The north of Tenerife offers many possibilities for those looking for a quite place surrounded by exuberant nature to spend the holidays. Puerto de la Cruz is the main tourist area of this part of the island, there are placed most of the hotels of the north of Tenerife and boasts one of the most beautiful and interesting spots: The Orotava Valley.
Also known as Taoro Valley, as named by the guanches -first inhabitants of the island- it is one of the places of Tenerife where the lush and exotic vegetation prevails and where you can discover unique historical remains and enjoy the real essence of the rural life in the Canary Islands. Actually, the valley is full of rural houses that you can visit, some of which have even been turned into top level tourist accommodations.
Elegance Miramar Hotel
La Orotava town is one of the essential enclaves when you travel to the Taoro Valley. Its old quarter was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument and offers an incomparable sample of what the essence of Tenerife is. Less exploited than the centre of Puerto de la Cruz, in La Orotava you will find a big botanical garden with exotic plants from South America, Australia, and Africa.
There you will also enjoy the Ibero-American Craft Museum, Las Alfombras Museum in the emblematic Casa de los Balcones, the Sacred Museum of La Concepción, the Pinolere Ethnographic Park with its curious Basket Museum and no end of art centres, historical buildings and squares.
Getting into the western extreme of the valley, you will enjoy a more than interesting gastronomic experience. There is located the small municipality called Icod de los Vinos, where the production of fruits and wine make of this locality a must visit place for those who have a curious palate. Going into La Malvasia Museum is essential to understand the authentic character of this area of Tenerife. If possible, take the opportunity to make a wine tour.
Taoro Valley hides, besides traditional art, cuisine and culture, some of the most beautiful beaches in the north of Tenerife: Bollullo Beach, Los Patos Beach, Ancón Beach… They all almost pristine, with a moderate/heavy swell and a very fine black sand that have made them famous all over the world.
If you stay in some of the beach hotels in Costa Adeje, you will arrive to this area of La Orotava in less than one hour drive. If you have booked a room in Puerto de la Cruz, you will be just 10 minutes away from the centre of La Orotava.