Situated in the northeast of Tenerife Island, Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife and the Canary Islands and a beautiful port city where you can enjoy the perfect weather to visit any time of the year. With great views of the sea, broad plazas, and plenty of modern architecture, you can discover another side of the Spanish culture and enjoy its famous Carnaval, one of the most popular activities in Spain and internationally. This vibrant city is the perfect spot for discovering striking beaches, busy plazas, representative gastronomy, and great shopping in the heart of the town. Enjoy the sea and the Carnaval in the best spot on the Island of Tenerife, and discover why this is one of the most beautiful places in Spain.
Our recommendations on which areas to stay in
- Find beautiful coast views and stay within the heart of the city. We recommend the areas close to Emilio Calzadilla and Calle la Marina, where you can discover the town’s central plaza, be close to the marinas, and enjoy the city’s best offers at a short distance from your stay.
- Stay close to the main areas of the Carnaval and enjoy the best cultural experience of Santa Cruz de Tenerife by staying close to Calle de Valentin Sanz. Here you can enjoy the city’s cultural offers, and if you visit during the time of the Carnaval, you can see one of the most famous celebrations of Spanish culture.
- Discover Santa Cruz de Tenerife with your family and enjoy the great parks, museums, and attractions. We recommend the areas near Avenida La Salle, a family-friendly place to move quickly around Santa Cruz.
- Are you looking for a budget-friendly stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife? This city is a great destination to enjoy without hurting your wallet, as it offers great deals for accommodations at fair fares and plenty of activities to do.
These are our recommendations on accommodations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, in 5 categories:
- Stays close to the city center and marinas:
- Views of the marinas and the city
- Accommodations to enjoy the culture and the Carnaval:
- Family lodging close to everything:
- Budget-friendly stays:
A great city with a famous carnival. – What to know before visiting
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is on the biggest island of the Canary Islands archipelago. This city is an excellent place to discover the unique identity of these islands in the Atlantic Ocean. With over 400 years of history, the city has been growing as one of the main ports and the most populated archipelago, with unique historic buildings, excellent year-round weather, and grand celebrations to enjoy.
Discover the unique history of Santa Cruz by visiting the historic Castillo de San Cristobal, the first significant fortification of the island built in the XVI century, in which few walls still exist and are located in an underground gallery, or visit the Castillo de San Andrés, another defensive construction against invasions of the island from the XVII century and famous for its essential role in protecting the archipelago during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. In the center of the historical areas of Santa Cruz, you will find the Castillo de San Juan Bautista, another defensive castle that served the island during the attempted invasions and is a unique place to discover on the coast of the city.
Visit the Plaza de España, and enjoy the city’s central Plaza, the biggest one on the Canary Islands and an unmissable spot on the coast of Santa Cruz. In addition, you will find many restaurants and cafes and proximity to exciting places such as the auditorium Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology, and the Marina Santa Cruz. Also, the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife starts in this area.
Enjoy one of the most famous festivals of Spain, held since the first European settlements on the island. It is the world’s second most famous festival, only preceded by the Carnaval de Rio de Janeiro; this is why this is the twin city to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It starts 52 days prior Eastern by the end of January and the beginning of February. During fifteen days, the town becomes a lively place, perfect for fun, and enjoy the selection of the Carnival Queen, impressive parades, dances, contests, musical performances, and plenty of fantasy costumes according to the festival theme of the year.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a unique spot to discover the Canary Islands’ magic and enjoy its culture in one of the most lively cities in Spain.
Staying near the central Plaza of Santa Cruz.
The central Plaza of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is an excellent spot to start discovering the city and have everything you need to stay in this coastal city. We recommend the areas close to Emilio Calzadilla and Calle la Marina, where you will be close to many exciting places and fabulous gastronomy, and you will find excellent coast and city views.
You will be within short walking distance from the Plaza de España in Avenida Marítima. Here you can discover the city’s historical landmarks in the beautiful scenery, such as the fortification of the XVI century of the Castillo de San Cristobal, the monument Monumento a Los Caídos, and the vibrant Plaza de la Candelaria, all within a short 300 m walk from your stay. Visit the most famous casino of Tenerife and a great place to enjoy music shows and delicious food, located just 300 m from your accommodation, the Real Casino de Tenerife in Plaza de la Candelaria.
Walk around your accommodation and come upon the Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias in Calle Ruíz de Padrón, a beautiful small plaza to relax around the trees and walkable paths, at 250 m from your stay. You will be close to the Marina Santa Cruz and the shipping company of Naviera Armas, where you can rent boats, easily access the ferry services and explore the beautiful scenery of Canary Island at just a 17-minute walk from your lodging.
