0871 423-5051
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0871 423-5051
Only £25 deposit per booking
Calling all you bohemian and cultural fans out there, if you're in Tenerife and planning some tours, or looking for a cultural and historical base then La Laguna, one time capital of Tenerife, is where to head. Situated in the north close to Santa Cruz, San Cristobal La Laguna feels like a historic small town than mammoth sister Santa Cruz - it's a joy with some superb specialist clothes shops, beautiful churches, lazy day cafe squares and some of the best examples of eccentric Canarian architecture in the Canary Islands - unmissible indeed, and bonus there's some superb museums here too exploring Guanche history, Canary Island art and a science and technology museum.
Hit La Laguna in September during the festival period and have a ball, with lots going on for kids in the square, bustling markets, live music and general partytime with a real family oriented festival feel. Definitely a highlight on any Canary Island itinery!
San Cristobel de la Laguna remains largely as it was in the late 15th century - narrow streets, numerous Canarian Mansions and exquisite architecture dating back to the 15th century with delightful balconies, facades and wooden doors and window shutters everywhere you look. There's some pertinent historic buildings in La Laguna, integral to Canary Islands history. Take the Ayuntamento (townhall) in La Laguna - the Canary Islands councils once met here. La Laguna's university was established in 1701, and is the oldest in the Canary Islands. Important Canarian documents are housed in a selection of libraries, for example the Economic Society of Tenerife has a library here with a collection of ancient books in French, British, Latin and Spanish documenting important changes influence by the Age of Enlightment in the Canaries and so on. In the 1700s La Laguna was a cosmopolitan mix of merchants, government bureaucrats and religious leaders.
Contemporary La Laguna is still a bustling centre but for different reasons - there's a strong student vibe here now and a strong art and live music scene. Bohemia sits alongside historical heritage enthusing La Laguna with a unique energy. Specialist clothing shops, arts and crafts, fine cafes and restaurants (including a good choice of vegetarian options) give La Laguna a real edge. Canarian Mansions, demonstrating the unique eccentricity of Canarian architecture, to keep your eyes open for include a selection of old houses on Calle San Agustin and Casa de los Capitanes beside the town hall.
If you're on the Canary Islands church trail you'll be in your element - seek out Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion on Plaza Concepcion, the main Catedral on Plaza Catedral, the Iglesia de Santo Domingo on Calle Santo Domingo and further outside the centre Santuario San Francisco on the edge of Plaza San Francisco. The wooden sculpture of Christ being crucified in Santuario San Francisco is renowned across the Canaries.
La Laguna Tourist Kiosk, Plaza Adelanto s/n, La Laguna. Tel. 922 63 11 94. Here you can pickup an English World Heritage Site pamphlet on La Laguna.
The Tenerife History Museum, C/ San Agustin, 22 (Casa Lercaro), Tel: 922 825 949, 38201 San Cristobal de La Laguna. Opening Times are Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am. to 7 pm. Visit on Sundays and it's free entrance. This important island museum houses numerous Tenerife archive documents and is housed with Casa Lercaro dating from 1593. The focus here is civil, military and religious history - an insight into the psychology of the powerful! Eleven rooms display a large collection of maps and offer a comprehesive look at how Tenerife evolved institutionally, economically, culturally and socially from the 15th century onwards.
Museum of Science and the Cosmos, C/ Via Lactea, s/n (near the Canary Island Astrophysics Institute) 38200 San Cristobal de La Laguna. Tel: 922 315 265. Interactive, hands on science and cosmos related exhibits here, plus a planetarium. Exhibitions are split into 5 areas - the Sun, the Earth, the Universe, the Human Body and How Does it Work.
Tenerife Anthropology Museum, Carretera Tacoronte - Valle de Guerra (Casa de Carta) 38270 Valle Guerra (La Laguna) Tel: 922 546 300. Opening Times are Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. Monday closed. Sunday: Free entrance. Focus is on popular culture on the Canary Islands. Exhibitions have included 'Food and Culture' on the Canary Islands.
La Laguna loves it's Festivals. Easter week is a big affair in La Laguna, with a palm leaf procession and numerous religious oriented events. The Nuestra Senora Del Rosario is carried in procession through the streets in the first hal of October, follwoed by fireworks and celebrations. Romeria de San Benito Abad takes place on the first Sunday of July. Fiesta del Santisimo Cristo runs from 7th to 15th September and Carnaval is February and March. Corpus Christi in June is also a big affair in La Laguna.
Situated on the north eastern side of Tenerife, the Anaga Mountains remain untouched by tourism and a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of Santa Cruz and the southern resorts. These are old mountains, and they look it, sublime in their beauty, they're a haven for walkers with numerous spots to pull over and take a hike! For an excellent list of Anaga Mountain trails, taking you through Laurel forests and more, checkout the weblink right for details.
The T12 is an excellent mountain road, much less demanding than the mountain roads around Teno, making it a relaxing and stunningly beautiful drive either down to historic La Laguna or down to Taganana - highly recommended if you have a hire car!
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