Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island of Tenerife, which is also one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands. The area of the city is 150 km2, and its population in 2019 does not exceed 208 thousand inhabitants. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the government of Tenerife meets, and every four years the city acts as a platform for the work of the Parliament.
Translated from Spanish, the name “Santa Cruz “is interpreted as”Holy Cross”. The European history of Santa Cruz de Tenerife began in 1494, when the Andalusian general A. F. De Lugo landed on the northeastern coast of Tenerife. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, the local fishing village began to develop rapidly and by the 16th century had become a valuable port city. By the beginning of the 18th century, Santa Cruz de Tenerife was recognized as the main administrative point of Tenerife, and a century later-the capital of all the Canary Islands. Since 1927, the archipelago has had a second capital — Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, located on the neighboring island of Gran Canaria.
Despite the huge popularity of the Canary Islands among tourists, it would be wrong to call Santa Cruz in Tenerife a thriving resort, because most visitors choose to relax in the more southern and western directions of the island. Nevertheless, the city is in demand among travelers as a historical site with a number of attractive attractions. Many people come here for shopping: it is not for nothing that the core of the city’s economy is the shopping sector. Among other things, in the vicinity of Santa Cruz de Tenerife there are a couple of picturesque beaches and several good hotels, so the place deserves its share of tourist attention.
Attractions and entertainment
Attractions of the capital Tenerife include both urban historical sites and natural locations. It will take at least an hour to see some of them, while getting to know others will take only a couple of tens of minutes. What sights are worth seeing first of all?
Central Market
One of the most visited attractions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife-its Central Market-is located in a historic building of light pink color. The building was erected in the 40s of the last century in the classical colonial architectural style. At the entrance, you can see two interesting sculptures: a boat launched by fishermen, and a woman carrying jugs on her head. Then you will be greeted by a spacious arched passage inside the market, in the walls of which you will find a lot of stalls with various kinds of products.
Fresh vegetables and fruits from local farmers are sold on site at very low prices. Delight the tourist eye and meat rows with a rich selection of delicacies, including the famous jamon. Special attention should be paid to the fish sector, where fresh seafood is presented, which can be tasted right here for a small fee. Cheese shops, departments with spices and sweets also offer a fairly wide range. Many tourists initially visit the central market of Santa Cruz de Tenerife solely for sightseeing purposes, but eventually leave this colorful corner with bags full of shopping.
- Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday, the attraction is open from 06: 00 to 14: 00, on Sundays-from 07: 00 to 14: 00.
- Address: Av. de San Sebastián, 51, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Official website: https://la-recova.com/en/home/
Plaza de Espana
In the photo of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can often see another important attraction-Plaza de Espana. It is the main one not only in Tenerife itself, but also in the entire Canary Archipelago. The object was built in 1929, and today its size reaches just over 5 thousand m2. The main attraction of the square is the Monument to the Fallen, built here in 1944 after the Civil War. The memorial is a massive tower built in the form of a cross and mounted on a pedestal decorated with bas-reliefs with images of military personnel.
In addition, the center of the square is decorated with an artificial pond with a blue bottom. Every year, landscaping and decoration works are carried out here, so the place will delight you with its colorful flowerbeds and lush green trees. It is from Plaza de Espana that the main avenues of Santa Cruz de Tenerife originate. There are several cozy cafes on site, and a small souvenir market is located in the immediate vicinity. Double-decker buses also leave the square for sightseeing tours of the city.
Auditorium
One of the most recognizable attractions in Tenerife in Santa Cruz is the Auditorium. This is an incredible architectural project of the engineer Santiago Calatrava, whose implementation began in 1997 and was completed in 2003. As a result, the world was presented with an ingenious structure with an incredible interweaving of lines and textures. Subsequently, the building was recognized as a great representative of postmodern architecture. To understand the grandeur of the structure, it is enough to evaluate only its roof with a length of 100 m and a weight of 350 tons.
