La Laguna City Guide: UNESCO Old Town on Tenerife

San Cristóbal de La Laguna — usually just La Laguna — is the only UNESCO World Heritage city in the Canary Islands, and the town everyone on Tenerife secretly wishes they lived in. It's a 30-minute tram ride from the coast, sits 1,000 m above sea level, and feels a world away from the resorts. Here's how to make the most of it.

A capital by accident

Founded in 1496 by Alonso Fernández de Lugo after the conquest, La Laguna was the island's first capital and the template for every colonial town Spain later built across Latin America. Its perfectly straight, grid-patterned streets, pastel houses and palm-lined plazas earned it the UNESCO listing in 1999 — and the historic centre is the reason it feels so different from anywhere else on the island. Everything worth seeing sits within a few minutes' walk.

What to see

• La Laguna Cathedral — the neoclassical cathedral with its landmark dome, in the heart of the old town.
• Iglesia de la Concepción — the town's oldest church, rebuilt in the 16th century, with a fine Mudéjar ceiling.
• Santuario del Cristo — home to the venerated crucifix that draws the September pilgrimage, the town's biggest celebration.
• Casa Lercaro — a 16th-century mansion that now holds the Museum of History and Anthropology, with exhibits on the Guanches.
• Convento de Santa Clara — founded in the 16th century as the island's first convent for women, with a peaceful cloister hidden behind its unassuming facade.
• Plaza del Adelantado and Calle de la Carrera — the beating heart of the old town, lined with cafés.

Eat and stay

La Laguna is one of the best places to eat well in the north — university-town prices, proper Canarian food and a strong café culture. For a sleep, the old town offers characterful hotels: the modern La Laguna Gran Hotel (4★, from €108), the elegant Laguna Nivaria (4★, from €116), the stylish Hotel Nava Suites (4★, from €120) and the boutique Hotel Boutique San Diego (3★, from €140).

When to visit

La Laguna hosts two of Tenerife's most atmospheric festivals: the Corpus Christi flower carpets in early June and the Fiestas del Cristo pilgrimage in September — with the charming blessing of the animals each 17 January.

Getting there

The Metropolitano tram runs every few minutes from Santa Cruz; line 111 reaches La Laguna directly from Tenerife South airport, and Tenerife North airport is just 10 minutes away. From the old town, the Anaga mountains and the Teide National Park are both within easy reach — making La Laguna the perfect base for seeing the real Tenerife. For a taste of the capital, Santa Cruz is a short tram ride away.

Eating in the old town

La Laguna's food scene is one of Tenerife's most interesting, and it hides inside centuries-old walls. Patio Canario is an authentic Canarian tavern in an 18th-century townhouse with a leafy interior patio, while San Cristóbal Gastrobar gives Canarian classics a creative modern twist. Restaurante Guaydil is a traditional bodega known for its artisan wines, and Mae, Caprichos de Mercado serves small plates inspired by the nearby market hall. For a step back in time, Maquila has been feeding the old town since 1953.