Monasterio Montaneta makes Tenerife holidays unforgettable.

The Monasterio is a term used by expats of Tenerife insiders. The legendary place is rather called La Montaneta (little mountain)
of los Realejos by the locals.However, it is a proper attraction of Puerto de la Cruz; it takes only 2 or 3 minutes by car to get to it from the top of Carretera Las Arenas street. Tinerfeños love it for family holidays. Monasterio Montañeta, as spelled in Spanish, was first a large finca (farmstead), founded centuries ago by a shrewd monk called Antonio the Gomeran.

What you see in the picture hides the actual Mesón Montaneta,(montañeta), the biggest building, which you notice when you enter the estate.

By the way Antonio the Gomeran, was remarkable for its manner to do Tenerife business.

Realejos mount for children and adult fun:

La Montañeta with its small medieval monastery section is today one of interesting Tenerife attractions.

Locals love to take their little kids there. The children adore to run around the park's poultry, baby chicken, peacocks and ducks.

Only the ponies, goats and rabbits are fenced in. Look out for one particular rabbit, which is very cute...

The theme park is just above the village La Vera at
3 min. from Alcampo la Villa shopping mall at 15 minutes by cab (cost about € 4,-) from Puerto de la Cruz. Titsa bus 352 from Puerto Cruz also takes you there.

Total terrain is 100 000 square meters or 25,71 hectares, much of which is virgin land, hence the ideal nature reserve.

I love to have typical Tenerife food like conejo (rabbit) and local
red Orotava wine, there. All tastes very good surrounded by unspoiled country air in the semi shaded main patio restaurant of
Monasterio courtyard where Tilandsias which grasp their plant energy from air and sun cling to tall palm trunks.

While spoiled by attentive waiters you will be delighted by the sight of abundant pink bougainvillea, geraniums and ivies. You will discover colorful tiles on walls and typical rural gadgets nearby.

Several restaurants to take your pick:

I will introduce you to my favorite Tenerife Montañeta restaurant which is 'gourmet', later on.

The amount of cars that you often see in its car park which has space for 200 proves that the Monasterio is not only popular for Tenerife day trips but, also at night.

When I took my daughter there on a mild January winter afternoon she classified it as one of Tenerife attractions made up as theme park on the island which is not to be missed.

You may do a trip to La Vera's Montañeta any time of the year.

Montañeta is popular for breakfasts:

As I didn't see a booking number, note this one: Tel: 922 344311...

Did you know that the name Meson, which you see often added, stands for its first restaurant by the entrance? Meson means huge house and that's exactly what the Montañeta's number 1 eating place looks like.

The nature reserve Monasterio park below the mount was turned into a natural park by introducing more plants and trees. The ones which are not indigenous are drought resistant.

What is seen on the mountain slopes has been left to spread by elements and bees..

Never would the monk have believed that this small mountain Montaneta would one day be declared geologically protected area in Tenerife which is documented at the Los Realejos town hall.

This almost free standing estate with its fairly sized mount was not in danger during 2007 August wildfires, by the way.

With its roundish shape La Montañeta of the Monasterio looks just like an over-sized Pueblo Indian mount in America.

This volcanic elevation is very typical, but not unique on Tenerife Island for its shape. It's a green landmark with a white little chapel on top which one can see from far when traveling on the free way passing below La Orotava or, when approaching from Los Realejos. It is seen from as remote as the Mercedes forests, from La Orotava and, of course, from many areas in Puerto de la Cruz.

Hotel on top of a mountain:

The Montaneta of Monasterio is not to be mistaken by the similar looking green elevation in its neighborhood by the Free Way which is crowned by the large red Hotel La Aguillas.

The difference between the 2 mounts is, you can drive up to the stunning Hotel Las Aguilas of Puerto de la Cruz but, not up to the summit of the bigger one.

The height of Montañeta is 370 meters. It's real peculiar that Spain's highest peak Tenerife mount Teide 'where the little mountain is looking up to', is only about 10 times taller with its 3718 meters or 12199feet.

Coming to think of it trips to the Realejos Montaneta are much easier to plan than Teide excursions.

Geological history of Montañeta Realejos:

It was this mountain of the Monasterio which caused the harbor of Puerto de la Cruz to shrink by volcanic deposits, a very long time ago.

How get to Meson El Monasterio Tenerife?

See Mount Montañeta of the monk as landmark in areal Orotava Valley and Los Realejos photos , which show how close it is to Puerto de la Cruz.

You can also consult Tenerife maps.

For more photos and fun please, see a review of Tenerife walking with two Swedish girls' at and, from the never forgotten monk's place into Puerto de la Cruz.

La Gorvorana, contrary to el Monasterio:

Look at the historical farmstead Finca La Gorvorana... It was a little late to turn it into a theme park when it was bought by the town of Los Realejos in 2001. La Gorvorana ended up as environmental issue, while its valuable patrimonio or national heritage got spoiled.

Here, you may return from Monasterio to Tenerife attractions.

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