Puerto de la Cruz Guide

A cosmopolitan old colonial town, the resort of Puerto de la Cruz is located on the north coast of Tenerife and is one of the island’s most popular tourist centres, attracting some 900,000 visitors each year. The town has a fascinating and illustrious history, having risen to prominence in the late 19th century, when it attracted royalty and dignitaries including British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to its shores.

Today it has kept up with the times by acquiring all the amenities you would expect of  a modern resort, whilst retaining the feel of a small, friendly Spanish town. Most of the area around the old fishing port is lined with cobbled streets, historical buildings and colonial architecture, while elsewhere you can find trendy hotels, restaurants and shopping centres, all co-existing in perfect harmony.

How to get to Puerto de la Cruz

Most visitors to Puerto de la Cruz will fly into Tenerife South Airport which connects to a huge number of European cities. The resort’s position on the northern side of the island means that the transfer time from the airport is quite significant – normally around 1.5 hours by road. 

Owing to the large distance, a taxi from the airport will be highly expensive. Therefore, unless you’re hiring a car, the most practical and economical way of reaching Puerto de la Cruz is by public bus, with regular and reliable services departing from the airport.

When to visit Puerto de la Cruz

In keeping with the rest of Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz is a wonderful all-year-round holiday destination, with average temperature rarely dropping below 60C and more often pushing above 80C.

As an extra bonus, cooling sea breezes temper the heat, whilst rainfall during the summer months is a rarity.

The summer months are a busy time for Puerto de la Cruz, though winter also attracts heavy numbers suffering sunshine withdrawal symptoms. Winter visitors should be aware that evenings can get chilly, so remember to pack a jumper or two.

Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz

Activities and Attractions

One of the best ways to explore Puerto de la Cruz is by embarking on one of the numerous guided walks that are available. The town is perfect for simply strolling around, with a vast number of historical buildings and other landmarks dotted throughout the resort, incuding the Church of Nuestra Senora de la Pena and the Castle of San Felipe.

The Museo Arqueologico (Archeological Museum), located in a 19th century mansion, offers a fine exhibition of artefacts, including a vast ceramics collection and a number of mummies.

Another popular attraction in Puerto de la Cruz is the resort’s Botanical Gardens, which display an array of exotic plants from such far-away places as Africa, South America and Australia.

Meanwhile diving and activity sports such as walking tours or Mountain biking are also readily available in Puerto de la Cruz.

For Families

The Lago Martianez swimming pool complex, designed by Lanzarote born artist Cesar Manrique, is located right on the waterfront, and attracts vast numbers of visitors throughout the year.

One of the most popular attractions on the island, Loro Pargue, which boasts over 200 species of parrots and other animals, can be found in Puerto de la Cruz. The park also offers dolphin shows, stunning gardens, an aquarium and a penguinarium.

Just 2km outside of Puerto de la Cruz is the Bananera El Guanche Tourist Attraction,which offers the public the chance to view a working banana plantation – an industry that has played a vital role in Tenerife's agricultural history.

Eating out

The many restaurants in Puerto de la Cruz offer up a variety of dishes from several international cuisines, including local Canarian food. The largest concentration of eateries in the resort is around the Plaza de Charco, which is lined with restaurants and cafés. For a fine culinary experience in Puerto de la Cruz, try La Casona, Meson los Gemelos, Regulo or La Ganania.

Nightlife

There is a wide range of bars and clubs in Puerto de la Cruz, with some staying open into the early hours of the morning. Some of the most popular drinking venues include Frigata, Molly Malones, Color Café and Azucar.

Day trips and Excursions

For activity holidays, Puerto de la Cruz can be used as a base for some superb sightseeing in the north of the island, as well as walking trails around Lar Orotava, La Laguna and the Anaga Mountains to the east. The volcanic landscape of the Teide National Park is also well worth a trip.