Serving as a joint capital of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a bustling port packed with historic government buildings and cultural institutions. It centres around an atmospheric old town and ignites each year with one of the world’s largest Carnival celebrations.
Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Spend a day exploring the architectural landmarks of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, including the sail-like design of the Auditorio de Tenerife and the twin towers of Torres de Santa Cruz. Stop in at the Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, which includes an impressive contemporary art museum and the Photography Center of Tenerife.
At the heart of the city lies Plaza de España, which is renowned for its immense artificial lake fountain and was built on the remains of the Castillo de San Cristóbal. Learn about the Spanish Civil War at the Monumento a los Caídos and witness the original castle walls that are still visible in the square’s underground tunnel.
Want to see mummies up close? Visit the Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre, an archaeology museum with numerous mummies that have been preserved using cutting-edge techniques. Witness ancient artefacts from across the Canary Islands and learn about the funerary rites of the indigenous Guanche culture.
Spend an afternoon relaxing in the green oasis of Parque García Sanabria, which is dotted with sculptures and features a colourful flower clock. The park lies next to the zodiacal square of Plaza Fernando Pessoa, which was designed to reflect how the sky appeared when the Portuguese capital of Lisbon was founded.
Getting around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Tenerife South International Airport is a 40-minute drive from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Buses connect with surrounding towns and most of the city’s sights are within easy walking distance of one another.