Capital of the island of Tenerife and of the Canary archipelago, Santa Cruz is distinguished by its urban atmosphere and its many cultural attractions. We particularly appreciate its motley mix of modern and traditional architecture, and its avant-garde auditorium, which juts out over the ocean.
In this article, discover the 11 reasons why we recommend you discover this dynamic city.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
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Is Santa Cruz de Tenerife worth a visit?
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is definitely worth a visit for its vibrant culture and rich historical heritage. We’re particularly fond of its museums, which cover a wide range of themes from contemporary art to the history of the archipelago. This bustling city is more appealing to urban travelers, although it also boasts some superb green spaces where you can recharge your batteries. Our selection of the best attractions in Santa Cruz will be available soon.
Reason 1 – For its lively old town
The beating heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the Plaza de España, the town’s nerve center. We were fascinated by the history of this emblematic square. It was built on the remains of the Castillo de San Cristóbal, an ancient fortress now open to visitors. You can also admire its magnificent water mirror, the work of Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron. On one side, you’ll see the reflection of the Anaga mountain range in the water, and on the other, the buildings that surround the square. The lively city center revolves around this must-see location. The marina and seafront promenade are just a few yards away.
>> Discover downtown Santa Cruz on a guided tour <<
DISCOVER Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Reason 2 – For its parks and green spaces
In our opinion, the green jewel of Santa Cruz is none other than the Palmetum. This abundant botanical garden, specializing in palm trees, majestically overlooks the ocean. We were seduced by its singular history and unique collection. The Parque García Sanabria is a cool oasis in the heart of the city. Here you can discover the local flora while enjoying children’s play areas, refreshing fountains and a cosy café. They are the town’s 2 main green spaces.
>> Book your ticket to the Palmetum now <<
Reason 3 – For its cultural scene
Santa Cruz is undoubtedly the island’s richest and most diverse cultural center. As well as the impressive Tenerife Auditorium, whose avant-garde silhouette is silhouetted against the ocean, the city is home to other art venues that will take you on a journey through time and disciplines. The TEA, or Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, won us over with its bold contemporary architecture and innovative temporary exhibitions. The town is also home to the fascinating Canary Islands Military History Museum and the Museum of Nature and Archaeology. Consult our article on the best museums in Santa Cruz to plan your visits according to your interests.
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Reason 4 – For its mythical Carnival
Declared a “Festival of International Tourist Interest” since 1980, the Santa Cruz Carnival is one of the most famous in the world. Often compared to the Rio Carnival, it attracts tourists from all over the world every year. The festivities include parades, contests, galas, Carnival Queen elections, and other colorful activities! If, like us, you don’t plan to visit the city during the celebrations, head for the Carnival Museum, which extends the event throughout the year. This cheerful place entertained us with its crazy costumes!
>> Visit the Carnival House and downtown Santa Cruz with an expert guide <<
Reason 5 – For its beaches to the north of the city
Although there are no beaches in the town itself due to the contaminated waters, we discovered some wonderful beaches north of Santa Cruz in the Anaga massif. The famous Playa de Las Teresitas, a 15-minute drive from San Andrés, seduced us with its golden sands and turquoise waters. If you’re looking for wilder, more secluded beaches, push on to Igueste and the surrounding area, where you’ll discover unspoilt coves and cliffs that plunge into the ocean. Check out our article on the most beautiful beaches north of Santa Cruz!
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Reason 6 – For its marine park
To make up for the lack of beaches in the city itself, Santa Cruz boasts a large, fee-paying bathing area on the waterfront. The César Manrique Maritime Park is a posthumous work by the famous Lanzarote artist, who impressed us with its harmonious integration into the landscape. The black of the volcanic stone contrasts with the intense green of the tropical plants and the blue of the ocean. Ideal for an outing with family or friends, you’ll enjoy its 3 saltwater pools, food and beverage outlets and landscaped terraces.
Reason 7 – For its traditional market
The Marché Municipal Notre-Dame d’Afrique won us over with its friendly atmosphere and colorful stalls. This authentic place, where locals and tourists rub shoulders, charmed us. The building’s neoclassical colonial architecture adds to its charm. You’ll find an impressive variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as Canarian specialities. During our trip, the Christmas decorations lent a warm, festive atmosphere to the place.
