What to Do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

As you know, I’ve had the chance to travel to Tenerife twice! I enjoyed my second trip just as much, especially because I discovered a different side of the island. Its capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was part of that experience. Let me explain: the first time I stopped there, I didn’t enjoy the city. I think that was mainly because I didn’t give it enough time and only scratched the surface.

When I gave it a second chance, I realized that it’s actually a very pleasant city to explore. That’s why I’ve put together a complete guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, covering all the best things to see and do there. In my opinion, the capital is one of Tenerife’s must-see destinations. There are some lovely places to discover, especially the historic center with its colonial architecture and colorful houses, not to mention the Nuestra Señora de África market and much more! An island’s capital may not always be the main attraction, but I recommend setting that assumption aside and avoiding the mistake I made on my first trip to Tenerife. It would be a shame to miss everything the city has to offer!

So, I recommend adding it to your Tenerife itinerary. Half a day is enough to cover the main highlights, but if you’d rather take your time and soak up the atmosphere, plan on a full day. I hope I’ve already convinced you, at least a little. If so, stay right here—the rest of the article should be just what you’re looking for.

Alright, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Here are all the must-see sights in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!

You can probably guess why I’m starting with the Auditorio de Tenerife: it’s one of the city’s unmissable landmarks. In fact, it has become something of an emblem of the capital. You’ll spot it as soon as you arrive in Santa Cruz, whether you’re coming from the north or the south. Its bold, futuristic shape was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. His name may sound familiar, as he also designed Valencia’s famous City of Arts and Sciences.

Even if you don’t go inside, I recommend taking a walk around the building. The setting between the sea and the palm trees is especially pleasant. Between us, it’s also a great place to take photos. If you enjoy concerts, keep in mind that its impressive halls regularly host events. Check the program to see whether anything catches your eye!

To leave the port behind and start exploring the city itself, head to Plaza de España, a square you’ll find in cities across Spain. It sits right in the heart of Santa Cruz and has a lively atmosphere. I visited in the morning, when it wasn’t too crowded and felt particularly pleasant. Even though you’ve moved away from the port, the sea is still close by. What I liked most was how everything is arranged around the square, with cafés, restaurants, palm trees, and a large turquoise pool at its center. The atmosphere was lovely as I wandered around, even though the sun was already quite strong by mid-morning.

Beyond its lively atmosphere, the square also has a historical side. At its center stands a memorial to the Spanish Civil War. Either way, this is one place you shouldn’t miss. It’s where you can really feel Tenerife’s local character: friendly and full of life.

To keep enjoying that warm, distinctly Canarian atmosphere, I recommend visiting the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África. This local market has a bit of everything: tropical fruit, fish, spices, cheeses, pastries… You’ll almost certainly be tempted to stop at one or more stalls. Locals come here to shop or meet for coffee. The market is also attracting more and more tourists. That’s understandable, although it can be a little disappointing when large tour groups arrive by bus. I really noticed the difference compared with my first visit. Still, don’t worry—it remains a pleasant place to explore!

The market building itself also deserves a special mention. Its neocolonial design and large pink arcades make it both distinctive and impressive. Take your time wandering around and sampling a few new flavors.

Here’s another Santa Cruz gem that I missed on my first visit. It’s the largest park in the capital and a wonderfully pleasant place for a stroll. It brings a welcome touch of greenery to the city, with broad paths lined with tropical flowers, towering palm trees, fountains, and works of art that appear along the way.

I really enjoyed walking through the park, where it felt noticeably cooler than in the rest of the city. It’s popular with locals too: some come to walk their dogs, while others go jogging. And I almost forgot the large floral clock right by the entrance—it sets the tone as soon as you arrive!

Since we’re on the subject of greenery, let’s talk about the Palmetum de Santa Cruz. Set on a hill, this large botanical garden is home to hundreds of palm species from around the world, including Africa, Asia, and South America. It’s both beautiful and fascinating to explore!

Another highlight is the view of the sea and the Auditorio de Tenerife. The garden itself is neat and well maintained. One fact that really surprised me is that the site was originally a landfill before being transformed into an oasis. The result is a real success!

Parque Marítimo César Manrique is a wonderfully relaxing place to enjoy the sun and take a swim in Santa Cruz. As its name suggests, it is another site created by artist César Manrique, who also designed many well-known places in Lanzarote. Here again, his aim was to blend nature, architecture, and art.

