Before you go

Your trip to Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Santa Cruz de Tenerife – Canary Islands Destination Tenerife Capital

How to get there

  • Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna (TFN) San Cristóbal de La Laguna · 10 km
  • Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur (TFS) Granadilla de Abona · 60 km
  • Intercambiador de Santa Cruz de Tenerife 1 km
  • Puerto de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (terminal de ferries) 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before booking. Tenerife Norte airport is 10 km away, with a bus in about 20 minutes; Tenerife Sul, which has more international flights, is about 60 km away, with a direct bus. Ferries from Gran Canaria arrive at the port in the center. A tram links Santa Cruz to La Laguna.

How many days

One day for the center, the Auditorio, García Sanabria park and the museum. The second day is for La Laguna and Anaga, and a third for Las Teresitas beach and the villages along Anaga's coast.

When to go

The climate is usually mild year-round, warmer and drier than the north of the island. The carnival usually takes place in February or March, when the city is crowded. For Anaga, spring is good for hiking, with the forest green and the slopes in bloom.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

You don't need a car for the city or La Laguna, which are connected by tram, nor for Las Teresitas, which has a bus. For Anaga, a car helps, although there are buses to some points. The mountain roads are narrow and very winding.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
  1. Morning
    Plaza de España and museum

    Start at Plaza de España, next to the port, and go on to the Museu da Natureza e Arqueologia.

  2. Afternoon
    Centre

    Lunch in the center and a walk along Calle del Castillo to García Sanabria park.

  3. Late afternoon
    Auditorium

    Late afternoon at the Auditorio de Calatrava and on the waterfront, with the sea breaking against the breakwaters.

  4. Evening
    Night

    Dinner in the La Noria neighborhood, near the church of La Concepción.

2 days in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Day 1

  1. Morning
    Centre

    Plaza de España, the Museu da Natureza e Arqueologia and the church of La Concepción.

  2. Afternoon
    García Sanabria

    Lunch and García Sanabria park, with the sculptures and the floral clock.

  3. Late afternoon
    Auditorio and TEA

    TEA, the art center by Herzog & de Meuron, and the Auditorio in the late afternoon.

  4. Evening
    La Noria

    Dinner at the bars in La Noria.

Day 2

  1. Morning
    La Laguna

    Tram to La Laguna and a morning in the colonial streets and the cathedral.

  2. Afternoon
    Anaga

    Bus or car to the Cruz del Carmen for a short hike in the laurel forest.

  3. Late afternoon
    Las Teresitas

    Late afternoon at Las Teresitas beach, with light sand, in San Andrés.

  4. Evening
    Fish in San Andrés

    Fish dinner in the fishing village of San Andrés.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Tenerife Norte airport to Santa Cruz?

There are direct buses to the Intercambiador, the central station, in about 20 minutes, as well as taxis.

What is the Santa Cruz carnival like?

It usually takes place in February or March, with costume contests, the election of the queen, parades and street parties into the night. The city fills up and accommodation is usually in high demand; book in advance.

Does Santa Cruz have a beach?

The most popular urban beach is Las Teresitas, in San Andrés, about 8 km away, with light sand brought from the Sahara in the 1970s. There are city buses.

What is the guagua?

It's the name for buses in the Canaries. The island's bus company connects Santa Cruz to all the towns.

What to eat in Santa Cruz?

Papas arrugadas—potatoes cooked in salty water—with red and green mojo, fish such as vieja, gofio (toasted cereal flour), and the island's wines.

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