Culture in Tenerife

Art, history and traditions of Tenerife. Explore the island heritage with CanaryRoutes.

• San Cristóbal de La Laguna — The world's first planned unwalled city, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999
• Tenerife Auditorium — An icon of contemporary world architecture designed by Santiago Calatrava, home of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra
• MUNA — Museum of Nature and Archaeology — The world's largest Guanche collection: mummies, ceramics and the pre-Hispanic history of Tenerife
• Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria — The most important religious centre in the Canary Islands — Patron Saint of the archipelago
• Casa de los Balcones — The jewel of Canarian colonial architecture — hand-carved 17th-century tea wood balconies and a living crafts museum
• La Orotava — One of the best-preserved colonial old towns in the Canaries, famous for its Corpus Christi flower carpets
• Garachico — The most beautiful village in northern Tenerife — rebuilt on 1706 lava flows with free natural pools and an intact colonial quarter
• Pyramids of Güímar — Tenerife's most famous archaeological site — six stepped pyramids with precise astronomical alignments
• Millenary Dragon Tree of Icod — The oldest and most emblematic tree in the Canaries — Tenerife's cultural symbol with over 800 years of history
• Cathedral of La Laguna — The most important church in the Canaries — three centuries of history in the heart of La Laguna's UNESCO old town
• Museum of History and Anthropology — Casa Lercaro — The finest 16th-century Genoese palace in the Canaries — a museum tracing Tenerife's history from the Guanches to the 20th century
• Casa del Vino de Tenerife — The most important wine museum in the Canaries — 17th-century farmhouse in El Sauzal with all 5 Tenerife D.O.s, tastings and a restaurant with Atlantic views
• Museum of Science and the Cosmos — The most complete science museum in the Canaries — planetarium, astronomy and interactive physics in La Laguna
• Royal Sanctuary of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna — The most venerated place of worship in the Canaries — a 15th-century Christ image that draws tens of thousands of devotees every September
• Regional Military Museum of the Canaries — The most important military museum in the Canaries — home of the El Tigre cannon that cost Nelson his arm in 1797
• Nuestra Señora de África Market — The most beautiful market in Tenerife — 'the belly of Santa Cruz', with tropical fruits, flowers, fresh fish and local crafts under unique colonial architecture
• Canarian Gastronomy — A cuisine of unique identity — gofio, papas arrugadas, mojo, bienmesabe and honey rum: the flavours that define Tenerife
• Romerías of Tenerife — The most deeply rooted festive tradition in the Canaries — processions with ox carts, traditional costumes, folk music and local wine
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival — The world's second largest carnival — declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, with over 250,000 people on the streets of Santa Cruz every February