Guide to Tenerife

Tenerife, the biggest island attracts the most tourists. It is located in the middle of the 7 islands, 1,300 kms from the Spanish peninsula and 300kms from Africa. The island is triangular and covers 2,034 Km2. Mount Teide, 3,718mts above seal level, is Spain's highest mountain and is the third highest volcanoe in the world. It is located on this island within the Teide National Park.

You can reach Tenerife either by boat or plane if you are travelling from Spain. There are 2 airports in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. One is called Tenerife sur Reina Sofía and is in Granadilla de Abona, 64 Km away from Santa Cruz and the other is Tenerife norte Los Rodeos located in La Laguna just 13 Kms away from the capital. On La Palma and El Hierro the only flights that operate are to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The only way to get to La Gomera is by car ferry which takes an hour or by hovercraft which takes 40 minutes. All the islands have good roads so it is easy to explore them by car or on a organized coach trip.





 


 


The history of Tenerife

Tenerife is a volcanic island. From Neolothic times it was inhabited by the'guanches'. The kingdom of Anaga, governed by Mencey Beneharo ruled Tenerife. The prehispanic period lasted until 1494 when the 'castellanos' tried to conquer the island. This did not happen until 1496 when the island became part of the Kingdom of Castilla.




From the 15th century onwards society on the islands was made up of Spanish soldiers, sailors, merchants and the 'guanches'. This is when many of the islands' fortresses and castles were built in order to defend the island from attack.

Santa Cruz grew around San Cristóbal castle. Santa Cruz de Tenerife officially became a town in 1803 following a Royal decree by king Carlos IV, granting it independance from La Laguna (then the capital of Tenerife ).

 

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz is located in the eastern part of Tenerife. It has 58 kms of coastline. It has a very mild climate without much change in the temperature between day and night. The average temperature is 22ºC all year round.

 

Places to visit in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

On foot: The centre of the city where people gather to meet is la Plaza de España, near the port. The De calle del Castillo leaving the square is the most important street in the city. It also connects the Plaza Wheiler to the Plaza de la Candelaria. The streets calle del Pilar and calle San José are full of shops. The area around the port is very pleasant. Almost every area in the city has its own park. Another important area is the Plaza de Principe de Asturias, Plaza de los Patos and calle de la Noria, (the Iglesia de la Concepción is located at the end of this street).

 

Palaces and Castles in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Palacio de Carta: 18th century - a national monument .

• Palacio Martí Dehesa (Paza de los Patos): Modernist style - this was the former Government Headquarters of the Canary Islands.
  

 

Cathedrals and Churches in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Iglesia de la Concepción (Pl. de la Iglesia, s/n): This Baroque church dates back to 1502. It was reformed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Things to look out for: the Gothic Virgen de la Consolación, the 17th century Cristo del Buen Viaje and the Genoese baptismal font.


• Iglesia de San Francisco (Pl. de San Francisco, 1): This was built in the 17th and 18th centuries in a Baroque style. Things to look out for are the Baroque altarpiece, the columns and the portico.


• Iglesia del Pilar (c/ del Pilar): 18th century. Things to look out for: the Baroque altarpiece and the statue of the Virgen de las Angustias.


• Ermita de San Telmo: 15th century. Sponsored by the Seafarers Guild. Things to look out for: the Mudejar panelling, the Renaissance alterpiece, the black stone facade.


• Ermita de la Virgen de Regla: 17th century. Dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe and the Virgen de Regla.

 

Museums in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre (c/ Fuente Morales, s/n, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tel: 922 535 816): This is located in a building which used to be the civil hospital. The building is Neoclassic and was designed by the architect Oráa. This museum looks at the origins of the Canary Islands and the history of the nature found on the islands. In the museum you can see the history of its geology, its volcanos, its ecosystems, its meteorology, marine biology and archeology all in a didactic exhibiton.

• Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes (c/José Murphy, 12, en Santa Cruz de T., Tel: 922 24 43 58): This has paintings from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries from the Canary Islands as well as national artists too; There are also some sculptures and other objects on display.

• Museo Militar Regional de Canarias (c/ San Isidro, 1, en Castillo de Almeida, Tel: 922 843 500): Since 1988 this museum has been housed in the Almeida castle, in a very pretty setting. It has maps, uniforms, antique arms, oil paintings and watercolours showing scenes from military life. Perhaps most interesting is the cannon that blew the arm off Admiral Nelson in 1797 and the flag from the battle that took place here.

