San Cristóbal de La Laguna

History

First called Aguere by the indigenous Guanche inhabitants, the entire valley and the large lake which once existed in its depression (hence the Spanish name La Laguna) was originally a pilgrimage site. Following the Battle of Aguere in 1494, the Spanish officially established their own settlement in 1496 and declared it the capital of Tenerife, and later of all the Canary Islands.
The city centre with its current layout and architecture dates largely to the late 16th century. Its urban plan was considered to be so successful that it was then used as a blueprint for later Spanish colonial cities in the New World, including such diverse places as Oaxaca, Lima, and Havana. Whereas coastal cities on Tenerife were periodically raided by pirates, San Cristóbal de La Laguna enjoyed steady growth and peace because of its inland location.
By the end of the 17th century the tides started to turn however, and the city suffered from a declining population. In 1723, its title of capital was stripped and transferred to adjacent Santa Cruz de Tenerife. A consequence of the tampered growth is the conservation of most of the historic city centre, in contrast with Santa Cruz de Tenerife that transformed into a metropolis with a high rise skyline. For history and architecture loving travellers, the historic centre makes San Cristóbal de La Laguna a must-see destination when visiting Tenerife. Since the centre was declared a in 1999, additional protection measures have been taken to preserve the cultural heritage, and the most significant historical streets and squares have been closed off for motorized traffic. It is sometimes called the Florence of the Canary Islands because of its numerous churches and convents. Many tunnels, passages, and underground vaults have been discovered in the city in the 21st century, indicating that the current city was raised by as much as 1 metre as at the time of its founding. Some of these tunnels lie under iconic buildings such as the Iglesia de la Concepción, the Cathedral of La Laguna and the former Convent of San Agustín, among others. These suggests there are many archaeological secrets buried beneath the surface of the old town.
With 150,000 inhabitants, San Cristobal de La Laguna is still the third most populous city of the Canarias, after the capitals Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas. It was the ancient capital of the Canary Islands archipelago, and is still widely considered its cultural capital.

• Oficinas de Información Turísticas Municipales

  phone: +34 922 631 194
  address: C/ Obispo Rey Redondo, 7
  Located in a grand 17th-century manor. Helpful staff can advise on ongoing events and hand out free maps.

Climate

Unlike most other cities on the Canary Islands, San Cristóbal de La Laguna enjoys a Mediterranean climate instead of an arid climate. Temperatures are mild throughout the year, and the increased elevation prevents it from getting too hot in summer. The maritime and subtropical influences also keep temperatures above frost at all times. Most of the rain falls during winter months, which condenses from the prevailing northeasterly winds.

By plane

Tenerife Norte (Los Rodeos, TFN) is just next door to the city. Titsa bus lines 102, 107, and 108 all depart from the airport to the central bus exchange (intercambiador), which is a single stop away. Departures are approximately every half-hour, and a one-way ticket is €2.45, payable directly to the bus driver.
(Reina Sofia, TFS) is 70 km to the south-west, with good bus connections to the city.

By bus

La Laguna is well-connected with other parts of the island by bus, with most buses stopping at the (bus exchange), which is about a ten-minute walk to the centre. The Titsa Information Centre (tel. +34 922 381 807, M-F 06:00-20:00, Sa Su and holidays 09:00-17:00) has bus schedules and route maps, and sells ten+ cards.
From the Santa Cruz bus exchange, buses 14 and 15 arrive every 10 minutes or so, with a journey taking 20 minutes and costing €1.45. Buses 101, 102, and 103 serve Puerto de la Cruz, and 108 is the most direct bus to La Orotava.

By tram

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Line 1 of the MetroTenerife tram system (look for Atari like symbols) links Santa Cruz with La Laguna, terminating at , at the southern edge of the historic centre. Trams depart approximately every 10 minutes, and the journey takes 20 minutes. There is an automated ticket vending machine at every stop; a one-way fare costs , and ten+ cards are accepted. Smart cards need to be validated on the vehicle. To validate a journey for multiple travellers, touch the smart card to the validation machine once for every passenger.

By car

Motorway TF-5 connects the city with Santa Cruz to the east and with Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava to the west. From the south of the island, TF-1 connects with the shorter TF-2, from which travellers can pick up the TF-5.
The historic city is closed to motor traffic, and therefore drivers must park on the outskirts. There is a large public parking (/hr, max. /day) on the eastern edge of the old city with a another just a short distance north, but parking spaces can be very scarce, so be prepared to circle around the lot a few times before finding a space.

