As the capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz has more of a big city feel than other parts of the island. This is the kind of place you’d like to live, with a little bit of everything, from a historic quarter and charming parks to street art and world class architecture.
Santa Cruz hosts a hugely popular carnival in February / March, when everyone dresses up and heads onto the streets to strut their stuff. But outside these riotous months the city has the pleasant buzz of locals going about their business, untroubled by the crowds of tourists on the southern beaches.
While most people visit on a day trip or arrive by cruise, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Cruz Tenerife to keep you busy for a few days.
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Top things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Here are our recommendations for the top things to see in Santa Cruz if you have limited time. When I visited I walked between most of them, but you might want to take the occasional taxi, tram or bus, since the locations are quite spread out.
- Plaza de Espana – the largest Plaza near the port and seafront, with a circular pool of water reflecting the sky and remains of the San Cristobal fortress in an underground museum.
- Parque Garcia Sanabria – a 17 acre public park in Tenerife, with shady tree lined avenues, sculptures and relaxing cafes.
- Mercado Nuestra Señora De África, also known as La Recova or the “African Market” – full of colourful Canarian produce, with stalls to buy a picnic, ice cream or quick bite to eat.
- Old Town “Noria” district and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción – the 16th century church with its landmark tower and the surrounding quaint streets full of bars and restaurants.
- Auditorio de Tenerife – designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this concert hall by the sea resembles a gladiator’s helmet, with white tiles reflecting the sunshine.
- Planetum – a botanical garden full of different species of palm trees, built on a small hill which was reclaimed from the city’s former rubbish dump.
Tip: If you are holidaying in the south of Tenerife, this day trip to Santa Cruz offers air conditioned transport and a short guided tour, with time to visit other places independently.
The luxurious 5-star Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey offers outdoor pool, spa, gardens and sports facilities for a city escape
Best things to do in Santa Cruz – in more detail
So now let’s explore what to do in Santa Cruz Tenerife, in a bit more detail. I’ve split the city up into different neighbourhoods, with the main places to visit in each.
Realistically, you can probably cover a couple of neighbourhoods at a relaxed pace in one day. With this in mind, read through and decide what interests you most, as you may not have time to see it all.
Plaza de España and the shopping neighbourhood
1. Plaza de España
This open plaza with a shallow pool is close to the port and hence where many visitors start their visit to Santa Cruz. Walking inland away from the seafront will take you along the main shopping street to some pleasant parks and squares.
La Charca Lagoon
Plaza de España is dominated by the large shallow lagoon La Charca at its centre. Trees provide some shade around the perimeter and by day the pool reflects the sky and surrounding buildings.
A fountain jets up from the centre once an hour and at night the whole area is lit up. Off to one side, a small pavilion with a roof of living plants acts as a tourist information centre.
I Love Santa Cruz sign
A Santa Cruz sign is set by the pool and designed to capture those social media photo moments. The inverted hearts not only signify a message of “I love Santa Cruz”, but also that as the capital, Santa Cruz is considered the heart of Tenerife.
Nearby is the huge “Monument to the fallen” (Monumento a los Caidos) to commemorate those who fought and died in the civil war for General Franco. Unveiled in the 1940s, the statue has attracted recent controversy, due to its associations with Franco’s military dictatorship.
Castillo de San Cristobal
Plaza de España was built in 1929 over the ruins of the historic Castillo de San Cristobel. It’s one of the fortresses that played a crucial part in the Battle of Santa Cruz of 1797, when the Spanish repelled an attack from the English fleet commanded by Admiral Horatio Nelson.
There’s little to see of the Castillo from Plaza de España itself, but an unobtrusive entrance takes you underground, where a museum has been constructed among some of the castle’s original walls.
The museum offers free admission and is open daily except Sunday. It tells the story of the fortress that once stood here, with canons on display that were used to fire against the invading English troops.
AC Hotel Marriott Tenerife is a centrally located modern hotel with rooftop pool, close to Plaza de Espana
2. Calle de Castillo – the shopping street
If you enjoy shopping and people watching, continue your stroll along Plaza de la Candelaria, the main boulevard that leads inland from Plaza de España itself. This long open Plaza with central cafes merges into the bustling shopping street of Calle de Castillo with a mixture of new and old buildings.
Turning left from this street will take you towards the small area of Old Town and Noria district, while turning right will lead towards the shady and scenic Plaza San Francisco, with some pleasant cafes.