• El Tanque: This is an old petrol deposit that has been used as an exhibition centre since 1997. It is also used for conferences, concerts and other cultural events.
  
  

Important Buildings in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• The Town Hall (c/ Vieira y Clavija): This is located in a Modernist palace which is also known as the Palacio de los Dragos, due to the 2 drago trees that are on each side of its main entrance. It has been used as the Town Hall since 1916.

• Mercado de Nuestra Señora de Africa: This is a food market full of products from the Canary Islands

• El Auditorio: Located on the Cabo de Llanos and designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava, in 2003. This auditorium has a capacity of up to 1,600 people, it also has conference facilities with a capacity of 428).

• Modernist buildings in Santa Cruz: There are quite a few Modernist buildings in Santa Cruz located around the Plaza de los Patos. These are the Town Hall, the Bank of Spain, the Martí Dehesa Mansion and the former headquarters of the Canary Islands government.

• Círculo de Amistad XII de Enero: This is a cultural society which is housed in one of the most beautiful colonial buildings in Santa Cruz.

• Teatro Guimerá: This was built by the architect Manuel de Oraá in 1848. It was opened on 25th July in 1851. It is the most important theatre in the city.
  
  

Parks and Gardens in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Parque Municipal García Sanabria: Botanic gardens built in 1926 set within an area covering 55,000 m2. You can see examples of all types of vegetation found on the Canary Islands as well as some sculptures from the Modern art exhibition that was held here in 1974.

• Parque de la Granja: Entrance on the Avenida de Madrid or Avenida de Benito Pérez Galdós. Built in 1969. This park is slightly larger than the Municipal park. Very popular with families (there is a playground for children) and you can always see a lot of people doing sports here.

• Parque Secundino Delgado: Located in the neighbourhood 'Barrio de Salamanca'.

• Parque de Ofra.
  
  

Squares in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

• Plaza de España: This is a meeting place in the centre of the city.

• Plaza de la Candelaria: This is the oldest square in the city. It has a Neoclassic monument called the "Triunfo de la Candelaria"

• Plaza de los Patos: This conmemorates the 25th July 1797 when the city beat off Admiral Nelson in his attempt to occupy the island.
  
  

Monuments

• La Candelaría (Pl. del Pilar): The virgen de la Candelaria is the patron of the Canary Islands and this monument which shows the virgin surrounded by the gaunches - it is always surrounded by flowers.
  
  

Shopping and typical products from Tenerife

The best shopping area in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is around the Plaza de España, Plaza del Castillo, Calle del Pilar and Calle de San José.
Tenerife: Typical products to buy are palmero and habana cigars, wines and liquers from the island.
La Palma: Cigars and fabrics.
La Gomera: Cigars, fabrics, honey from Palma, rum, wines, cheese and wood carvings
El Hierro: Wood carvings, cold meats especially smoked chorizo, cheese cake an different types of jam.

 

Fiestas in Tenerife

Carnival: These are the best known fiestas in Tenerife and La Palma. They take place every year to mark the beginning of lent. They are almost as good as the Carnival in Río de Janeiro in Brazil. It takes all year to prepare the costumes for the processions. They take place at the end of February or beginning of March every year and people travel to the island from all over the world to experience this colourful street party.

Corpus Christi: These fiestas take place in May or June in La Orotava, flowers and figures made of sand cover the the town hall square.

Virgen de la Candelaria: The patron saint of the Canary Islands. Celebrations take place on 2nd February every year when there is a procession to the Basilica in Candelaria.

Virgen de los Remedios: The patron saint of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, celebrations take place every year on 15th August.

Fiesta del Gran Poder y de la Virgen del Carmen: Processions with a statue of the Virgin del Carmen take place in the fishermen's neighbourhood and at the same time a procession with the Cristo del Gran Poder goes through the elegant streets around the port. Both processions meet in the port and return together to their churches. This year celebrations take place on 17th July.

Fiesta de San Juan: 24th June, these fiestas take place in Puerto de la Cruz, on Playa Charcón and Playa del Muelle, goat shepherds celebrate the summer solstice by handing out cheese and milk.

Fiesta de San Andrés also known as los cacharros or la Castaña: 29th November, in el Puerto de la Cruz. People meet in the Plaza del Charco where they throw things, eat chestnuts, ' corn and sweet potatoes and drink wine.

