Under the same name. The name of the city was given by the silver Holy Cross of the conquistadors, which in 1494 Alonso Fernandez de Lugo placed on the coast of Añazo, after the Spaniards landed on Tenerife. More than 500 years have passed since then, but the cross is carefully preserved - you can see it in the National Museum of Tenerife.
Today the city's population is just over 206 thousand people. In 2012, the city was included in the top five best places to live on Earth.
Tourists love Santa Cruz de Tenerife for its cosmopolitan nature, beautiful tropical parks, unusual futuristic buildings (one of these is the Auditorio de Tenerife), a fairly decent number of attractions for a small city and, of course, for the annual traditional carnival, the second most popular after the carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
People come to the city to do quality shopping, sit on the evening terraces of small cozy restaurants, enjoying sunsets and delicious coffee.
Where is Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The municipality is located in the northeast of the island of Tenerife, its neighbors are the municipalities of San Cristobal de la Laguna and El Rosario.
Geographical coordinates:
- latitude - 28.4698 north latitude
- longitude -16.2549 west
The coastline of the Atlantic Ocean near the municipality stretches for as much as 58 kilometers and is divided by the Santos Gorge. The port of the city, which is considered the main one in Tenerife, receives ships from all continents.
Weather and climate
The climate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and its surroundings is tropical desert. In winter it is quite warm and humid, and in summer it is hot and dry. The average air temperature in the winter months is +17 C, in the summer +25 C, the temperature of ocean water in the summer is between +21+23 C.
Geography and features of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In the vicinity of the city there is the Anaga mountain range, its slopes are covered with forests, the climate here is quite humid, so excellent climatic conditions have been created for the proximity of completely different ecosystems - wet wooded zones, rural parks, natural thickets of heather and fauna - they all coexist completely peacefully in a small area .
Thanks to such a variety of natural and geographical features, there are several interesting tourist walking routes around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, along which you will get acquainted with the life of the island’s inhabitants, the inhabitants of the Canarian villages.
Directly in the city, tourists love to walk along the charming central streets, where interesting historical buildings have been preserved, complemented by new futuristic city objects.
What to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
First, pay attention to museums and exhibition halls. Secondly, another interesting topic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is unusual tropical gardens and parks. They simply display works of famous artists in the open air - Joan Miró, Henry Moore, Oscar Dominguez, Martin Chirino and others.
Thirdly, of course, the beaches. We advise you to look into the secluded corners of Taganan and Benijos, and see the beach with palm trees - Teresitas near the fishing village of San Andres. Those who love fun activities on the water should visit the Cesar Manrique Marine Water Park. It was recently built in a new area of the city.
Active holidays in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
We will talk about hiking, which is very popular in Tenerife. The PR-TF 2 hiking trail starts from the municipality and connects the village of Taborno with the area called Valleseco, which you will find on the Atlantic coast.
Another interesting route numbered PR-TF 5 Chamorga - Igueste de San Andres - can only be completed by experienced pedestrian tourists. Along the way they will face ups and downs and very difficult sections of transition.
A circular route starts from Chamorga - PR-TF 6, it passes through Las Palmas de Anaga and El Dragillo.
And finally, the circular route PR-TF 8 is of medium difficulty, laid through Afur, Taganana and the Tamadite gorge. It takes approximately 7 hours.
Sights and interesting places in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
To get an idea of the city, the first thing you need to do is take a sightseeing tour of the capital. In your itinerary, include a visit to Plaza de España, which was founded in 1929 and is adjacent to the historical fortress of San Cristobal. The square houses the Tenerife Municipal Council. The decoration and main architectural element of the composition of Plaza de España is the Monument to the Fallen, it was erected here in 1944. The style of the monument clearly shows the architectural style of Italian fascism during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
From Plaza de España in Santa Cruz, tourists go to get acquainted with Candlemas Square and the city embankment Avenida Marítima. Near the embankment there is a commercial and fishing port, from where ferries run to the islands of the Canary archipelago - Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Next, it’s worth taking a walk along the Del Duque de Santa Elena alley; it was founded at the end of 1787. According to the architects, the alley acts as a natural continuation of the square. Next to it is the building of the island's Municipal Council, a large city entertainment center, a modern casino, and the building of the main seaport building.
