The Sitio Litre garden is the oldest on the island of Tenerife. It was built in 1730 around the house of the same name, which was the headquarters of a Dutch company exporting wines from the Canary Islands. But this colorful garden is best known for having been frequented by such illustrious figures as British writer Agatha Christie!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to Garden Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, north of Tenerife.
BEFORE ALL OUR TIPS, OUR favorites
Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars
Our favorite activities:
Dolphin-watching boat tour
Bus tour: Teide National Park
Our favorite hotels:
Boutique: Hotel La Laguna in Sant Cristobal
5 stars: Hotel Vincci La Plantación del Sur in Playa del Duque
Family: GF Victoria Hotel in Playa del Duque
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Sitio Litre Orchid Garden worthwhile?
Yes, this garden is well worth a visit! Subtropical, it covered 4,000m2 around the Sitio Litre house when it was created in 1730. This colonial villa, reputed to be the oldest on Tenerife, has been frequented by many celebrities. We really enjoyed following in the footsteps of Agatha Christie, William Wilde (father of writer Oscar Wilde), and painter and botanist Marianne North. We found the garden very pleasant, with its impressive trees and orchids.
This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Puerto de la Cruz, and one of the best activities in town!
What you can see
Water lilies
Right from the start of our visit, this lily pond caught our eye. We found their numbers impressive, covering almost the entire surface of the water! They were surrounded by verdant vegetation and exotic trees, which immediately set the tone for the visit.
A house dedicated to Agatha Christie
We then passed a small house dedicated to Agatha Christie. Indeed, the British writer stayed at the Sitio Litre villa in 1927. She was so inspired by the garden that she dedicated a collection of short stories to it, entitled The Mysterious Mr Quinn (1930). It was this character who was represented alongside her in this little cabin, along with the author’s key works.
A beautiful covered driveway
The garden includes a covered walkway which we found very beautiful, leading to an equally pretty fountain. The lush vegetation is marked by exotic flowers in shades of purple and pink, making the garden even richer. Don’t miss the impressive Cassier tree overlooking the driveway.
A statue of Alexander von Humboldt
A little further on, we noticed this statue of the German explorer and botanist Alexander von Humboldt. He attended a party given in his honor in the garden in 1799. It is said that he knelt down to thank God for such beauty when he arrived in the Oratava Valley!
Parrots
We passed a birdhouse with a few parrots. They were Agapornis, also called “inseparable” because they live in pairs. Native to South Africa, they dazzled us with the shimmering colors of their plumage!
Many orchids
The Sitio Litre Garden is also called the “Jardin Sitio Litre Orchid Garden”, but don’t expect to see a spectacular collection of orchids. We were still able to admire some pretty specimens in pots in a small greenhouse.
An impressive dragon tree
This tree is the most striking of the visit, being 600 years old! Although smaller, it reminded us of the famous dragon tree at Icod de los Vinos. To admire it, why not opt for an excursion? We recommend this one-day itinerary, which will allow you to observe it and visit the splendid Mount Teide.
A carp pond
Finally, we observed numerous carp in a dedicated pond. We could even feed them! We were amazed at the diversity of the species represented, all of which had flamboyant colors.
Garden Sitio Litre in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife: how to get there
Where is the garden?
- In the town of Puerto de la Cruz,
- in the Malpais district, a 10-minute walk from downtown.
Access by car and parking
You’ll need to park in one of the parking lots below, as the streets are on slopes and have no parking spaces. The nearest is the Martiánez shopping center, a 5-minute walk away. Parking is also available at Plaza Constitucion, a ten-minute walk away.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Canary Islands
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a motor powerful enough for Tenerife and La Gomera. A small car is sufficient for the other islands
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- There’s a lot of demand and these are islands, so book early.
Public transport access
There is no public transport serving the garden.
Visiting difficulties
The garden soil is flat, with no particular difficulties. On the other hand, the neighborhood is on a slope, and there are stairs to reach the entrance.
Visit Sitio Litre Orchid Garden: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The garden is open daily from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Here are the prices:
- General rate: €4.75
- Reduced rate for Spanish nationals: €3.50
- Children’s rate (4-12 years): €2.37
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 20 to 45 minutes for the visit.
Best moment
We were able to make our visit in peace and quiet by going there as soon as it opened and during the week. We recommend you do the same if you’re looking for peace and quiet.
Direction of visit
There’s no set way to visit, so we followed the main path.
Visiting with children
There is no specific tour for children. On the other hand, painting workshops are held regularly in the garden, which can be an interesting activity for the whole family. To find out more, visit the official website here.
Eating out
The garden features a restaurant offering breakfast and brunch menus. It has a pleasant terrace and is open daily from 10:30 am to 2 pm. Reservations are mandatory. Visit the official website here for more information.
You’re just a ten-minute walk from the historic center, where you’ll find a wide range of restaurants. Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz.
Hotels
You’re right in the center of Puerto de la Cruz. Here are our recommendations for nearby accommodation:
- Hotel Puerto Azul (2 stars, downtown): this modern hotel offers excellent value for money and is just a 20-minute walk from the garden – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel Tigaiga (4 stars, Malpais): this quiet hotel will win you over with its swimming pool and lush garden, just a 15-minute walk from the Sitro Litre Garden! – see photos and availability.
- Hotel Botanico y Oriental Spa Garden (5 stars, La Paz): we were delighted with this luxury accommodation and its magnificent setting with several swimming pools – see photos and availability.
Discover our selection of the best hotels to stay in Puerto de la Cruz in our dedicated article!
DISCOVER THE Canary Islands
- Which Canary Island to choose?
- Most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands (coming soon)
- Most beautiful hotels in the Canary Islands (coming soon)
- When to visit the Canary Islands (coming soon)
- Lanzarote or Fuerteventura
- Gran Canaria or Fuerteventura
- Gran Canaria or Lanzarote