2025 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

Puerto de la Cruz is a city in the north of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The city center is 9 meters above sea level and the highest point is Las Arenas, a volcanic cone at an altitude of 249 meters. The city's origins date back to the early 16th century, as a satellite town of La Rotahuaca and, from 1502, as a coastal port. The first church and its associated square were built in 1603, and in the late 19th century tourism began to play an important role in the local economy. Tourism is a big industry in Puerto de la Cruz, as evidenced by the number of large hotels visible on the skyline. Due to its mild climate, Puerto de la Cruz is frequented by northern Europeans during the winter months and is particularly popular during the Christmas and New Year periods. #OverseasTravel #SpainTravel #Island #IslandTour #IslandHoliday #Atlantic #CanaryIslands #Tenerife #staycation #spaintravel #canarias #vacation

The AC Hotel is near the Plaza de Espana and as such there are several food options nearby. The central bus stop is a good 15 mins walk away, or a 5 min tram ride away. Upon entering the hotel, the lobby is a bright and welcoming area and staff are friendly and smiling. They make sure that the customer feels welcomed and is always eager to help. The rooms themselves are beautifully but simply decorated and there's a strong emphasis on wood, which is an usual choice for hotels but in fact a very soothing touch to the rooms. In addition to its asthetic use, I also feel there's a certain element of noise cancellation, which is always welcomed! The rooms are modern and quite spacious. Some of the rooms have windows facing an inner court area, which does make it quieter, except at night, when music from the rooftop could be heard. The hotel also has a gym in the basement and a lovely rooftop area, which includes a pool. During the day, it's a lovely place to lounge around and it has lovely views over the city. Overall, a great stay which exceeded expectations. Everything was good; a clean, modern and very comfortable stay in Tenerife, Santa Cruz area. #hotel #travel #explore #tenerife #spain

I went to this museum because I heard about the mummified guanches that are in this museum. The museum has much more to offer though if you’re interested in how the canary islands came to exist and the animals and plants on the island. We did not have much time so went quickly through the rest of the exhibition. Worth going for the mummies though, I had never seen something like that before. Because of Covid we had free entry to the museum. This large museum holds exhibits on the geology, natural history and archaeology but I guess the exhibit that will be remembered are the mummified corpses of Guanche people that are exhibited in a special area of the museum. When we visited the museum was largely empty so we had easy access, but Covid 19 means that access to this area is restricted. The museum serves as an introduction to the history, flora and fauna of the islands and sets them in context, but in my opinion misses the opportunity to imprint the island´s background on the visitor. #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

The Auditorium in Santa Cruz is indeed a spectacular building well worth a visit on its own (offers also a Café Bistro) but really shines when it comes to the experience of listening to a music performance. The exceptional acoustic is fantastic. Very unique design and interesting to scrutinize at every angle. You can sit inside and order a coffee. It was very windy when we visited which forced us to leave earlier than we planned #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital and largest city of Tenerife. It's also the capital city of the Canary Islands, together with Las Palmas. Whatever you do, don't bypass the bustling capital, the handsome and friendly port of Santa Cruz, in your dash for the beach on Tenerife. Backing onto a superb range of undulating hills, this wholly Spanish city is home to evocative, brightly painted buildings, grand and historic architecture, sophisticated and quirky shops, riveting museums and art galleries, a showstopping auditorium, flashes of bold and vibrant street art, and a tropical oasis of birdsong, fountains and greenery in the city park. Backing all this up are friendly locals, a terrific spread of quality restaurants, as well as an excellent bus and tram system, making Santa Cruz a sensible and convenient base for exploring the sublime landscapes of the island's northeast. #mynovgetaway

2 years ago was my first time on the island of Tenerife and these are the pictures from the island capital - Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is a big town with skyscrapers and many parks yo explore. The famous here is the dragon tree on one of the pictures. #happynewyear

