Home to the island’s north airport, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, to give it its Sunday Best name, was Tenerife’s capital up until 1821. Chosen for its elevated, inland position making it a clear vantage site and safe from the attentions of sea-faring brigands, the city was named after a nearby lagoon which supplied its water source but which no longer exists.

La Laguna quickly became the most populated city in the Canary Islands and attracted wealthy merchants, landowners, artisans and professionals to swell the population. With wealth came religion and by the end of the 16th century, more than 1000 dwellings made up the city including several convents and a multitude of churches and ermitas.

20th century housing developments have spread the city out across the Aguere Valley leaving La Laguna’s beautifully preserved old quarter to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site where elegant 16th, 17th and 18th century mansions display an eclectic range of architectural styles including Portuguese, Genoese, Flemish, French and Castilian.

A university city and busy commuter hub for the ‘new’ capital of Santa Cruz, La Laguna has a lively nightlife, excellent tapas bars, a cathedral that’s been closed for renovation as long as I’ve lived on the island, a strong spiritual life, and tram connectivity with the capital. It’s also considerably cooler than much of the rest of Tenerife and gets the lion’s share of rainfall, hence ‘La Laguna’. It’s the perfect venue for anyone looking for the real Tenerife and for day trippers. Don’t forget the brolly.

To get the most out of your visit to La Laguna make sure you have your copy of Real Tenerife  Island Drives OR Going Native in Tenerife

 

  • Accommodation in La Laguna

    There are fewer hotels in La Laguna now than there were a century and a half ago, such has been the impact of tourism on this fine city. But what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in character. See below for our opinion.

  • Restaurants in La Laguna

    With a population of students, academics and office commuters, the emphasis is on traditional Canarian and Castilian from cheap and cheerful churros to former convents festooned with Iberian hams.

  • Nightlife in La Laguna

    University term times see bars around the campus and Plaza de San Cristóbal buzzing with student life while Teatro Leal provides a suitably grandiose setting for avant garde theatre for the more discerning Laguneros.

  • The Pick of What To See in La Laguna

    Built as a model town for the new peaceful era following conquest, La Laguna was based on Leonardo da Vinci's plan for Imola which provided a series of squares in a grid format. The design was conceived as... [Read More...]


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Recommended Accommodation in La Laguna, Hotel Aguere

Sited directly opposite the Teatro Leal in the old quarter, the best thing about the 18th century Hotel Aguere is its lovely courtyard café where a slightly below par breakfast is served but where you can linger over their excellent coffee enjoying the ambience. Rooms have highly polished wooden floors and plenty of space to move around in and en suite bathrooms are generous in size but the courtyard layout can mean noise travels from other rooms.

Recommended Accommodation in La Laguna, Hotel Nivaria

Taking pole position facing directly onto Plaza del Adelantado, the Laguna Nivaria has been extensively refurbished this year (2011) and now proudly boasts four stars. A lovingly restored 16th century mansion, the hotel offers quasi apartment rooms, the standard doubles being geared more towards business than tourism with high speed Internet access via cable, but encompassing oodles of character and a modicum of charm nevertheless.

Recommended Restaurants in La Laguna

If you want some of the finest Castilian and Canarian tapas, head straight for the cloistered splendour and 18th century mansion setting of Patio Canario where the choice of hams alone is mind blowing. Popular with locals who enjoy the well prepared, traditional Canarian dishes is the Guaydil alongside the cathedral and just around the corner is Rucola y Grana where, if you enjoy Italian, you’ll fall in love with the food.