Sitio Litre Garden in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

Of all the hidden secrets in Tenerife few are as close to hand as the glorious gardens of Sitio Litre. This historic mansion is barely 500 metres from the beaches but it is a world away in every other sense. Come along and allow us to transport you back hundreds of years, when colonial Tenerife was a lush land covered in dense vegetation.

The story of Sitio Litre begins when Archibald Little purchased what was then a convent in 1774. Inspired by the beauty of the island’s flowers, plants and trees, he began work on a stunning landscaped garden that has remained resplendent to this day. In fact, there is a drago tree in the estate that is believed to have been there since before the Spanish conquest in 1494! You’ll also find one of the oldest bougainvilleas in Tenerife and the largest collection of orchids.

In 1852, the estate was bought by astronomer Charles Piazzi Smith. His descendants held on to the property till 1996, when businessman John Lucas purchased it and opened it to the public. As a result, Sitio Litre is the oldest continuously owned British property in Spain – 240 years and counting.

Victorian botanist Marianne North, whose paintings are displayed in the house, said of Sitio Libre, ‘I never smelt roses as sweet as those in Mr Smith’s garden.’ And Agatha Christie was so taken by her stay that she was inspired to set a short story, The Man From The Sea, in Puerto de la Cruz.