Parque Taoro is the green hillside above the centre of Puerto de la Cruz. Come for the view over the town and the Atlantic, then stay for the garden paths, the quieter open spaces of La Sortija and the history around the old hotel and All Saints Church. The public park is free to explore, and you can make the outing as short or leisurely as you like.
The name covers three connected areas rather than one formal garden: the Taoro gardens, La Atalaya and Camino de La Sortija. They feel different underfoot and each has a reason to visit. This guide helps you choose a route, find the viewpoints and plan for the climb from town. For an on-screen look around the same area, see our Parque Taoro virtual visit.
The three parts of Parque Taoro
| Area | What you will find | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| Taoro gardens | Terraced paths, planting, water features and places to pause above town | A relaxed garden walk and a terrace stop |
| La Atalaya | Leafier paths, stairways and the Dulce María Loynaz lookout | The town and sea panorama |
| Camino de La Sortija | A broad, more open area used for walking and exercise, close to All Saints Church and a children's play area | Space to stroll, run or spend time with children |
Start with the Taoro gardens
The Taoro gardens give you a gentle introduction to the park's planted terraces. Paths move between trees, shrubs and views of Puerto de la Cruz below. Built water features and cascades are part of the setting, although the water may be off; the gardens are still worth a visit for the walk and outlook.
If you have come up from the centre, stop here before deciding whether to continue through La Atalaya or towards La Sortija. A garden terrace is a pleasant place to rest with a drink when the café is open. It is an outdoor park, so take your time on any damp paving or steps. You can see the paths and the view in our Parque Taoro virtual visit.
La Atalaya and the Dulce María Loynaz viewpoint
La Atalaya is the greener, more enclosed part of the park. Its paths and stairways wind between planting, fountains and rocky garden features before opening out to the Mirador Dulce María Loynaz. From the lookout you can take in Puerto de la Cruz, the ocean and part of the Orotava Valley. This is the viewpoint to seek if the panorama is your main reason for visiting Taoro.
The scenery changes as you move through the garden: one moment you are among trees, the next you can see the streets and sea below. Allow time to stop rather than rushing to the top. Our Jardines de la Atalaya filmed walk shows this section in more detail, and the Parque Taoro virtual visit begins at the lookout. The paths have gradients and steps, so inspect your preferred approach if you need a gentler route.
Walk, play or take a break in La Sortija
The Camino de La Sortija has a more open feel than the gardens. People use it for a walk, a run or time outdoors with the family. The name recalls the ring games once held on horseback by the British community in this part of town. A children's play area near the La Sortija café gives younger visitors a different reason to come.
You can make this your main destination if you want open space rather than a garden climb, or include it after the viewpoint on a longer wander. Bring water and sun protection for children, and stay with them near roads, slopes and water features elsewhere in the park. See our Family Friendly guide for other days out around Puerto de la Cruz.
The hotel, church and English Library nearby
The grand building above the park is Gran Hotel Taoro, which first opened in 1890. After a long period in other use and a major restoration, it reopened as a hotel in 2026. It is a landmark to admire as you explore the public park; its rooms, gardens and dining areas belong to a separate business, with their own access arrangements. Read our Gran Hotel Taoro guide if you want to learn more about the building.
All Saints Anglican Church is another part of the area's history. You can appreciate the church from the park, while entry to its grounds or services depends on the church's own arrangements. The nearby English Library has long been a meeting place for the English-speaking community. These places make Taoro more than a viewpoint, but treat them as separate stops rather than assuming they are open whenever the park is accessible.
Where to stop for food and drink
You have two different kinds of pause around the park. Terraza Taoro, in the garden area, has a terrace with a view over town; La Sortija is a more casual stop close to the open area and children's playground. Choose the one that fits your route rather than planning the whole walk around a particular café.
Opening days, menus and seating can change, and an event in the park can make a venue busier. If a meal is important to your day, check the café directly before setting out. Bring water even if you expect to stop for a drink. Hotel dining at Gran Hotel Taoro is a separate option with its own booking and access arrangements, rather than part of the public park.
How to reach Parque Taoro
From central Puerto de la Cruz, allow for a noticeable uphill walk. The shortest-looking path on a map may include stairs; take a slower route by road if that suits you better. The park also has upper approaches from the Botánico and Las Arenas roads. If you are arriving by car, look for permitted parking around the upper area and follow the signs rather than assuming a space will be available at a particular entrance.
TITSA route 385 serves the Taoro area on its circular journey from the Puerto de la Cruz bus station through El Durazno and El Botánico. Its operating days and times matter, so check the current route before relying on it for the return. Our guide to buses around Tenerife helps you use the timetable and stop information. A taxi to an upper entrance can also save the initial climb, though there may still be steps or uneven paths within the park.
Plan a comfortable visit
Entry: The public park is free to visit and normally accessible year-round. A café, hotel, church service or ticketed event has its own arrangements.
Time: Choose a short circuit in one area or allow more time to connect all three. The hill, stairs and pauses for photographs can make the outing longer than its distance suggests. There is no need to complete a set route.
Comfort and access: Wear shoes suitable for paths and steps. La Atalaya and the terraced gardens have changes in level; a stroller or wheelchair route needs planning around the upper roads and individual surfaces rather than assuming every garden path is step-free. Bring water and sun protection, especially with children. After rain, take care on damp steps.
Water features and visibility: Cascades may be switched off for operational reasons. Haze or cloud may shorten the distant view, but the park's trees and town panorama still make the walk worthwhile.
Take the 360° virtual visit
Want to see the viewpoint and paths before walking up? Open our Parque Taoro virtual visit. The original post contains the interactive 360° Google Maps tour, so you can look around La Atalaya on screen and then return to this guide to plan the visit. The embedded tour remains on that post at its existing URL.
Follow PuertoDeLaCruz.info in Google
If our Puerto de la Cruz guides are useful to you, you can add PuertoDeLaCruz.info as one of your preferred sources in Google.