The auditorium in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located off the coast on Constitution Avenue: you can see it almost everywhere and even from the observation deck in San Andres, which is 9 km from the city. Inside the unique attraction is a theater with two concert halls – opera and chamber. There is also a restaurant offering scenic views of the ocean coast.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of Tenerife is also considered a bright attraction of the capital. The complex is spread over an area of 12 hectares and primarily specializes in the maintenance and cultivation of palm plants. It is surprising that there used to be a garbage dump on the territory of the park, which was cleared and transformed into a botanical garden only thanks to the joint efforts of numerous international organizations. Today, the institution’s collection is the best in Europe.
Once on the territory of the complex, you will realize how rich the world of palm trees is. Here you will find subtropical plants from different countries and continents – South America, Africa, Asia, etc. This is a very beautiful and well-kept garden with a lot of viewing platforms, from where you can enjoy picturesque panoramas of the city and the coast. Shops are set up all over the territory, there are signs in several languages, restrooms are functioning. You can purchase a map of the complex at the checkout, but you can also download a free guide app.
- Opening hours: the attraction is open daily from 10: 00 to 18: 00 (last entrance at 17: 00).
- Admission fee: adult ticket – 6 €, children’s ticket-2.80 €.
- Address: Av la Constitución, 5, 38005 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Official website: https://palmetumtenerife.es/
Historic center of San Cristobal de la Laguna
10 km west of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the tiny town of San Cristobal de la Laguna, which attracts tourists primarily for its historic center. Founded in 1496 by the conquistador A. F. de Lugo, it became the first capital of Tenerife, which is why many interesting architectural structures were built on its territory. The historical center of the city retains its original appearance to this day, which, of course, attracts the attention of tourists.
This Tenerife town is a combination of ancient churches and neat parks, cobbled streets and ancient residential buildings. Be sure to visit the city’s Cathedral, the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Royal Temple of Cristo de La Laguna. In the center, it is pleasant to take a leisurely walk, relax in one of the squares, enjoying the view of local fountains and sculptures. It is noteworthy that the most valuable structures here are marked with signs with their name and date of construction. In the Old Town you will find several cozy cafes and pastry shops, as well as rows of shopping stalls.
Military History Museum of the Canary Islands
The Military History Museum of the Canary Islands in Spain in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a real pride and one of the main attractions in Tenerife. The institution is located on the territory of a former fort and its main exhibits are devoted to the military history of the archipelago. The main exhibition of the museum tells about the famous battle of 1797, in which the Spanish defeated the British Admiral Nelson. Several dioramas of the gallery are dedicated to this event, but a significant part of them also covers other important historical episodes, for example, the passage of Columbus through the Canary Islands on his way to India.
Among the valuable exhibits of the museum in Tenerife, you can see military equipment, weapons, armor, uniforms, orders, swords, etc. One of the most interesting items of the collection was the Tiger cannon: it is believed that it was from it that the fateful shot that wounded Admiral Nelson was made. The complex features many replicas of various ships. Here you can use the audio guide (only in English and Spanish).
- Opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday, the attraction is open from 09: 00 to 15: 00, on Saturday and Sunday-from 10: 00 to 14: 00.
- Admission fee: free of charge.
- Address: Calle San Isidro, 2, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
- Official website: http://www.ejercito.mde.es/unidades/Madrid/ihycm/Museos/canarias.html
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Among the religious attractions of Santa Cruz in Tenerife, a special place is occupied by the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It is an important historical monument that played a major role in the spread of the Catholic faith in the Canary Archipelago. The structure was built in 1500, so the church is considered one of the oldest in Tenerife. Initially, the temple was called Santa Cruz, after which, in fact, the future capital of the island was named. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, the shrine was renamed the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
From the outside, the temple looks quite ordinary: the only thing that attracts attention here is its bell tower. But the deceptive simplicity of the exterior decoration is replaced by luxurious elements of the interior, decorated in the Baroque style. The main place in the church is occupied by a carved wooden altar and biblical sculptures decorating it. Inside, it’s also interesting to see an organ brought to Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the mid-19th century from London. The church is located near Plaza de Espana, and you can enter here completely free of charge.
