Santa Cruz Tenerife capital a total guide

Santa Cruz Tenerife explodes with events for young and old , already before its famous Spring time Carnival with examples shown underneath near the City lake that reminds the lagune La Laguna of the ancient former capital.

Obviously, this capital of the biggest Canary island has many special features, landmarks and a vibrant community which loves to celebrate.

A city of spectacular flowering trees

Most noticed, above all in June and July, are its Jacarandas on the Rambla de Santa Cruz, as well as the so called Flamboyants the flame trees. But then, there are even Ceibas.

Not only their branches are densely covered with thorns but also the entire trunks. Find them at the Palmetum botanical Garden for palms as well as by the General Serrador bridge. 

Walking in the Tenerife capital

Santa Cruz is special. Why? It's a beautiful city of almost 205 000  inhabitants as by Janurary 2018 whose prominent areas are easy to cross on foot, as most are in the level downtown district near the port.

Admire the street Calle Valentin Sanz corner C/ Castillo with a famous Mango shop in Santa Cruz Tenerife's fashionable shopping district. It's only a 20 minutes straight distance from the main Titsa bus station. You don't need much longer to venture to many more
exciting parts of the city. This also goes for all the town's museums and exhibition centers like the T E A of contemporary art.

A stroll slightly uphill would also lead you past the town's prettiest square. That's Plaza del 25 de Julio which is mostly called Plaza de Los Patos (square of the ducks). From there continue via C/Gral O'Donnel to Park Parque Garcia Sanabria. Proceed to its top and enter the magnificent Rambla Santa Cruz with its street art and memorable mansions that are Tenerife houses of Liberty style mainly. Some of them are in Calle Viera y Clavijo.

The latter is a good ever so slightly sloping alley that descends later towards the port side, all the way through picturesque shopping streets.

Other means to get around Santa Cruz

• The ultra modern electric tram with
  free Internet which even takes you near the North airport within 20 minutes.
• An excellent net of Titsa buses which are cheaper in the capital than in the rest of the island
• Many taxis
• A city of a bus and mini-train sight seeing options 
  

Hot tips for Tenerife capital parking

Santa Cruz being up to date

High Internet speed is a particular privilege of the Santa Cruz Tenerife capital and so are the latest digital gadgets.

All is part of the Quantum leaps of this main Tenerife Island city which is still expanding.

Step back in time

At the same time, Santa Cruz Tenerife has some well preserved olden days charm. Admire this best in Calle La Noria.

This nightlife district by the oldest church dubbed "cathedral of the capital" which is called Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción is opposite the harbor.

It is next to the Barranco de los Santos, close to Teatro Guïmerá, which is the oldest and main Santa Cruz Tenerife speech and drama center.

This first Tenerife capital church with its adjoining place and the elegant Roman Tuscan tower are also only five minutes below the Puente del General Cerrador a bridge with large lion sculptures.

In fact, monuments and  street art abound in the capital Santa Cruz Tenerife. 

Contrasts within Santa Cruz

There is a variety of architectural styles in Santa Cruz. The very colorful picturesque, the Neo Classical, Nouveau Art (liberty art) and the Gothic play their part. Then there is even a Baroque style and the Roman Tuscan.

The Monumental, such as depicted by the Tenerife Cabildo seems to be in harmony with the modern towers next to it. The ultra modern Benetton sky rise towers and their mall are beside the conservative Tenerife Palacio and the island's Cabildo a sturdy Neoclassical building.

What about the colonial Canary Island style which is so prominent in other Tenerife towns?

The typical ornate wooden windows and balconies of Canary Island fashion, as they still exist in the Convent Santo Domingo in the former Tenerife capital La Laguna seem to be scarce on Santa Cruz Tenerife main city house fronts.

Some spectacular woodwork is hidden in its patios, though.

Not gone with the wind but with water

No world wars have damaged the Tenerife capital's architecture, art and monuments. However,  storms and floods took their toll in some parts of its municipality, above all in the Anaga Massiv and in the San Andres region. The old Fort Castillo de San Cristóbal in its vulnerable spot by the capital's harbor was washed away several times and only visible underground museum clues are left on Plaza de España.

Find the final construction date of today's port which stood the test of time at history of Tenerife, where it is listed almost at the end with other important dates.

