Situated in the north of Tenerife, the town of Santa Ursula – which takes its name from a third-century British princess – is a popular base from which to explore one of the most scenic regions on the island. Fertile valleys and hills, national parks and the distant backdrop of Mount Teide provide stunning sightseeing as well as hiking and walking opportunities. Furthermore, the lack of an established commercial centre is compensated by the proximity of Puerto de la Cruz, as well as the Tenerife capital of Santa Cruz.
The closest airport to Santa Ursula is Tenerife South Airport, which is around 40km away and connects to a vast number of cities across Europe.
If you haven’t pre-booked a hotel transfer, the best way to get from the airport to Santa Ursula is by taking one of the public buses that regularly departs to resorts across the island. Alternatively, there are taxis and hire car firms located at the airport.
Santa Ursula enjoys a similar near-perfect climate to the rest of Tenerife – though being in the north of the island means it is not quite so hot as its southern counterparts.
Nevertheless, the resort can unquestionably be enjoyed at any time of year, and the differences between seasons are minor. Sunshine is a consistent presence, with average summer temperatures of 25C, which often rise above 30C during the peak months of July and August.
Winter remains extremely pleasant with averages of 18C and rainfall a rare occurrence. However, evenings can get chilly so pack accordingly.
Others factors to consider are the crowds and your wallet. Summer and Easter holidays are invariably the busiest months, though winter also draws sizeable numbers, particularly thoe looking to escape the harsh weather in northern Europe. You may want to consider coming a little out of these peak times, when the beaches are not so packed, and travel and accommodation prices come down.
Visitors to Santa Ursula find some great sights around the town as well as some breathtaking scenery. There are picturesque cliffs and valleys - incuding the Orotava Valley - all within easy reach of the resort, as well as the magnificent Mount Teide which affords stunning views of the island.
The closest beach to Santa Ursula is down along the west coast at Punta Brava, just past Puerto de la Cruz. If you plan to make this journey independently, be sure to stop and marvel at the beautiful cliffs that look out onto the Atlantic ocean along the way.
Santa Ursula is also a popular base for boat excursions to the neighbouring Canary Islands, as well as trips out into the Atlantic to explore some of the exotic marine life that inhabits the local waters. For something more daring, volcano tours can also be taken from Santa Ursula.
For families, the Aquapark waterpark is located in nearby Puerto de la Cruz and offers top quality rides and slides.
Shopping in Santa Ursula is mainly focused around arts and crafts stores, which are excellent for souvenir hunting, though for more extensive options you may want to head to Puerto de la Cruz where you will find many big-name brands.
With many of the resort’s high-end hotels boasting top quality restaurants, dining out in Santa Ursula is limited to a small selection of eateries offering local and international food. For a wider choice, head to one of the larger neighbouring resorts.
The nightlife in Santa Ursula is similarly hotel-based and family-focused. There are a few bars in the resort, but for a raucous night out you would equally be best off heading elsewhere.