What to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

As you know, I had the opportunity to travel twice to the island of Tenerife! I enjoyed it just as much by discovering another side of the island. Its capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is part of that. Let me explain: the first time, I stopped there and didn’t enjoy the city. I think it’s mainly because I didn’t give it enough time and only visited it on the surface.

By giving it a second chance, I realized it’s actually a pretty nice city and pleasant to explore. That’s why I’ve prepared a complete guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with all the things to see and do on site. In my view, the capital is among Tenerife’s must-sees. It has lovely spots to discover, particularly the historic center with its colonial style and colorful houses, not to mention the Nuestra Señora de África market, and many other things! Even if an island’s capital isn’t often the best thing to see, I recommend setting aside that preconception and not doing what I did on my first time in Tenerife. It would be a shame to miss what the city has to offer!

So I recommend adding it to your Tenerife itinerary. If you want to cover the main highlights, half a day is enough. But if you’d rather take your time and enjoy the vibe, go for a full day. I hope I’ve already convinced you a little. If so, don’t move: the rest of the article should interest you.

Alright, I won’t make you wait any longer. I’m going to show you all the unmissable sights in Santa Cruz de Tenerife!

You can probably guess, if I’m starting with the Auditorio de Tenerife, it’s because you shouldn’t miss it. It’s a bit of an emblem of the capital. You’ll see it as soon as you arrive in the capital, whether you come from the north or the south. It has an imposing, futuristic shape, created by architect Santiago Calatrava. His name might ring a bell, as he also designed Valencia’s famous City of Arts and Sciences.

Even if you don’t go inside, I recommend strolling around it. It’s super pleasant, as you’ll be between the sea and the palm trees. Between us, it’s also the perfect spot for photos. If you like concerts, note that there are often events in one of its very cool halls. Just have a look at the schedule to see if you like anything!

To get away from the port and really discover the city, nothing beats the Plaza de España, which you’ll find in every city in Spain. It’s truly at the heart of the city and is quite lively. Since I was there in the morning, it was fine: not too crowded, just pleasant. Well, even if you’re no longer in the port, you’re still near the sea. What I liked is that everything is organized around it, with cafés, restaurants, palm trees, and a large turquoise water basin in the middle. I felt a good vibe as I wandered around, even though the sun was already pretty strong for mid-morning.

Beyond the buzz, this square also has history. In the center, there’s a war memorial to the civil war. In any case, it’s really the place not to miss. This is where you feel Tenerife’s local vibe: very friendly and lively.

To keep up the warm, typical Tenerife mood, I recommend a visit to the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África. It’s a Canarian market where you’ll find everything: tropical fruit, fish, spices, cheeses, pastries… In my opinion, you’ll definitely want to stop at one or more stalls. Locals come here to do their shopping or meet up for a coffee. It’s a market that’s attracting more and more tourists. That’s understandable, but it’s a bit of a shame when large bus groups arrive. I really noticed the difference from the first time I came. But it’s still pleasant, don’t worry!

And a special mention for the market building: it’s quite unique and impressive, with its neocolonial style and large pink arcades! In any case, I invite you to take your time wandering and tasting new flavors.

Here’s another gem of Santa Cruz that I missed the first time I came. It’s simply the largest park in the capital, and it’s super pleasant to stroll through. It adds a touch of greenery to the city. There are wide paths lined with tropical flowers, giant palm trees, fountains, and even works of art that you come across as you go.

I really enjoyed walking there: it was cooler than in the rest of the city. Even for locals, this park is popular: some walk their dogs, others go jogging, etc. Oh yes, I almost forgot the large flower clock right at the park entrance! It sets the tone from the start!

Since we’re on the theme of greenery, why not talk about the Palmetum de Santa Cruz! To set the scene, it’s a large botanical garden on a hill, with hundreds of palm species from all over the world: Africa, Asia, South America. It’s both beautiful and interesting to discover!

The added bonus is the view of the sea and the Auditorio de Tenerife. As for the garden, it’s well maintained and neat. A fun fact that really surprised me: it was originally a landfill that was transformed into an oasis. And the result is a great success!

Parque Marítimo César Manrique is a super relaxing place to enjoy the sun and go for a swim in Santa Cruz. Given its name, it’s yet another place created and imagined by the artist César Manrique (who also designed many well-known spots in Lanzarote). Once again, with this place, he wanted to perfectly combine nature, architecture, and art.

