La Laguna
A former island capital of grid streets and university buildings, set higher and cooler than Santa Cruz, with a tram ride to the coast.
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San Cristóbal de La Laguna is a city in the north of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. It was the island's capital until 1723, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grid of streets dates from the early years of Spanish rule and is lined with colonial houses, churches and wooden balconies. The University of La Laguna, founded in 1701, is one of the reasons students fill the old town during the academic year.
Go for a day or an overnight stay if you want walking and culture rather than a beach. The city sits higher than Santa Cruz and the south coast, so it is cooler and often cloudier, and spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for walking. A tram links La Laguna with Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the Anaga mountains lie a drive to the northeast, with trails and viewpoints. Plan one day for the old town, or two if you want to add the north of the island.
La Laguna in five
- Take the tram from Santa CruzTenerife's tram runs between Santa Cruz and La Laguna in roughly 35–40 minutes, which makes the city an easy half-day from the capital.Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Walk the UNESCO old town on footThe grid of colonial-style streets around Plaza del Adelantado and the cathedral takes a couple of hours. Cafes and tapas bars fill the lanes, and the university keeps it lively term-time.
- Pack a layer: La Laguna is cooler and cloudierAt around 550 m above the sea, the city is often cooler and cloudier than the south coast. Bring a light jacket and umbrella, especially in winter.
- Use La Laguna as a gateway to AnagaBuses from the city reach villages in the Anaga mountains. Check the Cabildo's official page for trail and parking rules before you go, and bring layers.North coast of Tenerife
- Book early for the September fiestasThe Fiestas del Cristo each September fill hotels and streets. If you want the old town calm, pick another week.
Things to do in La Laguna
See all attractions in La Laguna
Need to know
- Airport
- Tenerife North (TFN) is next door; Tenerife South (TFS) is about an hour by road
- Getting there
- Tram from Santa Cruz; buses from Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz and the airports
- Getting around
- Pedestrian old town; tram and buses to Santa Cruz and Anaga
- Best base
- The old town (Casco Histórico) near Plaza del Adelantado
- Time needed
- Half a day to a night; two for Anaga hikes
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low14°Cool, cloudyJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, cloudy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°Cool, cloudyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, cloudy
- MarchClear11 rainy daysHigh17°Low13°Mild, greenMarchClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- AprilClear10 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Mild, hikingAprilClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, hiking
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh19°Low15°Mild, hikingMayClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, hiking
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Dry, warmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Warm, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Warm, fiestasSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fiestas
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Mild, showersOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Cool, showersNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Cool, ChristmasDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, Christmas
Average daily high and low in La Laguna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in La Laguna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 58%
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°16°58%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Tue22°16°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed19°15°58%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Thu21°15°3%Thursday: Fog. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri23°16°0%Friday: Fog. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat22°17°2%Saturday: Fog. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun22°18°37%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 05:45 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Feb–MarCarnival of Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife, a day trip
- Feb–MarCarnival of Las PalmasLas Palmas de Gran Canaria, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Santa Cruz de Tenerifeabout 35–40 minutes by tramCapital, port, markets and the auditorium.Read the guide
- Puerto de la Cruzabout 45–60 minutes by bus or carAtlantic resort town with a botanical garden.Read the guide
- Anaga Rural Parkabout 30–45 minutes by bus or carCloud forest, ridge walks and fishing villages.
Before you go to La Laguna
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Rules for La Laguna, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish foreign ministry site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.
- The Canary Islands use their own indirect tax (IGIC) rather than standard Spanish VAT. Check how it applies to your purchases before you shop.
- Inspectors may check plants and fruit moved between the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and other islands. Check the regional rules before you pack produce.
- Summit access to Mount Teide needs a timed permit booked in advance. Check the Teide National Park pages before you plan a summit day.
Plan around La Laguna
Cities, islands and trains across the country
Read the guideTenerifeTeide, beaches and the island overview
Read the guideSanta Cruz de TenerifeThe capital and port, on the tram line
Read the guidePuerto de la CruzAtlantic resort town on the north coast
Read the guideNorth Coast TenerifeAnaga, Teno and the green northern side
Read the guideGetting around SpainTrams, buses and rental cars
Read the guideLa Laguna FAQ
Is La Laguna worth visiting?
Yes. It is a UNESCO-listed colonial-style city with a walkable center and a university atmosphere, and it gives a different side of Tenerife from the resorts. One day is enough to see the old town.
How do you get from Santa Cruz to La Laguna?
By tram, in about 35–40 minutes, or by bus. Both are easy and cheap, and the tram station is in the center of the old town.
Is La Laguna cold?
It is cooler than the resorts, because it sits at about 550 m and often catches clouds. Highs are mild year-round, but evenings can feel chilly, so bring a layer.
Where should you stay for northern Tenerife?
La Laguna for a city feel and the tram, Puerto de la Cruz for a resort town on the coast, and a rural stay in Anaga for hikers. Stay in the south if beaches are the priority.
When is the best time to visit La Laguna?
Spring and early autumn have the best mix of mild days and fewer clouds. September brings the Fiestas del Cristo, and Carnival season in late winter is lively across the island.