The historic city centre is completely pedestrianized and easy to walk around. For further distances, Titsa buses also function as the local bus service; see above for details.

The historic centre of San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a and having a walk around is worth a visit on its own. The most important sights are in the historic centre, many of the architectural highlights in the . There is a single ticket giving access to the Church of the Immaculate Conception (including ascent of the tower), the Casa Salazar, the Church of St. Dominic, and the Church-convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, for . Keep your ticket, as it will be perforated for each of the sights you visit.

Churches and cathedrals

• Church of the Immaculate Conception

  phone: +34 922 259 130
  address: Plaza de la Concepción
  Established in 1511, this is the oldest parish church on the island. The interior has beautifully-painted Mudejar wooden ceilings, and visitors can climb the bell tower, which is the tallest in the Canary Islands. It's prohibited to ring the bells, although very tempting! Outside the church is an ossuary with the remains of victims of many epidemics. Photography inside the church is not permitted. Tickets must be purchased from the ticket office next to the bell tower.

• Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna

  phone: +34 681 19 72 36
  address: Plaza de los Remedios
  Main religious building in the city, declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1983, and a in 1999. The current structure was built between 1904 and 1915 in the Neoclassical and Neogothic styles, on the site of an early 16th-century chapel which is believed had been built atop an earlier Guanche necropolis. Inside is the elaborate Baroque 18th-century altarpiece of the Virgin of Los Remedios (La Virgen de los Remedios), the patron saint of the city; seven painted panels have been attributed to the Flemish master Hendrick van Balen. Also noteworthy is the marble 18th-century pulpit carved by the Genoese master Pasquale Bocciardo. A visit accompanied by audio guide takes about 45 minutes.

• Convent of Santa Clara of AssisiThis working Franciscan convent was established in 1547 as the first nunnery in the Canary Islands. Inside, visitors can see the beautiful carved wooden balconies and visit the museum, which showcases monastic treasures of gold, silver, textiles, and sculpture and painting.

• Royal Sanctuary of the Christ of La Laguna

  address: Plaza San Francisco, s/n
  The most important religious building in the city, this houses the Cristo de La Laguna ('Holy Christ of La Laguna), one of the most venerated religious artifacts in the Canary Islands and a symbol of the city. The church also has an exact replica of the Shroud of Turin, one of only two copies existing in Spain.

• Church of St. Dominic of Guzmán

  phone: +34 922 259 927
  address: C/ Santo Domingo, 1
  Built on the site of an earlier chapel, the current church and the attached convent date to the 16th and 17th centuries. The church is known as the burial spot of Amaro Pargo, one of Spain's most infamous pirates, a La Laguna native who died here in 1747. Also noteworthy is the interior 22-metre-long fresco, painted in the 1940s by Mariano de Cossío and Martínez-Fortún.

• Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena

  phone: +34 922 25 85 30
  address: Calle Dean Palahi 1
  Dominican order convent at the Plaza del Adelantado, hosting the preserved body of Maria de Leon Bello y Delgado, popularly called La Siervita. The convent was founded in 1606 by alderman Juan de Cabrejas and his wife, who purchased the residence of Alonso Fernandez de Lugo in the eaerly 17th century and converted it into the convent. In 1611 the convent was inaugurated and 4 nuns from Seville moved in, multiplying to many hundreds of nuns over the next centuries. The current church is topped with a belfry with a single nave, and high and low choirs. Noteworthy are the 2 carved wooden access doors flanked by stonework arches. The altarpiece stands out in particular, along with the ironwork that separates the inner sanctum dating from the 17th century. The large altarpiece in the main chapel is from the hand of Antonio de Orbaran and Antonio Alvarez, dating from 1665. The convent was declared a cultural monument of the Canarias in 1986, and worth a visit.

• Convent of St. Agustin

  address: Calle San Agustín 46-48
  Convent attached to the fire damaged church of the same name, which became the first institute of the Canary Islands in 1846, the IES Cabrera Pinto.

• Church of the Dolores Hospital

  address: Calle San Agustín 40
  Church between the former Convent of St. Agustin and the Casa Salazar, occupied by the bishopric of Tenerife. It was the first permanent hospital in the city, dating back to the 16th century, whereas the church itself was only added in the 18th century. Pope Leo X authorized its construction in 1514, co-housing the Confraternity of Mercy, which soon relocated to the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. The church has a single rectangular nave and presbytery, and houses important artistic works from the 17th and 18th century, most of which were from the hands of Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana and Antonio Estévez. The gilded wooden altarpiece sands out, with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary.

