La Laguna and Anaga guide. La Laguna, archive photograph from 2019. Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net), CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia’s reduced version; no other changes.
La Laguna and Anaga bring a different side of Tenerife to a holiday in the south: historic streets to explore on foot, followed by time among the trees. From Villa Dolce Vita in Armeñime, allow a full day, choose a few stops and leave yourself a comfortable journey home.
A walk around La Laguna’s old town and a short visit to Cruz del Carmen make a manageable combination. A longer Anaga hike deserves its own day. Adding Taganana, beaches and several viewpoints can turn the outing into far more driving than you intended.
A relaxed walk around La Laguna
Start at Plaza del Adelantado and follow Obispo Rey Redondo towards the cathedral and La Concepción. You can return along San Agustín, looking out for historic façades and courtyards open to visitors. The municipal tourist map shows these landmarks and Casa de los Capitanes, where you will find tourist information.
As a planning suggestion, allow two or three hours for the walk, a café stop and perhaps one indoor visit. There is no admission ticket for walking through the streets and squares. Museums, churches and guided visits have their own arrangements, so check the individual venue before building your day around it.
Lunch in La Laguna lets you continue towards the forest without relying on a table being available in a small village. Alternatively, visit Anaga first and enjoy the town afterwards. Choose the order that suits the forecast and your transport connections.
Anaga: Cruz del Carmen and a short forest walk
Cruz del Carmen is a useful starting point for a first visit. Tenerife’s tourism board highlights the Sendero de los Sentidos, or Trail of the Senses, among the park’s shorter walks. Pick the section that suits your party and check its condition before setting off.
A short woodland stroll is very different from a hike lasting several hours. If you are bringing a pushchair or need a step-free route, ask the visitor centre about the exact section and its current condition. An accessible section does not make the whole trail network accessible.
Jardina viewpoint can be an extra stop when visibility is good and there is an authorised place to park. There is no need to collect every viewpoint in a single day. In mist, enjoy the nearby woodland and avoid chasing a distant view that the weather is hiding.
Which Anaga walks require a permit?
Tenerife ON requires permits for La Ensillada–Cabezo de Tejo–La Ensillada in El Pijaral and La Asomada–Cruz de Afur in Monte Aguirre. Its published limits are five people per application and bookings up to 14 days ahead. Apply through the trail’s availability and permits section; carry the authorisation and identification. Tourism companies cannot book or conduct these routes. Check the terms for your date: a permit does not override a closure.
You do not need an El Pijaral reservation for the town walk and a visit to Cruz del Carmen. These are separate outings. The official Tenerife visitor information distinguishes restricted areas from the wider network. Keep to authorised routes and follow any temporary restrictions.
Getting to La Laguna and Anaga from the villa
By car: plan the drive from Armeñime to La Laguna, then towards Las Mercedes and Cruz del Carmen on the TF-12. The Anaga section has bends and places where a slower pace is necessary. Check traffic before departure and allow time to park; distance alone is not a useful measure of the whole outing.
By bus: one option is to reach Costa Adeje bus station, take route 110 to Santa Cruz, then connect with route 015 to La Laguna. Add the journey from the villa to Costa Adeje and transfer time to your plans. The town’s official transport information also lists tram line 1 from Santa Cruz.
From La Laguna, route 275 serves Cruz del Carmen, with weekday and weekend timetables. Route 273 to Cruz del Carmen is listed for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Check the outward service, return stop and final connection: departure times at the terminus are not the times at every intermediate stop.
With public transport, Anaga first and La Laguna afterwards may work better, provided the connections fit. If they do not, enjoy a day in town and keep the forest for a separate outing.
Taxi or organised outing: request a quote specifying collection in Armeñime, stops, waiting time and the return journey. For nine guests, confirm vehicle capacity or whether you need more than one vehicle. Before booking a guided walk, ask which trail it uses; do not assume a tour includes access to restricted areas.
Parking in La Laguna and Anaga
Use La Laguna’s official transport and parking resources to choose somewhere near the centre. The transport interchange car park is another option for combining driving with a bus journey. Check TITSA’s conditions before relying on a discount: a promotion tied to one route or event does not mean free parking for every visitor.
The Cabildo reports parking pressure and police traffic control at Cruz del Carmen. Allow extra time and use authorised spaces only. If the parking area is full, change your plan rather than blocking bus stops, residents’ access or road edges. The material reviewed discusses shuttle proposals but does not establish that a compulsory general shuttle is operating for this outing.
Access restrictions and checks before your trip
Check Tenerife ON for trail conditions and the Cabildo’s road incident map for access problems. An old roadworks announcement does not establish that a closure is still in place. Equally, this guide cannot confirm that every access will be open on your travel date.
Bring shoes with grip, a rain layer, water and something warm. Consult the AEMET forecast, follow signs and adjust your walk to the conditions. Keep your group on the path, leave plants untouched and take your rubbish away. If a closure is announced, keep La Laguna as your alternative and save the forest for another day.
Back to Villa Dolce Vita’s pool
After exploring the town and forest, return to your base in Armeñime. Villa Dolce Vita has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and space for up to nine guests, with a private heated pool and pool heating included in your stay.
For another day exploring Tenerife’s towns, see our Garachico and Icod guide. When planning your stay, check availability and book Villa Dolce Vita.
Information reviewed on 24 October 2026. Recheck notices, timetables and conditions for your travel date.
