Puerto de la Cruz

Puerto de la Cruz (sometimes abbreviated to Puerto Cruz on road signs or Puerto in everyday language) is a city of the island of Tenerife. It is more a family-friendly and older resort than the other tourist areas of Tenerife.

Puerto de la Cruz was originally established as a fishing village and eventually became the port for the nearby inland city of La Orotava. During the 17th century it developed into the most important port of Tenerife's north coast, used for exporting sugar cane and wine from the Orotava Valley. Over time the city developed a separate identity from that of La Orotava, and finally gained full municipal autonomy in 1808.

In the late 19th century British elites began to visit, staying in many of the older Spanish manors which had been converted into luxurious hotels. In 1955 mass tourism arrived in El Puerto, or Puerto Cruz, as it is sometimes called, and since then has been the largest basis of the city's economy.

• Oficina de Información Turística Cabildo, C/ Las Lonjas, s/n (C/ Las Lonjas, s/n, +34 922 386 000. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-17:00.
• Oficina de Información Turística CIT, C/ Puerto Viejo, 13, +34 922 388 777. M-F 09:00-13:00 16:30-19:00.

Oficina de Información Turística Cabildo, C/ Las Lonjas, s/n (C/ Las Lonjas, s/n, +34 922 386 000. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-17:00.

Oficina de Información Turística CIT, C/ Puerto Viejo, 13, +34 922 388 777. M-F 09:00-13:00 16:30-19:00.

The old port area is bustling and has surprisingly good and interesting shops tucked away among many pleasant bars and bistros. While there are lots of tourists in this area, they are mostly Spanish, and the area is pleasantly free of German and British junk food outlets. Real fisherman still go out from here. As there is so little water space in the harbour, boats are lifted in and out of the water by electric cranes; it's very pleasant to sit with a coffee and watch them. You will still see fisherman gutting squid and scaling fish on the harbour steps. The end of the sea wall by the harbour is a good spot to sunbathe and plunge into the sea, if scarily close to the boats powering in and out of the harbour.

Between here and the Lago Martianez is a fairly tack strip of neon-lighted shops selling two-year-old technology at today's market rates, etc, but overall it's a pleasant walk with some nice churches, houses and gardens in amongst them all.

• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl, C/ Las Lonjas, s/n (1st floor of the Casa de la Aduana, +34 922 381 490. M-Sa 10:00-14:00, F 10:00-14:00 17:00-19:30. Located in the former Royal Customs House, it was established in 1953 as Spain's first contempoary art museum. It has a good collection of modern works by Canary Island artists. €1.50 (adults), free (children).
• Batería de Santa Bárbara, C/ Las Lonjas, 3 (next to the MACEW. This defensive fortification was built in the mid-18th century to protect the city from pirates.
• Museo Arqueológico, C/ El Lomo, 9A, +34 922 371 465. Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00 17:00-21:00, Su 10:00-13:00. Has a large collection of indigenous Guanche artifacts, with a focus on pottery. €1 (adults), free (children).
• Castillo de San Felipe, Paseo Luis Lavaggi, 12, +34 922 373 039. A small defensive fortress built in the early 17th century to defend the town against pirates. After being completely renovated in the late 20th century, it is now used as a venue for concerts and art exhibits.
• Iglesia de San Francisco. Likely the oldest building in Puerto de la Cruz, the church was built between 1599 and 1608 and was attached to a no-longer extant Franciscan monastery.
• Ermita de San Telmo, Paseo San Telmo, s/n. Erratic hrs. The small chapel was built in 1780 and dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers. After being partly destroyed by flooding in 1826 the chapel was rebuilt, and fully restored several years ago. Of special note is the interior Mudejar-style carved wooden roof truss.
• Parque Taoro, Calle Taoro 27. 24/7. Park with fountains, waterfalls, and plenty of benches to take a rest in the shade while exploring the city. Nice to have a quick stroll around. Free.
• Plaza Charco. 24/7. Historic central square of Puerto de la Cruz with a fountain in the middle, and lots of shops, bars, and restaurants around it. Free.
• Museum of Fishery, Calle de las Lonjas 5. A small museum with ship models.

Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl, C/ Las Lonjas, s/n (1st floor of the Casa de la Aduana, +34 922 381 490. M-Sa 10:00-14:00, F 10:00-14:00 17:00-19:30. Located in the former Royal Customs House, it was established in 1953 as Spain's first contempoary art museum. It has a good collection of modern works by Canary Island artists. €1.50 (adults), free (children).

Batería de Santa Bárbara, C/ Las Lonjas, 3 (next to the MACEW. This defensive fortification was built in the mid-18th century to protect the city from pirates.

Museo Arqueológico, C/ El Lomo, 9A, +34 922 371 465. Tu-Sa 10:00-13:00 17:00-21:00, Su 10:00-13:00. Has a large collection of indigenous Guanche artifacts, with a focus on pottery. €1 (adults), free (children).

Castillo de San Felipe, Paseo Luis Lavaggi, 12, +34 922 373 039. A small defensive fortress built in the early 17th century to defend the town against pirates. After being completely renovated in the late 20th century, it is now used as a venue for concerts and art exhibits.

