Top 5 things to do in La Orotava

Situated in the sublime and highly sought-after Canary Islands, La Orotava is a destination that will appeal to nature lovers and those who want to spend some quality time relaxing by the beach. To get to La Orotava, it’s best to hire a car. The nearest airport is Tenerife, some twenty kilometres away. A car is all the more necessary as La Orotava is situated at an altitude of around 400 metres, at the foot of the Teide Natural Park. It will come in handy for visiting the surrounding area and the island itself, if you feel like it.

1- Visit the banana plantations

Category: €€€ / Cultural

Description: When you arrive in the Canary Islands, you won’t want to miss the hundreds of hectares of banana plantations. This is the largest banana production area in Europe, with over 150,000 kg of bananas produced every year. On this tour, you’ll wander through the thousands of banana trees, accompanied by a guide. You’ll also meet local producers who will explain how they farm. Of course, you won’t leave without tasting at least one of these organic bananas. You can even enjoy a shot of banana liqueur.

2- Discover Spain’s highest peak

Category: €€ / Sensations / Sportive

Description: The Tenerife region boasts a natural heritage that is unique in Spain. You can take a dip in the turquoise blue waters or follow the winding paths of the Teide National Park. This is one of Europe’s most visited national parks. It is also home to Spain’s highest point with its namesake volcano, Teide, with a peak that reaches 3,715 metres. This park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a number of activities, including hiking in an opportune setting. The hike is accompanied by a local guide who knows the 30 or so paths leading up to the Pico de Teide inside out. When you reach the top, you can admire the view over the whole island.

3- Discover Los Arcos by canyoning

Category: €€€ / Unusual / Sensations / Sporty

Description: Lovers of physical activity will be delighted with this type of outing. As well as exercising, you’ll be able to admire the impressive geology of this canyon. You’ll be accompanied by an expert guide who will also tell you all about the history of the area. After warming up, with your equipment installed and your guide’s instructions given, you’ll start to descend the rock faces. You’ll descend several of them, discovering different landscapes, each as surprising as the next, and your eyes will thank you. It’s worth pointing out, however, that this activity is reserved for people aged 12 and over. If the weather does not allow you to do the activity, you can postpone it to a later date or receive a full refund.

4- Discover La Casa de Los Balcones

Category: € / Cultural

Description: The island of Tenerife is renowned for its beautiful historic houses, such as La Casa de Los Balcones. As its name suggests, this house has several balconies that are well worth a visit. The house, now a museum, was built in 1632. A number of relics from the Canary Islands are on display, including works of art and ceramic embroidery. You can also admire the magnificent interior decoration, which is purely traditional. The three-storey building has five balconies and a lovely patio adorned with plants.

5- Discover the vineyards and THE lookout point at La Orotava

Category: €€€ / Unusual / Gastronomic / Cultural

Description: When visiting a country, its gastronomy and specialities are essential to a good visit. Before learning more about the vineyards of La Orotava, you’ll head to the Humboldt viewpoint, the town’s most famous. Here, your guide can tell you all about the history of the Canary Islands in an idyllic setting. Your visit will continue to the Gofio Museum, located in the heart of the Lercaro Palace. The museum is dedicated to one of the ingredients used in the vast majority of dishes: gofio. Gofio is a flour made from roasted cereals. To round off your visit in the best possible way, there’s nothing like a good tasting of local wines. You’ll realise just how special these woven-string vineyards are. You’ll also learn about the history of these centuries-old wines, which are referred to in some of Shakespeare’s works. You will have the opportunity to taste three wines accompanied by a small snack.