Read more about the attractions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife...
Shopping in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Experienced shoppers know that when shopping in European countries, including Spain, you need to go at the height of discounts. The best shopping in Santa Cruz is on Calle Castillo - Caia di Castilla. Look for it near Plaza de España.
Calle Castillo is the best place for shopping in the center of Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. This is where stores of famous world brands “live”, including Zara, Springfield, Bershka, Sfera, HM, Desigual, CA, Stradivarius, Women Secret, etc. Here you can find everything from unique watches to the rarest cigars.
Another important facility for shoppers is Continente Centro Commercial, a large shopping center in the south of the capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Under its roof there are about 150 of the best European (and not only) stores. Here you will buy everything - groceries, goods at discounted prices, fashionable items, assortment for home comfort, and you can take a break from the tedious shopping trips in one of the delicious cafes or bistros.
The capital of the archipelago (Canary Islands), Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is located in the northeast and is tightly surrounded by the Anaga mountain system.
History of the capital Tenerife
The city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife was founded in the 15th century on the site where the first Spaniards landed. These were far from tourists, and pursued very specific goals. The Empire needed to expand its own territories. A wooden cross was erected at the landing site of the Spaniards; this became a historical place and a starting point in the growth of the future capital of the Canary Islands. Years passed and Santa Cruz turned from a small port town into a modern metropolis, with many narrow streets in the old center, large squares and green park areas. And of course with gorgeous beaches and developed tourist infrastructure.
The most port city of the island
The conquistadors also noted the favorable geopolitical position of the future capital of the island; in their times, Santa Cruz de Tenerife became the most important port. Moreover, in our time it is considered the third largest and most important port in Spain. It is an important logistics hub in transcontinental trade routes, connecting Europe with Africa and the Americas. Every day in the port of Santa Cruz you can see ships flying the flags of different countries of the world. Small tourist ferries, as well as giant ocean liners, also stop here.
Attractions Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Of course, the capital of Tenerife does not live up to the title of metropolis: the entire city can easily be walked on foot. Let's take a walk through the very center of the city and learn about the main attractions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. All of them are concentrated mainly near the Plaza de España. The central place in the Plaza de España is occupied by a memorial in memory of the bloody Civil War of 36-39 of the last century. Not far from the square is the Church of St. Francis, built in the 17th century. Another attraction of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is worth paying attention to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción church, dating back to the 16th century. Inside it is kept the same wooden cross erected by the first Spanish settlers, and this is not only a symbol of the capital, but also of the entire Canary Islands. Walking to Plaza Candelaria, you will reach the main pedestrian street of the capital - Calle Castillo. Tourist and shopping life is in full swing here with shops, restaurants and cafes. The city's central market is located nearby: Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa. Here you can buy fresh products for dinner or try ready-made dishes. Despite the fact that it is far from the east, local sellers are not averse to bargaining.
Museums of the capital Tenerife
If you have a free minute, be sure to stop by the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Here is a unique collection of household items from the Guanches, the indigenous population of the Canary Islands. These include mummies found in the caves of the island, farming tools, weapons, household items, household utensils, jewelry and much more. From Guanche weapons, let's move on to more recent times and look at the collection presented at the Military Museum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Armor, weapons from the times of the conquistadors and more modern types of weapons. The museum’s exposition also houses a truly unique specimen: according to legend, this is where the cannon is located, the shot from which tore off the hand of the famous Admiral Nelson. Whoever comes to the Canary Islands with a sword will be left without an arm. Let's move from weapons to the world of art and go to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Nature. Each of them has something to see and give an impression of the cultural life of the island, as well as flora and fauna.
Modern symbols of the city
Of course, this is a little strange, but this makes the building of the Auditorio Tenerife opera house, built in 2003, even more mysterious and attractive. The Canary Twin Towers look interesting, rising to a height of more than 100 meters. Timeless in Santa Cruz de Tenerife there is another symbol - the largest park in the entire archipelago - García Sanabria. Its area is more than 67 thousand square meters. m. True, it must be said that the capital of Tenerife is itself a very green city. Trees grow on every street in the city.
