History

The garden was created by a Royal Order of Carlos III dated 17 August 1788, to acclimatise tropical species in Spain. Alonso de Nava y Grimón, VI Marquis of Villanueva del Prado, was essential to its founding. The French naturalist P. Ledrú was the first to catalogue its species, using the Linnean classification of 1753. After passing through several agencies, it was transferred to the Canary Islands Regional Government in 1983.

What you see

The tourist board lists major collections of tropical and subtropical plants, especially palms, plus bromeliads, aroids and Moraceae (the fig family). Many trees stand out for their size, age, rarity or distant origin. A herb garden is devoted to native Canary flora, and the garden carries out research on island flora, the conservation of endemic species and international seed exchange.

Getting there

  • By car: about 5 to 10 minutes from the centre of Puerto de la Cruz.
  • By bus: TITSA line 103 runs from Santa Cruz or La Laguna to the Puerto de la Cruz bus station, followed by a short local ride or walk. The express line 343 also lists a "Botánico" stop on its route between Costa Adeje, the airports and Puerto de la Cruz; see Tenerife South Airport to Puerto de la Cruz.
  • On foot: 15 to 25 minutes from the town centre, though some streets are steep.

Combine it with

The garden fits a half-day in Puerto de la Cruz. Nearby are cafés, the town itself (Puerto de la Cruz), the Orotava Valley viewpoints and La Orotava. For a beach after the garden, see Playa Jardín. For the second botanical collection in Santa Cruz, the Palmetum, see Palmetum.

Tickets and tours

Entry is paid at the gate. There is no separate online ticket for the garden that we list, so the box on this page offers the Loro Parque ticket on Tiqets, the closest ticketed attraction in Puerto de la Cruz. Details are in Loro Parque tickets.

Practical advice

Check opening hours and the price on the day, especially around public holidays: the garden is closed on 1 January, Good Friday and 25 December. Phone 922 38 35 72 for questions. The library and herbarium open by appointment only on weekday mornings. Comfortable shoes help on the garden's paths.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Arriving on a closure day: 1 January, Good Friday and 25 December.
  • Planning more than two hours: the tourist board suggests 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
  • Walking uphill in the heat: some streets are steep.
  • Expecting the library to be open to walk-ins: it is by appointment only.

FAQ

How much does the Puerto de la Cruz botanical garden cost?

3 euros according to the tourist board.

What are the opening hours?

9:00 to 18:00; closed on 1 January, Good Friday and 25 December.

How long should I spend there?

About 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

How do I get there by bus?

Take line 103 to the Puerto de la Cruz bus station and then walk or take a local bus; line 343 also has a "Botánico" stop.

Who founded the garden?

It was created by a royal order of Carlos III in 1788.

Tenerife Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.