City · Canarias · All places
The old colonial capital of Tenerife, a World Heritage university town above the sea with the island's main northern airport.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna, usually just La Laguna, sits on a high plain about six hundred metres above the sea in the north of Tenerife. It was the capital of the island and of the Canaries after the Spanish conquest, and its old town, laid out on a regular grid in the late fifteenth century, was a model for later colonial towns in the Americas. It is a World Heritage site.
Today it is a university town and a dormitory city for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, joined to the island's capital by a tram. The island's northern airport lies inside the municipality. The city has 161,108 residents (2025).
It suits people who want a historic, walkable town with students, forest and mountains close, and a mild climate that is cooler than the coast. It suits those who want beaches and sunshine on the doorstep much less.
Data as of · the latest figures cover Jun 2026
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What the data says
San Cristóbal de La Laguna stands out for connectivity and climate; it is weaker on digital and prosperity. A typical 70 m² rental costs about €512 a month (2024).
Who it suits, 0 to 100
Practical conclusions we draw from San Cristóbal de La Laguna’s figures. They are inferences, not official statistics: each says what it rests on.
You will meet English speakers, mostly in the centre and at international employers. Shops, landlords and schools expect Spanish. Contracts, the town hall and most doctors work in Spanish.
Summer nights stay warm, so sleep depends on a cooled bedroom. Check for air-conditioning before you sign.
Wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce, gofio, grilled cheese, Canarian stews and almond sweets.
Unhurried by day, with students and cafés keeping the old town busy.
Student bars and terraces on the pedestrian streets of the old town, quiet by Spanish standards after midnight.
The old town is the heart, La Cuesta and Taco are the dense residential areas and Bajamar and Punta del Hidalgo are small sea villages on the north coast.
Spanish with a Canarian accent, and plenty of English among students and visitors.
The Fiestas del Cristo in September, the Carnival and the pilgrimage of San Benito in July.
Anaga rural park with its laurel forest, the Las Mercedes trails and the sea pools of the north coast.
The old town is a pleasure to walk. Calle Obispo Rey Redondo and the streets around the Plaza del Adelantado are lined with pastel houses, wooden balconies and shaded courtyards, and the cathedral, the churches and the Concepción tower give it a skyline. Cars are limited in the centre, and it feels like a small town rather than part of a city of this size.
Students and academics give it energy, and the old streets have cafés, bookshops and small bars. On the edges are shopping centres and large blocks of flats, where ordinary residents live. The farmers' market is a good place to buy local fruit, vegetables and cheese. The University hospital in La Cuesta serves most of the north of the island.
The fiestas of the Cristo, in September, bring a large procession and a fair, and Carnival fills the streets with costumes and bands. People are warm, relaxed and proud of the island. Canarian Spanish is soft and easy to follow.
La Laguna was founded inland, away from the pirates who raided the coast, on the edge of a former lake. For three centuries it was the seat of the island's government, the church and the nobility, and the old town is full of the stone houses with wooden balconies and courtyards that this elite built. When the capital moved to the port of Santa Cruz in the nineteenth century, La Laguna kept its university, which dates from the eighteenth century, and became a quiet cultural and academic centre.
The university explains the feel of the place. Thousands of students from all over the island fill the cafés, the rooms and the buses, and the old town has a younger and more intellectual air than a typical Spanish town of its size. Rents and flats are in demand as a result. A typical 70 m² flat rents for about €512 a month (2024), and buying costs €2,042 per square metre (Q2 2026). House prices rose by 16.2% over the latest year (Q2 2026), and housing comes out below average.
The location explains the climate and the connections. The city lies in the path of the cool trade winds, which bring cloud and moisture to the northern slopes, and it has the best air links on the island apart from the southern airport: it comes out strong on connectivity, with the airport only 3 km away (2026). A modern tram runs through the city to Santa Cruz.
Money is modest. Household income per person is €14,792 a year (2024), and prosperity comes out below average. Safety is average and comes out average, and the digital side is the weakest: fibre reaches 93% of homes (2025), and the city comes out weak.
Figures for San Cristóbal de La Laguna itself, not its region. Each shows the period it covers.
Each card uses San Cristóbal de La Laguna data only and compares it with similar cities. Open “Why this score?” to see the measures behind it.
Connectivity is strong: in the top 10% of major European cities.
Distance to the main airport: 3.40 km — better than 100% of major European cities
Strong: 100 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the main airportSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2026-10-21 | 3.40 km | better than 100% of major European cities |
Climate is above average: in the top 10% of major European cities.
Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry): 308 days a year — better than 100% of major European cities
Above average: 72 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Pleasant days (18–28 °C, dry)San Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 308 days a year | better than 100% of major European cities |
| Days above 35 °CSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 0.00 days a year | better than 88% of major European cities |
| Nights above 20 °CSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2015-01-01..2024-12-31 | 135 nights a year | better than 0% of major European cities |
Safety is around the middle compared with similar cities.
Not ranked: too little comparable evidence yet.
Burglaries: 44.1 per 100k people — better than 96% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Average: 49 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| HomicidesSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 1.24 per 100k people | better than 29% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| RobberiesSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 76.3 per 100k people | better than 53% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| BurglariesSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 44.1 per 100k people | better than 96% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| TheftsSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 725 per 100k people | better than 89% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Vehicle theftsSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 77.0 per 100k people | better than 39% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Housing is below average: in the bottom quarter of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Rents, change in a year: 4.30% — worse than 84% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Below average: 40 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Rent per m²San Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2024 | 7.31 €/m² a month | better than 54% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rents, change in a yearSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2024 | 4.30% | better than 16% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Buying price per m²San Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2026-Q2 | 2,042 €/m² | better than 62% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Rent growth a year, over 3 yearsSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2024 | 5.35% | better than 33% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| House prices, change in a yearSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2026-Q2 | 16.2% | better than 35% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Prosperity is below average: behind most Spanish cities above 50,000.