Carnival de Tenerife
Once a year, in February or March, the capital Tenerife hosts a carnival, which is considered one of the largest and most colorful in Europe. Residents of all islands and Europeans come to Santa Cruz especially for the holiday, not just to witness the action, but also to take an active part in it. At first glance, it seems that the carnival is a fun and simple pastime, but in fact, preparation for it takes many months. The holiday begins with the selection of the carnival queen, followed by a traditional horse parade, and therefore the wildest fun begins. The Carnival of Tenerife is even called little Rio for the similarity of colors and atmosphere. But it is worth saying that the Brazilian carnival, the Canary Carnival, is still inferior in scale.
Beach capital
To the east of the capital is located where the most popular and largest beach in this area of the island is located. Tourists from Europe and islanders come here to bask in the sun and laze on the white sand. By the way, the sand here is real - from the Sahara Desert. In 1973, it was brought here in incredible quantities.
In the capital's suburbs there are several diving clubs, and the dives are intended for both beginners and seasoned divers. The underwater landscape is very beautiful and rich: coral reefs, underwater caves and even a real sunken ship. But it’s better not to go there; local underwater inhabitants have been living there for a long time: sharks, stingrays and barracudas.
In the vicinity of the capital
The capital of the Canary Islands is also the starting point for a variety of tourist routes. From here the journey starts for everyone who wants to conquer the highest point of Anagi - a mountain range at the foot of which is the village of San Andres. North of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the first capital of the island - the town of La Laguna, which, although it has lost the official status of the capital, is secretly the cultural capital. If you drive a decent distance from the capital, you should pay attention to
The Canary Islands are an archipelago of several islands located off the west coast of Africa. Thanks to its unique nature and comfortable climate, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Holidays in the Canaries
The Canary archipelago includes seven large and several small islands. They are often called the “islands of eternal spring”, since the weather here is favorable for relaxing on the beaches and visiting numerous attractions almost all year round.
Important! Canaries is one of the autonomous territories belonging to Spain, therefore Russian citizens need a Schengen visa to visit them.
The islands have a preferential tax system and prices for many goods are noticeably lower than in most European countries.
Tenerife
Each island has its own characteristics. Thus, Gran Canaria is famous for its good tourist infrastructure, Lanzerote is known for its unique “lunar” landscapes resulting from a volcanic eruption, and Fuerteventura has a large number of spacious sandy beaches.
The most famous and popular island among tourists is Tenerife. It has a number of advantages. There are a variety of beaches, both pebble and sandy, unique nature, including relict forests, gorges and the famous Teide volcano, as well as beautiful cities with interesting architecture, fascinating amusement and amusement parks.
Public transport is well developed. Bus service connects almost all settlements with a network of regular routes. There are two international airports. Sea ferries connect Tenerife with other islands - Gran Canaria, Gomera.
Note! Good tourist infrastructure includes a number of hotels of varying degrees of comfort and price categories. Renting apartments and villas is also popular among vacationers.
Capitals of the Canary Islands
The capital of Tenerife is the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the northern part. This is not only the main city of the island, but also one of the two capitals of the entire Canary archipelago. This is the permanent seat of the parliament of the autonomous region. The other capital city of Las Palmas is on the most populous island of the Gran Canaria archipelago. According to tradition, the government alternates its seat between these two cities every four years.
Santa Cruz Tenerife – history and attractions
Terisitas Beach
The age of the first settlements discovered on the site of modern Santa Cruz exceeds 2000 years. At that time, there was a settlement of the Anaga Guanches, the indigenous inhabitants of the Canaries. In 1494, the Spaniards, led by the conquistador Alanzo Lugo, landed in the town of Añasa. According to legend, when he stepped ashore, he installed a silver cross - in Spanish, Cruz, from which the name of the town of Santa Cruz came.
For a long time, the first capital of Tenerife remained the city of La Lugana, which had a more convenient and safe location. It was not until 1723 that Santa Cruz became the main city of the island. He took part in battles more than once. In memory of this, three leopards are depicted on the coat of arms. They represent three major victories won by the city's defenders.
In Santa Cruz Tenerife itself and its immediate surroundings there is a wide variety of attractions.
Additional Information! Near the city is the famous Terisitas Beach. It is covered with white sand, which was brought here from Africa by ship.