• Church of St. Juan Bautista

  address: Calle Pablo Iglesias
  Parish church with a single nave decorated with timber sculptures dedicated to San Juan Bautista, the co-patron of the city, and before the 16th century merely a saint like any other. When the bubonic plague was brought into the city in 1581, concealed in tapestries imported from Flanders, an outbreak followed immediately and resulted in 9,000 casualties. The dead were buried in mass graves at an improvised cemetery. The outbreak was declared over when no more deaths had occurred for a year, on the 24th June 1582 the day of San Juan Bautista. As a monument in honour of the saint, a church was constructed and named after him near the cemetery.

• St. Juan Bautista Cemetery

  address: Leocadio Machado
  Improvised cemetery where over 9,000 victims of the 1581 bubonic plague outbreak are buried.

Architecture

• Casa Salazar

  address: Calle de San Agustín 28
  A Baroque palace, and one of the most outstanding examples of Canarian architecture that combines Mannerist and Neoclassical elements. The palace is the seat of the Dioscese of Nivariense. Construction started around 1829 by Cristóbal Salazar de Frías, and completed by his son around 1687 who becamse the first Count of Marqués de Estremiana. Bishop Ramón Torrijos y Gómez purchased the estate in 1891 and turned it into its current function of diocese. The palace is a cultural monument since 1982, and part of the historic centre that was declared a in 1999. The building was completely destroyed by a fire in 2006, leaving only the facade intact. The ruins underwent restoration and reconstruction following a crowdfunding campaign, and the palace was reopened to the public in 2009. The palace has 2 floors, in which the facade stands out with its central finish and gargoyle figure decorations.

• Plaza del AdelantadoOne of the central plazas in the city, named after conqueror of the island Tenerife, Alonso Fernandez de Lugo, who had his residence at this plaza in the 16th century where what is currently the Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena. Until the end of the 20th century the plaza was the most important location for public events, markets, processions, bullfights, and even the execution of death sentences. For the first centuries of its existence the plaza was barren, until it was paved for the first time in 1798 and trees were added to provide shadow in 1843. The central marble fountain is the most characteristic element of the plaza, and the most aesthetic of the historical quarter. It was sculpted in Marseille where it embarked to San Cristóbal de La Laguna in 1869. The 30 ton fountain arrived by ship, and was inaugurated in 1870.

• Adrián Alemán de Armas Library

  phone: +34 922 25 99 40
  address: Calle Juan de Vera 9
  Public library in a historic building, named after Adrián Alemán de Armas (1935 - 2008), a journalist, doctor in geography, and history and Spanish professor. This beautifully restored building is a prime example of historic architecture repurposed for modern needs. The library has free wifi access and power sockets. The garden has benches under lime trees providing shadow, making it a great place to rest.

• House of the General Captains

  address: Calle Obispo Rey Redondo 5
  Early 17th century house, constructed between 1624 and 1631, then known as the House of the General Captains after the 6 army captains who lived here between 1705 and 1723. Architectural curiosities are the windows set in red stone frames, arranged asymmetrically. The building is arranged around a central patio. Currently houses the City Hall and a tourist office. The atrium is worth a visit.

• Cabrera Pinto Institute Museum

  address: Calle Anchieta 58
  The oldest university on the Canary Islands, founded in 1846 by the rector of the San Fernando University which ceased to exist in 1845. Its main buildings are the old Augustinian convent housing the classrooms, assembly hall, gardens, and library. The museum has a historical collection with specimens from the past 4 centuries.

• Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Tenerife

  address: Calle San Agustin 23
  Society founded in the second half of the 18th century at the peak of the Enlightenment Age, with the aim of stimulating improvement in all aspects of public life and in all areas of knowledge, from social and experimental sciences to music and literature. The society is housed in a historic building with architectural contrasts between old and new.

• Mesa Mota Monument

  address: Camino Mesa Mota 2
  The International Tenerife Memorial March 27, 1977, erected in memory of the 583 victims of the Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) accident, the deadliest accident in aviation history. That morning, 2 Boeing passenger jets collided on the airports runway, killing almost all passengers in the resulting fire. From the site of the memorial there is a view of the airport and even, on clear days, the silhouette of Mount Teide. The monument was inaugurated on March 27, 2007 (the 30th anniversary of the disaster), in the presence of many relatives of those killed in the accident. It is shaped like a spiral staircase, with steps that connect the earth and sky. The 18 m high structure was designed by the Dutch artist Rudi van de Wint.

