The free tour options at a glance (November 2026)

How a free tour works

A free tour has no fixed price: you reserve a place, follow a guide on foot and, at the end, leave the tip you think is fair. The tourist office's routes are free; private operators depend on a minimum group, and some ask for at least six adults. Book ahead, arrive a few minutes early at the meeting point and confirm the language when you book, since the tourism website does not state it.

What to see in central Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and can be seen in a day. The centre has the Plaza de España, the biggest square in the city, laid out in 1929 over the old San Cristóbal castle (an underground interpretation centre shows its remains), the Nuestra Señora de África market, founded in the 1940s with more than 200 traders, and the García Sanabria park with sculptures by Henry Moore, Joan Miró, Martín Chirino and Jaume Plensa. Separately there is the Palmetum, open daily 10:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:00 and a non-resident adult ticket at 6 euros (Palmetum), and the MUNA museum, with the largest collection on Guanche culture (Santa Cruz de Tenerife).

What to see in La Laguna

San Cristóbal de La Laguna has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, and Turismo de Tenerife describes it as a unique example of a colonial town without walls. The main streets of the centre are pedestrian and Turismo de Tenerife suggests 2 to 3 hours for a first visit. The suggested order is Plaza del Adelantado, the cathedral, the Concepción church, the Casa de los Capitanes, the Palacio de Nava and the Real Santuario del Santísimo Cristo (La Laguna). The farmers' market runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

From Santa Cruz to La Laguna by tram

The Tenerife tram links Santa Cruz with La Laguna, and the historic centre is a few minutes' walk from the stop. Check journey time, frequency and fares on metrotenerife.com, since they depend on the line and the ticket. A common combination is Santa Cruz in the morning and La Laguna in the afternoon, or the reverse.

Free tour or paid guided visit

  • Free tour: free or pay-what-you-wish, in a group, at walking pace, good for getting your bearings in the first hour.
  • Paid guided visit: fixed price, small group or private, fixed time; useful for a family or when you need a guaranteed language.
  • Cruise: if you arrive by ship, the stopover plan is in Santa Cruz on a cruise day.
  • Carnival: dates and main parades are in the Tenerife carnival.

Practical tips

  1. Book the tourist office's route by phone or email and ask for the language and time.
  2. Bring water, sun protection and comfortable shoes.
  3. Carry a little cash if the free tour is pay-what-you-wish.
  4. If you go to La Laguna, keep time for the market and the old town.
  5. Confirm the meeting point when you book: Plaza de España in Santa Cruz and Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official free tour in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

Yes. The tourist office at the Palacio de Carta offers a free historical tour and the "Welcome Palacio de Carta" visit.

How do I book?

By phone (+34 615 15 33 51) or by email ([email protected]); the tourism website publishes no times or languages.

Do I pay for a private free tour?

There is no fixed price: you leave a tip at the end.

How do I get to La Laguna from Santa Cruz?

By the Tenerife tram, which links the two towns.

How long is the visit of La Laguna?

Turismo de Tenerife suggests 2 to 3 hours for a first visit.

The Tenerife Authority editorial team, 12 November 2026.