A getaway to Santa Cruz de Tenerife? We recommend a visit to Parc García Sanabria! It’s a veritable treasure trove of exotic plants, trees and flowers, as well as sculptures, right in the heart of the city. We were charmed by this botanical garden where it’s so pleasant to stroll.
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 García Sanabria Park?
Is the botanical garden worth it? Our opinion:
García Sanabria Park is definitely worth a visit. In our opinion, this is one of the best activities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife! It’s an ideal place to recharge your batteries, particularly appreciated during the hot summer months thanks to its water features and shaded areas. The garden’s varied vegetation and elegant sculptures make it a veritable open-air museum, combining nature and culture. It houses a unique collection of tropical plants from all over the world. We were seduced by its alleys in a thousand shades of green.
>> How about a guided tour of Santa Cruz and the park? <<
Why is García Sanabria Park famous?
The park owes its renown to several distinctive features. It has been declared a site of cultural interest by the Canary Islands government, underlining its heritage importance. It is also known for its unique floral clock, made in Switzerland and donated in 1958 by the Danish consul. In 1973, the park hosted an international sculpture exhibition, some of whose works can still be seen today. Named after Mayor García Sanabria, who approved its construction, the park has become a symbol of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Our favorite moments
During our visit to the botanical garden, we loved it:
- explore the narrow paths lined with lush vegetation
- contemplate the clock in bloom, a symbolic installation combining plant art and human ingenuity
- stroll under the flower-filled arches that embellish the park
History in brief
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife botanical garden has a rich history. Here are the key dates in its development:
- 1926: inauguration of the park by Mayor García Sanabria
- 1958: gift of the floral clock by the Danish Consul
- 1973: organization of an international sculpture exhibition
- 2016: the park is declared a site of cultural interest by the Canary Islands authorities
More historical details here.
Access: García Sanabria Park, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Where is the botanical garden?
- On the island of Tenerife
- North of downtown Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Along the famous Rambla de Santa Cruz
- Next to Plaza Veinticinco de Julio de Los Patos
Our map shows the park’s location in relation to the city’s other tourist attractions:
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.
How to get there?
The park is within walking distance of the city center. By public transport, you have several options: bus line 905 serves the park, and the “Weyler” streetcar stop is a 7-minute walk away. To plan your journey, visit the official website of the local bus network here.
Parking
The park has no parking facilities, and it’s not easy to park in downtown Santa Cruz. There are, however, paid parking lots in the surrounding streets, but some entrances are really narrow, like the one to Parking El Pilar, a 5-minute walk away.
DISCOVER Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
Spring is the best time to see vegetation in full bloom and enjoy a mild climate. Autumn offers a good compromise between pleasant weather and moderate attendance. In summer, you’ll particularly appreciate the shade of the trees and the coolness of the waterholes. Winter is less busy, and less flowery, but still very enjoyable. We advise you to come at any time of the day to suit your needs.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow between 45min and 1h30 to take full advantage of the 67,230m2 park.
The site includes large asphalt walkways, but also narrower paths with raised ground. You’ll find a few staircases by the clock in bloom and at certain entrances to the park. However, it is accessible to people with reduced mobility: there are 2 access ramps at the main entrance and adapted toilets. You’ll be able to take regular sitting breaks, thanks to the many benches dotted around the garden.
Advice on how to visit
Start your visit by discovering the clock in bloom at the entrance to the park. Continue on to the iconic sculptures, including the monument to García Sanabria and La Fecundidad. Stroll through the lush green alleys as you please, and explore the variety of exotic plants that make the site a veritable botanical garden. Take a look at the children’s playgrounds. End your visit with a drink in the park’s restaurant, or on a bench in the shade of the trees.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay in the Canaries a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
If you’d like to be notified when our guide to the Canaries is published, please subscribe:
Visiting with children
The park is perfectly suited to children, with a playground featuring swings, huts and other structures. Little explorers will love this place, which resembles a mini tropical jungle with its palm trees and exotic plants! Adapted toilets are also available on site.
Schedules and rates
The park is open 24 hours a day and admission is free.
Guided tour
A guided tour of downtown Santa Cruz includes the must-see García Sanabria Park. You’ll explore the heart of Tenerife’s capital and the botanical gardens with a local guide who will reveal all their secrets. – Find out more about the activity here!
Catering
The Terraza Parque restaurant welcomes you on site, or many of the establishments in our selection can be found in the streets surrounding the park. We invite you to consult our list of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz!
The green lung of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Lush vegetation
The park is home to a variety of vegetation, including tropical species and exotic plants from different parts of the world. We loved strolling through this green setting in the heart of the city. Numerous palm trees dot the park, although we’d advise you to visit the Palmetum if you’re particularly fond of this species. During our visit, we were surprised by some trees with multiple roots, like the one below!
You’ll also see “birds of paradise”, the emblematic brightly-hued flowers. Plants with green leaves and bright pink membranes add color to the flower beds. When we visited, the park was revealing beds of Christmas roses, a symbol of the festive season.
Arches in bloom
At the heart of the park are elegant arches covered with plants and flowers. We loved strolling beneath these structures, where climbing roses, bougainvillea and oleanders flourish. They embody the harmony between nature and architecture: initially conceived as metal structures, they are now enveloped by vegetation, lending charm to the garden.
Let yourself be enchanted by the fragrance of the flowers and the gentle rustle of the leaves. Photographers will particularly appreciate this setting, perfect for capturing moments of life during your trip!
Between culture and leisure: a lively park
Outdoor art: sculptures and installations
We discovered poetic, contemplative sculptures along the way. 13 of the 40 works in the 1973 International Sculpture Exhibition were donated to the city by participating artists. They are still on display in the park. In addition to the monument to Mayor Santiago García Sanabria, which stands proudly in the center of the garden, La Fecundidad was a particular highlight. It depicts a voluptuous nude female figure in a seated position.
A playground for young and old
Between 2018 and 2022, Santa Cruz is committed to a policy of improving living conditions for children and teenagers. This commitment is perfectly reflected in the park’s play area, which is very popular with the youngest visitors. Resembling a mini tropical jungle, the garden is an ideal playground for toddlers. To enrich your visit, ask your children to imagine stories around the sculptures – a great way to awaken their creativity while raising their awareness of art.
WHERE TO STAY IN Tenerife
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Tenerife
- Our favorite: Hotel Corales Beach
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best adults-only hotels (coming soon)
- Best all-inclusive hotels (coming soon)
- Best hotels for families (coming soon)
Select by city:
- Best hotels in Costa Adeje
- Best hotels in Puerto de La Cruz
- Best hotels in Los Gigantes
- Best hotels in Santa Cruz
- Best hotels in Laguna
- Best hotels in Playa de las Americas
- 5-star hotel in Los Cristianos (coming soon)
Frequently asked questions
Are there any events or exhibitions at Parc García Sanabria?
Yes, the park hosted the first international street sculpture exhibition in 1973. Today, visitors can still discover 13 of these works on open-air display. Over the years, the garden has been enriched by new artistic installations, such as the work of sculptor Jaume Plensa in 2023.
Can you jog or cycle here?
Parc García Sanabria is indeed an ideal place to jog while enjoying the exotic vegetation and artistic sculptures. It also has asphalted paths suitable for bicycles and a structure for parking them.
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
