Plaza del Adelantado
The historic heart of La Laguna: a grand marble fountain surrounded by palaces, convents, and shaded benches under Indian laurel trees. The perfect starting point for exploring the old town.
Useful links
Plaza del Adelantado is the heart of historic La Laguna and the ideal starting point for exploring the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The square is named after conquistador Alonso Fernández de Lugo: he lived on the site where the Convent of Santa Catalina now stands. For four centuries the square was the stage for festivals, processions, markets, bullfights and public executions. It was first paved in 1793, and gardens were added in 1843.
At its centre stands a marble fountain from Marseille, the oldest and most ornate in La Laguna's historic centre. It arrived in Tenerife on 20 March 1869 aboard the ship 'Marie Honoré' and was installed in 1870. It weighs around 30 tonnes. Stacked basins on slender columns and decorative mascarons adorn it.
The buildings around the square include the finest in La Laguna. The Palacio de Nava (north-west corner): construction began in 1585 and it was completely renovated in 1776 by Tomás de Nava y Grimón, combining Baroque, Neoclassical and Mannerist styles. The Convent of Santa Catalina de Siena from 1611 started with four nuns from Seville and grew to house over 100 sisters, becoming one of the wealthiest convents on the islands. Its characteristic Mudéjar-style latticed bifora balcony allowed the nuns to watch the square without being seen. Today the convent houses the incorrupt body of María de León Bello y Delgado ('La Siervita'), a nun in the process of beatification. The Town Hall (1512), the Ermita de San Miguel and the former Casino La Laguna complete the square.
La Laguna center. TF-5 or TF-13. Parking behind the square (Parking San Juan, C. San Juan 19) or PARKIA La Trinidad (Av. Trinidad, 24h). Both 3-5 min walk.
Tram Line 1 (Santa Cruz-La Laguna), stop La Trinidad, 5 min walk. TITSA lines 14 or 15 to Intercambiador La Laguna, 8 min walk.
Get here by busThere's a public car park right behind the square, but it's always full. PARKIA La Trinidad is more reliable.
Navigate to parkingSit on a bench under the Indian laurel trees and watch La Laguna life unfold. Notice the mascarons on the fountain and the latticed balcony of the Santa Catalina Convent: the cloistered nuns still live there, and the Mudéjar biforas were designed so they could see the square without being seen.
If the door to Casa Montañés (Consultative Council) is open, step inside to see the Andalusian courtyard. The Palacio de Nava can only be viewed from outside, but the façade alone is worth a stop: different stylistic periods are visible to the naked eye.
Inside the Santa Catalina Convent you can enter the church: a single nave with a 17th-century altarpiece and a screen separating the cloistered area.
Parking San Juan or PARKIA → Plaza del Adelantado (fountain, Palacio de Nava, Casa de Anchieta) → C. San Agustín → Casa Lercaro → Cathedral → C. Obispo Rey Redondo → Church of La Concepción → back via C. La Carrera → tapas.
Marble fountain
The Marseille marble fountain with Indian laurel trees behind. Early morning without cars or people - soft light perfection.
Nava Palace
Palacio de Nava from the opposite corner of the square: full Baroque-Neoclassical facade. Works better on overcast days (no harsh shadows).