Four viewpoints compete for the best view of Los Realejos. San Pedro overlooks the Rambla de Castro. La Corona dominates the paragliding spot. But Mirador de El Lance is the classic one, a clear, unobstructed frontal view of the entire Valle de La Orotava. Terraced banana plantations descending toward the sea, Puerto de la Cruz down on the left, and the snow-capped Teide closing the panorama to the south. This is the postcard of northern Tenerife, and it's real.
The Valle de La Orotava stretches before you like a natural amphitheater, 12 km wide, from the heights of the Tigaiga massif down to the coast. In the foreground: terraced crops, banana plants, vineyards. In the middle: red-tiled roofs of La Orotava and church spires. In the background: Teide (3,718 m) dominates everything, snow-covered from December to March, golden ochre the rest of the year. On clear days, you can make out the cliffs of Los Gigantes to the west and the Anaga ridge to the east. Best time: early morning (8am-10am), golden light, mist not yet risen from the valley floor.
Mirador de San Pedro is the most famous: view over the Rambla de Castro and its palm groves, restaurant and café on site, start of the coastal path. Mirador de La Corona is the highest (750 m): paragliding spot, vertiginous plunging view over the entire valley. Mirador de La Grimona is the wildest: on the finca route, raw coastal views. Mirador del Asomadero offers Teide in full frame. For photographers: La Corona at sunrise, El Lance late morning, San Pedro at sunset.
Los Realejos is the starting point of the Rambla de Castro, the most beautiful coastal path in the north (3 km, 1 hour, between palm groves and historic haciendas, departure from Mirador de San Pedro). The Church of Santiago Apóstol (15th century) is where the last Guanche menceys surrendered to the Spanish in 1496, a founding moment in Tenerife's history. Playa del Socorro, below, is the most consistent surf spot in the north. After the viewpoint, head down to Puerto de la Cruz for lunch, 10 minutes by car.
The viewpoint is on the TF-342 road between Icod el Alto and Los Realejos. By car: a few parking spaces at the viewpoint, rarely full. No direct bus, get off at Los Realejos center (line 101 from Puerto de la Cruz) then 20 minutes on foot along the coast. Free access, no barriers, 24/7. No café, the Icod el Alto neighborhood bar is 5 minutes by car away.