Anaga Mountains
If you are interested in the natural attractions of the capital Tenerife, then we recommend visiting the Anaga mountain range. This is a great place for both car trips and hiking. On the way up the mountain, you will have to overcome a picturesque wooded area with rare flora and fauna. There are several routes for tourists to choose from, but on each of them there are numerous viewing platforms from which you can see vivid pictures of valleys, hills and the ocean.
If you are planning a hike, keep in mind that even the easiest route involves an hour-long uphill climb. Be sure to prepare comfortable shoes and bring a warm jacket, as it can be quite cool at the top. It is important to note that Anaga National Park is divided into 3 protected areas, and to visit one of them (the El Pijaral trail), you must obtain a permit in advance on the site https://centralreservas.tenerife.es The rest of the trails (Ijuana and Roques-de-Anaga) can be used without prior approval.
Beaches
Calling Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spain a beach resort would be a mistake. After all, the city is a port, and it is logical that a significant part of the coast here is occupied by a port. And if you want to arrange a beach holiday, then you will have to travel outside the capital. In the immediate vicinity of the city there are only two beaches — Las Teresitas and Las Gaviotas.
Las Teresitas
The beach is located 9 km northeast of the city, near the village of San Andres. The coast is characterized by a golden sandy surface, smooth entry into the water, and the absence of strong waves. On Las Teresitas you will find all the necessary infrastructure: shower, toilet, changing rooms. Umbrellas and sun loungers can be rented. Various restaurants can be found in the immediate vicinity of the beach, and free parking is available.
Las Gaviotas
The place is located in the north-eastern part of Tenerife, 14 km from the capital and 5 km from the beach of Las Teresitas. The local coast, hidden among the rocks, is primarily distinguished by black volcanic sand and strong waves. This is a wild beach, there is no infrastructure. Nudists are often found among tourists here. Las Gaviotas is not very well located and can only be reached by car.
Where to stay
More than 80 hotels open their doors to tourists in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and its surroundings. But it is important to clarify that most of them are apartments and apartments, and 30% are different hotels (mainly two – and three-star hotels). There is only one 5* hotel in the city — Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey. Summer accommodation costs € 113 per night for two people.
It is almost twice as cheap to rent a room in a three-star hotel. The cost of a double room in such establishments starts from 60 € per night and does not exceed 90 €. Some options include a complimentary breakfast.
But you will find the best choice of accommodation in the category “Apartments”. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, there are about fifty options for apartments of different quality and location. Prices for renting rooms for two persons in high season start from 37 € and range from 50-100 €.
Weather and climate
The ideal months to visit the capital Tenerife are August, September and October. This is the warmest period when the average air temperature is kept at least 25°C, and precipitation practically does not fall. At this time, you will find the most comfortable water for swimming in the ocean (23-24°C).
Rest in this part of Tenerife is quite acceptable and in the period from May to July: during the day, the air warms up to 21-25°C, and the water in the sea is not so cold-21-23°C. But from January to March, it is not recommended to come here for a beach holiday. These are the coldest months, often accompanied by rain and strong gusts of wind.
Useful tips
- If you want to get to the main city festival (the Day of the foundation of the capital), we recommend that you plan your visit to Tenerife in early May. Celebrations take place on the night of May 2 to 3, when local residents set tables in the streets, arrange enchanting processions in costumes, dance, sing and have fun.
- If one of the main components of your holiday is shopping, then a visit to Santa Cruz de Tenerife is best planned for July-August. It is during these months that the capital’s boutiques and stores arrange grandiose sales, when goods can be purchased at a 50-70% discount.
- If you do not have enough time for a more or less complete tour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is enough to set aside one day. You can spend the morning reviewing architectural monuments, visit the Military Museum before lunch,and then visit the Botanical Garden.
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