La Orotava is a historic town in the Orotava Valley, in the north of Tenerife, known for 17th-century mansions in its old centre, among them the Casa de los Balcones, completed in 1632, and the Casa Lercaro, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (Tenerife tourist board, read 7 November 2026). Near them are a gofio mill and a lookout over the whole valley.
Highlights
Casa de los Balcones
A mansion completed in June 1632, at C/ San Francisco 3. The tourist board calls it a prime site for openwork, with a typical Canarian courtyard with balconies on the upper two floors, a museum of Canarian customs and traditions, and craft products. Open every day from 8:30 to 18:30 and closed on the day of the Romería de La Orotava; parking is free.
Casa Lercaro
A 17th-century manor at C/ Colegio 5-7 in the historic centre, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. It holds the Gofio del Hoyo Mill Museum in the lower courtyard (a hydraulic mill showing how gofio was made) and a restaurant in the inner courtyard with views of the valley, Teide and the sea. A Twin Ticket covers the whole house and also includes the Casa de los Balcones.
The historic centre
Church steeples can be seen from the northern motorway as you approach, and the tourist board lists the Casa de los Balcones as within walking distance of the Casa Lercaro.
The Humboldt viewpoint
On the TF-21 at km 1, with parking and disabled access. The view covers the whole Orotava Valley, banana groves, Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Los Realejos, the volcanoes of El Fraile and Las Arenas, and the peak of Teide. There are interpretation boards and no bus stop.
Practical info
Tips
- The Twin Ticket links the two houses, but the tourist board does not publish ticket prices, so check the houses' sites before you go (casa-balcones.com and casalercaro.com). Contact Casa de los Balcones on +34 922 33 06 29 and Casa Lercaro on +34 922 32 62 04. For Teide from this side, line 348 runs from Puerto de la Cruz to the national park; see Teide National Park.
How to get there
The town is in the Orotava Valley, in the north of the island. The Casa de los Balcones has free parking; the Humboldt viewpoint, on the TF-21 at km 1, has parking but no bus stop.
Opening hours
Nearby
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