Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz

Top Things to Do in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain - Puerto de la Cruz Attractions

Things to Do in Puerto de la Cruz


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Top Attractions in Puerto de la Cruz

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Gardens
The mansion was built in 1730 and it seems was originally the headquarters and wine cellars of a Dutch wine exporting company. In 1774 it was purchased by a Mr.Archibald Little a British merchant whose family owned the house until 1854 (thereby the name Little's Place, in Spanish SITIO LITRE) In 1856 the property was bought by a Mr.Charles Smith whose family have owned the house right up until 1996, a period of 140 years. The historic English garden was first planned by the Little family, and added to by the Smith family. Many famous personalities have spent time in SITIO LITRE either as house guests or simply as guests at the numerous garden parties given in the magic garden. Amongst the most famous house guests were William Wilde, the father of Oscar Wilde, but possibly the most famous of all was Marianne North, the well known botanical painter, who lived in this house for two months in 1875, she is remembered in the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in London, where all her 832 paintings are on view. Many of her Tenerife works were painted in this garden (and we have placed copies of these around the garden, so you can see that even after 130 years, the garden is practically the same) Party guests were numerous, but to name only three, we can mention Sir Richard Burton, who passed through Tenerife on two occasions between 1860 and 1863, Sir Richard was the first European to enter the holy city of Mecca (dressed as a Muslim), he also discovered lake Tanganika, but he is best known for having translated the three erotic works of the east into English, these being "The Kamasutra", "The perfumed garden" and "The Arabian Nights". Many years later Agatha Christie and her daughter Rosalyn were on holiday in Puerto de la Cruz, the year was 1927 and she had just divorced her first husband, she was so inspired by the gardens that she wrote one of her novels, basing the plot in Puerto de la Cruz "The mysterious Mr.Quin". The first of all these guests should not be forgotten, he was one of the world's most famous discoverers and botanist. The famous German explorer Alexander Von Humboldt, he was the guest of honour at a party given for him on June 23rd 1799 by Mr Archibald Little. The house is still a private residence but the owners have decided to open the gardens to visitors, so they can savour this "Vision of Eden" and view the lovely collection of orchids, possibly the best in the Canary Islands. The SITIO LITRE garden is the oldest surviving garden in Tenerife, now 235 years old. It has been owned continuously by British families since 1774.
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Other Top Attractions around Puerto de la Cruz

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What travellers are saying

  • Wendy R
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Absolutely loved it here, watched the dolphin show and the orca show, the bird show, loved the penguins as well. Loads of places to eat and plenty to see.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Helen662
    Watford, UK92 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A lovely place to visit, within 0.5km from our accommodation. €3 per adult entry, which is very reasonable.
    Found the uploaded interactive map difficult to use, for example going back to the map after you’ve read the piece you require. Found it easier to take photographs and then look at the description later.
    The information available it’s a very informative visit, with some very unusual specimens. Enjoyed reading the informative conservation work that in conjunction with work in Peru.
    Written 13 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • kirsty
    Scotland, UK5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visited here twice during our 7 night stay in puerto! You definitely get value for money. €5.50 per person & then €2.50 for a parasol. The drink is reasonably priced aswell. Full area is very clean & tidy. The pools are great & plenty of them. Can’t comment on the food as we didn’t eat but what we saw looked good enough.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tony_greenshields
    Birmingham, UK30 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely beach with soft black sand, it's a bit of a treck to get to on foot, but you can get a cab from Port del la Cruz or hire a car and drive down the single winding track to a resturant above with a 3 euro car park. It's well worth a visit but it's a long was down a lot of steep steps so it's not for the physically challenged.
    Written 5 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • zuv
    Bucharest, Romania27,166 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We passed by here on our way from Puerto de la Cruz to the Teide Volcano. It is a beautiful area, full of greenery. Forest, from place to place, few houses, small agricultural lands, domestic animals from place to place.
    I see that many people have posted reviews about the town of La Orotava, which is completely different thing.
    Written 25 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Janet R
    Newcastle upon Tyne, UK144 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely square with lots of places to eat and drink with a childrens play area in the centre and band stand for performances. There is some lovely street art round about and at night we came across some live music.
    Written 17 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • betterthanwork
    Nottingham, UK1,337 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    An attractive Church in the centre of Puerto, with a pleasant little square at the rear.
    Unable to look round inside other than s quick peep, as there was a Sunday service taking place.
    Written 10 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Christine R
    Cornwall, UK6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It wasn't obvious where to hire the sunbeds and umbrella from, but we did find a large area in the shade at the far end of the beach and it was also the best place to swim as it was less wavey.
    There's free toilets and changing room, which was really useful and reasonably clean.
    Written 5 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • zuv
    Bucharest, Romania27,166 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A not very big but beautiful park. Located on a hillside, which makes it offer a very beautiful view of the city. Rich vegetation, paths going up in steps, a few small ponds, unfortunately not very well maintained. At its highest point there is also a small cafe.
    Written 9 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karhuvaari
    Tuusula, Finland114 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A lovely, peaceful and colorful park in the middle of the city, with a cafe serving delicacies. Strong recommendation.
    Written 16 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Michael T
    Leeds, UK324 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Streets are Mequinez, del Lomo, San Felipe, La Peñita, Teobaldo Power, Maretas.
    Takes about an hour in a circular tour from Plaza El Charco
    Written 7 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Robert
    London, UK4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful views of Puerto De La Cruz both during the day and the night!! It is also a beautiful place to view sunset as there are many colourful and pretty sunsets over the city!!

    I would recommend visiting this area as it has a beautiful view and is a very good place to take photos!!
    Written 11 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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