The municipal area extends from a short stretch of coastline on the northwest coast north of Puerto de la Cruz into the interior of the island up to the Pico de Teide. At 206.78 km², it is the largest of Tenerife's 30 municipal areas and borders on 15 of them: Icod de los Vinos, Puerto de la Cruz and Los Realejos to the north, Arafo and Santa Úrsula to the northeast, Fasnia and Güímar to the east, Arico to the southeast, Granadilla de Abona and Vilaflor to the south, Adeje to the southwest, Guía de Isora and Santiago del Teide to the west and La Guancha and San Juan de la Rambla to the northwest.

The charming location in the Orotava Valley (Valle de Orotava) attracted travelers 200 years ago, such as the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. The Mirador Humboldt (Humboldt View), a much-visited view over the valley, is named after him. The Teide National Park, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, is largely located in the urban area of La Orotava.