If you come to Santa Cruz in Tenerife, it is recommended to try a restaurant that locals like, called La Hierbita. The restaurant started in 1893 (the house is more ancient), and their ingredients are made from local quality meat and seafood, and the dishes are also Canarian specialties that are not found anywhere else in Spain. Finally, don't forget to order their local red wine store owner to give us three kinds of wines with great enthusiasm. Tenerife's wines are also very famous. Then we will order wine according to our preferences other recommendations

The scenery from Anaga rural park really is breathtaking and such a surprise. I didn’t realise there was so much greenery on Tenerife - and that’s the thing, Tenerife is so much more than the arid landscape that so many people imagine it to be. There’s many trails and hikes that can be done here, but we opted for sendero de los sentidos or trail of the senses in English. It’s an easy hike but the views that you’ll be treated to are no less impressive. This is the cruz del Carmen viewpoint. You’ll also be able to see the city of La Laguna from this vantage point. And it’s a good place to stop by, as there’s often a flea market set up here alongside the restaurant on the site of the visitor centre. #canaryislands #tenerife #spain #Anaga #anagaruralpark #travel #holiday #vacation

Step into a world where ancient laurel forests, misty ridges, and deep ravines meet the Atlantic. Parque Rural de Anaga is Tenerife’s wild, green heart, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its prehistoric forests, charming mountain hamlets, and jaw-dropping coastal views. It’s the place to swap sun loungers for hiking boots — and discover a side of the Canary Islands that feels like a fairytale. ⸻ 📸 Visual Highlights • Laurel Forests: Moss-draped trees and foggy trails that look straight out of a fantasy movie. • Miradores (Viewpoints): Roque de las Bodegas, Pico del Inglés, or Cruz del Carmen — coastal cliffs and deep gorges as far as you can see. • Tiny Villages: Picturesque hamlets like Taganana and Chinamada, with stone houses and breathtaking settings. • Wild Beaches: Dramatic black-sand beaches like Playa de Benijo — raw, rugged, and stunning. ⸻ 🧭 What to Do • Hike the Ancient Trails: 🥾 Follow caminos reales (old royal paths) through forests, ridges, and valleys. • Visit Taganana Village: 🍷 Taste local wine and fresh fish in a village frozen in time. • Hit the Wild Beaches: 🌊 Playa de Benijo is famous for sunsets, waves, and dramatic rock stacks. • Stop at Miradores: 📸 The viewpoints are legendary — pack your camera! ⸻ 📝 Insider Tips • Bring Layers: ☁️ Anaga is often cool and misty, even when Tenerife’s beaches are sunny. • Wear Proper Shoes: 👟 Trails can be muddy and steep — sturdy hiking shoes are a must. • Go Early: 🕗 Parking near popular trailheads like Cruz del Carmen fills up quickly. • Try Local Food: 🧀 Don’t miss goat cheese, mojo sauce, and rustic mountain dishes at village taverns. ⸻ 🌟 Why It’s Special Parque Rural de Anaga is where Tenerife reveals its most ancient soul — a primeval forest shaped by trade winds and time. Here, you’ll find endless hiking trails, secret beaches, and villages that feel untouched by the modern world. Hike through a misty tunnel of laurel trees, then stand on a cliff looking out at the wild Atlantic — few places make you feel this alive. 🌿✨ ⸻ #AnagaRuralPark #Tenerife #TripMoments #CanaryIslands #HikingParadise #GreenEscape #canaryislands

#summervacay #SummerVaca “Charmed by Spain — where every sunset tells a story, every street sings with soul. From the artistic heart of Barcelona to the flamenco pulse of Seville, and the sparkling shores of Ibiza, this journey was a mosaic of magic, memories, and Mediterranean bliss. Viva la vida! Exploring Gaudí’s wonders, getting lost in ancient alleys, dancing under moonlit skies, and savoring tapas that tasted like tradition. Every moment felt like a love letter to life — passionate, colorful, and unforgettable. Spain, you’ve taken a piece of my heart, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

