Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Underrated Capital of the Canary IslandsCategory: Travel & Holidays
Article added by: Paul Collins
There’s something about Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Compared to the bustling resorts to be found on the rest of the island, it doesn’t feel quite so intensely the influence of mass tourism. Indeed, apart from a few Spanish tourists on their viajes Tenerife (or Tenerife trips) it gets nothing like the same number of tourists.
In many ways, that just makes it a more pleasant place, not beautiful per se, but extremely agreeable, nevertheless. As the capital of Tenerife (and the Canary Islands), it’s got a much higher ratio of locals going about their business, and there’s a more natural feel than some other parts of Tenerife.
Hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Hotels in Tenerife come in all shapes and sizes. But few have such an air of colonial grandeur as the Sheraton Mencey. With its attractive gardens, lovely pool area and excellent central location, it’s arguably the outstanding choice of hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
There are plenty of things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. For starters, the attractive 18th century church of San Francisco (and its neighboring convent) are well worth a visit. Elsewhere, the Castillo de San Juan is another historical monument in Santa Cruz that merits closer inspection.
Shopping-wise, meanwhile, there are two Corte Ingles department stores, a lively produce market and a bustling Sunday flea market at the central bus station. In the evenings, the area surrounding the cathedral (Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Concepcion) is full of cafés, bars and restaurants
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Beaches
But, of course, most people tend to book a Tenerife trip for one reason, and one reason alone: beaches. Luckily, the beaches of Santa Cruz de Tenerife don’t disappoint. They tend to be a little less busy than many other Tenerife beaches; frankly, though, it’s a little hard to see quite why.
Las Gaviotas is the typical strip of black volcanic sand, and is one of most popular nudist beaches in Tenerife; 20 minutes by bus away, meanwhile, Las Teresitas is, slightly unusually, for a Tenerife beach, a gorgeous strip of golden (imported Saharan) sand.
And as is the case wherever you are in Tenerife, this is perhaps where the island really comes into its own. Despite being a city, lying on the beach under an unerringly hot sun Santa Cruz de Tenerife, or taking a dip in the beautiful bright blue waters, it’s hard to deny that it’s a top summer holiday destination.
Posted By: Paul Collins
Contact: e-mail
| About the Author: |
| Travel writer Paul Collins has been making viajes Tenerife (Tenerife trips) for more years than he cares to remember. In recent years, though, he’s tended to use his Spanish to fly from Spain, and return on vuelos Tenerife Madrid (or flights from Tenerife to Madrid). |
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