Iglesia de San Francisco. Likely the oldest building in Puerto de la Cruz, the church was built between 1599 and 1608 and was attached to a no-longer extant Franciscan monastery.

Ermita de San Telmo, Paseo San Telmo, s/n. Erratic hrs. The small chapel was built in 1780 and dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers. After being partly destroyed by flooding in 1826 the chapel was rebuilt, and fully restored several years ago. Of special note is the interior Mudejar-style carved wooden roof truss.

Parque Taoro, Calle Taoro 27. 24/7. Park with fountains, waterfalls, and plenty of benches to take a rest in the shade while exploring the city. Nice to have a quick stroll around. Free.

Plaza Charco. 24/7. Historic central square of Puerto de la Cruz with a fountain in the middle, and lots of shops, bars, and restaurants around it. Free.

Museum of Fishery, Calle de las Lonjas 5. A small museum with ship models.

• Loro Parque, Avenida Loro Parque (Punta Brava, +34 922 373 841. Daily 08:30-18:45 (last entrance at 16:00). A large zoo with shows from many of the inhabitants. Named after the parrots who the park started with, there are now also penguins, dolphins, whales, sea lions and plenty other animals. Pre-order your tickets to avoid the queues at the entrance, but regardless you'll have to endure the queues on entering where they insist on taking your photo with a parrot which you can buy at large expense later. You can also buy inclusive coach trips from Costa Adeje/Playa de las Américas which will take you there for the day and back (about 90 minutes travelling each way). Bringing your own drinks and food is explicitly permitted, with "Picnic areas" provided throughout the park. €33 (adults), €22 (children 6-11).
• Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava, C/ Retama, 2, +34 922 922 978. Daily 09:00-18:00. Established in 1788 to nurture specimens brought back from the New World on their way to mainland Spain, the Botanical Gardens have a large selection of tropical trees and shrubs. Even if you're not interested, it's a beautiful place to wander around and relax. Don't expect to see much of the native Canarian flora there, though. €3.
• Jardín de Orquideas Sitio Litre, Camino Sitio Litre, s/n, +34 922 382 417. Daily 9:30-17:00. The lovely English-style garden of an 18th-century mansion features a large collection of orchids along with bonsai trees and a dragon tree. Famous past visitors have included Sir Richard Burton as well as Agatha Christie, who was inspired to to write her short story collection The Mysterious Mr Quin. There is also a pleasant terrace café. €4.75 (adults), free (children).
• Risco Bello Jardín Aquático, Ctra Taoro, 11 (near Parque Taoro. Daily 09:30-18:00. Owned by a pair of elderly sisters, this lovely garden features a number ponds with abundant bird life. The small café in the historic mansion is a peaceful spot to enjoy a drink and snack. €4 (adults), €2 (children).

Loro Parque, Avenida Loro Parque (Punta Brava, +34 922 373 841. Daily 08:30-18:45 (last entrance at 16:00). A large zoo with shows from many of the inhabitants. Named after the parrots who the park started with, there are now also penguins, dolphins, whales, sea lions and plenty other animals. Pre-order your tickets to avoid the queues at the entrance, but regardless you'll have to endure the queues on entering where they insist on taking your photo with a parrot which you can buy at large expense later. You can also buy inclusive coach trips from [[Costa Adeje]]/[[Playa de las Américas]] which will take you there for the day and back (about 90 minutes travelling each way). Bringing your own drinks and food is explicitly permitted, with "Picnic areas" provided throughout the park. €33 (adults), €22 (children 6-11).

Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava, C/ Retama, 2, +34 922 922 978. Daily 09:00-18:00. Established in 1788 to nurture specimens brought back from the New World on their way to mainland Spain, the Botanical Gardens have a large selection of tropical trees and shrubs. Even if you're not interested, it's a beautiful place to wander around and relax. Don't expect to see much of the native Canarian flora there, though. €3.

Jardín de Orquideas Sitio Litre, Camino Sitio Litre, s/n, +34 922 382 417. Daily 9:30-17:00. The lovely English-style garden of an 18th-century mansion features a large collection of orchids along with bonsai trees and a dragon tree. Famous past visitors have included Sir Richard Burton as well as Agatha Christie, who was inspired to to write her short story collection The Mysterious Mr Quin. There is also a pleasant terrace café. €4.75 (adults), free (children).

Risco Bello Jardín Aquático, Ctra Taoro, 11 (near Parque Taoro. Daily 09:30-18:00. Owned by a pair of elderly sisters, this lovely garden features a number ponds with abundant bird life. The small café in the historic mansion is a peaceful spot to enjoy a drink and snack. €4 (adults), €2 (children).

• Lago Martiánez, Avda de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, +34 922 385 955. 10:00-17:00. A fantastic, post-modern swimming and sunbathing complex designed by the famous Lanzaroteno architect Cesar Manrique. It's a bit concretey by modern standards but is still an awesome paradise which costs hardly anything to enter for the day. €5.50 (adults), €2.50 (children under 10); price includes sunbeds.

