22 Great Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
If you’re travelling north of Tenerife, you might wonder if Puerto de la Cruz is worth visiting, what to do in Puerto, and if it’s a good base to explore other places on the island.
Puerto de la Cruz is vibrant and lively and has plenty of activities for all ages. You can do anything from relaxing at its black sand beaches or outdoor pools to wandering its colourful streets and taking in the views from its scenic viewpoints.
It’s one of my favourite places in Tenerife, and if you want to know the best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, you’re going to find them all in this blog.
In addition to this, I’ll also be giving you my tips on where to eat and sleep and how to make the most of this city.
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The Best Things to Do in Puerto de la Cruz
1. Visit the Botanical Garden
Puerto de la Cruz isn’t only about beaches, but it has incredible nature too, and one of the places you don’t want to miss is the Botanical Garden.
This 18th-century botanical garden has a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants, including traditional Canarian trees like dragos.
As you enter the botanical garden, you’ll be amazed by the unique plants and huge trees, and you can learn about them by reading the panels in front of each tree.
The entry is 5 euros, but it’s worth the money because the botanical garden is big and you can see spectacular trees and plants.
📍 Location: C. Retama, 2, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
2. Discover the old town of Puerto de la Cruz
One of the best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz is to explore its old town. It’s vibrant and rich in history. It’s home to historical buildings and museums, lively squares such as Plaza del Charco and beaches.
This area used to be the old fishing port of Puerto de la Cruz, and you can now see a statue of a woman carrying a basket full of fish in her head.
Spend time soaking up the atmosphere, taking photos of the picturesque buildings and tasting local dishes like sancocho (a fish and vegetable stew) and papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes).
3. Spot street art across the city centre
When you’re in the old town of Puerto de la Cruz or La Ranilla District, located next to the old town, keep your eyes open and look up to find incredible street art.
Some of the streets where you can find these art walls are:
4. Visit Museo Arquelógico de Puerto de la Cruz
Tucked away in one of the streets of the city centre, the Archaeological Museum of Puerto de la Cruz is inside a house that dates back to the 18th century. Inside, you can find various objects – from ceramics and cartography to Guanche mummies.
📍 Location: C. del Lomo, 9a, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
5. Explore Barrio de la Ranilla
La Ranilla neighbourhood is the most colourful area in Puerto de la Cruz. It makes you feel like you’re somewhere in South America rather than Spain.
The neighbourhood is home to beautiful and colourful buildings and houses which have been decorated in a unique way. You can see colourful doors, unique patterns and plants, as well as street art. There’s even a building covered in patchwork!
I absolutely love wandering La Ranilla, and I recommend paying attention to the buildings to discover art and beautiful elements.
Exploring La Ranilla is one of the best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz!
6. Unwind in Plaza del Charco
Located in the historic town of Puerto de la Cruz, Plaza del Charco is a laid-back square where locals sit down and have a chat with friends while enjoying the view of lush green trees and the fountain in the middle of the square. It’s normally tranquil in the mornings.
Although it can also get busy in the mid-afternoon or evening, the square is surrounded by bars and restaurants, and sometimes there is live music.
📍 Location: 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
7. Admire Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia is a Catholic church that houses some of the most emblematic religious figures in Puerto de la Cruz, such as Virgen Carmen de Puerto de la Cruz and Gran Poder de Dios.
The combination of architectural styles, paintings and sculptures make this 17th-century church worth visiting.
📍 Location: Pl. de la Iglesia, s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
8. Go to the orchid Garden
Jardín Sitio Litre is a private garden worth visiting, especially if you love orchids. There are over 350 different types of orchids, which makes it the only place in Tenerife with such a wide selection.
In addition to orchids, you can see other trees and flowers, such as pretty bougainvillaeas and an impressive dragon tree which is quite old but not as old as the one in Icod de Los Vinos.
With its selection of plants, peaceful atmosphere and surroundings, there’s no doubt why this garden was visited by famous writers like Agatha Christie and Oscar Wilde.
The entry fee is €4.75.
📍 Location: Cam. Sitio Litre, 16, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
9. Go to San Telmo Beach
It’s one of the most centric beaches in Playa de San Telmo, and it’s just a minute’s walk from the old town of Puerto de la Cruz.
Locals and tourists frequent this tiny beach all year round. It’s a rocky beach made of tidal pools; however, swimming there is completely safe. Just check that there aren’t any signs on the day you plan to visit the beach.
The colour of the sea, the rocks and the surroundings make it a very picturesque beach.
