The best way to discover La Laguna is on foot. Stroll the cobblestone lanes and palm-fringed plazas of the Old Town, stopping to admire the colourfully painted townhouses, ancient churches, and colonial-era mansions. Don’t miss a visit to the landmark Church of the Conception, where you can take in the views from the bell tower; the early 20th-century Teatro Leal, with its exquisite interior paintings and murals; and the Cathedral of San Cristóbal, the island’s only cathedral.
La Laguna is located in northern Tenerife, six miles (10 kilometers) inland from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The easiest way to get there is to ride the tram from Santa Cruz, an about 15-minute journey. If you’re traveling by car, the TF-5 highway runs between the two cities and it’s an about 15-minute drive. Tenerife North Airport is located just outside the city and is also connected by tram.
La Laguna is a popular spot for summer sightseeing and it’s worth lingering into the evening hours to enjoy the nightlife. The most atmospheric time to visit is during the annual Semana Santa celebrations at Easter, when a giant parade takes over the Old Town, or the Corpus Christi festival (May/June), when the streets are blanketed with flowers.
La Laguna is home to some of Tenerife’s most important museums. The Museum of the History of Tenerife at Casa Lercaro has exhibitions on Tenerife’s colonial era, while the Museum of Science and the Cosmos is a family favorite, full of hands-on science experiments and interactive exhibitions. In neighboring Santa Cruz, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology houses a fascinating exhibition on the life and culture of the Guanche people, and the Historical Military Museum of the Canary Islands displays WWII tanks and artillery.
