Puerto de la Cruz, the classic destination in northern Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz it is the most important tourist municipality in the north of Tenerife and one of the most historic destinations of Canary Islands. Located in the La Orotava Valley, with Teide as a backdrop, it combines volcanic sand beaches, a charming historic center, and a cultural offering that includes the Botanical Garden and the Loro Parque.

In addition, it is the smallest municipality in Tenerife in terms of area, but one of the most densely populated. With 7 CanariasLife Webcams scattered along the coast and in the interior, you can watch live as the sea state, the atmosphere on the beaches and the conditions before choosing a plan.

Beaches of Puerto de la Cruz

The municipality has several beaches of volcanic sand, each with its own character:

Jardín Beach, designed by César Manrique, is surrounded by tropical gardens and is the best known in the municipality. It can be reached from the area of Punta Brava and it's spacious, comfortable, and has good amenities.

Martiánez Beach It has bigger waves and a more surf-oriented atmosphere. It's the most central beach and is right next to the Lake Martiánez, the seawater pool complex also designed by César Manrique.

San Telmo Beach, which is smaller and more sheltered, is located next to the downtown boardwalk. It's a good option for a quick swim without straying too far from downtown.

Lake Martiánez

The Lake Martiánez It is one of the most iconic places in Puerto de la Cruz. Designed by César Manrique Built in the 1970s, this seawater pool complex blends architecture with the volcanic landscape. It is a unique place to swim with views of the Atlantic, and the CanariasLife webcam provides a live view of the conditions and atmosphere.

Historic District

The center of Puerto de la Cruz retains the charm of a fishing village that grew as a tourist destination. Plaza del Charco It is the social heart of the municipality: terraces, trees, and atmosphere both day and night.

Among the most prominent buildings are the Church of Our Lady of La Peña de Francia, the San Felipe Castle (17th century, now a cultural center) and the Royal Customs House, which recalls the commercial importance of the old port.

The fishing pier It's still in use and is a charming spot to watch the boats arrive in the morning. The CanariasLife webcam shows a live view of the pier.

Botanical Garden and Loro Parque

The Botanical Garden, founded in 1788 by order of Charles III, it houses tropical and subtropical species from all over the world. It is one of the oldest in Spain and a quiet and pleasant visit in the center of the municipality.

On the other hand, Loro Parque is one of the most visited zoological parks in Europe. Located in Puerto de la Cruz, it features shows, aquariums, and a large collection of parrots. It is a popular activity for families.

Gastronomy in Puerto de la Cruz

The culinary offering is wide. In the center, there are restaurants serving Canarian, international, and auteur cuisine. The Plaza del Charco and the San Telmo Promenade concentrate the most lively outdoor terraces.

The must-try dishes are wrinkled potatoes with mojo, the fresh fish of the dock and the broths of the La Orotava Valley (Appellation of Origin its own). It is also worth looking for guachinches on the outskirts to try homemade food with wine from the area at a good price.

Festivals and culture

The Carnival of Puerto de la Cruz is one of the liveliest in the north of Tenerife. Also prominent are Festivals of the Great Power of God in July, with fireworks over the sea, and the celebrations of the Holy Week.

The city hosts exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events throughout the year, in venues such as the San Felipe Castle and the Center for Contemporary Art.

How to get to Puerto de la Cruz

From Tenerife North Airport it is about 25 minutes via the TF-5 highway. From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, about 35 minutes via the same highway. There are frequent TITSA buses (line 102 from Santa Cruz, line 343 from the airport).

From the south of the island, the journey takes approximately one hour via the TF-1 and TF-5.