To give you an idea, there are several seawater pools bordered by rocks and palm trees! It’s great for chilling when it’s too hot, or even for grabbing a drink. Honestly, after a day of sightseeing, it’s the ideal spot for a well-deserved break!

For culture and contemporary art lovers, TEA will be right up your alley. Even the building itself is a work of art: it’s modern, minimalist, and was designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron (the same ones behind London’s Tate Modern!). Inside, there are exhibitions by Canarian and international artists. That’s not all! There’s also a public library and an art-house cinema. Needless to say, the atmosphere is very calm. I think that even if you’re not a museum fan, TEA is a beautiful place to visit!

As another museum to visit, I recommend MUNA, which traces the natural history and origins of the island of Tenerife. What’s special is that it’s housed in a former colonial hospital, beautifully restored. What’s great is the variety of exhibits on the fauna, flora, and geology of the Canary Islands. There’s also a section dedicated to the history of the Guanche people, the ancient and first inhabitants of Tenerife.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to visit it. But if I return to Tenerife, it will be on my list! I think you learn quite a lot there, especially since the collections are very well preserved. If you’re curious to learn more about the history of the Canary Islands’ main island, go for it!

If you feel like strolling and wandering a bit, the Rambla and Calle del Castillo are the places to go. These are the two main arteries, with shops, cafés, restaurants, and all amenities. Shopping is already cheaper in Spain, and even more so in the Canary Islands. If you have purchases in mind, now’s the time! As for me, I made the most of it in the capital of Lanzarote, Arrecife.

To give you a better idea, Santa Cruz’s Rambla is lined with palm trees and artworks as well. It’s nice to stop now and then as you make your way along the avenue. Of course, it’s often busy, especially in summer. But if you want some peace and quiet, just go in the morning or late afternoon.

Even though it’s very well-known, I haven’t yet had the chance to attend! Still, it’s among the most famous carnivals in the world. From what I’ve heard, it lives up to its reputation. So 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 like Rio de Janeiro, of course), but the streets are completely transformed: with music, floats, and costumes, the atmosphere is in full swing!

And everyone gets in on it: locals, tourists, children, etc. Besides the parades, there are also concerts, competitions, and dance parties. The program is packed! If you’re in Tenerife at that time, you can at least go take a look, depending on what interests you, or keep it as a surprise. In my opinion, it’s worth it if you’re around!

If you’re spending half a day in Santa Cruz, know that there’s plenty to do nearby! You can combine several must-do activities.

Very close to Santa Cruz, Playa de las Teresitas is a little slice of paradise for swimming in turquoise water. I’d say it’s even the best-known beach in northern Tenerife. It’s true that as soon as I arrived, I loved the setting, with golden sand, palm trees, and crystal-clear water. For your info, the sand comes directly from the Sahara: it’s just gorgeous.

Since it’s an accessible beach and great for swimming, it attracts both tourists and locals. That’s not really a problem, as it’s quite large. When I went, it was very hot (around 35 degrees, easily). What was handy is that I could sit in the shade under the palm trees without being on top of other people. Plus, the water was lovely: exactly what I needed at the time! If needed, there are small beach bars on site and a large free parking lot. For your info, I’ve also heard it’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset in Tenerife, near Santa Cruz.

About 15 minutes by car from Santa Cruz, you can’t miss San Cristóbal de La Laguna. I had a real crush on this little town. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site! I especially invite you to visit its historic center. Parking spots are hard to find, so I recommend choosing a paid parking lot. It’s more expensive than when I visited two years ago, but still affordable compared to our big cities.

Continuing our visit, we wandered the cobbled streets among colorful (colonial-style) houses and wooden balconies. It’s a town with a certain charm, where you feel good. It’s both calm and lively. I walked around without any specific plan in mind, just enjoying the moment and passing by La Laguna Cathedral and the Convent of Santa Catalina. I did stop in a nice café for an exotic fruit smoothie. But there were plenty of other things on the menu! Honestly, it’s a winning combo: visit Santa Cruz + La Laguna!