This is one of the most picturesque and popular beaches on the island. The bay is protected by breakwaters, so there are almost never large waves here.
Plaza de España in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is considered the symbol of the city and the main square of all the Canary Islands. Nearby is the fortress of San Cristobal and the building of the Municipal Council of Tenerife. In its central part, a Monument to the Fallen was erected, resembling a huge cross stretched upward.
Plaza de España
Auditorio Santa Cruz Tenerife is a concert hall with an unusual futuristic shape. It was built according to the design of Santiago Calatrava, the author of many memorable structures in Spain and other countries. The Auditorio looks especially impressive in the evening, when a special backlight mode is turned on.
On San Sebastian Avenue is the original building of the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa market. The entrance is made in the form of a large arch, and the building itself is decorated with a clock tower.
Santa Cruz is an interesting city with colorful architecture and a rich history. Although there are many other attractions on the Tenerife map, it is worth staying here for 1-2 days.
The most convenient and economical option for living in the city is to choose apartments instead of a hotel. There are quite a lot of similar housing for rent and the choice is usually good. But still, if the trip is planned during peak dates - the May or New Year holidays, Catholic Christmas, it is better to look for accommodation as early as possible.
Additional Information! Having your own kitchen will give you the opportunity to use local products that are renowned for their high quality and affordable prices. Carrefour and Mercadona stores are distinguished by a rich assortment of seafood, fruits and vegetables.
Shopping lovers can recommend the large shopping centers Meridiano and El Corte Inglés. Here you can find boutiques of the world's leading clothing and footwear manufacturers, as well as high-quality local brands. Usually the best discounts are offered after the end of Christmas. The sales season usually lasts about a month. At this time you can make very profitable purchases.
Auditorio
The best way to get around the island is to use a car. Rental offices are located right at the airport. The quality of roads in Tenerife is high, and the cost of renting a car is significantly less than in mainland Spain.
If you don't plan to take a car, using buses is a good alternative. They are comfortable and equipped with air conditioning. If you have to travel a lot, it is better to purchase a special Bono Bus card. When using it, one trip costs significantly less than paying in cash. You can buy it at the airport and at ticket offices at bus stations. Drivers don't sell it.
Tenerife and its capital Santa Cruz are of great interest to tourists. Here you can visit picturesque beaches, as well as see interesting and varied attractions.
And the province of Spain of the same name, one of the two capitals of the Canary Islands, where their parliament is located. Surrounded by the steep cliffs of the Anaga mountain range, the city lies on the gentle slope of one of the mountains, descending to the harbor of the same name in the northeastern part of the island.
The city received its name from the silver Holy Cross of the conquistadors (Spanish: Holy Cross - Santa Cruz), which Alonso Fernandez de Lugo erected after landing on the Añaso coast in 1494. In common parlance, the city is called Santa Cruz, despite the fact that there are many cities with this name in the world. The official prefix to the name “de Tenerife” not only distinguishes it from others, but also symbolizes the status of the capital of the island.
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How to get there
Tenerife is the only island of the Canary archipelago that can be reached from Moscow without a transfer. There are two airports on the island: Reina Sofia in the south, near Los Cristianos, and Los Rodeos in the north, near the town of La Laguna. You can also reach the island by ferry from Transmediterrania. The ferry leaves from the city of Cadiz and takes 2 days.
From Tenerife you can get to any of the islands of the archipelago by plane or ferry. The most convenient and fairly economical option for traveling around the island is to rent a car.
Search for flights to Tenerife (closest airport to Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
Weather in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife is located at the latitude of the Sahara Desert - it is not surprising that it is warm here all year round. The average temperature in winter is +21 °C, in summer - +27 °C. The water temperature is +20 °C all year round.
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Beaches of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In close proximity to the city there are two magnificent beaches: Taganana with the volcanic black sand common to these places, and the only yellow sand beach in all of Tenerife - Las Teresitas, one of the most popular beaches in the archipelago. This is a one and a half kilometer artificial beach, to which in the 1970s yellow sand from the African Sahara was brought by barges to replace the local black volcanic origin. The strip of beaches extends all the way to Mount La Esperanza, whose slopes are covered with plantations of Canarian pine trees.
