Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the co-capital of the Canary Islands

Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the island's capital and co-capital of Canary Islands along with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It is an Atlantic city with a port that receives cruises from all over the world, a Carnival declared of International Tourist Interest, beaches as diverse as Las Teresitas y Benijo, and the Anaga Rural Park only 15 minutes from downtown.

Additionally, the municipality has 7 CanariasLife Webcams spread around the city: the Plaza de España, the La Candelaria Square, Las Teresitas, Benijo Beach, the Auditorium, the southern area and the Avenida Tres de Mayo. They are useful for checking the atmosphere, the sea state and the day's conditions.

City Center

The heart of Santa Cruz is best explored on foot and has several points of interest:

The Plaza de España, with its large artificial lake, is the starting point. Next to it, the La Candelaria Square, pedestrian and surrounded by historic buildings. The Calle Castillo, also pedestrian, is the main shopping avenue of the city.

On the other hand, the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is a must-stop: fresh products, flowers, cheeses, spices, and the atmosphere of an authentic Canarian market. And the Church of the Immaculate Conception, from the 15th century, is the oldest temple in the city.

The Parque García Sanabria, with outdoor sculptures and subtropical vegetation, is the green lung of the center. Additionally, the Rambla de Santa Cruz connects the park with the sea through a promenade with more sculptures and terraces.

Tenerife Auditorium and maritime area

The Tenerife Auditorium, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is the most iconic building in the city. Its wave-like white form next to the Atlantic makes it one of the most recognizable images of Canary Islands. It hosts concerts, opera, and shows throughout the year.

Next to the Auditorium, the César Manrique Maritime Park offers seawater pools and bathing areas with views of the port. And the Palmetum, built on an old landfill, is one of the most important palm gardens in Europe.

Las Teresitas Beach

The Las Teresitas Beach is the most famous beach in Santa Cruz. Its golden sand, brought from the Sahara in the 70s, and its calm waters protected by a breakwater make it one of the most beautiful beaches in Tenerife. It is 15 minutes from downtown, in the village of San Andrés, next to an old fishing port with fresh fish.

Benijo Beach and the Anaga coast

At the opposite end, the Benijo Beach is a wild black sand beach with rocks volcanic rocks jutting out of the sea. It is the most photogenic beach in the municipality, especially at sunset. It has strong waves, so it is not always suitable for swimming, but the scenery makes up for it.

In fact, Benijo is on the northern side of the Anaga Massif, which is part of the Anaga Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the laurisilva best-preserved forests in the world, with hiking spectacular routes.

Museums and culture

Santa Cruz has an important cultural offering:

The MUNA (Museum of Nature and Archaeology) houses Guanche mummies and one of the most complete archaeological collections of Canary Islands. The TEA (Tenerife Art Space) is the center of contemporary art and photography. And the Museum of Fine Arts completes the museum offering.

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

The Santa Cruz Carnival is the second most famous in the world after Rio de Janeiro and has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. For several weeks, the city transforms with parades, comparsas, murgas, the Queen's Gala and the burial of the sardine. It attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year.

Gastronomy in Santa Cruz

As the capital, the city concentrates the largest gastronomic offer of Tenerife. The Africa Market is the best place for fresh products. The restaurants of San Andrés (next to Las Teresitas) are a benchmark for fresh fish.

Classic dishes include wrinkled potatoes with mojo, gofio, Canarian sancocho and island cheeses. Additionally, the city's gastronomic scene has grown a lot in recent years, with signature and fusion cuisine restaurants.

How to get to Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The Tenerife North Airport is 15 minutes from downtown. The Tenerife South Airport about 50 minutes via the TF-1. The port receives international cruises and ferries to Gran Canaria, La Palma y El Hierro. The tram connects with La Laguna in a few minutes.