El Chicharro monument the Venezuela Santa Cruz Tenerife link

El Chicharro Venezuelan monument close-up capture during Christmas 2019

El Chicharrero the typical Santacruzero an artistic sculpture donation by the University of Venezuela

Restaurante El Aguila street terrace on the town square Plaza Alferez Provisional of El Chicharro by Parque de Los Principes

The Cosmopolitan Tenerife carnival

The beautiful sun tanned girl may be part of Venezuelan or other South American immigrants that are common in Santa Cruz. They excel during street dancing on day carnivals and at the main parades.

Half of Tenerife's population had emigrated to Latin America during several stages of hardship and returned eventually.

It enriched the capital with South American music, new words and culture and even with recipes. On the other hand, Northern peoples were often attracted by the climate, the city's easy going multi-national life style as well as by business related to exports via its harbor.  Of course, African and Asian faces are part of the Santa Cruz Tenerife rainbow scope.

The Santa Cruz Tenerife joie de vivre (zest of life) is echoed on many a colorful street, such as C/Imeldo Seris, around the corner from the Guïmerá Theatre, both of which are depicted above.

Climate in Santa Cruz Tenerife capital

The Santa Cruz climate is very pleasant in Winter from 20C-25C, generally. Summers may get hot over 30C. Air conditioning is often wished for by the inhabitants, as modern buildings don't profit inside by the cooling ocean winds, in general. This refreshing breeze is almost constant in Santa Cruz Tenerife outdoors. You may notice it in the picture beside with tourists walking under Flame trees near Plaza de Candelaria. The young are dressed in sexy hot pants, as is a common sight in Tenerife.

Expect electronically cooled air in hotels, though.

Find out more about the Tenerife climate to make the best of your stay for vacations, business trips or holiday stays...

The Tenerife capital's parks big and small

• Parque Garcia Sanabria a free public city park of Santa Cruz of 67 230m2 has it all including huge fountains, a pond, modern sculptures and mosaic murals
  
• Parque Maritimo César Manrique the largest Santa Cruz water park
• Palmetum botanical gardens the world's largest man made palm park with most variety and a museum
• Parque Viera y Clavijo where art exhibitions take place
• La Granja
• Tenerife Rambla Santa Cruz (formerly General Franco)the park-like avenue with Plaza de Los Patos
• Parque Plaza los Principes with the most elite club of the Canary Islands called Circulo de Amistad
• Plaza Weyler park
• Plaza Espana with its adjoining city park

Click the photos below for more pictures and information about those amazing attractions and must see places of the Santa Cruz Tenerife capital

Town planning foresight

Santa Cruz Tenerife town planning skills helped much with the latter.

It remains to add that more or less 10 minutes of cab drive would get you from Plaza de España to the stadium or to the Tenerife Free Port Puerto Franco with its cruise ships and to the top museums of the Tenerife capital one of which is the exciting military museum. It can also be reached walking along the water front past the ferry harbor.

The little tourists beside which I prefer not to enlarge to protect them are proof that such a museum isn't only fun for adults..

Museum for Bellas Artes Fine art with exceptional paintings.

C/José Murphy (Plaza del Principe)
Opening hours: Tue-Fr. from 10.00 a.m.-20.00p.m.
Tel: 0034+ 922 244358

No attractions or important buildings are far from public transport

Drive from the fair ground Recinto Ferias near the Auditorio Adan Martín and Avda. 3 de Mayo to the golden sand city beach Teresitas that has the longest sand only seashores of Tenerife with also more than one breakwater. Be there in ten minutes, with a bit of luck. The road leads along the container port after the ferry station as well as a small yacht harbor.

Take even less time when road traffic permits to get to the biggest Santa Cruz town hospitals or to its universities by the Freeway TF5 where it leads past the city La Laguna.

The photo beside shows parts of the largest of all Tenerife towns with its apartment twin towers by Maritim Park (Parque Maritimo César Manrique) and, Planetum Park. Both are beside the Auditorio de Tenerife (Auditorium Tenerife). All three are part of best modern landmarks in the Tenerife capital. However, there is much more to it.

Location, surroundings and important distances

The capital of Tenerife which is in the Northeast of the Island at a large Atlantic Ocean bay is protected on one side by the Anaga
mountain range. The latter seems to peep through charming gaps between buildings into countless nooks of the Santa Cruz town. Santa Cruz the capital  is opposite the Island of Gran Canaria and, Southern Morocco of the West Coast of Africa. The distance is only 210 km (130mi), while there's six times more airspace that separates the capital from the southern most point of mainland Spain.

Geographic coordinates of Santa Cruz Tenerife are 28° 28′ 0″ N, 16° 15′ 0″ W

In decimal 28.466667°, -16.25°

Important helpful detail for filling in documents

The name Santa Cruz Tenerife or, Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Spanish stands for both the capital as well as for province of Spain

S/C (de) Tenerife may be written in most Spanish documents.