Fiesta Fundacionales: 3rd May, in Puerto de la Cruz. A mass and procession take place to celebrate these fiestas.

Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves: This fiesta takes place every 5 years, the next one will be in 2010 when a statue of the 'virgin' is brought down from the mountain to Santa Cruz.

 

Places to visit on the island of Tenerife

• La Laguna: A world heritage centre since 1999, this is the second most important city on the island after Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It used to be the capital of the island. It became a city in 1500 and its layout has remained unchanged since then. It has 1,600 Mudejar buildings. It is also a colonial city, containing a mixture of European and American styles. It has the only university on the island. Fantastic scenery especially the Anaga mountains and views from the Pico del Inglés and La Cruz del Carmen
  • Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios Cathedral (Plaza de Fray Albino): This is a church from the 16th century which became a cathedral in 1919. In 1983 it was given special cultural status. Things to look out for are the altar, the pulpit and paintings by Luján Pérez, Cristóbal Hernández de Quintana and Fernando Estévez.
  • The Town Hall: Located in a building dating back to 1546 by Juan Nepomuceno. The meeting chambers were refurbished in 1888 by Rafael de Oráa.
  • Casa del Corregidor: This is the oldest building in the city dating back to the 16th century. Itused to be the town council.
  • Ermita de San Miguel: This is a small chapel located in the Plaza del Adelantado. It was built in 1506 by Fernandez de Lugo. Given special cultural status in 1986 (see photo).
  • Monasterio de Santa Catalina de Siena: Also located in the Plaza del Adelantado, built in the 17th century and home to Fernando del Lugo. It has some very valuable and interesting furniture inside. Also given special cultural status in 1986.
  • Palacio de Nava: Plaza del Adelantado, built in 1776 by Tomás de Nava Grimón and Porlier, the 5th Marquess of Villanueva del Prado, (creator of the Botanic Gardens in La Orotava). It consists of various styles: Mannerist, Baroque y Neoclassic. Given special cultural status in 1976.
• The Anaga Rural park: The park covers a mountain range. it is striking because it is very green with a lot of vegetation. You can go on very pleasant mountain walks here along some marked tracks. Located between La Laguna and Santa Cruz. This is where the Pico del Inglés and La Cruz del Carmen viewing points are.The Monte de las Mercedes and Tejina, el Valle Guerra and Tacoronte are also very pretty.
  
  
• Puerto de la Cruz: Located in the Orotava valley 37 kms from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the north of the island. This is a pretty, cosmopolitan city. It attracts a lot of tourists. English tourists started visiting this city towards the end of the 19th century. The best place to start exploring the city is from the Plaza del Charco (a meeting point in the city) and the fishing port. Things to see:
  • Castillo de San Felipe 17th century, built to defend the city.
  • la Iglesia de Ntra. Sra. de la Peña de Francia built in 1697.
  • Ermita de San Telmo built in 1870.
  • Plaza de San Telmo.
  • la Ranilla, de la Paz and de San Amaro neighbourhoods.

Places to visit near Puerto de la Cruz: Garachico, a coastal village, located just 10 Kms away; the Botanic Gardens; aleisure area designed by Cesár Manrique; Complejo Lago Martianez, a leisure complex with swimming pools, gardens, restaurants, the Casino de Puerto de la Cruz and beaches - Playa del Charcón, Playa del Castillo and la Playa de Punta Brava; Loro Parque - a zoo specializing in parrots.

• Los Cristianos:This is a touristic city with a very pleasant climate in the south of the island. It has a fishing port and beaches with golden sand which attract a lot of tourists. Beaches: la playa de Las Caletillas, El Camisóny and the most well known la Playa de las Américas where there are a lot of large hotels. Car ferries and hovercraft to La Gomera and El Hierro leave from here.
  
  
• Costa Adeje: The Adeje coastline starts from the Playa de las Américas. From here you can visit: Playa del Duque, Fañabé, Torviscas, San Eugenio, all of which have large hotels and good beaches. You can go on boat trips from the Colón marina. You can also visit the Tropical Gardens (Jardín Tropical de las Rocas).
• Iglesia de Santa Ursula: Dates back to the beginning of the 16th century. Colonial and Baroque styles. Things to look out for are the Mudejar panels in the chapel, the French 17th century tapestries from the Royal Gobelino workshops in Paris, a German 17th century statue of Santa Úrsula; a statue of San Juan Bautista.
• Casa Fuerte: Built in 1556 by Pedro de Ponte. It belonged to the Marquess of Adeje and the Count of la Gomera.
  
