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Travel // Going Around // Canary Islands // Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Travel // Going Around // Canary Islands // Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is situated at the eastern tip of the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Island chain. The municipal borough covers an area of 150.56 square kilometres and it is divided into two differentiated areas: the Anaga Massif and the
southern ramp formed by the lava flows that run down from the Acentejo peak to the coast. The maximum altitude in the borough is 750 metres above sea level. Over half the municipal perimeter is shoreline.
Get Around
By bus. Fairly cheap (especially if you have a Bono card from bus station and some tobacconists) and fairly regular. Driving is very fast or very slow with little inbetween. Streets can be very narrow. Parking is a problem in the centre.
What to See
The beaches are less crowded than in the south. The largest is Las Teresitas is made of imported yellow sand and a short 20 minute bus ride (number 910).
The quieter Las Gaviotas is the next bay over and features black sand and plenty of nudists. The infrequent bus 254 there gives impressive views of Las Teresitas.
What to Do
A number of museums. A good history museum five minutes walk from the bus station, where the No. 14 bus stops. An art gallery in town and a small planetarium\science centre on the way to La Laguna (bus 14 passes it). A Bono bus card not only entitles you to cheap travel on TITSA buses but cut price museum entrance. Large Sunday market near the bus station.
Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the biggest and most spectacular events of its kind in the World. Every February, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the largest of the Canary Islands, hosts this historical event, attracting around a million people from everywhere.
Buy
There are two El Corte Ingles department stores selling pretty much everything, as well as various shopping complexes on the outskirts. The main market is well worth a visit, although it is not aimed at the tourists - great fruit, veg, flowers, etc. There is a flea market on a Sunday near the bus station, if you're short of fleas. Some electrical tourist tat near the main square, which are probably best avoided.
If you're on holiday though, there's more to life than shopping. Why not stroll around the beautiful park up by the Rambla instead?
Eat
Canaries food, Spanish food and inevitably, fast food. Most places are good value, but one or two tourist traps near the port. Plenty of good fish, although a dictionary may be helpful.
Drink
Whatever you want. Only a few bars, with a few local people in them.
Sleep
There are a few reasonable hotels in the city, the best placed is the Hotel Principe Paz. However, parking can be a nightmare, so it's best to use one of the underground car parks at around 12 euros a day. Santa Cruz doesn't feel overly touristy (it doesn't really cater for them), so can be a pleasant change from the hot spots in the south.
NH Tenerife, Candelaria Esquina Doctor Allart, +34.922.534.422. NH Tenerife is a recently built 3 stars hotel situated in the main centre of the historical and bussines areas of the city. It is located very close to the Auditorio, the shopping area, the harbour and the theatres.
Résidence Maeva Marazul del Sur. This 11-floor residence with lifts has a heated freshwater swimming pool and a seawater pool. This beautiful complex overlooks the sea and is set in 8 hectares of exotic greenery. 8 km from Playa San Juan, 10 km from Fañabe beaches, 13 km from Los Cristianos and 30 km from the surfers’ paradise in Medano. Car recommended.
Gran Melia Palacio de Isora, ☎ (34) 922 86 90 00. Luxury 5-star accommodations, business meeting spaces, resort activities and more.
Excerpted from Wiki Travel
