In the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, on the Atlantic, stands the Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Its location and architecture provide a striking starting point for discoveries ranging from modern design and art collections to historic sites.

Architecture, collections and history

TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes also bears the imprint of international and Canarian architecture: Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron designed the building together with Canarian architect Virgilio Gutiérrez. Diagonal lines extend across several levels; sloping paths and a long ramp lead to the central courtyard. TEA also offers a varied programme of audiovisual, educational and public events.

At MUNA, the Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueología, the natural history collections comprise 250,000 entries. The Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes offers a different perspective on art history: its holdings range from 16th-century Flemish painting to 19th-century works. Natural history collections and a broad span of art history thus stand side by side as distinct ways of exploring the past.

Historic architecture includes the Capilla de Carta, considered one of the finest examples of Canarian Baroque. Teatro Guimerá was inaugurated on 25 July 1851. These specific sites add landmarks with their own historical context to the picture of more recent architecture.

Carnival, greenery and coast

Casa del Carnaval opened in 2017 to provide information about and promote Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s most important carnival throughout the year. It is the only festival in the Canary Islands recognised as being of international tourist interest. Casa del Carnaval is open daily, free of charge, from 10:00 to 18:30; check the admission arrangements again before your trip. In Taganana, the Librea is a recurring historical reenactment and one of the best-known and most deeply rooted traditions of the Anaga Massif.

At Parque García Sanabria, sculptures of considerable artistic value are set among numerous tropical trees and plants. Palmetum, in turn, transformed a former landfill into a place for leisure and botanical culture. The two examples offer different emphases: art in combination with tropical greenery on the one hand, and the transformation of a former site into a botanical leisure destination on the other.

Playa de Las Teresitas offers a different focus. A breakwater protects it from currents and waves, creating calm swimming conditions and a family-friendly atmosphere. The beach can be reached on foot, by car, bus or boat; there are also more than 1,000 free parking spaces. Step-free access and an adapted bathing service are also available—practical features that may be worth considering when choosing a beach to visit.

Explore Anaga on foot

Within the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Parque Rural de Anaga includes, among other areas, the districts of Taganana, Taborno and Afur. 76 percent of its protected area lies within Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The two hiking routes described here also differ in format: the approved PR-TF 2 connects the hamlet of Taborno with the Valleseco district. The circular PR-TF 8 passes through Afur, Taganana and Barranco de Tamadite; it is listed as taking approximately seven hours and having a moderate difficulty level. This makes it possible to choose between a route connecting two places and a longer circular hike. Duration and conditions may change; check the latest information before setting out.

Getting there and connections

A network of interurban buses operated by TITSA connects Santa Cruz de Tenerife with other municipalities on the island; a tram links the city with San Cristóbal de La Laguna. The port receives ferries to the eastern Canary Islands as well as cruise ships from Europe, Africa and the Americas. If you are planning a ferry journey, check the latest timetable before travelling, as routes and services may change.

Discover more destinations: Los Realejos, Adeje, Arafo, Villa De Arico, Arona, Buenavista Del Norte, Candelaria, El Sauzal, El Tanque, Fasnia, Garachico, Granadilla De Abona, Guía De Isora, Icod De Los Vinos, La Guancha, La Matanza De Acentejo, La Orotava, Los Silos, Puerto De La Cruz, San Juan De La Rambla, San Miguel, Santa Ursula, Santiago Del Teide, Tacoronte, Tegueste, Vilaflor, La Victoria De Acentejo, Güimar, El Rosario, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Buen Paso, San Cristóbal De La Laguna, Aldea Blanca, El Fraile, Costa Adeje, Las Cruces, Golf Del Sur, La Zarza, San Marcos, Los Abrigos, El Rio, Juan Fernández, Buzanada, Las Aguas, San José de los Llanos, San Juan del Reparo, Punta Brava, Acojeja, Chamorga, Los Rechazos, Puertito de Güímar, El Pris, La Sabinita, Arico Viejo, Arico el Nuevo, Las Vegas, Arico, Las Palomas, Guaza, Ifonche y Benitez, Adelantado, Teno, Las Mercedes, Almáciga, Ravelo, Bocacangrejo, El Bailadero, Charco del Pino, Las Cañadas del Teide, Icor, Puerto la Madera, La Caleta, Oroteanda Baja, Trevejos, Los Carrizales and La Esperanza.

View the overview of destinations: Canary Islands.