San Cristóbal de La Laguna
A UNESCO World Heritage colonial town and Tenerife's former capital.
La Laguna's grid-planned old town was the template for many Spanish colonial cities in the Americas, which is part of why it's UNESCO-listed. Its streets are lined with historic churches, university buildings (it's a genuine university town) and colourful balconied facades.
It has a livelier, younger everyday atmosphere than a typical historic centre thanks to the student population, with a good spread of local bars and casual restaurants.
A modern tram line connects La Laguna directly to Santa Cruz, making the two easy to combine in a single day trip.
Look beyond the main squares and you'll find quieter streets lined with original 16th- and 17th-century facades, several small museums, and a genuinely good, affordable food scene aimed at students rather than tourists. It's also noticeably cooler than the coast thanks to its inland, elevated position — worth knowing if you're visiting in high summer.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Vibe | Historic, youthful, authentic |
| Best for | History and architecture, pairing with Santa Cruz |
Practical tips
- ✓Bring a light layer even in summer — La Laguna sits higher and cooler than the coastal resorts.
- ✓The tram connects directly to Santa Cruz in about 20 minutes, making a combined day trip easy without a car.
- ✓Term-time (roughly October to June) brings a livelier bar and restaurant scene thanks to the university population.