Household income per person: 14,792 € a year per person — worse than 64% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Below average: 36 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Household income per personSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2024 | 14,792 € a year per person | better than 36% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
Digital is weak: in the bottom 10% of Spanish cities above 50,000.
Homes with fibre to the door: 93.5% — worse than 96% of Spanish cities above 50,000
Weak: 6 out of 100, where 50 is typical for the comparison group. These are the measures behind it.
| Measure | Value | Compared with peers |
|---|---|---|
| Homes that can get gigabit internetSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 92.1% | better than 4% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| Homes with fibre to the doorSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 93.5% | better than 4% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
| 5G coverageSan Cristóbal de La Laguna · 2025 | 99.9% | better than 9% of Spanish cities above 50,000 |
What we cannot score for San Cristóbal de La Laguna yet
Highs around 24° in August, lows around 16° in February. 308 pleasant days a year (dry, 18–28 °C). 135 warm nights above 20 °C: check for air-conditioning.
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.0°C | 16.6°C | 20 mm |
| February | 18.8°C | 16.2°C | 23 mm |
| March | 19.0°C | 16.3°C | 20 mm |
| April | 20.1°C | 17.2°C | 9 mm |
| May | 21.1°C | 18.1°C | 6 mm |
| June | 22.4°C | 19.6°C | 4 mm |
| July | 23.4°C | 20.7°C | 1 mm |
| August | 24.4°C | 21.5°C | 3 mm |
| September | 24.4°C | 21.7°C | 11 mm |
| October | 24.0°C | 21.1°C | 20 mm |
| November | 22.0°C | 19.5°C | 24 mm |
| December | 20.4°C | 18.0°C | 32 mm |
La Laguna is cooler than the coast because it sits at altitude and catches the trade-wind cloud. The climate is mild all year, with warm but not hot summers and cool, damp winters, and the grey cloud that locals call the donkey's belly can sit over the city for days. Frost is unknown, with 0 a year (2015–2024), and very hot days are 0 a year (2015–2024).
Pleasant days, mild and dry, number 308 a year (2015–2024). For sun and heat, people drive south or down to the coast, and the weather in the north can change within a few kilometres. Houses are built without heating, so a damp winter can feel colder than the thermometer says. It is a year-round city for people who like temperate weather.
Lines start with Spain; switch the others on to compare.
16.2% in Q2 2026
€7.3 per m² a month in 2024
€2,042 per m² in Q2 2026
Facts about the people who live in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Shown as context only: none of this changes a score.
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Fit from the data, 0 to 100, against other Spanish cities. Open a group to see the figures behind it.
Anaga rural park, laurel forest, the Las Mercedes trails and the sea pools of the north coast are on the doorstep.
Not measured yet: Environment, Fine-particle pollution (PM2.5), Lifestyle, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Strong-wind days.
A mild, cool climate, a historic walkable centre and an airport in town, but damp winters and hills in places.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Doctors, Environment, Healthcare, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).
Tourism, services and the university offer openings, and the Canary tax regime helps, but the market is small.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Adults with a university degree, Jobs, Jobs in high-tech sectors, Regulatory quality, Residents born abroad.
A pleasant, historic town with large homes on the hills, but no luxury scene to speak of.
Not measured yet: Average dwelling size, Education, Environment, Healthcare, Income tax and social security, average earner, Total tax on labour, average earner.
A calm island base with an airport in town, though fibre is patchy outside the centre.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Fixed broadband penetration, Lifestyle, Residents born abroad.
Cheaper than the south of Tenerife, with a good tram and bus network, but rents are climbing.
Not measured yet: Cost of Living, Households spending >40% of income on housing, Jobs, Price level vs EU average, Unemployment.
A calm town with parks, schools and forests, but rents are squeezed by students and income is modest.
Not measured yet: 15-year-olds' maths (PISA), Average commute (one way), Average dwelling size, Childcare availability, Education, Environment, Healthcare, Jobs, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), Pre-primary participation, Recorded crime.
A modest job market linked to the university, the hospital, tourism and the public sector, with Santa Cruz close.
Not measured yet: Commute by public transport, Jobs, Jobs in high-tech sectors, Lifestyle, Median age, Median gross salary, Residents born abroad, Transport, Unemployment, Youth unemployment (15–24).
The oldest university in the islands, in a historic setting, with a large student population.
Not measured yet: Adults with a university degree, Commute by public transport, Cost of Living, Cycle most, Education, Lifestyle, Median age, Price level vs EU average, Transport, Walk most, Youth unemployment (15–24).
A World Heritage old town, a university and a calendar of fiestas, in a small and walkable setting.
Nothing stands out.
Not measured yet: Adults with a university degree, Commute by public transport, Lifestyle, Median age, Residents born abroad, Transport, Walk most.
Taxes, residency and the wider economy are set nationally, so they are the same in San Cristóbal de La Laguna as anywhere in Spain.
Compared with San Cristóbal de La Laguna; each card says where it is better or worse for someone living there.
70 m²: €593 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La Laguna70 m²: €497 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La Laguna70 m²: €641 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La Laguna70 m²: €700 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La Laguna70 m²: €567 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La Laguna70 m²: €625 a month
Compare with San Cristóbal de La LagunaGuide written 2026-10-22. Figures are refreshed as new official data is published; the period beside each number says what it covers. “Our read” cards are our inferences from those figures. How we score
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