La Orotava is the best preserved colonial town in Tenerife. Perched on the slopes of Teide at 350 meters altitude, it overlooks the fertile Orotava valley — once the island's granary. The houses with sculpted balconies, terraced gardens and paved streets: everything is listed as national heritage. Each year in June, the town creates an immense flower carpet on the plaza in front of the church for Corpus Christi — one of the most spectacular events in the Canaries.
To know: La Orotava can be visited on foot from Puerto de la Cruz (taxi 10 min or bus 15 min). Allow 3-4 hours to do the town justice.