#summerbudgettrip Dreaming of island life without the luxury resort bill? Tenerife, the crown jewel of the Canary Islands, is totally doable on a budget — think sunshine, volcano hikes, beach naps, and budget-friendly eats. Let’s gooo 👉 🏖️ Top Free & Budget Things To Do: 🌋 Teide National Park – Visit Spain’s highest peak! Entry to the park is free (take in views, hike the trails). Want to summit? Book the cable car in advance or hike it for free (permit required). m🏖️ Beach Day – The island is packed with beautiful free beaches! Try Playa de las Teresitas (golden sand) or Playa Benijo (black sand + epic views). 🏘️ Wander La Laguna or Garachico – Explore colonial streets, colorful houses, and free historical vibes. 🌿 Hiking Heaven – Hit the Anaga Mountains for misty forests and cliffside trails — no ticket needed! 🌅 Sunset Spots – Mirador de Chipeque is a local-favorite sunset point above the clouds. Totally free, totally unforgettable. 🍽️ Eat Smart & Local 🥘 Menu del Día – Many local restaurants offer 2-3 course lunches for €10–12. 🌮 Guachinches – Local, no-frills eateries (often in people’s homes!) serving homemade Canarian dishes at great prices. 🧃 Skip touristy beach bars — head a few streets inland for half the price and double the authenticity. 🏨 Budget-Friendly Accommodation Tips: 🛏️ Stay in the North – Areas like La Laguna or Puerto de la Cruz tend to be cheaper than tourist-heavy South Tenerife. 🏨 Apartments & Guesthouses – Great value, especially if you want to self-cater and save on food. 🎒 Backpacker-Friendly Hostels – Options like Endless Summer or La Tortuga offer surf vibes without the spend. 🚗 Getting Around Cheap: 🚍 Public Buses (TITSA) – Reliable, air-conditioned, and super affordable. Get a Tenerife Ten+ card for even more savings. 🚗 Rent a Car – If you’re with a group, car hire can be cheaper and gives you ultimate freedom. Book early for summer! 🚶♀️ Walkable Towns – Many villages and cities like La Laguna are perfect for exploring on foot.

#cityplaybook Start in Anaga Rural Park with a forest walk through the magical laurisilva trails—like stepping into a green dream. After your hike, head to Taganana and reward yourself with fried fish and papas arrugadas by the beach. Spend the afternoon at Playa de Benijo, watching waves crash against volcanic rocks. On your way back, stop in La Laguna for a colorful, cobbled stroll and a relaxed dinner. Green, wild, and soul-refreshing.

The sea front cafes are the best place to get started the day

Bahia Principe San Felipe is a lovely place for a short break however when quite full the hotel struggles to meet the capacity demands to the high quality the brand is known for.

Just walking around near the port was beautiful

#travel #beachlife 🏖️Ambiance/Facilities:

#beachlife This is amongst the most popular picks for summer beaches. It's called Las Teresita and is considered the most beautiful beach in the Canaries and the Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is surrounded by cliffs, nature and the village of San andres. It makes for a great summer pick. The beach is suitable for families, lazy afternoons on sunbeds, swimming and taking walks in the golden sand — which blows in from the Sahara — or dive in warm waters all year round. The beach is located in a protected bay at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It has also gotten somewhat affordable. The Santa Cruz town hall, the capital of the main island of the Canaries has applied a policy of affordable pricing. There is free parking, deckchairs for 4 euros per day to make it accessible to everyone.surrounded by cliffs and nature and near the authentic village of San Andrés.#beachlife #spain #summer

#2024TravelWish Canary Islands, go again

Anaga Rural Park walk. One of the most beautiful walks of the Anaga forest. Easy to do, just going all the way up to the Peak del Inglés by buses, and than, after admiring 360 ° view points, and maybe adding an additional circular hike on the top of Peak del Ingles in the deepness of Anaga forest, go all the way down to Santa Cruz by following the yellow turistic path marks. Enjoy 😉#familytrip #mytravelhacks #localguides #familytrip #familytrip