📍 Location: C. de San Telmo, 18, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
10. Check out the Chapel of San Telmo
Situated next to San Telmo Beach, Ermita de San Telmo is a chapel that dates back to 1780. It used to be a key location for sailors looking for spiritual comfort.
The whitewashed chapel’s facade, manicured gardens and scenic views of the sea are a few reasons to visit this emblematic building.
📍 Location: C. de San Telmo, 5, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
11. Visit Casa de la Real Aduana
Casa de la Real Aduana stands out when you walk into what used to be the old port of Puerto de la Cruz. Its Canarian architectural style makes you wonder what this building has inside.
Built in 1620, this house had several purposes. It was once a place to supervise the rules and regulations of passage and housed the British Consulate. It has always been one of the most important historical places in Puerto.
Casa de la Real Aduana is now home to a contemporary museum called Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl (MACEW) and a lovely shop with artisan products.
📍 Location: Pl. de Europa, 2, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
12. Get panoramic views from Mirador la Paz
The viewpoint is on the east of Puerto de la Cruz, close to Ermita de San Amaro, a small church.
Mirador la Paz offers breathtaking views of Puerto de la Cruz – the crystal-clear water, Lago Martianez outdoor pools and buildings make it an excellent view.
It’s a fantastic place to take photos or simply enjoy the scenery. However, if you have the chance, visit it at sunset for an extra magical touch.
📍 Location: Mirador la Paz, 38400, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
13. Take a look at Ermita de San Amaro
After visiting Mirador de la Paz, don’t miss out on Ermita de San Amaro, a pretty shrine built in 1591.
This is one of the oldest religious buildings in Puerto de la Cruz.
📍 Location: C. Castaño, 1, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
14. Take a photo of Paseo San Amaro (Agatha Christie stairs)
One of the most picturesque spots in Puerto de la Cruz is the Agatha Christie stairs in Paseo San Amaro. As I did, you might wonder what the connection between Tenerife and Agatha Christie is.
After Agatha Christie divorced his husband, she decided to visit the north of Tenerife with her daughter, Rosalind. It’s in Puerto de la Cruz where she wrote several novels, such as The Man from the Sea and The Mystery of the Blue Train.
The Puerto de la Cruz town hall wanted to commemorate Agatha Christie and painted the stairs in Paseo San Amaro in bright colours. The steps resemble the spines of books and include the title of her novels.
📌 Tip: When looking for the steps in Google Maps, write “Paseo San Amaro” There are a few spots that mention Agatha Christie, but they don’t lead you to the stairs.
15. Relax at Lago Martiánez
Puerto de la Cruz has a few beaches near the city centre, including a black sand beach, but if you prefer pools over beaches, you must visit Lago Martiánez, a complex with outdoor swimming pools. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Puerto de la Cruz.
Interestingly, these outdoor pools are fed by seawater, so don’t expect the water to be warm. However, there’s a heated swimming pool too for colder days. In total, there are seven pools, four for adults and three for children.
In addition to the amazing outdoor pools, the complex also has beautiful gardens, terraces and restaurants.
The adult tickets are €5,50, whereas tickets for children under 10 years old are €2,50.
16. Check out Plaza de Europa
Next to the town hall of Puerto de la Cruz, Plaza de Europa (Europe Square) is an emblematic square in the shape of a fortress. You can walk on the walls while enjoying the amazing sea views and check out the 18th and 19th canyons.
17. Relax at Playa Jardín
Playa Jardín is the most popular beach in Puerto de la Cruz, and there’s no doubt why – its black sand, atmosphere and surroundings are some of the reasons not to miss this beach.
Not only is it unique because of the colour of the sand, but its location too. Playa Jardín is surrounded by beautiful green spaces with restaurants, terraces and even a castle.
This beach also has sunbeds, toilets, and showers and is accessible to anyone with reduced mobility.
18. Visit Castillo de San Felipe
San Felipe Castle, situated next to Playa Jardín, is an important castle whose goal was to protect the city of Puerto de la Cruz from pirates in the 17th century. However, it served as a shooting centre, hospital, and restaurant.
The castle was recognised as a historic monument in 1949, and nowadays, it’s a cultural and exhibition centre that you can visit for free.
It isn’t the most impressive castle, but you can check it out if you plan to visit Playa Jardín.
📍 Location: C. Luis Lavaggi, 10, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
19. Spend the day at Loro Parque
Loro Parque is the most promoted attraction in Tenerife; wherever you go, you’ll see a Loro Parque poster, including in the airport.
It’s considered one of the best zoos in the world, but I can’t credit this because I didn’t visit it during my time in Puerto de la Cruz. I’ve heard mixed reviews about Loro Parque, but many have been positive.