To give you an idea, the complex includes several seawater pools surrounded by rocks and palm trees. It’s a great place to cool off when the weather gets too hot or simply stop for a drink. Honestly, after a day of sightseeing, it’s an ideal spot for a well-earned break!

If you love culture and contemporary art, TEA should be right up your alley. Even the building is a work of art: modern, minimalist, and designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the architects behind London’s Tate Modern. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions by both Canarian and international artists. And that’s not all: there’s also a public library and an art-house cinema. The atmosphere is naturally very peaceful. Even if you’re not usually a museum person, I think TEA is a beautiful place to visit.

Another museum worth considering is MUNA, which explores Tenerife’s natural history and origins. It is housed in a beautifully restored former colonial hospital, which gives the visit an added sense of character. The exhibits cover a wide range of topics, including the fauna, flora, and geology of the Canary Islands. There is also a section devoted to the Guanche people, Tenerife’s original inhabitants.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit it. But if I return to Tenerife, it will definitely be on my list! It seems like the kind of place where you can learn a great deal, especially since the collections are so well preserved. If you’re curious about the history of the largest island in the Canary Islands, it’s well worth considering.

If you’re in the mood for a leisurely stroll, the Rambla and Calle del Castillo are the places to go. These are two of the city’s main thoroughfares, lined with shops, cafés, restaurants, and all the usual amenities. Shopping is generally cheaper in Spain and even more so in the Canary Islands, so if you have a few purchases in mind, this may be the time. I made the most of it myself in Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote.

To give you a better idea, Santa Cruz’s Rambla is also lined with palm trees and works of art. It’s nice to pause from time to time as you make your way along the avenue. Naturally, it can get busy, especially in summer. For a quieter experience, visit in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Although it’s very well known, I haven’t had the chance to experience it yet. Still, it ranks among the world’s most famous carnivals, and from everything I’ve heard, it lives up to its reputation. So yes, I’ve added it to my list too, haha. It takes place every year between February and March. Santa Cruz de Tenerife comes alive—not quite like Rio de Janeiro, of course—but the streets are completely transformed, with music, floats, costumes, and a festive atmosphere everywhere you look!

Everyone joins in: locals, tourists, children, and more. Beyond the parades, the program also includes concerts, competitions, and dance parties. There’s a lot going on! If you’re in Tenerife at that time of year, you can at least stop by and see what appeals to you—or simply let yourself be surprised. In my opinion, it’s worth experiencing if you’re nearby.

If you’re only spending half a day in Santa Cruz, keep in mind that there’s plenty to do nearby. You can easily combine your visit with one of several must-do activities.

Just outside Santa Cruz, Playa de las Teresitas is a little slice of paradise where you can swim in turquoise water. I’d even say it’s the best-known beach in northern Tenerife. I loved the setting as soon as I arrived, with its golden sand, palm trees, and crystal-clear water. A fun fact: the sand was brought directly from the Sahara, and the result is beautiful.

Because the beach is easy to reach and ideal for swimming, it attracts both tourists and locals. That isn’t much of an issue, though, since it’s quite large. When I visited, it was extremely hot—easily around 35 degrees. Fortunately, I could sit in the shade beneath the palm trees without feeling crowded. The water was lovely too, exactly what I needed at the time! There are also small beach bars and a large free parking lot on site. I’ve also heard that it’s a great place to watch the sunset near Santa Cruz.

About 15 minutes by car from Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal de La Laguna is another place you shouldn’t miss. I completely fell for this small city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I especially recommend exploring its historic center. Parking can be difficult to find, so I suggest using a paid parking lot. It costs more than it did when I visited two years earlier, but it is still affordable compared with prices in our larger cities.

As we continued our visit, we wandered along cobblestone streets lined with colorful colonial-style houses and wooden balconies. La Laguna has a charm of its own and simply feels good to explore. It manages to be both peaceful and lively. I walked around without a particular plan, enjoying the moment and passing La Laguna Cathedral and the Convent of Santa Catalina along the way. I did stop at a lovely café for an exotic fruit smoothie, although there were plenty of other options on the menu. Honestly, Santa Cruz and La Laguna make a winning combination!

A little farther away—about 30 minutes from Santa Cruz—the scenery changes completely in Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. What immediately stands out is the contrast between the city and the forests tucked into the valleys. I almost felt as though I had arrived on a different island. In any case, it’s an ideal destination for hikers, with trails for every level.