But before you move on, wander a while to admire some of the few remaining older buildings on this street, such as the one painted with a mural of street musician Nilo Caparossa by artist Sabotage Al Montage.
Tip: For a nice coffee stop, we recommend the well established cafe Palmelita (9 Calle de Castillo), which is in an attractive traditional building.
3. Plaza San Francisco – for a shady lunch or dinner
For a pleasant lunch or dinner location, we recommend turning right off Calle de Castille to find Plaza San Francisco. The Plaza is named after the monastery that stood here and the large Church of St Francis overlooks the square. Enjoy some pretty examples of 19th century buildings that are mostly now overshadowed in the city centre by modern high rise blocks.
Plaza San Francisco is a relaxing place to sit in one of the cafe terraces in the shade of some enormous Ficus trees, with more places to eat if you continue down Calle de San Francisco.
El Toscal neighbourhood – with 19th century architecture and shady parks
Explore this elegant neighbourhood of Santa Cruz with its attractive 19th century buildings, shady parks and squares.
4. Plaza del Principe de Asturias – shady square full of sculptures
From Plaza San Francisco, you’re just one block away from the shady square of Plaza del Principe de Asturias. The Plaza was laid out in the 19th century in the garden of a Franciscan monastery, with a central iron pavilion.
Join the locals as you relax on a bench under the trees and admire the sculptures and statues that are dotted around the square.
Tip: The Kiosko Principe cafe, located in the Plaza is a great place to stop for a coffee, drinks, sandwich lunch or tapas.
El Chicharro
Off to one side, in what is technically a different plaza (Plaza el Chicharro), you can find a statue that’s so symbolic for Santa Cruz that practically every tour guide will stop here to tell you the story.
The El Chicharro statue of a leaping fish represents the mackerel that was a cheap food for the people of Santa Cruz, leading to their nickname of Chicharrero. The nickname was popularised in Carnival songs and is now used to describe a typical person from Tenerife as well as those from Santa Cruz.
Behind the statue is an example of the Drago tree which is found throughout the Canary Islands and is another symbol of Tenerife.
5. Museo de Bellas Artes – art gallery in a former monastery
Right beside the Plaza del Principe de Asturias is the Museo de Bellas Artes, housed in the building that was formerly a Franciscan monastery. The Museum houses paintings and sculptures from the 16th to the 19th centuries focussing on Canarian artists, with religious and romantic art as well as cabinets containing scientific finds and curiosities.
6. Parque Garcia Sanabria – a 17 acre park full of sculptures
A 10 minute walk will bring you next to Parque Garcia Sanabria, at 17 acres the largest park of Santa Cruz. It was laid out in the early 20th century, with paved walkways and shady palm trees, mixed in with flowering shrubs, fountains and places to sit.
As you walk around the park, you may notice there are numerous sculptures to enjoy, both classical and 20th century. At the centre of the park is the fountain and monument to the city’s former mayor Garcia Sanabria, with a voluptuous female sculpture “La Fecundidad’ dedicated to fertility.
The famous floral clock at one of the main entrances is a favourite place for friends to meet, with a cafe nearby.
Tip: We enjoyed an al fresco lunch at the lovely Strasse Park restaurant at the northern edge of the park – highly recommended!
Casa Kilig is a Bed & Breakfast that’s ideal for budget travellers with communal spaces and a kitchen for self catering.
7. La Rambla and Plaza 25 de Julio – 19th century architecture and sculptures
From the north west corner of Parque Garcia Sanabria, it’s worth extending your visit with a stroll along the tree lined boulevard of La Rambla de Santa Cruz. This part of the city was laid out in the 19th century and we admired numerous beautiful mansions along the boulevard and on some of the side streets.
Look out for sculptures along La Rambla, including those by Henry Moore and Xavier Corbero, as an extension of the sculpture park within Parque Garcia Sanabria.
Plaza 25 de Juillo – the duck fountain
From La Rambla, take a short detour back to find Plaza Veinticinco de Juilo, named after the 25 July 1797, when the city repelled an attack from Admiral Nelson’s English troops.
It’s popularly known as the “Duck Square” after the central tiled pool with sculptures of duck, turtle and frogs that’s a replica of the one in Seville. Each of the colourful tiled benches around the pool were sponsored by the 19th century companies of the day, making a charming advertisement for sherry and other products.
8. Plaza Weyler
Continuing your walk along Avenida 25 de Juilo will shortly bring you to Plaza Weyler, a small square with an ornate marble fountain at its heart. Here you’ll find pretty cobbled paving, lawns and shady mature trees for a place to rest before more sightseeing.
