Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tourist Information
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, located on the northeast coast, is the capital of
Tenerife. It's a busy port city of nearly 190,000 people where few tourists
bother to visit. Yet it has plenty to offer the day tripper or someone looking
for a base to explore the northern region. It's a cosmopolitan city with a well-deserved reputation for
being the place to go if you're in search of urban fun.
One of the prime attractions of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife is its lively
nightlife. Keep in mind that the night starts late in Santa Cruz, but when it
does, it doesn't stop! Things are pretty quiet until about 10pm but after midnight the streets fill up with people headed to the
discos and pubs. Avenida Anaga on the waterfront is the area to head for.
If you're in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during the month of February you won't be able to miss the city bloom into vibrant colour and wild
partying. Carnaval in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is by far the city's most
important annual event where you'll find
yourself participating whether you meant to or not! Accommodation becomes fully
booked all over the island some time in advance so be sure to book early.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife isn't known for particular sights but rather for its
overall ambience. However, there are a few places worth a special mention. The
Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is located in the Parque Marítimo
César Manrique and is a huge botanical garden with one of the world's largest
collections of palm trees. Take a gentle stroll through the waterfalls, streams
and ponds of the gardens and enjoy a relaxing escape from the afternoon sun.
The main museum of note is the
Museo de la Naturaleza
y El Hombre which is dedicated to the fascinating geography of the island
presented in various multimedia forms. The city's auditorium (auditorio
de Tenerife) is also worth a look or book tickets for a classical music
concert there. It's a magnificent building designed by the renowned architect
Santiago Calatrava and has become a trademark of the city of Santa Cruz de
Tenerife.
Shopping is a popular pastime in the city and centres on
Calle Castillo and the other streets. There are often good deals to be had on
electronics thanks to the island's duty free status but you'll also find stylish
boutiques around with the latest fashions. Take a break at one of the open
terrace bars in the attractive square of Plaza de la Candelaria. There's
a flea market on Sunday mornings on Calle José Manuel Guimerá.
To get away
from the city take a bus out to Playa de Las Teresitas. This is one of
the island's finest beaches thanks to its imported Saharan sand. It's just to
the north of Santa Cruz, along the coast near the village of San Andrés which is
a great spot for fish restaurants. For a evening away from the city head inland
to La Laguna which is a lively student town with some of the island's
liveliest nightlife.
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