San Cristobal de la Laguna was the ancient capital of Tenerife and is still its cultural centre. Today, La Laguna and the modern capital Santa Cruz form a contiguous urban area. Certainly, there are numerous historical towns on the list that are more impressive, nevertheless I enjoyed strolling through the streets of the old town. The historic town centre is laid out like a chessboard. Colonial buildings from the 16th to 18th Century, beautiful churches, and small squares framed by palm trees dominate the scene. Where it is possible, one should have a look at the patios of the manorial houses. Many of them are abundantly planted and typical Canarian wooden balconies can be seen. Worth seeing is the Casa Montanez, the Teatro Leal from the early 20th Century, the Cathedral (photo), and the ex-Convento de San Agustín. Much of the old town was turned into pedestrian zones, so that it is pleasant to stroll through the narrow streets.

You reach San Cristobal de La Laguna easily via the well developed motorway. The city is worth visiting if you are in Tenerife, and it is a nice contrast to the busy tourist centres in the south of the island.