From Plaza Weyler you could walk back towards the port along the busy shopping street of Calle de Castillo or head for the Old Town Noria district of Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Old Town “Noria” neighbourhood
The small but charming old town of Santa Cruz, offers a landmark 16th century church dating back to the city’s foundation, the “African market”, street art, museums and cultural attractions.
9. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción
The obvious place to start exploring the Santa Cruz Tenerife old town is the landmark bell tower of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción. Dating back to 1502, it’s the oldest church in the city and was built by the Spanish conquerers of Tenerife when they founded the city of Santa Cruz.
Following fires the church underwent restoration in the 17th and 18th centuries, with the coffered wooden ceiling and ornate baroque altar dating back to this period.
On the right side of the nave is the original “Cross of the Conquest”. The plain wooden cross was planted on the spot where the Spanish conquerers came ashore, and is now preserved in a silver and glass frame. This “Holy Cross” is what gave the city of Santa Cruz its name.
Boutique hotel Urban Anaga is well located close to the Noria district, with rooftop bar
10. Noria district – old town streets with bars and restaurants
Running from the church is the pedestrianised street of Calle Antonio Dominguez Alfonso, which is full of bars and restaurants. Nearby Noria Street gives the neighbourhood its name and the grid of streets with traditional buildings are a fun place to dine and hang out, with plenty of atmosphere in the evening.
One of the best known restaurants in this grid of streets is La Hierbita, (Calle Clavel 19) serving traditional Canarian dishes from an old style house.
Tip: I enjoyed my meal at La Concepcion (Calle Antonio Dominguez Alfonso, 4) a casual bar and restaurant near the church serving tapas with lots of veggie options.
11. Puente Serrador – for street art lovers
Nearby is the city’s main river, Barranco de Santos, although the riverbed was paved, with no water when we were there.
The bridge of Puente Serrador that crosses it is a location for street art in Santa Cruz, with lots of murals under the arches of the bridge. As a big street art fan, I enjoyed the murals from local artists such as Iker Muro and Sabotaje Al Montaje.
12. Mercado Nuestra Señora De África – La Recova Market
If you love good food, the colourful fruit and veg on display in this large covered market is a feast for the eyes. The market of Our Lady of Africa is more often known simply as the “African Market” or “La Recova”.
The stalls are contained in a Moorish style building, with 3 floors of shady arcades and tiled patios, selling fresh produce, meat and vegetables as well as cheeses and deli items.
If you like seafood be sure to visit the fish section on the lower floor, where there are a couple of stalls that have seating. We ordered a platter of simply cooked prawns and shellfish, accompanied by a glass of wine for a delicious lunch.
For more on the typical food of the Canary Islands, read my article on the Food of Lanzarote – 25 dishes and drinks you’ll want to try
Tip: For a sweet treat head to Il Gelato del Mercato, an artisan ice cream stall selling a range of fresh and unusual flavours.
Outside the main entrance to the market are some sculptures of La Lechera (Milkmaid) and a homage to the fishermen or Chicharreros bringing in their catch. The market opens early in the morning, but is closed by 2-3pm, so this is one to visit in the morning.
13. TEA – Tenerife Espacio de las Artes – contemporary arts centre
The TEA or Tenerife Espacio de las Artes is an ultra-modern building housing an arts centre, museum and public library. It’s a striking building, with clean diagonal lines, glass walls, ramps and bridges cutting through the different levels of the site which sits alongside the river.
TEA houses the permanent collection of surrealist painter Óscar Domínguez who was born in Tenerife, as well as a photography centre and temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists. There are films, activities and workshops especially for children and families.
I didn’t have time to go inside, but unless you are a big fan of cutting edge contemporary art, I suspect most visitors to Santa Cruz will be satisfied by a quick wander through the building, to admire the architecture and design.
14. Museum of Natural History and Archaeology (MUNA)
Next to the TEA and on the opposite bank of the river from Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de La Concepción, is the Museum of Natural History and Archaeology (MUNA). It’s housed in a beautiful 18th century building that was formerly a hospital, with a shady internal courtyard filled with trees and creepers.
As you’d imagine, there are displays of the flora and fauna of the Canary Islands and archaeological exhibits, such as pottery and stone artefacts. Also on display is a collection of Guanche mummies, with information about the funeral customs of the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands. I didn’t manage to locate this display, which sounded quite interesting, so it must be well tucked away!
Tip: If you visit on a Friday or Saturday after 4pm, the museum is free to visit.