>> Discover Santa Cruz and its traditional market on a guided tour <<
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Reason 8 – For its historic squares
The town is dotted with charming squares, giving it a certain cachet. We were particularly taken with the Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias and the Plaza Veinticinco de Julio de Los Patos during our stay in Santa Cruz. While the former was decorated with luminous Christmas ornaments, the latter had plenty of character with its fountain covered in colorful mosaic. We loved wandering around the city and stumbling across these random places. These public spaces are the beating heart of local life and bear witness to its rich historical past.
>> Explore the city center and its historic squares with an expert guide <<
Reason 9 – For its churches and parishes
The bell tower of Santa Cruz Cathedral, also known as Our Lady of Conception Church, dominates Calle Antonio Domínguez Alfonso. Inside the religious building, we were struck by its elaborate wooden ceiling, a testament to remarkable craftsmanship. The only 5-aisle church on the archipelago, its architectural style is a blend of Baroque and Tuscan. It has a special atmosphere that invites contemplation and meditation. Declared a site of cultural interest, it is a symbol of the city’s religious heritage. You can also visit the Parish Church of San Francisco de Asís or the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Pilar.
>> Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral and the historic center with a local guide <<
Reason 10 – For its shopping options
The famous Plaza de La Candelaria, which opens onto Calle de Castillo, is characterized by its lively shopping atmosphere. We particularly enjoyed this pedestrian street during our visit over Christmas, when the bright decorations added a magical atmosphere to the place. Here you’ll find ready-to-wear boutiques, international brands and restaurants. To the south of the city center, the Corte Inglés and Meridiano shopping malls offer a modern, diverse shopping experience.
Reason 11 – For its connection to the rest of the island
Tenerife’s capital serves as a starting point for exploring the island. Santa Cruz’s strategic location facilitates access to the main tourist attractions throughout the region. It’s easy to set off on excursions to the must-see Teide National Park or the magnificent Anaga Rural Park. We fell completely under the spell of these 2 destinations, which offer some of the most beautiful natural scenery on the island. We recommend renting a car to explore Tenerife on your own, or opting for an organized tour.
>> Consult our excursion offers from Santa Cruz de Tenerife <<
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Some disadvantages of a trip to Santa Cruz
Urban atmosphere
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the second most populous city in the Canary Islands. This isn’t a seaside resort lined with long, golden sandy beaches, but a more industrial-style conurbation. You’ll find plenty of green spaces to recharge your batteries, but the atmosphere remains resolutely urban and dynamic. This destination will appeal more to city travelers than to those in search of natural landscapes.
Remote beaches
The beaches are located north of Santa Cruz in the Anaga massif. In the town itself, swimming is prohibited due to contaminated water. So you’ll always have to take the car or public transport to reach them. Alternatively, the maritime park north of the city center is another option for swimming, but the experience is different from that of a real natural beach.
Capricious weather
The weather in Santa Cruz is more capricious than in the south of the island. We found that low cloud and fog sometimes limited visibility on the waterfront. You’ll have to adapt to these less predictable weather conditions, typical of northern Tenerife. In the south of the island, the climate is more stable and sunny. That’s why you’ll find so many seaside resorts such as Costa Adeje, Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos.
How do I get to Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
There are two options for getting to Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
- By plane: Tenerife Nord airport offers flights between islands and from Spain. From there, it’s a 30-minute bus ride to Santa Cruz, or a 20-minute drive. Head for Tenerife South Airport for international flights. Allow 50min by bus to reach the capital afterwards, or 40min by car.
>> View available flights << - Ferries: the port of Santa Cruz offers regular ferry services to the other islands of the archipelago and to the Iberian Peninsula.
>> See ferry offers <<
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
What to do in Tenerife
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
Most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful roads
Amusement parks
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Secret places, off the beaten track (coming soon)
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife
How to get around
How to rent a car in Tenerife
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Where to stay in Tenerife
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife (coming soon)
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava (coming soon)
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
