La Orotava is a charming old town with origins dating as far back as 16th century. Today, La Orotava stands proud of its roots brimming with colorful tradition, opulent architecture, and natural bounty. Situated at the Orotava Valley Tenerife island, La Orotava is a destination bespoke of history, charm, and beauty.
La Orotava has a lot to offer to different types of travelers. If you’re looking to vacation in Tenerife where you get to bask in nature in its unspoiled state, a trip to La Orotava is a trip you wouldn’t want to miss.
Charming History
La Orotava has one of the most colorful histories on this side of Tenerife, proven by the well-preserved aristocratic architecture still standing since the 16th century. At most parts of the town, the cobblestone streets outside the historic mansions like the Casa de los Balcones are reminiscent of the town’s interesting past. In fact, La Orotava was once one of the most popular residences of Canary’s noble families.
Secluded Beaches
Whereas most of Tenerife’s beach towns are congested by foreign and local tourists the whole year round, La Orotava’s secluded beaches are the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. Some of the best beaches sporting a dramatic scenery and fine black sand are the Playa de el Bollulo. The café in the Playa serves some of the best-tasting tapas and bocadillos in town.
Those who don’t mind a short hike will find the Playa Los Patos an interesting destination. The beach sports fine black sand and dramatic cliffs on the foreground. Or, you could get some tan at the Playa El Ancon. The waves are too high and strong for a leisurely swim, but the breathtaking view is enough to give the place a visit.
Unforgettable Adventures
Although the town is old and is small in size, it offers heaps of adventures bound to make your trip memorable. When in La Orotava, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Teide National Park. Boosting of the immense abundance of the wildlife and fantastic scenery from its location of 2,000 meters above sea level, it’s not surprising to know that this park draws thousands of visitors each year.
If you want to take your adventure to the next level, you may opt to visit Mount Teide’s crater itself. A short cable ride will take you to the foot of the active volcano, and then hike for 40 minutes until you find the crater. From that vantage point, you can easily see the whole Tenerife Island, along with four others nearby.
La Orotava is the perfect combination of subtle and bold; relaxing and adventurous, and old and new. Ironically, this small town holds a vast collection of museums, old houses and churches, and gardens that are reminiscent of its rich culture and history.
Meanwhile, La Orotava also has some of the most pristine beaches in the island of Tenerife, made even more interesting with the black volcanic sands at the shoreline and clear blue skies at the horizon. La Orotava may be old and small, but it packs a potent punch of experience that can make your holiday worth it.