Santa Cruz southern seafront – Auditorio de Tenerife and Palmetum
A walk south along the seafront brings you to the striking city auditorium, a lido for swimming and a botanical garden full of palm trees. Allow at least half a day to explore this area if you plan to visit the Palmetum or relax in the seaside lido.
From Plaza Espana it’s a 20 minute walk or 5 minute taxi ride, and while the road runs parallel to the seafront, it’s not an especially scenic walk past the commercial port. The L1 tram line will also take you part of the way along the seafront from Fundacion to Intercambiador. If travelling by car, there’s a large public parking area close to the Auditorio.
15. Auditorio de Tenerife – Santiago Calatrava’s concert hall
You may recognise the distinctive style of the Auditorio de Tenerife Adan Martin, by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. The shape is reminiscent of a helmet or shell, faced with a mosaic of hard white tiles that create silky reflections in the sunshine.
If you are in Santa Cruz for a few days you might check what performances of ballet, opera or classical music are scheduled. Otherwise it’s worth taking a good look at the building and the interior, admiring the location close to the sea and shape from different angles set against the blue sky.
Cesar Manrique wind sculpture
The plaza around the Auditorio is nicely landscaped and you can pause at the Cesar Manrique wind sculpture nearby. Manrique was an artist born in Lanzarote, where he created many tourism locations that combined his artwork with the natural volcanic landscape, as well as sculptures designed to capture the wind.
This piece built in 2001 has some central circular metal shapes that are designed to turn in the wind, although it all seemed very static when we visited.
Read our article about Cesar Manrique and his work in the Canary Islands
100 Caras (100 faces) by Stoyko Gagamov
Another quirky thing to look out for is the painted rocks along the shoreline in front of the Auditorio. Known as the 100 Caras (100 faces), the flat edges of the rocks are painted with images of well known musicians of all different genres, from classic to pop.
This outdoor artwork was created in 2010 by the Bulgarian artist, Stoyko Gagamov and you can enjoy spotting your favourite artist’s face – I’m of the Madonna era!
Castillo de San Juan Bautista
Having admired the Auditorio, take a look at the small circular fortification overlooking the sea nearby. The Castillo de San Juan Bautista (Castle of John the Baptist) was built in the 1640s by Charles II of Spain, in order to defend the island’s capital from the sea.
This small circular tower contains a military museum which was closed when we visited. It’s used in the annual re-enactment of the Battle of Santa Cruz in 1797, in which the English Fleet under Admiral Nelson was defeated and he lost his right arm from grapeshot wounds.
16. Parque Maritimo Cesar Manrique – a seaside lido
While there’s no city beach at Santa Cruz, the Parque Maritimo César Manrique provides the next best thing as a place to soak up the sun, swim and relax. Opened in 1995, this outdoor lido is located between the Auditorio and the Palmetum, overlooking the sea.
Designed by the Canarian artist Cesar Manrique, the complex includes three large saltwater pools with changing rooms, cafes and terraces for sunbathing. It’s all designed in the artist’s characteristic style, incorporating natural elements such as volcanic rocks, palm trees and artificial waterfalls as well as Manrique’s wind sculptures.
The park is reasonably priced, popular with families and open all year round, although not all the pools and facilities may be open in winter.
If you really want to head to the beach, the closest is Las Teresitas, with calm water and unusually golden sand (it’s imported!). However it’s a 40 minute bus ride from Santa Cruz at the town of San Andrés. I personally think it’s better to spend your time enjoying what’s on offer in Santa Cruz and save your beach time for another day.
17. Palmetum – botanical gardens
The Palmetum de Santa Cruz is a 12 hectare botanical gardens sitting on top of a small hill, overlooking the sea and the Cesar Manrique Maritime Park. It’s hard to believe that this whole area was a municipal landfill site and the hill is actually a mountain of rubbish that has been reclaimed and replanted!
The gardens specialise in palm trees, with a collection of over 600 trees, as well as other flowering and fruiting tropical plants. Paths lead visitors around the site, with greenhouses, water features and views of the ocean.
Despite the location on top of a hill, the Palmetum is surprisingly accessible, with a lift, paved walkways and paths that are buggy and wheelchair friendly, as well as a car park nearby.
18. Carnival in Santa Cruz
The biggest carnival in the Canaries fills the streets of Santa Cruz for 2 weeks in February to March. There’s a great atmosphere as families and groups of friends dress up and head out onto the streets to celebrate and watch the parades.