Ministries and autonomy

Did you know that the capital of Tenerife is also the center of government the Cabildo for all autonomous 7 Canary islands and only on a four yearly term? Why?  It takes turns with Las Palmas of Gran Canaria. 50 % of ministries are in the Tenerife capital.

All Canary Islands are autonomous and so is Tenerife.

Specific Tenerife capital public holidays

• February and/or March: Carnival
• May 03: Town Founders Day regarding 1494
  
• May 01 onward: May festivals
• July 25: Defeat of Sea Admiral Nelson with shows and more

Santa Cruz Tenerife carnival of importance

When the world talks about Carnival in Tenerife it means the one in the capital of the island, first of all with that of Puerto de la Cruz following suite on the island.

Of course, Rio de Janeiro Carnival will always remain the leader before the Santa Cruz Tenerife Carnival.

Tenerife carnival attractions in general mean greatest fun in the sun for the locals who participat with an energy and endurance that know no boundaries.  

My first impression of the only real city and capital Santa Cruz Tenerife in 1997 was that of a relaxed town. There, its people still have time to chat and to socialize, as depicted beside in one of the shopping streets near Plaza de España. The photo was captured on a normal work day. The almost stress free situation hasn't changed.

Tourism by private holiday home in Tenerife owners?

Tourists and business people who come to the capital are rather passers by. Many more who can now also enjoy Sunday shopping are expected from cruise ships. Right now, the capital of the largest of all Canary islands is not ideal for a private holiday home in Tenerife. However, hotels abound.

Tenerife capital beach Playa de las Teresitas

Holiday home apartments for this beach had been on the agenda by the French architect Dominique Perrault.

However, locals prefer a less touristic beach and no problems with the environment

The green or rugged Anaga mountains

Most of he Anaga Massif mountain region with enchanting Taganana, ,the picturesque Playa de Benijo surf beach, quaint San Andres and even Tegueste belong to the Santa Cruz Tenerife capital municipality.

Many top hiking routes, some of which in Laurisilva forests with rare birds in this oldest region of the Island. There are also Tenerife's biggest dairy farms, some of which seem to be in isolated spots. Archeological finds of Guanche origin are also relevant in the Anaga Macizo,  as called locally.

Nightlife in Santa Cruz Tenerife the capital

I love the Tenerife nightlife Santa Cruz that is generally laid back

Find out how alluring and pretty Santa Cruz is once the moon shines and the star lights dance on the ocean.

Phenomenal infrastructure by Plaza de España Santa Cruz

Marvel at the big ferry ship the ocean carrier Navieras Armas that's a mere 10 minutes walk away. It is moored in the new ferry harbor behind the artificial Canary Island lake of Plaza de Espana whose ocean access  is in its final phase now.

Tenerife Santa Cruz downtown

Encounter designer shops, banks, insurance companies, hotels, a museum, churches and part of the Cabildo governmental district close to the Armas ferry docks.

It's a phenomena which I have only seen in similar fashion in Lisbon Portugal. There too, the main commercial and tourist hub of Plaza de Rocio is just steps away from where Nato ships used to drop their anchor and where ferries stop in the very wide river Tejo.

Santa Cruz city sight seeing tours

By the way, look out for the Tenerife tourism information office opposite the Free Port at Plaza de España by the ancient arcs! Buy a luxury city sightseeing bus ticket multiple use for about Euro 9,95 there. You also get tourism audio with it. Besides, the double-deck-buses are ideal to see Santa Cruz Tenerife from high up, while you can even wear your high heel shoes.

Best Tenerife ship chartering in the region

It is done at Tenerife capital as well as in Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, the 2nd largest island in a chain of a total of 7 isles. Both ports are very important for the whole of Spain.

Shopping on the biggest Canary Island in general but best in and around the Tenerife capital  

Excellent 4 star hotels and 3 star accommodation in the Tenerife capital

Santa Cruz de Tenerife main assets summed up in a nutshell

Tenerife business success by Plenilunio in the capital

The important and enchanting Taganana enclave with all its latest surprises

Other exceptional Tenerife Towns

The meaning of Santa Cruz the Christian Cross

here

Please mind that the comment box below is meant to help others. In case you have a question or want to tell me something, kindly use this contact form.

Back to HomePage of the Tenerife holiday home insider

This site is protected by Copyscape

Up to Top?