Las Teresitas is the only yellow sand beach in all of Tenerife and one of the most popular in the archipelago.
There are several diving centers around Santa Cruz de Tenerife, suitable for divers of all levels. In addition to classic diving, scuba diving is popular here. You can also enjoy surfing, windsurfing and other water sports in Tenerife.
In these waters, the coral reefs of Devils Reef, Garden, Wall, underwater caves Groupers Cave and La Cueva del Roquete, as well as the sunken 70-meter ship Carbonero, favored by sharks, rays and barracudas, are of interest.
Maps of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Shopping
Many tourists come to Santa Cruz de Tenerife for shopping - the capital of the Canary Islands has firmly established its reputation as a “shopping paradise”. There are especially many shops, benches and boutiques on Plaza La Candelaria and the pedestrian street Calle de Castillo, perpendicular to the square.
At the city market Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa, located on San Sebastian Street, you can buy fruits, vegetables, flowers and mainly spices. The covered market, which looks like a spacious courtyard decorated with arches, is not at all like a European one and attracts tourists with its exoticism.
Restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife primarily offer Canarian cuisine. In the bars, when it's tapas time, you can find an endless variety of Canarian dishes, as well as dishes from all over Spain.
Popular hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Entertainment and attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The facades of houses in a certain color scheme, decorated with wooden balconies, are the so-called Canarian style. There is a lot of greenery here; the old part of the city, surrounded by gardens, can be explored on foot, enjoying the historical sights. Any sightseeing tour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife starts from the traditional Plaza de España square. In the very center of the square is the monument to the Fallen in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39.
Near the center, on Plaza La Candelaria, are the government building of Tenerife Cabildo Insular, the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, as well as an interesting example of Spanish architecture of the 17th century - the Carta Palace. Of special mention are two churches in the city center in the Baroque style: St. Francis (17-18 centuries) and Iglesia La Conception (16-18 centuries), where the Holy Cross of the conquistadors, which gave the name to the city, is kept.
The name of one of the central squares of the city comes from the patroness of the island - the Black Virgin of Candelaria (Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, popularly called La Morenita). Essentially, we are talking about the appearance of the Virgin Mary to local residents, but since Africa is nearby, the Madonna introduced herself to the locals as a black woman.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Natural History Museum houses evidence of the transformation of the Canary Islands into a modern tourist center - from its formation from the explosion of a volcano on the ocean floor and the history of the island's indigenous population, the Guanaches, to the glorious military history of which are the colors captured from Admiral Nelson after his unsuccessful attacks on the city. In addition, the island has a Military History Museum, located on the shore of the bay next to the Royal Yacht Club of Tenerife and the Nautical School.
Tenerife and the Canaries themselves, due to their location along the largest trade routes, have survived many attacks throughout their history by pirates, conquistadors and warlike fleets of European maritime powers. In memory of the largest victories of the Spaniards over the flotillas of the English admirals Blake, Jennings and Nelson, in addition to the Holy Cross of Conquest, three leopards are depicted on the coat of arms of Tenerife.
In El Principe Square there is the Municipal Museum of Painting and Sculpture, which exhibits paintings by Rieber, Bruegel, Madrazzo, Van Loo, as well as local artists. Among the modern symbols of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the quaint opera building of the Auditorio Tenerife, erected in 2003, and the twin towers of Torres de Santa Cruz, skyscrapers reaching a height of 120 m, stand out.
The history of Tenerife also has Russian pages: the route of the first Russian circumnavigation in 1803–1806 passed through this city, and Miklouho-Maclay visited there in 1866.
Excursions around Tenerife
In addition to the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, tourists can go on excursions to the ancient capital of the island - the city of La Laguna, now considered the cultural center of the island.
30 km southwest is the ancient colonial town of Orotava, as well as Puerto de la Cruz, where the famous Laura Park parrot park is located. Nearby there is a large botanical garden - Garcia Sanabria with an area of 67 thousand square meters. m, famous for its huge artificial iceberg with penguins and the largest dolphinarium in Europe.
Also from Santa Cruz de Tenerife you can go to the foothills of Anaga in the north-eastern part of the island or inland to the extinct volcano Teide (3718 m), which is located in the national park of the same name.