If you love a party this is the time to visit, but bear in mind that other places you might want to see will be affected and everywhere packed. So if you are not looking for carnival crowds, you may prefer to come at another time.
If you miss the carnival weeks, you can still visit the Casa del Carnaval at any time of year to soak up the carnival spirit. The museum is dedicated to Santa Cruz’s carnival culture, with old posters, colourful costumes and displays dedicated to different aspects of the carnival.
19. A day trip to La Laguna
Head inland from Santa Cruz, for a pleasant day trip to San Cristobal de La Laguna, more commonly known as La Laguna. Known for its beautiful and well preserved old buildings, this UNESCO World Heritage town was the former capital of Tenerife.
As the name suggests, the city was once situated beside a lake, which has long since dried up. It provided a plentiful water supply to support agriculture around the 16th century capital, at a time when Santa Cruz was just a small fishing village.
As you leave the coast behind, you should be aware that at an altitude of 500m, the climate in La Laguna is cool and wetter than Santa Cruz – so dress accordingly. The town is often shrouded in mist that rolls in from the nearby Anaga Mountains. La Laguna is also a thriving university town, although the atmosphere in the historic centre felt quiet and sedate compared to Santa Cruz.
Things to do in La Laguna
The main things to do on a day trip to La Laguna include:
- Wander up and down the two parallel main pedestrianised streets of Calle Herradores and Obispo Rey Redondo, admiring the traditional Canarian buildings, now used as shops and restaurants,
- Head toward Plaza de la Concepcion, the main square where you can relax in a nearby cafe and watch the world go by.
- Visit the landmark Iglesia de la Concepcion at the head of the square, with its bell tower which you can climb for a view over the town.
- Nearby visit the Casa Museo Cayetano Gomez Felipe, an old Canarian House that has been made into a living museum, to show how a prosperous family would have lived.
- At the other end of the old town is the Museum of History of Tenerife, also worth a visit to see inside the 16th century palace with its beautiful courtyards and wooden gallery.
Where to stay in La Laguna
La Laguna Gran is a boutique hotel with rooftop pool that’s well located in the historic quarter of La Laguna
La Laguna Gran is a boutique hotel with rooftop pool that’s well located in the historic quarter of La Laguna
Take the tram to La Laguna
I can recommend taking the tram for a scenic ride to La Laguna. Line 1 of the Tram takes you from the Intercambior Bus station of Santa Cruz (or alternative stops in the old town area) right to the heart of La Laguna (stop at La Trinidad) in around 40 minutes. The trams run every 5-10 minutes on weekdays or every 10-20 minutes at weekends and inexpensive single tickets can be purchased from the machines at tram stops. Buses also run from Santa Cruz to La Laguna.
20. Day trip to hike in the Anaga Mountains
If you are a keen hiker, you could take a further bus from La Laguna into the Anaga Mountains where there are numerous walking trails through the cloud forests. Be aware that the weather here is even more misty and damp than La Laguna, giving the stunted trees a mossy, twisted appearance. Pack an extra layer or you might end up shivering in the damp cloud cover!
From La Laguna’s Intercambiador Bus Station, several buses run to the Anaga Park’s visitor centre (Centro de interpretacion del Parque Rural Anaga), where there is a restaurant and visitor information about the different trails that start here. If you have a car you can continue further up the road for more viewpoints and walking trails.
Read more about another of Tenerife’s National Parks in our article about Teide National Park – the ultimate guide to plan your visit
Recommended hotels Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Here are some of our recommendations for the best hotels and guest houses to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Budget hotels in Santa Cruz
Casa Kilig – a Bed & Breakfast with pretty bedrooms and shared bathrooms. There are communal spaces and kitchen for self catering, it’s close to La Rambla.
Casa Kilig is a Bed & Breakfast that’s ideal for budget travellers with communal spaces and a kitchen for self catering.
Mid-range hotels in Santa Cruz
Urban Anaga Hotel – a boutique hotel that’s well located close to the Noria district although the rooftop bar can be noisy at weekends.
Boutique hotel Urban Anaga is well located close to the Noria district, with rooftop bar
AC Hotel Marriott Tenerife – a large modern hotel with rooftop pool, in a central location close to Plaza de Espana.
AC Hotel Marriott Tenerife is a centrally located modern hotel with rooftop pool, close to Plaza de Espana
Hotel Emblematico Hi Suites – an all suites hotel with stylish contemporary decor. It’s centrally located and some of the suites have kitchenettes, a good option if you want a bit more space.