Museums and galleries

• Casa Lercaro / Museum of the History of Tenerife

  phone: +34 922 825 949
  address: C/ San Agustín, 22
  Housed in a reportedly haunted mansion which once belonged to an Italian noble family, the museum has exhibits illustrating Canarian life from the 17th to 19th centuries. Descriptions of exhibits are only in Spanish, but there is an English commentary availble for smartpones (be sure to bring a headset or earphones).

• Museum of Science and the Cosmos

  phone: +34 922 315 265
  address: Calle Via Lactea S/N
  Museum of astronomy, technology, and science, founded in 1993 by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC). It is the most important science and astronomy museum of the Canary Islands. The inauguration of the museum in 1933 was attended by Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev. The objective of the museum is the promotion of science, and has a focus on interactive exhibits and displays. It covers mostly astronomy but also many other sciences, and has displays on topics such as solar activity, model telescopes, human senses, and general physics principles. It also features a 6.5 m planetarium. Most exhibits only in Spanish, so a working knowlege of Spanish is required for full appreciation of a visit. With planetarium included, count ca. 2-3 hours for a complete visit.

• IES Canarias Cabrera Pinto

  phone: +34 922 250 742
  address: C/ San Agustín, 48
  This former convent is now the home to a school, known for such famous students as the surrealist painter Óscar Domínguez and the novelist Benito Pérez Galdós. Visitors can see the cloisters and two exhibit halls which have rotating temporary exhibits, usually of Canarian artists. The former convent church now lies in ruins and is off-limits to visitors, but it is possible to gain a peek of the interior through a window in the locked gate.

• Fundación Cristino de Vera

  phone: +34 922 262 873
  address: C/ San Agustín, 18
  The foundation has a permanent collection of artwork by Santa Cruz artist Cristino de Vera, and hosts temporary exhibits by other highly-regarded contemporary artists.

Nature

• Natural pools of Bajamar

  address: Avenida del Sol, Bajamar
  Three swimming pools at the ocean shore, with waves clashing against the breakwaters and continuously refreshing the water in the pools. Depending on wind and tide, waves can be several metres high and create huge walls of water to spectacular effects. The infrastructure is in a state of disrepair and showers are not functional, but a shower of cold ocean water splashing up is well worth a visit on its own.

• Mirador de Jardina

  address: Tf 12
  Viewpoint in Anaga, with one of the best views over the city.

• Mirador Cruz del CarmenViewpoint at 920 m with a wonderful view over the valley and the city. There is a chapel (Ermita de la Cruz del Carmen) that's worth a visit.

• Mirador de Aguaide

  address: Sendero Fermin Delgado
  Viewpoint on a short distance from the Chinamada village, with views on the coastline and surrounding countryside. For nature lovers there are plenty of lizards and birds to spot, and colourful flowers in spring.

• Anaga National Park Visitor Centre

  phone: +34 922 63 35 76
  address: Barrio Cruz Carmen 2
  Visitor centre of the park, where you can pick up a map to aid hiking trips. There is a small exhibition in Spanish complemented with leaflets in English.

• Leal TheaterTheatre in eclectic style, used for film screenings and theatre performances. With a capacity of 608 spectators, it is among the largest of its kind left on the Canaries, and has been renovated from the 90s until the late 2000s.

• Mercado Municipal de la Laguna

  phone: +34 922 253 903
  address: Plaza del Cristo, s/n
  A good place to buy fruit, vegetables, and artisanal products as well as clothing at good prices.

• Dialprix

  phone: +34 922 630 210
  address: Calle San Agustin 41
  A small supermarket selling snacks, drinks, and convenience items.

• Spar

  phone: +34 922 88 81 85
  address: Calle Bencomo 6
  Small supermarket selling fruits and vegetables, bread, snacks, and drinks as well as some convenience items.

• Ale-hop

  address: Calle Obispo Rey Redondo 53
  A slightly oddish souvenir shop with a cow sticking out of the door.

• SexBoutique

  phone: +34 922 102850
  address: Calle Herradores 84
  A small erotic shop with lingerie and toys.

• Pampling

  address: Calle Herradores 101
  A T-shirt shop with designs from artists from around the world, many of which inspired on pop culture.