  
• Candelaria: This is a coastal village located 15 kms from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (patron saint of the Canary Islands) is located in the village square where thousands of pilgrims gather on the 2nd February.
  • Basílica de la Candelaria: 14th century Neoclassic. This is a statue of a black virgin found by the guanches in el Mencey Acayno, a cave it was then taken to another cave by the sea called Mencey Achbinico where it stayed until the 2nd February 1526 when it was taken to the Basilica. In 1826 it was washed away by a wave and the Dominican monks produced a replica which is still on display today.
    
    
• La Orotava: Orotava valley (Valle de la Orotava) in Tenerife province. It comprises of several villages among which is La Villa de la Orotava, declared a historic and artistic centre in 1976. It is next to Puerto de la Cruz, on the coast. The valley has impressive vegetation, it is very fertile and consists of many different areas: mountains, glens, a camp site. The area called 'el Rincón' has a very rich landscape and 3 pretty beaches: El Bollullo, Los Patos and El Ancón.
  There are various interesting buildings to look out for in La Villa de la Orotava:
  • the Cementery built in a Norman style in 1823 by Fernando Estevez.
  • Iglesia de la Concepción, built upon a 15th century chapel. Baroque, 1788.
  • Villa de los Molina: this is a mansion built in 1590, the oldest in the town.
  • La Casa de los Balcones: 1672
  • Various 17th and 18th century palaces and mansions.
    
    
• Parque Nacional de las Cañadas del Teide: Located in the Orotava valley (Valle de la Orotava), in las Cañadas in a volcanic 16 km wide crater. There is just one road that crosses it which goes as far as Teide. It goes past the Las Cañadas National, the cable car station and the visitor centre.
  Mount Teide is the highest peak in Spain at 3,718 mts. above sea level. It is an active volcano which has been dormant for many years. The cable car takes you within 100 metres of the peak. You can climb the rest on foot.
  Las Cañadas peak is 3,414 metres above sea level and is an active volcano.
  The visitors centre has information on the origins of the park, its vegetation, types of rocks, lava...
  There are 2 viewing points.
  In las Cañadas the Roques de García are strange rock formations made from lava, they are very brightly coloured due to their copper content. There are also some unusual flowers too due to the lava, ash and rocks they grow out of.

 

From Tenerife you can visit the other islands in the province

• La Gomera: This is the most mountinous island, with lots of vegetation. There are a lot of valleys too. It is possible to explore the island on foot if you have enough time. Another option is to go by bus or car. La Gomera is 40 minutes from Los Cristianos, Tenerife by hovercraft and 90 mins by car ferry from Santa Cruz.
  Things to see:
• The Garajonay National Park (world heritage centre)
• San Sebatián: This is the most important village on the island. Colón stopped here before crossing the atlantic.
• Some good beaches: Santiago, Las Rosas, Valle Gran Rey.
• El Hierro: This is the smallest of the Canary Islands. It doesn't have many beaches and so is the least touristic. The capital is Valverde which is located in the interior surrounded by pine forests and interesting vegetation. It is a charming small town with steep winding streets.
  Things to see:
• La Ermita de los Reyes, an ancient chapel located in the south
• The fishing port La Restinga: there is a diving centre.
  
  
• La Palma: This is the most northern of the Canary Islands. It is very green with a lot of vegetation due to its humid, cool climate. Its mountains are covered in pine forests and giant ferns.
  

Things to see:

• La Caldera de Taburiente National Park: It has an 8 km wide crater. A very rich landscape and spectacular plants. You can also visit 2 dormant volcanic craters: La Cumbrecita and Los Muchachos.

• Santa Cruz de la Palma: This is the capital. It is a fishing village with some very pretty typical houses dating back to the 16th century. Things to see: Iglesia del Salvador, with a very pretty Mudejar panelled ceiling; the Town Hall; the Plaza de la Alameda, in which you can find a copy of the 'Carabela Santa María'.
  
  

Hotels and Accommodation in Tenerife

See our selection of the best value Hotels in Tenerife or search for a hotel in the box on the right.

 

Travelling to Tenerife? The following links may also be useful
Guides to other Canary Islands
Gran Canaria Fuerteventura