A little further on (30 minutes from Santa Cruz), it’s a whole different setting: Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. What strikes you is the contrast between the city and the forests nestled in the valleys. I almost felt like I’d changed islands. In any case, it’s the ideal place for hikers. There are trails for all levels.

You can easily visit Santa Cruz in the morning and go for a cool afternoon hike in Anaga Rural Park. Don’t go too late either, as there’s often fog in these mountains. Personally, I enjoyed walking in the park and feeling like I was in a unique place in Tenerife.

As you’ve seen, there are many must-sees to discover around Santa Cruz de Tenerife. I think it would be too complicated to do them all in a single day. But you can choose the capital and one of the places presented here, depending on your desires. In any case, I know you’ll be happy with your day!

As usual, here’s the practical corner to give you more info about the island’s capital.

Unsurprisingly, it’s very easy to get to Santa Cruz, which is great for us. As it’s the island’s capital, the entire transport network is organized around it. It’s the same for the roads.

By car, it couldn’t be easier: the TF-1 highway connects the south (Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, etc.) directly to Santa Cruz. In general, plan for about an hour’s drive from these towns to reach Santa Cruz. Traffic flows well on the highway, except late afternoon, when there may be some congestion. The highway runs along the coast: you have the ocean alongside you the whole way, which makes the drive more pleasant, I think. From the north (Puerto de la Cruz), allow around 30 minutes via the TF-5. Once you arrive, it’s best to park in a paid parking lot near the center, then explore the city on foot.

By bus, Tenerife’s capital is very well served. For example: from Costa Adeje, there’s line 110, for a trip of about 1 h 15. From Puerto de la Cruz, there are lines 101 and 102 toward Santa Cruz.

I’m tempted to say that wherever you are, if you feel like it, you can easily come to Santa Cruz.

Since we’re on the topic of transport, feel free to read our article on how to get around Tenerife. It should help you choose the best option for your vacation!

I’ve already mentioned it a bit: Santa Cruz is very walkable. It’s still an island capital on a human scale. Most of the places I’ve presented are close to each other, like Plaza de España, the Nuestra Señora de África market, or Parque García Sanabria. That’s what’s interesting: everything flows without having to rush.

If needed, there’s the Tenerife tram, which connects Santa Cruz to La Laguna. There are two lines, one of which serves all the main points between the two cities. But to visit the city, simply walking at your own pace will be enough. If you get tired, there are also buses or taxis, no worries. Even though, between us, nothing beats a walk to really soak up the city’s atmosphere.

In Santa Cruz, there are tons of great places to eat. It’s simple, there’s everything: tapas, local restaurants, and much more. As for me, since I was in the market vibe, I ate tapas and exotic fruit there: it was super good!

But if you really want restaurants where you can take your time and sit down, there’s La Hierbita, to try typical Canarian dishes. In the center, there’s D’Tapas 26 or El Porrón Tasca Andaluza: they’re good and offer excellent value for money.

A little tip: go to the restaurant around 12:30 p.m., before it gets too crowded, and especially to get a table on the terrace. That’s the kind of moment when you really feel like you’re on vacation!

Staying in Santa Cruz can be a good option if you want to be at the heart of the action! Plus, there’s accommodation for every taste and, above all, for every budget. Here are a few:

High budget

Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey: a superb 5-star hotel, right next to Santa Cruz’s García Sanabria Park. You’ll no doubt appreciate its spacious rooms, spa, two pools, and gourmet restaurants. In short, we’re talking about a renowned establishment!

Mid-range budget

Hotel Príncipe Paz: even if we’re stepping down a notch, this hotel is comfortable, with good-quality services. It’s very well located, in the heart of Santa Cruz’s historic center. So if it tempts you, I recommend booking in advance.

Affordable budget

Hotel Adonis Capital: a hotel that aims to be simple but economical, in the center of Santa Cruz. Needless to say, the location is its main strength. You’ll be able to visit Santa Cruz on foot at your leisure!

For more places to stay in this city, I recommend reading our guide: Where to stay in Santa Cruz.

There you go, we’ve finished this guide to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. I hope it answered all your questions, and above all that it made you want to stop in the capital. After a mixed first experience, I can assure you that my second visit to Santa Cruz definitely convinced me. Santa Cruz is worth the detour, whether for half a day or a full day: it’s up to you!

On another topic (a little less fun, but important), I invite you to check out 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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