View of El Duque beach at Costa Adeje in Tenerife, Canary Islands
HEAR THE CANARIES SING

Cruisereise til Tenerife, Canary Islands

The Canary Islands sit more than 1,000 miles from mainland Spain — but as your ship docks at the largest island, Tenerife, you'll feel like you've entered another world. Exploring the island's diverse nature will reinforce this: The landscape here ranges from to deserts to dense forests to spectacular beaches. Cool off in the Bajamar natural salt-water pools, or go scuba-diving among octopus and barracudas in Tabaiba. When you're tuckered out from your adventure, head to a seaside restaurant for a glass of sangria and crusty bread slathered with almagrote, a local hard-cheese spread flavored with tomato, garlic and paprika.
Nasjonalt språk Spanish
Valuta som godtas Euro (EUR)

Things To Do in Tenerife

A large outdoor swimming pool in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

Chill Out in Santa Cruz

A large outdoor swimming pool in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

A large outdoor swimming pool in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

Chill Out in Santa Cruz

If culture and history are your thing, there's plenty in Santa Cruz-proper to keep you stimulated. Make a stop at the illuminating Natural History Museum or the Basilica de Candelaria shrine, which only dates back to 1959 but manages to feel older in decidedly modern Santa Cruz.

An aerial view of Las Teresiteas beach in Tenerife, Canary Islands
An aerial view of Las Teresiteas beach in Tenerife, Canary Islands

Hit the Beach

While most of Tenerife's best beaches are far outside the center of Santa Cruz, you have a couple of options a short taxi or bus ride away. The most popular is Las Teresitas, whose golden sands look particularly striking contrasted with the crystalline blue water that laps at them.

Three whole grilled fish with potatoes and salad on a white plate
Three whole grilled fish with potatoes and salad on a white plate

Local Cuisine

Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers a mix of traditional Spanish food and local Canarian food. It's just as easy, for example, to find a restaurant that serves small-plate tapas and sweet sangria as it is to enjoy Sancocho, a bass filet served with boiled potatoes and spicy mojo sauce. Follow up a filling meal with a shot of Cobana, a banana liquor native to the Canary Islands.

An assortment of souvenir shells
An assortment of souvenir shells

Shopping

If you like bargaining, try your luck at Mercado Municipal Nuestra Senora de Africa, open every day until 2:30 p.m. Here, you'll find local handicrafts like ceramic dishware made from volcanic stone, as well as clothing and shoes at wholesale prices. Sunday afternoons, there's a flea market near Santa Cruz's main station.

Innsidetips
Innsidetips
1 Tenerife looks small on the map, but the island's mountainous terrain and developing infrastructure can make journeys here longer than you might imagine, so plan accordingly.
2 If you happen to visit Tenerife in February, make sure to check out the island's annual Carnival, a raucous event not to be missed.

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