Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Discover Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In your hurry to the beach, don't miss out on Tenerife’s bustling capital, the port of Santa Cruz. This attractive city is home to vividly painted buildings, quirky as well as sophisticated shops, museums, a grand auditorium, chirping birds, purling fountains and lavish greenery. It’s safe to say you are unlikely to run out of things to do in Santa Cruz very quickly. Santa Cruz is the capital as well as the largest city of Tenerife. Curiously, it also co-functions, along with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as the capital city of the Canary Islands. The town occupies a plain on the eastern tip of the island squeezed between two ordinarily waterless ravines. It was established towards the end of the 5th century by the Castilian (Spanish) conquerors.

However, the pre-Hispanic history of the area carries on by the legacy of Tenerife natives “Guanches” (from Guan Chenech which means 'man from Tenerife'). The city has flourished mainly thanks to its naval activities and, despite modernization and globalization, managed to keep its exotic vibe and charming ambiance. In fact, in 2012, The Guardian included Santa Cruz on its list of the five best places to live in the world!

The city is a hive of activities and experiences waiting to be discovered. Santa Cruz has it all from a number of museums, and art galleries to Sunday markets, seaside promenades, golden beaches and a plethora of convenient day trips. So, whether you want to spend your days dozing off under palm trees, following the footprints of art and history or diving into lavish nature, you won’t have to lose too much time finding what to do in Santa Cruz. Better yet, if you happen to be visiting the city in February, the Carnival of Santa Cruz will sweep you off your feet with colors, music, costumes, and spectacular parades. To be honest, with over a million international attendees, it’s one of the top things to do in Santa Cruz.

Our favourite things about Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

If you’re wondering what to do in Santa Cruz and have a driver's certificate, then strap an oxygen tank to your back or a snorkel to your face because Tenerife’s warm, crystal clear waters are an underwater paradise. There are a ton of different spots that suit divers of all experience levels to put down the anchor and plunge into the watery deep. Tenerife boasts a superbly diverse marine life. The El Condesito, a cargo ship that sank in the 1970s, is popular amongst divers and is home to varied marine flora and fauna. If you are not up for it alone, there is a plenty of scuba diving and snorkeling tour experiences to choose from.

Enjoy the Beaches

Forget about all the things to do in Tenerife, grab your towel, sunscreen and flip-flops because you're in for a treat. Santa Cruz de Tenerife boasts 61.7 kilometers of beaches (a lot for a small island) and there’s something for everyone. Teresitas’ one mile long stretch of golden sand imported (yes, imported) from the Sahara sits below the Anaga Mountains and is the perfect spot to catch a tan. Head to Tajao for a place to sit by the sea and enjoy fresh, locally caught seafood in a setting defined by its wind-sculpted Jablé rocks. Or, enjoy the tamarisk trees and whitewash houses lining the beach of El Puertito.

Teide National Park

What to do in Tenerife? Easy, head to the Teide National Park. The mountain that lends its name to the park is an active volcano and the highest peak, not just in the Canary Islands, but all of Spain. Covering 189.9 sq km, Teide National Park is a natural wonderland with some beautiful and strange landscapes. You can explore barren badlands and deep-set ravines. For the hikers amongst you, you can hike to the peak. For everyone else, take the cable car to one of two platforms and enjoy magnificent views. So, make the most of your Santa Cruz vacation and be sure to check out this phenomenal national park.

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Welcome to Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Discover Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Our favourite things about Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Enjoy the Beaches

Teide National Park

Welcome
to Santa Cruz de Tenerife