You can easily explore Santa Cruz in the morning and head to Anaga Rural Park for a refreshing afternoon hike. Just don’t leave too late, as fog is common in these mountains. Personally, I loved walking through the park and feeling as though I had discovered a truly distinctive part of Tenerife.

As you can see, there are plenty of must-see places around Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Trying to fit them all into a single day would probably be too much, but you can combine the capital with one of the destinations mentioned here, depending on what you feel like doing. Either way, I’m sure you’ll have a great day!

As usual, here’s a practical section with a little more information about the island’s capital.

As you might expect, getting to Santa Cruz is very easy, which makes planning your visit straightforward. Since it’s the island’s capital, the transportation network is largely centered around the city, and the same is true of the main roads.

By car, it couldn’t be simpler: the TF-1 highway connects the south of the island, including Costa Adeje and Los Cristianos, directly with Santa Cruz. In general, allow about an hour to drive from these towns to the capital. Traffic usually moves smoothly on the highway, except in the late afternoon, when congestion can occur. The road follows the coast, with the ocean beside you for much of the journey, which makes the drive more enjoyable. From the north, including Puerto de la Cruz, allow around 30 minutes via the TF-5. Once you arrive, the easiest option is to park in a paid lot near the center and explore the city on foot.

By bus, Tenerife’s capital is very well connected. From Costa Adeje, for example, line 110 takes around 55 minutes. From Puerto de la Cruz, lines 101 and 102 travel toward Santa Cruz.

Wherever you’re staying on the island, getting to Santa Cruz is generally quite easy if you feel like making the trip.

Since we’re talking about transportation, take a look at our article on how to get around Tenerife. It should help you choose the best option for your vacation!

As I’ve already mentioned, Santa Cruz is very easy to explore on foot. It may be an island capital, but it still feels manageable in size. Most of the places covered in this guide are close together, including Plaza de España, the Nuestra Señora de África market, and Parque García Sanabria. That’s one of the city’s advantages: you can move from one sight to the next without rushing.

There is also a tram system connecting Santa Cruz and La Laguna. It has two lines, with Line 1 serving the main points between the two cities. For sightseeing in Santa Cruz itself, though, walking at your own pace is usually enough. If you get tired, buses and taxis are also available. Still, between us, nothing beats exploring on foot when you really want to soak up the city’s atmosphere.

Santa Cruz has plenty of great places to eat. You’ll find a bit of everything, from tapas to traditional local restaurants and much more. Since I was already enjoying the market atmosphere, I ate tapas and exotic fruit there, and everything was delicious!

For a more leisurely sit-down meal, try La Hierbita for traditional Canarian dishes. In the city center, D’Tapas 26 and El Porrón Tasca Andaluza are also good options, offering excellent value for money.

One tip: head to a restaurant around 12:30 p.m., before it gets too busy and while you still have a good chance of finding a table on the terrace. It’s the kind of moment that really makes you feel like you’re on vacation!

Staying in Santa Cruz can be a good choice if you want to be right in the heart of the action. There are accommodations to suit every taste and, most importantly, every budget. Here are a few options:

High budget

Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey: a beautiful 5-star hotel located right next to García Sanabria Park in Santa Cruz. Its highlights include spacious rooms, a spa, two pools, and gourmet restaurants. In short, it’s a well-known property.

Mid-range budget

Hotel Príncipe Paz: a more modest option, but still a comfortable hotel with good-quality amenities. It is very well located in the heart of Santa Cruz’s historic center. If it appeals to you, I recommend booking ahead.

Affordable budget

Hotel Adonis Capital: a simple, budget-friendly hotel in central Santa Cruz. Its location is clearly its main advantage, allowing you to explore the city on foot at your own pace.

For more places to stay in the city, take a look at our guide: Where to stay in Santa Cruz.

That brings us to the end of this guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. I hope it answered your questions and, above all, made you want to spend some time in the capital. After a mixed first experience, my second visit completely changed my mind. Santa Cruz is well worth a stop, whether you have half a day or a full day—the choice is yours!

On a different note—slightly less fun, but important—take a look at our article on the budget to plan for a trip to Tenerife.

Written by Laura CALLES

Thanks to Mélanie and Sylvain, I had the chance to discover the Canary Islands, specifically Tenerife and Lanzarote, so that I could share these island paradises with you. Two real favorites of mine!

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