Loro Park is on the west side of Puerto de la Cruz, just outside the city centre, and despite its name, it doesn’t only have parrots or birds but several animals – from dolphins and orcas to lions and sloths – and plants.
This is a great thing to do in Puerto de la Cruz with children as not only do they get to see animals, but they learn about them and sometimes interact with them in the presentations.
📌 Get your tickets to Loro Park here
20. Experience the carnival
Did you know that Tenerife hosts the second-best carnival in the world?
If you visit Puerto de la Cruz in mid-February, you’ll be able to experience the carnival. Locals take carnival seriously and try to wear the best customs and makeup.
Impressive parades, dances and competitions take place during the carnival period.
The carnival isn’t only about partying, but people from Tenerife also see it as a way to express themselves without feeling judged.
21. Day trip to Orotava
Orotava was once part of Puerto de la Cruz; however, they have been considered two different cities after locals voted to separate from each other.
This separation was made friendly, and you can now find a sculpture with a hand between the two places. The hand symbolises the friendly separation and that they’ll be there for each other despite this.
In Orotava, there are plenty of historic buildings. By reading the information panels outside each building, you can better understand the history of this city.
Apart from wandering the streets to learn about the town, one of the best things to do in Orotava is to visit Casa de los Balcones. The museum is inside a 19th-century house which showcases the architecture, history and traditions of that time.
Exploring this museum is an experience; you can see, through a window because it can’t be accessed, an impressive living room with antique furniture, pictures and books, as well as other different parts of the house such as the kitchen and bedroom.
On top of this, my favourite part of the museum is the traditional Canarian courtyard with numerous plants, pictures and a fantastic view of the wooden balconies, which were built to detail.
Overall, Orotava was one of my favourite Puerto de la Cruz trips.
22. Day trip to Icod de los Vinos
Icod de los Vinos is a beautiful town that is worth visiting. Despite its small size, it has a few interesting things to do.
Parque del Drago (Drago Park) is a must-see attraction in Icod de los Vinos. This park has the oldest Drago tree in Tenerife, a unique 1000 years old tree. You must pay admission to visit this park, but if you don’t want to pay entry, you can get a great view of the tree from Mirador del Drago, situated next to Iglesia de San Marcos.
It’s also here where you can visit Casa del Plátano (the Banana Museum), which tells you everything about bananas. But first, if you wonder why there’s a banana museum here is because the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, grow some of the best bananas in Europe.
The entry is 5 euros and includes a free banana and a tasting of banana wine or banana liqueur. Even if you aren’t planning to go inside the museum, I recommend visiting their shop as it’s packed with lots of delicious banana products I didn’t even know existed.
Where to stay in Puerto de la Cruz
H10 Tenerife Playa
- Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Perfect for: couples
- Known for: its room with sea views and fantastic facilities
This four-star hotel can’t have a better location, overlooking Lago Martiánez and the sea.
The rooms are beautifully decorated and well-equipped with comfortable double or twin beds, a private bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, free WiFi, and a balcony.
H10 Tenerife Playa also has incredible facilities: two restaurants and a bar, a spa centre that offers various treatments to pamper yourself, a gym and two outdoor pools, one for adults and one for children, which are open all year round.
It’s the perfect choice for a central stay for couples but also families.
📌 Check out rates and availability at H10 Tenerife Playa
FERGUS Puerto de la Cruz
- Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Perfect for: families
- Known for: good facilities and breakfast
FERGUS, formerly Smy Hotel Puerto de la Cruz, has 300 rooms with terraces that overlook the sea or Teide volcano. Its rooms are modern and simple but have all the amenities you need: comfortable beds, an ensuite bathroom, a TV, free WiFi and a balcony.
The hotel is home to a buffet restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy live entertainment and music, outdoor pools for adults and children, and a well-maintained tennis court.
It’s in a tranquil location, just outside the city centre, so it’s a good hotel if you want to stay away from the bustle of the city.
📌 Check out rates and availability at FERGUS Hotel Puerto de la Cruz
Where to eat in Puerto de la Cruz
My top choice: Mesón los Gemelos
After going through quite a few TripAdvisor reviews, I decided to visit Mesón los Gemelos.
The restaurant is in the heart of the city, close to Las Ranillas neighbourhood.
They serve traditional Canarian dishes, and the restaurant is beautifully decorated with traditional elements. However, my favourite part is the right-side corner which doesn’t have a roof and is surrounded by plants.
The setting is aesthetically pleasing, and the food is good too.
My partner and I ordered the fish and seafood platter for two, which I would say is a platter for three or four, considering the portion.
