Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz & Orotava Valley

Puerto de la Cruz & Orotava Valley

Puerto de la Cruz and the Orotava Valley represent the birthplace of Tenerife tourism, a lush green region on the island's northern slope where subtropical gardens meet historic colonial architecture. Puerto de la Cruz has welcomed visitors since the 19th century and remains the principal resort of the north, famous for Lago Martianez, a striking seawater pool complex designed by the celebrated Canarian artist Cesar Manrique. The town offers a genuine blend of tourist infrastructure and local Canarian life that the southern resorts often lack. Just above the coast, La Orotava dazzles with its perfectly preserved colonial mansions, ornate wooden balconies, and the magnificent Botanical Gardens founded in 1788. The fertile valley descending from the flanks of Mount Teide supports banana plantations, vineyards, and terraced gardens, creating some of the most photogenic landscapes in the Canary Islands. Wine lovers will appreciate the Tacoronte-Acentejo denomination, with bodegas in Tacoronte, El Sauzal, and La Matanza de Acentejo offering tastings of distinctive volcanic-soil wines. The climate here is cooler and more humid than the south, which keeps the vegetation verdant and the air fresh even in high summer. Hotels range from historic converted mansions in La Orotava to modern oceanfront properties in Puerto de la Cruz. The region provides direct road access to Teide National Park, and the Parador hotel at the summit area makes an extraordinary overnight base for stargazing. Whether your interests lie in garden walks, wine tourism, cultural heritage, or hiking through cloud forests, the Orotava Valley delivers an enriching Tenerife holiday far from the crowds.