Centro
First-timersThe centre and seafront.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife city guide
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Travel Guide
The capital of Tenerife, with one of the biggest carnivals in the world, a Calatrava concert hall on the sea, laurel forests in the hills and Spain's highest mountain inland.
3,715 m
Mount Teide, the highest in Spain
35 min
To La Laguna by tram
Sahara
Sand on Las Teresitas
Carnival and a volcano
Santa Cruz is a real Canarian city rather than a resort, the capital of Tenerife and a busy port. It is best known for its carnival, one of the largest in the world, when the whole city dances in the streets for weeks in February.
Above the city, the Anaga mountains are covered in ancient laurel forest, and the old university town of La Laguna, a UNESCO site, is about thirty-five minutes away by tram. In the middle of the island rises Mount Teide, at 3,715 metres the highest point in Spain.
The Canaries have spring-like weather all year. Three days is right, with Teide and the south coast's whales as trips.
Where to stay
Stay in the centre near the port, or in La Laguna for students and bars.
La Laguna
StudentsThe UNESCO university town.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Auditorio de Tenerife, a curving white concert hall by Santiago Calatrava, stands on the seafront. The Parque García Sanabria is the city's shady park, and the TEA arts centre holds modern art.
Playa de Las Teresitas, a golden beach made with sand brought from the Sahara, is fifteen minutes north.
Hike in the Anaga Rural Park, a biosphere reserve of laurel forest, ridges and remote villages.
Take a day to Teide National Park: a cable car climbs close to the summit, and the last stretch to the top needs a free permit booked well in advance.
Free things
Free things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The seafront, the parks and Las Teresitas beach are free.
Hiking in Anaga and Teide National Park is free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Canarian food: papas arrugadas, wrinkled salted potatoes with mojo sauce, fresh fish and goat's cheese. Guachinches, informal wine houses in the north of the island, serve home cooking cheaply.
A menú del día is €10 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz's nightlife is best at carnival; the rest of the year, bars around the centre and La Laguna's student scene are the places.
A beer is €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The centre is walkable. A tram links Santa Cruz with La Laguna.
Tenerife North Airport is close; Tenerife South is about an hour by bus. Buses cover the island, but a car is easiest for Teide and Anaga.
Costs
What Santa Cruz de Tenerife costs
Santa Cruz is cheap. Dorms start around €18. A careful day is €40 to €55.
Carnival prices run higher.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz is safe.
On Teide, altitude and cold catch people out; bring layers and water. The summit trail needs a permit.
The Atlantic has strong currents at some beaches.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The volcano and the island.
Teide National Park
The volcano and a cable car.
Masca
A village in a deep ravine.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The carnival is one of the biggest in the world.
15–21 November
Lohengrin
Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner, presented by Ópera de Tenerife. The story follows Elsa, who places her faith…
27 November
A6 Fourth Symphony
The concert presents Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, a powerful work described as a force of fate. The program also includes Glinka's overture to Ruslan and…
27 November
Fourth of Tchaikovsky
The Fourth of Tchaikovsky is a concert event featuring the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. You will experience a program led by conductor Delyana Lazarova, including…
4–5 December
Transit
Tránsito is an opera by Jesús Torres based on Max Aub's work, exploring the pain and moral dilemmas of Spanish republican exile in Mexico.…
11 December
A7 Symphony with Organ
The A7 Symphony with Organ presents a program celebrating instrumental color, gesture, and imagination. You will hear works by Gabriel Fauré, Chausson, Ravel, and…
15 December
Alex Ubago
Alex Ubago celebrates the 25th anniversary of his breakthrough album ¿Qué pides tú? with a special concert. The tour features the full debut album…
19 December
El Kanka
El Kanka returns with La Calma, his seventh album blending rumba, bolero, and pop with a unique perspective on everyday life. The album offers…
26 Dec – 3 Jan
The Phantom of the Opera
Auditorio de Tenerife hosts the national tour of El Fantasma de la Ópera, a musical that has captivated audiences worldwide. The story follows a…
When to go
Warm all year. February brings carnival.
Jan
Warm
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Warm
Apr
Warm
May
Good
Jun
Corpus Christi
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Warm
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Spring-like all year.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Carnival prices run higher.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Santa Cruz de Tenerife travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How big is the Tenerife carnival?
One of the biggest in the world, filling the city for weeks.
Can I climb Teide?
Yes, but the summit trail needs a free permit booked well ahead.
What is the weather like?
Spring-like all year.
Which airport is closer?
Tenerife North; South is about an hour away.
Do I need a car?
For Teide and Anaga, it helps.
How many days do you need?
Three.
When is the best time to visit?
Any time; February for carnival.
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