San Cristóbal de La Laguna

World Heritage Site since 1999

A gentle stroll through the streets of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and you soon realise why it is on UNESCO's list. As though they are transported in a time machine, visitors feel like they have travelled back more than 500 years in time, when navigation charts inspired the street plan. In fact, the layout of San Cristóbal can be read as a star chart and it set a precedent for cities such as La Havana and Lima. Its colonial essence is still intact today.When you visit, we recommend booking one of the guided tours organised by the Tourist Office which start on the beautiful Calle de San Agustín, where you will find the Casa Salazar, the old Convent of San Agustín and the Palacio de Lercaro. The city also boasts other beautiful landmarks such as the Plaza de Adelantado, Calle Herradores and the Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo de la Laguna. And there are two must-see attractions: the Cathedral (the only one in Tenerife) and the church of La Concepción. The church has a tower which you can go up to enjoy the curious experience of being in a small ‘skyscraper’ with views.

Canary Island cuisine, nearby beaches and trips round the island

Taking in the smells of the fresh produce and the flowers at the La Laguna Market and sitting back and watching the world go by on any of the terraces of the city’s restaurants is quite an experience. And if you're looking for the island's specialties, even better: waffle ice-cream, bienmesabe, puchero canario, papas arrugadas, accompanied by mojos, vieja sancochada (a typical fish dish) and much more. Those who enjoy authentic home cooking should head to one of the area's guachinches – traditional houses serving the traditional food of Tenerife – all accompanied by exquisite wines from Tacoronte-Acentejo.Because of its proximity to the sea, your plans could also include a trip to one of the beaches such as Arenal for a dip in the sea.A few kilometres away there are other towns such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz and LaOrotava and the nearby Anaga Rural Park with its Sendero de los Sentidos, or Path of the Senses.And during your break in Tenerife, you can take the opportunity to visit the highest peak in Spain, the Teide, for an experience that includes watching the sunset from a cable car and then stargazing in one of the best locations in the world to observe the stars.