Botanical Garden Puerto de la Cruz

Our Review

About this place

La Orotava Botanical Garden is Spain's second-oldest botanical garden, established in 1788 by Royal Order of King Carlos III to acclimatize tropical and subtropical plant species from the Americas and Asia in a suitable climate. Located in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, it functions as both a public garden and active scientific research institution, housing over 1,500 subtropical species across 20,000 m² of exhibition space.

Key Highlights

• Major collections of tropical and subtropical plants with special emphasis on palm varieties (Bromeliacea, Araceas, Moracea)
• Historic trees and plants notable for their beauty, size, age, rarity, or remote origin
• Specialized herbarium with 30,000 specimens and research library focused on Canary Islands flora and endemic species conservation
• Germplasm bank and international plant exchange programs supporting botanical research
• Historic significance as Puerto de la Cruz's first major tourist attraction, popular with 19th-century travelers arriving by fruit company steamers

Tips for visitors

• Garden hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; closed January 1st, Good Friday, and December 25th
• Entrance fee is €3.00
• Library and herbarium visits require advance booking and are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Located at the entrance of the city in the La Paz area; accessible via TF-312 exit from TF-5 north motorway
• Plan 1-2 hours for a typical garden visit; the garden receives over 300,000 visitors annually

Context

Created by Royal Order of King Carlos III in 1788 to cultivate tropical species in Spanish territory after experiments at Madrid's Royal Gardens failed due to harsh winters, the garden represents a product of the Spanish Enlightenment and scientific advancement. It has served as both a botanical research center and cultural landmark for over two centuries, establishing Puerto de la Cruz as a tourist destination in the 19th century.

Detailed Ratings