Walking around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
On the east coast of Tenerife is the religious center of the region, the city of Candelaria, and the city of Guimar, famous for its ethnographic park of the Pyramids of Guimar. Here there are six step pyramids built by the Guanaches, the natives of the Canary Islands, oriented strictly to the cardinal points, similar to the Egyptian ones.
Excursions to the island of La Gomera are organized from Tenerife: unlike other islands of the Canary archipelago, there is no volcanic activity on it, which preserves the magnificent tropical forests in their original form. In the center of the island is the evergreen Garajonay Natural Park, declared an international protected area by UNESCO.
It is believed that it was on the island of La Gomera that Christopher Columbus made his last stop on his way to the New World.
The noisiest and most popular resort towns in Tenerife are located in the south: El Medano, Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje.
Perhaps the brightest event of the year in Tenerife is the February carnival, second in scale and beauty after the famous carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Carnival processions stretch throughout the island, but the most vibrant and exciting action always takes place in the capital.
Plaza de España is the most important and largest square of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located in the Canary Islands.
The square was erected in 1929 between Morsky Avenue and Sreteniya Square. The most important attraction of the square is the Monument to the Fallen, built after the Civil War according to the plans of García Escamez. The monument is a tower in the shape of a cross, at the top of which there is an observation deck. Under the monument there is an underground chapel, which is empty today.
Over time, the square was rebuilt according to the design of architects from Switzerland who won the competition. The result of the reconstruction of the square was a fountain with sea water installed in its center. At night, Piazza di Spagna is illuminated with many lights and garlands.
Taganan
Taganana is a small, lovely mountain village located in the south-eastern part of Tenerife, Canary Islands. Its area is 1.5 hectares, on which there are several white houses and a small church, made in the medieval style. Local residents mainly work in small fields or gardens. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the ocean and mountains, you can take unique photos and breathe fresh air. A narrow serpentine road leads to the village, driving along which you will experience many extreme sensations.
Once you reach your destination, you will be pleasantly surprised by the many homemade fish restaurants where you can taste delicious Canarian cuisine - fried octopus, goat cheese, fresh fish and Canarian rosé wine, which has a unique taste and aroma. Not far from Taganana there are three natural wild beaches: Playa de Beniggio, Playa de Almáciga and Playa de Roque, which are considered the most beautiful on the island of Tenerife. The special flavor of Taganan will give you a lot of unforgettable impressions that will be remembered for many years.
What attractions of Santa Cruz de Tenerife did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.
La Arena Beach
La Arena beach is located in the center of the resort town of Puerto Santiago, comfortably located in the western part of the island of Tenerife. This area is reliably sheltered from the northern winds, so the local climate is stable and very mild. Throughout the year, the temperature varies by 5-6 degrees, reaching its peak in August. La Arena beach does not stand out with any special delights; it is not the best vacation spot for people who prefer extreme pastimes. There are no noisy discos or large crowds of people in the vicinity of the beach, so this place is suitable for those who want to relax and take a break from the noisy city.
La Arena Beach attracts tourists from all over the world every year due to its black sand, blue ocean and wonderful scenery. Almost every place here seems to be copied from a painting, which is why professional photographers often come here. Near the La Arena beach, two panoramic elevators were built that take everyone to a beautiful observation deck. Entrance to the beach is absolutely free, but you will have to pay to rent a sunbed or umbrella. A team of rescuers is on duty at La Arena around the clock.
San Agustin Beach is a small city beach that is designed for a relaxing holiday. This is a cozy place for those who seek peace and tranquility. Usually on weekdays there are not many vacationers on the beach. On weekends, locals living nearby come here. San Agustin Beach is sandy. There are several showers on the beach. Entry is free. Next to the showers there is a small shop where you can rent umbrellas and sun loungers. The total length of the beach is six hundred and seventy meters.
Near the beach there is a convenient parking lot for two hundred cars. There are several hotels and inns along the coastline of San Agustin Beach. A beautiful promenade has been built next to the beach. There are several shops, bars and cafes here. They offer visitors dishes made from seafood. Nearby there is a small market where you can buy food and necessary things.
Castillo de Paso Alto
In the near future, it is planned to create a museum of torture from the times of Francoism in the Paso Alto fortress.
