Tenerife is a land that offers much more than its beautiful beaches. If you want to know the true essence of the island, take a walk with us through its most emblematic cities that have remained immobile in time. Our tour will take you by the hand through the history of Tenerife, from the home of the first aborigines to the founding of the small cities. On this tour you are the explorer!
We begin our adventure entering the Valley of La Orotava, historical and cultural center of the island. It was home to the wealthiest classes of Tenerife, being next to La Laguna, property of marquises and dukes. In this way there are imposing buildings such as the Lercaro house, the Casa de los Balcones or the Molina house with more than 400 years of history. Its streets evoke past times and peasant tradition. There is still the aroma of freshly made gofio from mills that face the passage of time, as well as other small family businesses that continue to be active.
Our first stop is the Casa de los Balcones. As we climb the cobbled San Francisco street, we see its immediately recognizable balconies made of wood. It seems that with its large number of doors and windows It would like to welcome us immediately to offer us rest. Inside we are offered samples of all kinds of Canarian crafts. You will be amazed especially by the technique of the fretwork, which we will see exquisitely applied by craftsmen in the traditional clothes called '' Traje de Mago '', also you can buy small pieces such as handkerchiefs and tablecloths that represent the most special souvenir.
Immediately we enjoy a refreshing walk through one of the most charming environments on the island, the magnificent Victoria Gardens. It seems that we are walking through a palace! and we were not wrong, because this place belonged to the house of the Marquis ''de la Quinta Roja''. It is integrated by seven floors of meticulously distributed vegetation, adorned with water fountains, columns, doors and other architectural elements. In addition stands out a great main staircase that takes to the mausoleum of the Marquis, a stone building that crowns the garden. From above, you will enjoy the beautiful view of the historic center with the picturesque tile roofs of the traditional houses, the Plaza de la Constitución, the summer house of the Marquis and the gardens themselves.
In our adventure through the historic cities of Tenerife, we leave the Orotava Valley and head to La Laguna. Nowadays, this city is the center of culture and religiosity in Tenerife. We invite you to stroll through its long streets surrounded by iconic buildings that make up the historic site declared a World Heritage Site. Also, this town has a space for magnetism and fantasy: if you are curious, you can ask any local for any of the many ghost stories that have gone and go from mouth to ear.
In our adventure through the historic cities of Tenerife, we leave the Orotava Valley and head to La Laguna. Nowadays, this city is the center of culture and religiosity in Tenerife. We invite you to stroll through its long streets surrounded by iconic buildings that make up the historic site declared a World Heritage Site. Also, this town has a space for magnetism and fantasy: if you are curious, you can ask any local for any of the many ghost stories that have gone and go from mouth to ear.
However, the most enigmatic place is its mountains. We ascend to''Monte de las Mercedes'', where we will also visit a viewpoint. Consequently, we will progressively move from visiting historical monuments to natural ones. As we gain altitude, you will feel how little by little you get immersed in a rarefied atmosphere: the beautiful forest receives you with a characteristic eucalyptus scent and sometimes, depending on the time of year you visit it, a mysterious fog. Do not miss the opportunity to look at the vegetation that surrounds you, since you may have the luck to spot some of the fantastic creatures that according to the legends, inhabit there.
Therefore, after a brief stop at the Laguna viewpoint, we advance towards the Anaga rural park. Thus, we came into direct contact with the prehistory of Tenerife: 14,500 hectares of the purest nature. Anaga is the oldest part of the island and holds the most unique landscapes in the world, many of them available to be explored on foot. The different paths allow you to admire the beauty of the rural park and lose the notion of space and time. If you go deep enough, you run the risk of not wanting to return to the civilization. The pure air that breathes there makes you feel alive, the silence comforts you and inevitably you feel bonded to that land. You will realize why the Canarian aborigines defended their kingdom until the end.
As we descend we enter the small town of Taganana, a place where you can enjoy the charm of the fishing village, savoring the freshest seafood and local fish. All this accompanied by beautiful views of wild black sand beaches, guarded by stunning rocks. It will be an experience you will not forget, the perfect finishing touch for our visit to the rural park.
Our next destination is quite different, Santa Cruz, the capital of the Island. Bordering the mountains we are received by the beautiful beach of Las Teresitas, with its exotic Sahara sand and its calmed water. It surprises us how during all our excursion the landscapes are transitioning gracefully offering each time a new surprise. This area of the municipality called San Andrés, is popular for its past as a point of defense of the island and so is corroborated by the old military fortress of ''San Andrés'' Castle, a place of great historical importance to thwart the attack of the English admiral Horatio Nelson in 1797 .
At this point it's time to stretch our legs and venture into the heart of Santa Cruz. We enjoy the effervescent activity of the center: a cosmopolitan city, place of departure and entrance of the island, cultural and political center. You will feel like in in a great European city without the crushing bustle of these. Here we have time to go shopping and take a pleasant walk admiring the squares, large buildings, gardens and other outdoor spaces offered by the town. Finishing the on-foot visit , we will follow the Anaga avenue to the municipality of Candelaria, but before, we will be saluted by the work of the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava: the Adán Martín Auditorium. The building houses the headquarters of the Opera of Tenerife, and is an authentic cultural institution in Tenerife.
In Candelaria we go back to the most deeply rooted traditions of the island. There, in a privileged place is the basilica of ''Nuestra señora de Candelaria'', patron saint of the Canary Islands. The devotion to the Virgin goes back to the times of the first settlers and continues to remain today. Therefore, in the square of the basilica you can see the nine impressive statues of the ''Menceyes'', ''Guanche'' rulers.
They seem to protect forever that image that one day came to a beach in Tenerife and worked miracles among its people. Believer or not, the legend will haunt you. In addition, the town is a beautiful seaside site where you can admire the Atlantic Ocean and the whimsical coastal forms that rise along this part of the island.
We finish the tour in the municipality of Güimar. Here we visit the ethnological park ''Pirámides de Güimar'', a place full of controversy for the six stone pyramids that it exhibits. They have been related to the Mayans or Egyptians for their special architecture, but their origin has never been clarified. Inside the park you can enjoy a walk through its botanical gardens, as well as the opportunity to know the history of the discovery and research on the pyramids through an interesting documentary.
We highly recommend this excursion, because as you have observed it is a collection of images and sensations without equal. It will create an album of unrepeatable memories in a short amount of time. Each destination of this tour has been chosen with care by the organization to show the different charms of the island. Like the first explorers, you'll leave in love with Tenerife. Contact us!