• Kactus

  phone: +34 922 25 95 68
  address: Plaza de la Concepcion 8
  The greatest souvenir shop in the city, selling local products like postcards with volcanic sand, skin scrubs with volcanic rocks, aloe vera based products, and various banana and rum liquors.

• Momentos

  phone: +34 922 631 082
  address: c/ San Agustin N7
  Gift shop for couples.

There are plenty of tapas bars and cafés in the centre; prices in the pedestrian zone tend to be higher than on the outskirts. There are also some excellent cake shops with great prices.

• Ca'Zona

  phone: +34 922 267 393
  address: Plaza de la Concepción, 22
  This very popular restaurant serves traditional tapas as well as full meals. Indoor and outdoor seating, indoor seating has a view over the kitchen. The paella for is extremely good value. There is a selection of deserts to choose from the black refrigerator at the entrance, with excellent tiramisu and chocolate pudding.

• Tasca La Venta de la Esquina

  phone: +34 673 094 514
  address: Plaza Concepción, 9
  A lively tapas place offers traditional Canarian-style tapas as well as a large wine selection.

• El Capricho

  phone: +43 922 54 33 39
  address: Avenida Gran Poder 21, 38250 Bajamar
  High quality food prepared to order, but for reasonable prices. The setting, a dining room filled with antiquities, is rather interesting as well.

• Guanchinche Paraiso

  phone: +34 822 773 879
  address: c/ Ascanio y Nieves 7
  Traditional restaurant specialized in Canarian food. Try their goat meat stew (Carne de cabra) for or the chicken in red mojo sauce for .

• Los Tarajales

  phone: +34 922 540 260
  address: Avenida Gran Poder 6
  Fine dining restaurant close to the pools. Their cuisine is mostly continental, with a touch of Spanish specialties. Their steak (with mushroom or peppercorn sauce) for is good value. Also worth trying are their Canarian deserts, most notably bienmiele, a desert with honey and nuts.

• Palmelita

  phone: +34 922 25 04 05
  address: Plaza de la Concepción 14
  Cafe with outdoor seating with view on the magnificent bell tower. Their fresh fruit salad for and barraquitos for are worth the money. They also have a variety of cakes to choose from. You'll need to pay inside at the counter.

Since there are so many students in the area, there is little accommodation available for tourists.

Budget

• Hostal Berlín

  phone: +34 922 255 043
  address: C/ Marcelino Perdomo Reyes, 1

Mid-range

• Hotel Aguere

  phone: +34 922 314 036
  address: C/ Obispo Rey Redondo, 55
  Located in a restored 18th-century manor, the hotel also has an onsite bar-restaurant and a couple of shops. Free Wi-Fi is in the lobby.

• Hotel Laguna Nivaria

  phone: +34 922 264 298
  address: Plaza del Adelantado, 11
  The centrally-located hotel offers apartment rooms with kitchens. Other facilities include a fitness centre, onsite restaurant, and free Wi-Fi; pets permitted by request. Private parking €8/day.

• Casa Rural Finca El Picacho

  phone: +34 670 80 52 53
  address: Los Mohos 8
  Posh hotel far away from the tourist mobs, with open air swimming pool.

Splurge

• MC San Agustin

  phone: +34 922 825 194
  address: San Agustin 12
  Posh hotel in a 18th-century house with a mix of classic and modern design.

The city is home to the with ca. 30,000 students, the first university of the Canary Islands archipelago, founded in 1701. Courses are taught in Spanish, although some English language MScs have become more common since the Bologna Process reforms in 2009.

The historic centre of the city is very safe and mostly pedestrianized. Walking around alone at night should not be an issue, although isolated incidents with drunk students are always possible in the early morning hours.
Pickpocketing is an issue around the busiest tourist hotspots (cathedral square etc) and where outdoor seating facilities for restaurants and bars concentrate into large numbers of tables in a crowded area.
Parkings are unsupervised at night, so avoid leaving valuables in sight in vehicles to reduce the chance of windows being smashed.

The new tram system takes you to Santa Cruz bus station in about 40 minutes for €2.35 return. There are also frequent buses taking you from the new bus station close to Avenida Trinidad: number 015 directly to Santa Cruz via highway in just 15 minutes or 014 which takes more time as it goes through the city.

• — capital of Tenerife, and shared capital of the Canaries
• — Guanche era colonial town, famous for its wines