Members of the Association for the Restoration of Historical Memory want to turn the castle, located on the coast of Tenerife, into a memorial, as well as restore the former appearance of the structure, as it was from the end of the 18th to the beginning of the 19th centuries.
The Paso Alto Fortress is considered one of the examples of the unique architecture of the Canary Islands. The castle walls withstood the siege of the island in 1657, when Robert Blake tried to capture Tenerife, and a century later, when Admiral Nelson tried to do the same. During the years of Francoism, the building was used as a prison building.
Castle of San Juan Bautista
The fortress of San Juan Bautista was named after John the Baptist and is one of the oldest and main attractions of Santa Cruz.
The castle was built in 1641 and also has a second name – the Black Castle. The powerful Fort San Juan Bautista is located in the very center of the city and attracts attention with parapets, loopholes for artillery pieces and a round tower. The structure played an important role in protecting the city from the invasions of invaders.
Every July, a reenactment of the Battle of Santa Cruz takes place on the grounds of the castle, during which Horatio Nelson, a British admiral, was defeated while attempting to capture the fortress.
Auditorio de Tenerife
The Auditorio de Tenerife is an incomparable piece of architecture, with avant-garde design and wild popularity. The construction was made exciting and eye-catching by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Such an unusual creation was released in 2003.
The interior decoration is as beautiful as the exterior: symphony and chamber halls. The stage of the first is 17 meters, the depth of the orchestra pit is 14, the effect of “surround sound”. An enviable set, I must say.
This very stage regularly hosts the best symphony orchestras and jazz, pop and rock musicians perform here. They also teach dancing and host a lot of musical events.
Market Municipal Nuestra Señora de Africa
The Municipal Nuestra Señora de Africa market is located in Santa Cruz, the capital of Tenerife. It is best to visit it in the early morning - it is at this time that you can find a huge selection of exotic products and the freshest fish. And on Sundays, next to the main pavilions, there is a flea market offering interesting goods.
The market is housed in a magnificent building built in oriental style; the central entrance is decorated with towers with spiers. The first floor of the market is occupied by butcher shops, among whose products jamon, chorizo sausage, various varieties of ham and rabbit meat are especially popular.
In the lower, underground floor there are fish rows. The range of fish shops is amazing in its richness and variety. And the main advantage of the local market is the exceptional freshness and quality of the products. There is also an abundance of fruits and vegetables, most of which are grown in Tenerife. It is also worth visiting the stalls with all kinds of spices, which can also be purchased as a souvenir.
Port of Santa Cruz
The Port of Santa Cruz is the city's commercial, fishing, sports and passenger port, as well as the main one in the Canary Islands and the second most important in Spain. It is divided into four harbors and is located in Santa Cruz Bay.
The port was formed on the site of La Carniceria beach near the small bay of Blas Diaz, favored by fishermen. Previously, the port was used as a means of communication with the outside world and defense against pirates. Soon he became the main one on the island. In the 16th century, the castle of San Cristobal was built here - the first main fortress of Tenerife, and in the 17th century two defensive bastions were erected.
Today, the port of Santa Cruz is the largest in Tenerife and the first fishing port in the Canary Islands. Every year up to 8,000 tons of fish are caught here. This port also has the largest passenger traffic among all the Canary Islands. This is the largest Spanish port in terms of the number of longboats, cruisers and other ships. It is the only one in the Canary Islands that maintains a permanent connection with the Iberian Peninsula.
Playa de las Teresitas beach
Playa de las Teresitas beach welcomes its guests with a light sea breeze and crystal clear water. The sand was specially brought here from the distant Sahara Desert, and in order to prevent waves from disturbing vacationers, a barrier pier was built along the entire beach. Despite the fact that the beach was created artificially, it gives the impression of a piece of land untouched by man. There are no ubiquitous hotels here - instead, the landscapes are decorated with mountain tops. Powerful palm trees are planted along the entire one and a half kilometer beach strip.
Playa de las Teresitas beach is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday. Just keep in mind that due to its popularity, the beach is always crowded, especially on weekends. But there is always something to do here - volleyball games or yoga or aerobics classes are regularly held on the beach.
The most popular attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on our website.