Hotel Emblemático Hi Suites is an all suites hotel with stylish contemporary decor, ideal if you want a bit more space.
Luxury hotels in Santa Cruz
Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey – a 5 star hotel that’s extended from an old colonial building, with pool, spa, gardens and sports facilities. It’s on the northern edge of the city so a little distance from the main sights but great for a city escape.
The luxurious 5-star Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey offers outdoor pool, spa, gardens and sports facilities for a city escape
How to get to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
By Air
International flights arrive in Tenerife South Reina Sofia airport, while Tenerife North airport is for domestic and inter-island flights. Numerous airlines offer flights from the UK and Europe to Tenerife South, including British Airways, Easyjet, Ryanair, Jet2.com and TUI.
If you are flying from one of the other Canary Islands, check the schedules of domestic airlines like Binter, Canaryfly and Air Europa. Be aware that there’s a different (much cheaper) tariff for Canary Island residents than you will pay as a visitor.
By Ferry
If travelling from mainland Spain, there are long distance ferries from Cadiz and Huelva. However, bear in mind that they take at least 30 hours, so this is mainly an option for those who need to bring a car from Europe.
There are also direct ferry connections to Santa Cruz from other Canary Islands, such as Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuertaventura. If you want to travel from La Gomera or La Palma, the ferry arrives at Los Christianos Port in the south of Tenerife and from there you’ll need to take a bus to Santa Cruz. Check out the timetables and prices with Fred Olsen Express and Naviera Armas or for convenience search on Ferryhopper.
By Cruise
Santa Cruz is a popular stop in Tenerife for cruises around the Canary Islands. The cruise terminal is a 15 minute walk from Plaza de Espana in Santa Cruz, but the actual distance you walk will depend on where your cruise ship is docked.
For cruise passengers, a free shuttle bus is normally laid on take you from the port to Plaza de Espana. Taxis are also available at the port to take you to specific locations in Santa Cruz you may want to visit.
By Bus or tram
There is an excellent system of public buses in Tenerife, to get you to Santa Cruz from other parts of the island. Buses in the Canary Islands are known as Guagas and the main bus station or Intercambiador in Santa Cruz is located near the seafront but a little away from the major sights.
There are other local buses and the tram that connect to the main bus station. Check Tenerife’s state bus company TITSA for more information on routes. timetables and fares.
By Car
While we recommend using Tenerife’s excellent public transport system, if staying in another part of Tenerife you may prefer to drive to Santa Cruz. If you hire a car, we recommend searching for the best deals on Rentalcars – but as always, check the ratings and reviews before you book.
We don’t recommend bringing a car near to Plaza Espana or the old town of Santa Cruz, which is mainly pedestrianised. Also if visiting at carnival time (February / March) you should definitely avoid bringing your car into the city, due to the crowds and road closures.
There are two large outdoor car parks near the Auditorium and Palmetum. If arriving from the TF-1 (south coast road) or TF-5 ( from La Laguna) main roads, there are a number of underground paid car garages on the west side of Santa Cruz, which you could also use to park for the day.
What’s the weather in Santa Cruz Tenerife?
Due to its location off the north-west coast of Africa, Tenerife is a popular winter sun destination for those of us in the UK and Northern Europe who crave some sunshine when it’s cold at home. Located on Tenerife’s north east coast, the weather in Santa Cruz Tenerife is generally warm all year round, with average winter temperatures ranging between 15-22 degrees Celsius.
In the summer months, the island is very popular with Spanish and Canarian holidaymakers, and the temperature can reach 26-30 degrees Celsius. If you visit between November and March, expect to have some showers too, with a mix of sun, cloud and the odd rainy day.
It’s worth knowing that there are a range of microclimates within Tenerife, with the warmest, driest weather being experienced on the beaches of the arid south coast. In the centre of the island, such as the Teide National Park and the heritage town of La Laguna, the higher altitude means that it’s quite a few degrees cooler, which can be a shock if you arrive in shorts from the coast!
Santa Cruz is generally regarded in having year round warm weather, due to being close to the sea, although like all of the north of Tenerife the city receives more rain than the south in the winter.
Read Next
For more about Tenerife read my article: 12 fun and unexpected things to do in Tenerife
More articles about the Canary Islands
Hiking in La Gomera – discover Tenerife’s smaller neighbour, just a short ferry hop away.
30 amazing things to do in Lanzarote – discover the island’s austere volcanic landscapes and artworks.
Teide National Park Tenerife – the ultimate guide to plan your visit to Tenerife’s volcanic caldera.
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This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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