There was a heavy rain last night, and it cooled down a lot this morning. Riding along the coastline, the deep gray clouds were low in the sky, dyeing the sea gray as well. Only in the distance, the sunlight was powerfully shining on the sea surface through the gaps in the clouds, forming a few dazzling whites. I wore all my clothes, but I still felt chilly! The palm garden of Santa Cruz was a landfill in the 1970s. When we walked on the road in the garden, admiring the tall and burly trees around, it was hard to believe that there was garbage buried up to 50 meters deep under our feet! The botanical garden has more than 3100 kinds of plants, is the largest palm garden in Europe, and is the botanical garden with the most complete display of fan palms, silver leaf palms and Cuban fan flowers in the world. The most noteworthy of these is the globally rare plant 'suicide palm tree'. Its leaves can reach 5 meters long, which is the largest leaf of flowering plants found so far. The pistil is in the shape of a huge pyramid, 5 to 7 meters high, and the satellite can see this tree. It blooms once every 30 to 80 years, and blooming represents the end of its long life. After the palm tree reaches its peak, thousands of small flowers will bloom at the top, forming a huge flower cluster, and each flower can bear fruit after pollination. Once the flowers and fruits are bloomed, the nutrients stored in the tree will be exhausted, and a few months later, the palm tree and the fruit will collapse and die. Figure 2: Park soil structure diagram Figure 5: Suicide palm tree. The tourist next to it is 1.9m tall, guess how tall the tree is?!!! This tree is much smaller than usual, probably because it grows by the sea and is affected by strong light and wind. The last time other trees in the garden bloomed was in December 2021 Figure 6: Traveler's Tree, a very interesting name! It can grow to about 10 meters high. Figures 10 and 11: Sugarcane! This is the first time I have seen such a huge sugarcane tree and its flowers, I thought it was a banana tree at first. Figure 12: In a few seconds, the restaurant staff poured down so much rainwater from the roof Figure 13: Delicious vegetarian pancakes from a Filipino restaurant Palm Garden Ticket: €6/person

#timetotravel I had the opportunity to visit La Recova Market during my trip to Tenerife, and I must say it was a fascinating experience. This market offers a wide variety of local products, from crafts to culinary specialties. Atmosphere: ☀️The atmosphere is truly authentic, with a blend of colors, sounds, and aromas that capture the spirit of the island. It wasn’t too crowded when I went, which made the visit more enjoyable. Available Products: 🍋🍇🦀I found many interesting options, including local crafts like textiles and art objects, as well as a wide selection of fresh food and local specialties like cheese and honey. Prices: 🫰💵Prices were in line with expectations for a market of this kind. I found that many of the craft products were very affordable, while the culinary specialties were a bit more expensive but worth it. Accessibility: ♿️🦮 La Recova is easily accessible, located in the heart of Santa Cruz. I easily found parking nearby. Tips: 🎩Make sure to try some of the local culinary specialties, such as fresh cheese and honey. Also, bring cash as some vendors may not accept credit cards. In general, La Recova is a must-visit if you want to experience the authentic culture and cuisine of Tenerife.#TravelInspiration #holidays #trip #culturewalk

some great sights around Tenerife, not what I was expecting at all. whale watching was well worth the trip

one upon a time I hitchhiked #sailing boat from #Malaga, Spain to #Canary Islands it was my first experience on big blue water #Atlantic Ocean and freedom It was another level of #traveling

Great views and a great place for a walk. the pricing is a little too high to enter so I think they should lower their prices slightly. The cafe wasn't open which was a little bit of a disappointment but the walk around the park was great! You can buy joint tickets with the huge swimming pools next door which look amazing so if you come to santa cruz for a couple days I would recommend buying the twin ticket!

#tripmoments #spooktaculartrip