Renaissance mansions bearing ornate Canarian wooden balconies, convents, plazas, and churches spread over a compact grid that rewards unhurried walking.
The Cathedral de La Laguna anchors the eastern end of the historic zone. Calle Carrera and Calle San Agustín lead through the most architecturally rich corridors of the old town. The Universidad de La Laguna, founded in 1792 and the oldest university in the Canary Islands, lends the city a vibrant student atmosphere with independent cafés, bookshops, and terrace bars filling former colonial buildings.
Beyond the city, the Anaga Rural Park covers the Anaga Peninsula to the northeast — a ridge of ancient laurisilva forest dating back 65 million years and among the last surviving fragments of the subtropical forests that covered southern Europe before the Ice Age. The TF-12 mountain road leads to Cruz del Carmen visitor centre, from where signed trails thread into the mist-draped forest. The viewpoint at Mirador Pico del Inglés at 992 metres gives sweeping views over both the Santa Cruz coastline and the northern coast of Tenerife. Car access greatly extends what is possible in the Anaga.
Playa de las Teresitas, 7 kilometres north of Santa Cruz in San Andrés, is Tenerife's most popular family beach — a wide arc of golden sand imported from the Sahara in the 1970s and sheltered by an offshore breakwater that keeps the water shallow and almost flat. The fishing village of San Andrés adjacent to the beach is known for seafood restaurants serving fresh fish, papas arrugadas with mojo sauces, and rice dishes (arroces) at moderate prices. A full day comfortably covers La Laguna, a short Anaga drive to Cruz del Carmen, and Las Teresitas beach for a late afternoon swim.
Highlights
- San Cristóbal de La Laguna UNESCO Historic City
- Catedral de La Laguna
- Calle Carrera colonial architecture
- Anaga Rural Park laurel forest
- Playa de las Teresitas golden sand beach
- San Andrés fishing village
Tips for visiting
- La Laguna's old town is very walkable. Anaga is best explored with a car. Las Teresitas beach is beautiful but can be busy on summer weekends.
When to visit
Year-round for La Laguna; autumn to spring for the Anaga laurel forest at its most atmospheric in low-hanging mist. Avoid Playa de las Teresitas on summer weekends and public holidays when it fills beyond comfortable capacity.
Frequently asked questions
Why is La Laguna a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
La Laguna was inscribed in 1999 for its 15th-century urban grid, the first European colonial city designed without defensive walls. Its layout became the model for Spanish urban planning in the Americas, with cities such as Havana, Lima, and Santo Domingo directly influenced by its plan.
How do visitors get from La Laguna to the Anaga Rural Park?
By car via the TF-12 mountain road to Cruz del Carmen visitor centre, approximately 20 minutes from La Laguna. Bus services to the Anaga are limited; a rental car or taxi is significantly more practical for reaching the viewpoints and trailheads.
What is there to eat in La Laguna's historic centre?
The old town has a wide range of cafés, tapas bars, and student-friendly restaurants. The Mercado Municipal on Calle Nava y Grimón sells local produce, and the main square has several terraces open for coffee and light meals. Traditional Canarian food — wrinkly potatoes, mojo, local cheese — is found at most local restaurants.
Is Playa de las Teresitas suitable for young children?
Yes — the offshore breakwater keeps the water exceptionally calm and shallow, making Las Teresitas one of the safest swimming beaches on Tenerife for young children. The sand is soft and the beach is wide, with sun-lounger and parasol rental available.
Are the Anaga hiking trails accessible without a guide?
Most main trails in the Anaga Rural Park are well-signed and mapped, with route information available at the Cruz del Carmen visitor centre. Easier trails such as the Sendero de los Sentidos are fully accessible to independent walkers. More challenging ridge routes benefit from the detailed maps available at the centre.