Discover the excellent gastronomy close to your accommodation. For example, visit the burger shop Ghio’s Burger Crafters and try a great combination of artisan-made burgers on a terrace with views of the Plaza. Or eat great seafood dishes close to your stay in the highly rated La Refranera Restaurante, both a few steps from your stay in Emilio Calzadilla.
Enjoy the coast views and stay within the city’s heart by staying in the areas close to Emilio Calzadilla and Calle la Marina.
Discover the culture of the city in the best accommodation.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers excellent places to enjoy the local culture and discover the city. We recommend you stay close to Calle de Valentin Sanz, a street located in the center of the town and close to the main sights of Santa Cruz. From your accommodation, you can take a short walk to the Plaza de España in Avenida Marítima, where you can enjoy the views of the marina and also of the remnants of the Castillo de San Cristobal, where you can discover an essential part of the history of the city and the island, at 650 m from your stay. Visit the Baroque church of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in Plaza de la Iglesia, the first Catholic temple of the city after the island’s conquest in the XV century, 350 m from your lodging. Close to this area is the Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Calle Fuente Morales. Here you can discover the island’s natural history and native Guanche culture at a 6-minute walk from your stay.
You will be close to Plaza Isla de la Madera, a great place to enjoy a varied program of plays, theater plays, films, and live music in Teatro Guimerá, the oldest theater in the Canary Islands. Also, a few steps away from here, you can discover the Centro de Arte la Recova, a space for many uses dedicated to developing and showcasing different art expressions in the city, and just 140 m from your stay.
After discovering the art side of the city, experience the food culture of Santa Cruz de Tenerife by visiting Cooperativa Mercado Nuestra Señora De África in Avenida de San Sebastián, where you can discover the best local produce, meat, and seafood, and taste local dishes, at 400 m from your accommodation.
Also, in Calle de Valentin Sanz, you will be in a strategic location to enjoy the route of the Carnaval of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, passing close to the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís and the Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias in Villalba Hervás, 210 m from your accommodation. Therefore, enjoy this grand celebration at a walkable distance from your accommodation and become a local, enjoying the carnival and everything programmed for this celebration.
Best family areas to enjoy the city.
Discover Santa Cruz de Tenerife with your family and enjoy the great parks, museums, and attractions by staying in the areas near Avenida La Salle. Here you will have everything you need to stay in this city.
- Close to your accommodation, you will find museums to discover the city’s culture, such as Casa del Carnaval in Calle Aguere, where you can enjoy exhibitions of costumes from past carnivals, audiovisual shows, and activities for kids at a 7-minute walk from your accommodation. Plan a trip to the Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Calle Fuente Morales, 1 km from your stay.
- Visit the Parque Marítimo César Manrique in Avenida la Constitución. You and your family will have a great time in the three saltwater swimming pools, waterfalls, and sun decks with coast views, 1.1 km from your stay. Close to this area is the Botanical garden in Avenida la Constitución, to enjoy a wide variety of tropical flowers, trees, and plants, at 1.7 km from your stay.
- Plan a trip to the biggest park in the city, and visit the Parque García Sanabria in Calle de Numancia, where you can enjoy fountains, paths, and playgrounds, 1.2 km from your lodging.
- Have a great night enjoying a show at L’Incanto Espacio Cultural in Calle de Valencia, a place with great shows for kids and workshops, 110 m from your place.
- Find grocery options a short distance from your stay, such as 7 Dias Market in Calle Garcilaso de la Vega, 180 m from your stay, and Mercadona of the shopping center Centro Comercial La Ola in Calle de Fernández Navarro, 450 m from your accommodation.
- Near your accommodation, you can come across pharmacies and health centers, like La Salle Pharmacy in Calle de Calderón de la Barca, 180 m from your stay and just 220 m away in the Central Médica Insular Canaria in Calle Garcilaso de la Vega.
- Enjoy delicious options to eat with your family near your accommodation. Visit the Latin American eatery Mistura in Calle de Quevedo, and discover a broad menu with food from different countries such as Ecuador, Perú, Colombia, and Bolivia in a single spot, just 120 m from your stay. Or, visit the La Taberna del Cortijo in Avenida la Salle to discover the traditional Spanish dishes of the island, at 270 m from your accommodation.
Enjoy a great time in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with your family and discover the city during your stay near Avenida La Salle.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife on a budget.
Visiting the Canary Islands on a budget is possible, and Santa Crus de Tenerife is a great spot to discover while on budget travel. The city offers excellent options for accommodation at a fair price in the whole town. Please take advantage of the superb weather during the year to explore this beautiful place and discover its culture and sights. Don’t forget to visit the city during the Carnaval to experience the city at its finest and feel the warmth of the locals.
