Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of the island of Tenerife and the province of the same name in Spain. The city is surrounded by the steep cliffs of the Anaga mountain range on one side, and by the harbor of the same name in the northeastern part of the island on the other.
Beaches of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Two excellent beaches are located near the city: Taganana, with volcanic black sand, and Las Teresitas, with yellow sand—one of the most popular beaches in the entire archipelago. Las Teresitas is a one-and-a-half-kilometer-long artificial beach, where yellow sand was brought in from the African Sahara by barge in the 1970s.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has several diving centers suitable for divers of all skill levels. Windsurfing, surfing, and other water sports are also available in Tenerife.
Entertainment and Attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The facades of the houses, decorated with wooden balconies and painted in a distinctive color scheme, are known as the Canarian style. The city is abundant in greenery, and the old part of Santa Cruz de Tenerife can be explored on foot, enjoying the historical and architectural landmarks.
Plaza La Candelaria, near the center, houses the Tenerife government building (Cabildo Insular), the Archaeology Museum, and the Palacio del Carta. Among the city’s architectural highlights are two Baroque churches: San Francisco (17th-18th centuries) and Iglesia La Concepción (16th-18th centuries).
The Natural History Museum displays evidence of the island’s entire history—from its formation when a volcano erupted on the ocean floor, through the history of the island’s indigenous people, the Guanaches, to the present day.
The island also houses the Military History Museum, built on the shore of the bay next to the Nautical School and the Royal Yacht Club of Tenerife.
Throughout its history, Tenerife has endured numerous attacks by pirates, conquistadors, and the warlike fleets of European naval powers. In memory of the Spanish victories over the English fleets, Tenerife’s coat of arms, in addition to the Holy Cross of Conquest, features three leopards.
