The Palmetum in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is an exceptional botanical garden housing one of the world’s largest collections of palms. We loved strolling through this lush park, which also offers stunning ocean views.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a great time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit the Botanical Gardens of Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
Is Palmetum worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the Palmetum is definitely worth a visit. We enjoyed discovering this open-air museum that awakened our environmental conscience. The site is home to a unique collection of palm trees from all over the world, and offers exceptional panoramic views of the city and the ocean. The presence of waterfalls, streams and pools creates a peaceful atmosphere conducive to contemplation.
Why is the botanical garden famous?
Palmetum is renowned for its remarkable transformation: this former landfill site has been transformed into a splendid 12-hectare botanical garden. Its mission to preserve nature and its sustainable practices, such as the use of recycled water and organic waste management, make it an example of ecology. The park is also recognized as a center for palm research and conservation.
Our favorite moments
Find out what particularly impressed us during our visit:
- Incredible ocean views from the lookouts
- Grandiose trees reaching for the sky
- The “Octogono” humid tropical greenhouse
History in brief
The Palmetum story is full of twists and turns. Here’s what we’ve learned:
- 1983: Closure of the municipal landfill, which formed a hill of 40m of waste.
- 1990s: Proposal to transform the site into a botanical garden under the impetus of agronomist Manuel Caballero
- 1995-1996: Launch of the project with an investment of 4 million euros
- 1997-1999: Construction of the “Octogono” greenhouse and small waterfalls
- 2000-2006: Development jeopardized by lack of funding
- 2007-2009: Adoption of ecological practices (elimination of pesticides, irrigation with recycled water)
- 2014: Official inauguration by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain
Access: Palmetum, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Where is the garden?
- On the island of Tenerife,
- South of downtown Santa Cruz,
- At 5 Avenida la Constitución,
- Opposite the Parque Marítimo César Manrique,
- A 9-minute walk from the Auditorium Adán Martín.
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- 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.
How to get there?
To reach the museum, you can choose between 3 options:
- on foot: from the town center, walk down the main road along the seafront. The ride is not the most pleasant because of the nearby traffic. Allow 25 to 30 minutes for the walk.
- by car: the garden is reached via the TF-4 road, which leads to downtown Santa Cruz. Arriving from the south, slow down at the traffic circle housing the “scorpion fish” sculpture. Signs point the way to the Maritime Park and Palmetum parking lots.
- by public transport: several buses pass through the city. The nearest bus stop to the park is “José Emilio García Gómez”, a 9-minute walk away. Find out more here. Alternatively, the “Intercambiador” streetcar stop is a 13-minute walk away (line 1).
Parking
Ample free parking is available on site, with disabled spaces close to the entrance.
DISCOVER Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
We advise you to avoid the high summer season (July-August) and school vacations. Visit in the morning as soon as it opens, to take advantage of lower visitor numbers and avoid the mid-day heat wave. Autumn is the best time to discover the park, when tropical species are at their peak and temperatures remain reasonable.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 1h30 to 2h for a complete tour of the 12-hectare garden.
The botanical garden is equipped with an elevator to access the start of the walk, which is elevated. The paths, which wind between the palm trees, are well defined. The ground is generally smooth on the paths. The Palmetum is wheelchair and mobility-impaired accessible. There are also adapted toilets. How about taking part in an inclusive guided tour? Find out more here.
Advice on how to visit
Let yourself be guided by your desires in this unique oceanfront location. We followed a snail’s pace, starting outside the garden and working our way inside. First, we discovered the flora and fauna and the panoramic lookouts, before moving on to the tropical greenhouse entitled “Octogono”. We walked along the small stream to observe the waterfalls at the eastern end, then slowly made our way back down to the park entrance. Alternatively, opt for one of the park’s itineraries. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, use the site map below:
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Visiting with children
The Palmetum is a must-see activity for the whole family in Santa Cruz! With its pools of water and small waterfalls, it’s a pleasant walk for parents and children alike. The atmosphere in the park is both peaceful and captivating. Home to numerous plant species, the garden offers a great opportunity to learn about flora. Strategically placed benches allow the youngest visitors to take breaks during the walk. Have you seen the size of this leaf compared to a human hand?
Schedules and rates
The Palmetum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (last entrance at 5pm).
Here are the prices:
- Non-resident adult: €6
- Non-resident children: €2.80
- Free for children under 2
Guided tours
The Palmetum offers guided tours on Saturdays at 10:30 am. Early registration is required. Visit the official website for more info here.
Catering
A café area with snack dispensers is available on site. Otherwise, there’s no food court to speak of on the Palmetum grounds. Restaurants tend to be located on the north side of downtown.
A tropical oasis overlooking Santa Cruz
A collection of palm trees unique in the world
The Palmetum de Santa Cruz is home to the world’s largest botanical collection of tropical island palms, with over 600 different species. We were particularly impressed by this exceptional diversity, especially as the garden focuses on species native to islands around the world, making it a unique destination for botanical enthusiasts.
In all, almost 3,000 species of tropical plants flourish in this garden, including many majestic palms. You’ll discover rare and fascinating specimens along the way.
Exceptional panoramic views of the city and ocean
We were captivated by the beauty of the views from the various Palmetum lookouts. The vantage points offer breathtaking views not only of the ocean, but also of the town of Santa Cruz and the Anaga mountain range.
The garden’s elevated position, perched on a man-made hill, makes it possible to admire these 360-degree views. You’ll particularly appreciate these moments of contemplation, which add an extra dimension to your visit.
An extraordinary botanical journey
Majestic, imposing trees
Beyond the palms, we were amazed by the diversity of the Palmetum’s remarkable trees. The Madagascar baobab immediately catches the eye with its impressive silhouette, while the Ficus religiosa rises majestically to a height of over 15 metres, making it the tallest tree in the park.
Mature mangroves, with their characteristic stilted roots, thrive in the main basin and produce floating seeds. Don’t miss the Araucaria columnaris grove, an impressive collection of around 50 trees native to New Caledonia, which grace the hillside.
The tropical greenhouse and its treasures
The “Octogono” greenhouse nestles in the heart of the Palmetum. We loved this unspoilt space, home to the garden’s most delicate species in a controlled tropical environment. Water basins, bridges and waterfalls create a particularly immersive atmosphere. You’ll see a variety of plants flourishing in this small wet jungle, making this structure one of the park’s most remarkable features.
A walk that raises awareness
A mission of preservation
Palmetum has made the conservation of palm species its top priority. We admire the ecological commitment of the site, which has completely banned the use of herbicides and pesticides. Irrigation is provided by recycled municipal wastewater, demonstrating an exemplary sustainable approach. The garden also plays a crucial role as a research center, highlighting the ecological importance of palms and actively contributing to their preservation. Numerous animals have naturally made their home here, including birds.
Environmental education
The garden fulfills its educational mission thanks to its unique collection and clearly identified biogeographical sections. We particularly appreciated the many information panels along the way, helping visitors to better understand the importance of preserving these species. During your visit, you’ll discover how the site contributes to raising public awareness of current environmental issues, while presenting concrete solutions for a more sustainable future.
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