First Published: January 5, 2023 |

La Orotava - Tenerife (6).min

La Orotava

La Orotava is a town in the north of Tenerife. It is located on one of the slopes of Mount Teide and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Tenerife.

A large part of the surface area of this town is forest forest, and it is the municipality that is home to the largest extension of the Teide National Park with a total of 80% of its surface area.

The historic centre of La Orotava has had the distinction of Historic-Artistic Site since 1976 due to the beauty of its buildings, which are kept in a perfect state of conservation despite the passage of tourists.

La Orotava - Tenerife (11).min

Walk along its streets where you can breathe a distinctive stately air, enjoy the views and observe the different colonial houses with colourful flowers on their balconies.

La Orotava Valley

The Orotava Valley is noted for its radiant gardens, waterways and fabulous climate that together form an incredible landscape led by the Teide volcano. Within the valley you will find:

  • Teide National Park
  • Corona Forestal Natural Park
  • Pinoleris Nature Reserve
  • Protected landscape of La Resbala

winter landscape of Teide National Park

Beaches of La Orotava

Although only a small part of the town borders the sea and most of it is made up of cliffs, there are three beaches with dark sand of volcanic origin:

  • Playa Ancon: it is a wild beach that few people get to because of its complicated access. You have to walk for about 30 minutes along a path from the place where you park your car. For this reason it is an exclusive beach and ideal for those who are looking for a bit of privacy.
  • Playa de los Patos: It is mostly visited by surfers who enjoy its active waves and naturists interested in the endemic species of the region.
  • Playa Bollullo: is a beautiful wild beach very popular in Tenerife. It is easily accessible and offers excellent facilities so it receives many bathers especially during the summer. It has a parking area and sun loungers and umbrellas for rent.

Corpus Christi Celebrations

This is one of the most representative celebrations in this region. It is held between May and June and it is customary to make carpets with flowers in front of the town hall. The main carpet is made with volcanic sand brought from Mount Teide. It is a large carpet that occupies the entire surface of the square, and sands of all colours are used for it.

This celebration became more important from the 19th century onwards when the Monteverde family made a carpet of flowers to celebrate the passing of the Corpus Christi processions in front of their house.

La Orotava - Tenerife (9).min

Easter Week

This is a major event of great importance in La Orotava. Every year it receives a large number of people for the commemoration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. The streets are filled with processions with local and foreign images. Many families organise themselves to keep the images, which are carried on wooden or silver thrones. This is one of the celebrations in which the architectural heritage of the town is intermingled with the anthropological values of its inhabitants.

Gastronomy

There you will find a wide variety of typical dishes that combine local fish with the crops of the midlands, as well as stews, meats, cheeses and local wines. But you will also find international restaurants so that you have a wide variety of options at your disposal.

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