Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and its main port, 150.56 km² of city on the north-east coast with a yearly average of 21.2 °C (Tenerife tourist board, read 7 November 2026). It is a city to visit for a day: a Calatrava concert hall, a botanical garden built on an old landfill, a museum of Guanche mummies, a big food market and a golden beach beyond the port. It is also where the carnival, a festivity of international tourist interest, takes place each winter.
Highlights
Plaza de España
The city's largest square, laid out in 1929 on the site of the former San Cristóbal castle; an underground interpretation centre shows the castle's remains.
Palmetum
A botanical garden of 12 hectares built on a former landfill, with nearly 3,000 species, more than 600 of them palms. Open daily 10:00 to 18:00, last entry at 17:00; the adult ticket for non-residents is 6 euros. See Palmetum.
Auditorio de Tenerife
The concert hall designed by Santiago Calatrava, home of the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.
MUNA, Museum of Nature and Archaeology
Housed in the former Civil Hospital, with the largest collection on Guanche culture, including mummies. The museum is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December, 1 and 6 January and Carnival Tuesday; the address is Calle Fuente Morales 1.
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
The main market, founded in the 1940s, with more than 200 traders and free parking for customers.
García Sanabria Park and sculptures
A central park with tropical plants, and sculptures by Henry Moore, Joan Miró, Martín Chirino and Jaume Plensa along the Rambla and nearby avenues.
Practical info
Tips
- The city's famous event is the carnival; dates and the main parades are in Tenerife Carnival. Las Teresitas, the golden beach at San Andrés, is 1,300 m long and 80 m wide, has lifeguards listed among its amenities, and is reached by bus 910 from the Santa Cruz interchange. Palmetum tickets are sold on Tiqets at 6 euros, rated 4.6 out of 5 from 74 reviews (read 7 November 2026).
How to get there
Puerto de la Cruz is 30 to 40 minutes by car, Costa Adeje or Los Cristianos 45 to 60 minutes, the north airport 15 to 20 minutes and the south airport 50 to 60 minutes (tourist board). A tram links Santa Cruz with La Laguna, and tram line 1 reaches the Intercambiador stop near the Palmetum.
Opening hours
Nearby
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