Sights in The North
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Loro Parque
Where else can you see 3000 parrots (the world's largest collection) all in one place? Loro Parque is home to 340 species of parrots along with other exotic animals, including tigers, gorillas and chimpanzees. Unless you object in principle to wild animals in captivity, the park is quite impressive. Don't miss the dolphin and whale shows, the subterranean aquarium with the world's longest submarine tunnel and the vast 'penguinarium'.
You could walk here from town, but it's much easier to hop on the free train that leaves every 20 minutes from outside McDonalds on Plaza Reyes Católicos.
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Lago Martiánez
Designed by Canario César Manrique, the watery playground of Lago Martiánez, northeast of the centre, has four saltwater pools and a large central 'lake'. It can get just as crowded as the surrounding small volcanic beaches. Swim, sunbathe or grab a bite at one of the many restaurants and bars. There's a glittery new casino here, as well.
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Liceo de Taoro
The palatial 1928 Liceo de Taoro building is a private cultural society, but open to the public. An attractive terraced garden separates the mansion from the street and, although the building looks a tad foreboding, you can enter and have a drink at the café, a meal at the restaurant or check out any exhibitions that may be taking place.
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Drago Park
Past Plaza Constitución (aka Plaza Pila), a square with historic Canary homes, is Drago Park, where you can pay to get up close to the famous tree, which has supposedly been here for more than 1000 years. Fax ahead to request a guided tour. The best view, however, is the free one from the west wall of the Plaza de la Inglesia.
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Museo Chillida Leku
This open-air museum is the most engaging museum in rural Basque Country. Amid the beech, oak and magnolia trees, you'll find 40 sculptures of granite and iron created by the renowned Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida. Many more of Chillida's works appear inside the renovated 16th-century farmhouse.
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Museo de Cerámica
Boasts the largest clay-pot collection in Spain. The museum is well laid out, and there are detailed explanations in several languages. The sheer size of the pots in the Sala de Vino are impressive, and the sepia photos are fun, but after a few dozen pots or so, there is a certain sameness about the place.
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Museo Arqueológico
The Museo Arqueológico provides an insight into the Guanche way of life with its replicas of a typical cave dwelling, as well as a burial cave where pots and baked-clay adornments share the same burial area, demonstrating the Guanches' belief in an afterlife.
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Plaza Europa
The Plaza Europa, a balcony of sorts built in 1992, may be a modern addition, but it blends well with its historic surroundings and is a good place to start your visit. The tourist office is here, in the Casa de la Aduana, opposite the town hall.
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Casa de los Balcones
Built in 1692, the interior and exterior balconies feature ornate carvings and there's a small separate museum showing furniture and costumes of the period. A vast selection of local handicrafts are for sale, including embroidery and pottery.
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Casa Iriarte
Several Canarian mansions, many of them in poor repair, dot the town centre. The mid-18th-century Casa Iriarte, once the home of intellectual Tomás de Iriarte and the site of clandestine political meetings, has seen better days.
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Plaza Charco
The heart of Puerto de la Cruz is the lively Plaza Charco, centred around an ancient Indian laurel tree. The plaza acquired its name because it used to flood from the sea every time there was a heavy storm (thankfully, no more).
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Casa Lercaro
The 17th-century Casa Lercaro is one of the Doce Casas, 12 historic Canary mansions that are one of La Orotava's most distinguishing features. It is now an upmarket restaurant, café and cervecería (beer bar).
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, a 17th-century church with three naves, a wooden mudéjar ceiling and the image of Gran Poder de Dios, one of the town's most revered saints.
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Molino la Maquina
Molino la Maquina makes gofio, made from ground corn or wheat. The pretty white stone towers were the old water mills used to grind corn. Now they're just for show and everything is done electronically.
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Jardínes del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja
On the plaza is the 19th-century Jardínes del Marquesado de la Quinta Roja , a series of orderly, French-influenced flower gardens cascading down the hillside, crowned by a small 18th-century marble temple.
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Castillo de San Miguel
On the water you can visit Castillo de San Miguel, a squat stone fortress built in the 16th century, with photos and explanations of the area's flora and fauna, as well as a chronological history of the town.
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Hijuela del Botánico
This small botanical garden was created as a branch of the larger Jardín Botánico in Puerto de la Cruz. Around 3000 plant varieties are gathered here, and there are also birds and butterflies.
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Museo de Artesania Iberoamericana
Housed in the former Convento de Santo Domingo. Exploring the cultural relationship between the Canaries and the Americas, the museum exhibits musical instruments, ceramics and various artefacts.
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Jardín Botánico
Don't miss a visit to the Jardín Botánico, on the road out of town. Established in 1788, the botanical garden has thousands of plant varieties from all over the world.
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Casa del Turista
Casa del Turista has similar features to Casa de los Balcomes but is less outstanding. A vast selection of local handicrafts are for sale, including embroidery and pottery.
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Torreon de Ventoso
The Torreon de Ventoso is one of the better-kept historic buildings. The tower once formed part of the town's Augustine convent and was used to keep watch over the port.
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Mirador de la Paz
Above town, the Mirador de la Paz is a square with great views where Agatha Christie was supposedly inspired to write the novel The Mysterious Mr Quin.
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Casa de la Aduana
The tourist office is located in the Casa de la Aduana (built in 1620), the old customs house, where now you can also find quality arts and crafts for sale.
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Mariposario del Drago
This hot and sticky greenhouse full of exotic butterflies was closed for restoration at the time of research; check at the tourist office for an update.
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Ermita de San Juan
Just off Plaza Charco is Iglesia de San Francisco, tacked on to tiny Ermita de San Juan, the oldest structure in town (built in 1599).
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