It included cherne fish (a typical fish from Tenerife), hake, mussels, prawns, squid and a side of patatas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with mojo sauce. Everything was delicious!
The only negative of the restaurant is the service can be slow as it gets full.
📍 Address: C. el Peñon, 4, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Opening times: Monday and Thursday to Saturday from 12 to 11 pm
Sunday from 12 to 4 pm and 6 to 11 pm
Other places to eat in Puerto de la Cruz
🥘 Bodega Julian – traditional Canarian cuisine, delicious steaks, good prices
🥘 Tito’s Bodeguita – beautiful setting as it’s set in the courtyard of a former chapel and has tablets set in a garden, delicious grilled meat, moderate to high prices
How to get to Puerto de la Cruz
From Aeropuerto de Tenerife Sur (TFS)
If you travel to Tenerife from outside Spain, it’s likely that you’ll fly to Tenerife South Airport (TFS).
The most convenient way to travel from TFS to Puerto de la Cruz is by car. The roads are very well-maintained and easy to drive in. The total journey is about 1 hour.
If you don’t rent a car, you can also take a bus to get to Puerto la Cruz. In that case, you’ll need to take the 343 bus, which leaves you at the top of Puerto de la Cruz, and then you’ll need to make your way down to the city centre.
The bus takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From Aeropuerto de Tenerife Norte (TFN)
If you travel to Tenerife from Spain, you’ll likely fly to Tenerife North Airport (TFN).
The fastest way to get to Puerto de la Cruz from TFN is by car. The car journey is only 25 minutes.
No car? Then you can take bus number 30, which leaves you at the top of Puerto de la Cruz, and then you’ll need to make your way down to the city centre.
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife
If you’re staying in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can easily visit Puerto de la Cruz for a day.
Santa Cruz is 30 30-minute drive from Puerto de la Cruz, and the road is in very good condition and easy to drive in.
However, if you don’t have plans to rent a car, you can also access Puerto de la Cruz by bus. You’ll need to go to Intercambiador de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz bus station) and get the 110 bus. The journey takes 45 minutes, and buses are regular.
When is the best time to visit Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is a destination that you can visit all year round. Not only is it a fantastic place to visit in summer, but in winter too. In fact, it’s a popular winter sun destination for Spanish and Europeans too.
In the summer, it’s warm but not as warm as the south of Spain, and in the winter, it’s warmer than anywhere else in the country. With an average annual temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, you can’t go wrong by choosing Puerto de la Cruz as your next holiday destination.
However, if you want to experience more than the sun and beaches, you can do so. Puerto de la Cruz is a great base to visit the Teide Volcano and the Anaga Rural Park, which are chillier, and you can even see snow in winter.
Frequently asked questions about Puerto de la Cruz
Where is Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is situated north of Tenerife, one of the seven Canary Islands in Spain.
What is Puerto de la Cruz known for?
Puerto de la Cruz is known for its black sand beaches, peaceful atmosphere and international influence.
Is Puerto de la Cruz worth visiting?
Yes, Puerto de la Cruz is worth visiting! It has plenty of things to do – from swimming in its black sand beaches or outdoor pools to visiting important historical buildings like Casa de la Aduana or admiring the street art in Las Ranillas district.
Is Puerto de la Cruz expensive?
No, Puerto de la Cruz isn’t expensive. The Canary Islands are cheaper than the Balearic Islands and other destinations in Spain.
Conclusion on things to do in Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is a fantastic destination for any traveller all year round. The city is packed with vibrant and colourful streets, has lovely beaches and outdoor pools and is surrounded by incredible nature.
Moving around Puerto de la Cruz is easy, and you can walk to most attractions. However, you must know that some parts of the city are hilly.
If you’re spending more than two days in Puerto, it’s worth going on day trips to other parts of the island. Aren’t you planning to rent a car? Don’t worry because public transport is good, and you can always take a tour.
I took this private tour with Get Your Guide, and the tour guide took us to Orotava, Icod de los Vinos, Garachico and the unique village of Masca. He was very knowledgeable and made our day trip much easier. Without him, we wouldn’t have been able to visit all these places in a day.
If you have any questions about what to do in Puerto de la Cruz, send me an email, and I’ll be happy to give you further recommendations.
Safe adventures!
Cristina x
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Things to do before travelling to Tenerife
- Compare and book the cheapest flights to TFS Airport with Skyscanner
- Book accommodation in Puerto de la Cruz with Booking.com
- Check out amazing day trips from Puerto de la Cruz with Get Your Guide
- Rent a car in Tenerife here. This is the best way to explore the island.
- Get travel insurance for your trip. SafetyWing offers flexible and affordable health and travel insurance.
