Tenerife: Culture and Nature in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife combines striking architecture, museums and urban culture with coastal and nature experiences. This creates a varied mix of things to do on a trip to Tenerife: you can explore buildings and collections, plan a visit to the beach or check out walking trails in Parque Rural de Anaga. If you’re looking for hotels in Tenerife, it helps to first think about your travel interests: the places and activities below offer different highlights.

Architecture, Museums and Culture

Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava, stands in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the Atlantic coast. At TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, designs by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron meet the work of Canarian architect Virgilio Gutiérrez. Diagonal lines run across several levels; sloping paths and a long ramp lead to the central courtyard. The building’s architectural character is shaped not only by the architects’ names but also by its lines.

The natural history collections at MUNA, the Museo de Naturaleza y Arqueología, comprise 250,000 entries. The collection at Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes spans from 16th-century Flemish painting to 19th-century works. These different periods give art and natural history their own distinct focus. Capilla de Carta is considered one of the finest examples of Canarian Baroque; Teatro Guimerá was inaugurated on July 25, 1851.

Casa del Carnaval opened in 2017 to inform visitors about and promote the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife throughout the year. It is the only festival in the Canary Islands recognized as being of international tourist interest. Casa del Carnaval is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. free of charge; check the admission arrangements again before your trip. Another tradition associated with Anaga is the Librea de Taganana: this recurring historical reenactment is one of the best-known and most deeply rooted traditions of the Anaga massif.

Coast and Trails in Anaga

Playa de Las Teresitas is protected from currents and waves by a breakwater, creating calm swimming conditions and a family-friendly atmosphere. It can be reached on foot, by car, bus or boat; more than 1,000 free parking spaces are available. The beach also offers step-free access and an adapted bathing service. This makes it easy to enjoy the beach and find your way around, without requiring you to arrive by any particular mode of transport.

Within the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Parque Rural de Anaga includes, among other areas, the districts of Taganana, Taborno and Afur. Santa Cruz de Tenerife accounts for 76 percent of its protected area. The two hiking routes described here also offer different ways to explore the area: the official PR-TF 2 route connects the hamlet of Taborno with the Valleseco district in the municipality; the PR-TF 8 circular route passes through Afur, Taganana and Barranco de Tamadite. The PR-TF 8 is listed as taking approximately seven hours and having a moderate difficulty level. Duration, trail conditions and access may change; check the latest information before setting out.

Green Spaces and Everyday Life

Parque García Sanabria combines sculptures of high artistic value with numerous tropical trees and plants. The history of Palmetum de Santa Cruz offers a different perspective: a former landfill was transformed into a place for recreation and botanical culture. Together, these two examples show the different ways art and plant life come together in the sites described here.

Mercado Nuestra Señora de África brings together modernity and tradition. More than 200 vendors offer a varied range of products and attentive service; vendors and products may change. For travel between the island’s municipalities, Santa Cruz de Tenerife has an interurban bus network operated by TITSA. A tram connects the city with San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Ferries run from the port to the eastern Canary Islands; it also welcomes cruise ships from Europe, Africa and the Americas. As schedules and services may change, it is a good idea to check the latest times before your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Aldea Blanca, El Fraile, Costa Adeje, Las Cruces, Golf Del Sur, La Zarza, Puertito de Güímar, Garachico, Granadilla De Abona, Guía De Isora, Icod De Los Vinos, Vilaflor, La Victoria De Acentejo, Güimar, El Rosario, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Buen Paso, San Cristóbal De La Laguna, Tacoronte, Candelaria, El Sauzal, La Guancha, La Matanza De Acentejo, La Orotava, Los Silos, Puerto De La Cruz, El Tanque, Fasnia, Tegueste, El Rio, Juan Fernández, Las Aguas, San José de los Llanos, San Juan del Reparo, Punta Brava, Acojeja, Chamorga, Los Rechazos, Buzanada, San Juan De La Rambla, San Miguel, Santa Ursula, Trevejos, Los Realejos, Adeje, Arafo, Villa De Arico, Arona, Buenavista Del Norte, Santiago Del Teide, El Pris, Los Carrizales, La Esperanza, San Marcos, 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 and Los Abrigos.

For the broader travel overview: Canary Islands.