Casa de los Balcones

Casa de los Balcones is one of the most recognizable landmarks in La Orotava, a town in the north of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Its name — literally "House of the Balconies" — tells you exactly what to expect: the timber balconies running along the façade and the inner courtyard are what catch every passerby's eye. Today the building operates as a historic house museum, open to visitors curious to see how a well-to-do Canarian residence looked centuries ago.

How do you get to Casa de los Balcones?

La Orotava sits in northern Tenerife, close to Puerto de la Cruz and not far from Tenerife North Airport (Los Rodeos). A taxi or rental car from the airport takes roughly 15–20 minutes, and the TF-5 motorway connects the area directly with the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Travelers without a car can rely on the regular TITSA bus network linking Puerto de la Cruz with La Orotava — one of the most frequently used tourist routes on the island. The house itself stands in the historic town center, within walking distance of the main squares and churches of the old quarter, so it's easiest to park in the center and continue on foot.

What can you see inside?

The interior follows the layout typical of traditional Canarian bourgeois architecture: a central courtyard surrounded by rooms, with the signature wooden balconies on the upper floor built from local Canary pine. It's precisely this construction style — blending Spanish and Portuguese influences with local craftsmanship — that turned Casa de los Balcones into one of the architectural symbols of the whole island. The museum displays period furnishings and everyday objects that help visitors picture life inside such a residence, while the planted courtyard offers a calm contrast to the bustle of the street outside.

When is the best time to visit?

Tenerife enjoys mild weather year-round, so Casa de los Balcones can realistically be visited in almost any month. Keep in mind that La Orotava is also a common stopover for travelers heading up to nearby Teide National Park, so the town center tends to get busier during peak season in spring and summer. Morning hours are a good window for a quieter look at the interior and façade before the crowds arrive, and it's worth pairing the visit with a short stroll past the colorful historic houses nearby in the old town.

Frequently asked questions

Is Casa de los Balcones a museum or a private home? It now functions as a historic house museum open to visitors, not a private residence.

Where does the house's name come from? The name comes directly from the carved wooden balconies decorating the façade and courtyard, a hallmark feature of traditional Canarian architecture.

Is it worth combining the visit with other sights in La Orotava? Yes — the house sits in the historic town center, close to other period buildings and squares, making it a natural stop on a short walk through the old quarter.

What's the easiest way to get there from Puerto de la Cruz? The TITSA bus or a short drive are both convenient — the distance is small, and this is one of the most common tourist routes in the north of the island.