La Laguna was the original capital of Tenerife and has a rich historic heritage within a fairly small area making it a very pleasant city to walk round. This walk begins in the central Plaza del Adelantado which is surrounded by historical buildings. There is the Town Hall which dates back to 1546, the Casa de Anchieta where José de Anchieta, saint and founder of Sao Paulo in Brazil was born, the Palacio de Nava with its original stone façade and the Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena.
The historic centre of La Laguna is one of the cities listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This means the centre must be maintained in its original layout. This city layout was actually used as a model by the colonisers of the "New World" to build many American cities. From the Plaza del Adelantado take Carrera Street which leads into the heart of the old quarter passing by magnificent buildings, such as the House of the Corregidor, House of the Alhóndiga and the Capitanes Generals.
It is worth stopping at the Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Laguna. It was built in neogothic style and contains a rich, artistic heritage as well as being the most important religious building in the city. The walk continues past stately houses until you reach the Plaza de la Concepción, in front of the church of the same name. This was the church headquarters on the island and its renaissance tower is a symbol of the city.
Turn left at the Plaza de la Concepción to get to Herradores Street, a pedestrian street with other interesting examples of Canarian architecture. If you turn right you come out into San Augustin Street where there are the Jesuit Houses Montañéz and Salazar. The Lercaro Palace, which houses the Museum of the History of Tenerife, is another landmark along San Augustin Street, as well as buildings such as the Church and Hospital of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, the Church of San Augustin and the Institute of the Canaries.
Adjacent streets also have important buildings, namely the Casa de Ossuna in Juan de Vera Street; the Palacete Rodríguez de Acero and the church of San Sebastián in Nava y Grimón Street (access through Viana street). Further along this same street is the beautiful Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo next to the Plaza de San Francisco, also known as the Plaza del Cristo.