The island capital
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
A port city with flair, a huge carnival and modern architecture.
Santa Cruz is the urban counterweight to the beaches of the south: a relaxed port city with broad boulevards, shady squares and one of the largest carnivals in the world. Anyone looking for a day of real island life is in the right place here.
City stroll & carnival
The heart of the city beats around the Plaza de España and the shopping street Calle del Castillo. In February the carnival, after Rio’s the second-largest in the world, turns the streets into a sea of costumes and music. The rest of the year you stroll at ease between boutiques, market halls and cafés.
The Mercado and green Santa Cruz
The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is one of the loveliest market halls in the Canaries, here you buy fruit, cheese and flowers like the locals. Close by, the Parque García Sanabria invites you to breathe deeply, and on the edge of the city lie the Auditorio and the Palmetum (separate pages).
Frequently asked questions
When is the carnival in Santa Cruz?
Usually in February (around Ash Wednesday). Dates change each year. If you want to experience it, book accommodation and travel early, it gets busy and exuberant.
Is Santa Cruz good for shopping?
Yes. The Calle del Castillo and the surrounding streets offer everything from chains to boutiques, plus the market hall. As the island capital, the choice is wider than in the resort towns.
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Your base camp for all of it
The house sits centrally in the sunny south-west — most destinations are less than an hour away.