About half a kilometre to the west of the harbour is the Playa Jardín., the town's lovely natural beach. The sand is fairly coarse and black, and getting into the sea isn't always easy because of the coarser shingle at the water's edge. The surf is substantial, but not scary and there are lifeguards, along with good facilities in terms of sunbeds, changing, showers, toilets, cafes etc. To the east, there is another beach, the Playa Martiánez. – just follow the main promenade east past the Lago Martiánez.

For those seeking a little more seclusion, the black-sand beach of Playa de Bollullo. is a short distance to the west of town, with a beach bar for refreshments. Nearby parking spots. (paid) are available by the Restaurante Bollullo.

About half a kilometre to the west of the harbour is the Playa Jardín., the town's lovely natural beach. The sand is fairly coarse and black, and getting into the sea isn't always easy because of the coarser shingle at the water's edge. The surf is substantial, but not scary and there are lifeguards, along with good facilities in terms of sunbeds, changing, showers, toilets, cafes etc. To the east, there is another beach, the Playa Martiánez. – just follow the main promenade east past the Lago Martiánez.

About half a kilometre to the west of the harbour is the Playa Jardín., the town's lovely natural beach. The sand is fairly coarse and black, and getting into the sea isn't always easy because of the coarser shingle at the water's edge. The surf is substantial, but not scary and there are lifeguards, along with good facilities in terms of sunbeds, changing, showers, toilets, cafes etc. To the east, there is another beach, the Playa Martiánez. – just follow the main promenade east past the Lago Martiánez.

For those seeking a little more seclusion, the black-sand beach of Playa de Bollullo. is a short distance to the west of town, with a beach bar for refreshments. Nearby parking spots. (paid) are available by the Restaurante Bollullo.

For those seeking a little more seclusion, the black-sand beach of Playa de Bollullo. is a short distance to the west of town, with a beach bar for refreshments. Nearby parking spots. (paid) are available by the Restaurante Bollullo.

Lago Martiánez, Avda de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, +34 922 385 955. 10:00-17:00. A fantastic, post-modern swimming and sunbathing complex designed by the famous Lanzaroteno architect Cesar Manrique. It's a bit concretey by modern standards but is still an awesome paradise which costs hardly anything to enter for the day. €5.50 (adults), €2.50 (children under 10); price includes sunbeds.

The usual Spanish knick-knacks and tourist tat. British newspapers. Steer clear of cameras, binoculars, etc from Asian dealers which are not a bargain like they may first seem. You can almost certainly buy them cheaper back home and take them back if they are faulty. Many shops shut for a few hours from midday.

• Mercado Municipal, Avda Blas Pérez González, 4, +34 922 386 158. M-Sa 08:00-14:00 16:00-20:00. The city's main market has 30 stalls; services and non-food related goods are located on the ground floor, and food items are sold on the first floor. There is also an Alteza supermarket in the building.
• Centro Comercial las Pirámides de Martiánez, Avda de Aguilar y Quesada, 1, +34 922 374 147. M-Sa 10:00-21:30, Su and holidays 10:00-20:00. Puerto's main shopping centre has a number of shops and restaurants, including a Mercadona supermarket.

Mercado Municipal, Avda Blas Pérez González, 4, +34 922 386 158. M-Sa 08:00-14:00 16:00-20:00. The city's main market has 30 stalls; services and non-food related goods are located on the ground floor, and food items are sold on the first floor. There is also an Alteza supermarket in the building.

Centro Comercial las Pirámides de Martiánez, Avda de Aguilar y Quesada, 1, +34 922 374 147. M-Sa 10:00-21:30, Su and holidays 10:00-20:00. Puerto's main shopping centre has a number of shops and restaurants, including a Mercadona supermarket.

There are lots of good, affordable restaurants offering typical Canarian and Spanish food in Puerto de la Cruz, especially in the old part of the town. Expect to pay between €15-20 for a meal consisting of grilled fish, Canarian potatoes, mineral water and maybe even a starter such as a bowl of gazpacho soup. Of course most international kitchens are represented too. Food hygiene standards are good, so it's generally safe to eat just about anything.

• Mesón Los Gemelos, C/ Peñón, 4, +34 922 370 133. Th-Tu 12:00-23:00. Popular with both locals and tourists, this restaurant serves traditional Canarian cuisine in a pleasant setting with friendly service. On weekends the queues to get in can be very long, so reservations are recommended. Mains €8-14.
• Restaurante La Papaya, C/ del Lomo, 10, +34 922 382 811. Th-Tu 12:30-23:00. Located in a historic building with lovely courtyard, the established restaurant is best-known for its traditional Canarian seafood dishes. Mains €9+.
• Restaurante Mil Sabores, C/ Cruz Verde, 5, +34 922 372 247. F-W 12:00-23:00. Serves creative Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations recommended. Mains €12-18.
• Meson el Monasterio, La Montañeta, 12 38410 Los Realejos, +34 922 340 707. M-F 12:00-24:00, Sa-Su 10:00-24:00. Restaurant in a beautifully restored former monastery.
• El Taller de Seve Diaz, Calle San Felipe 32, +43 822 25 75 38. W-F 07:30-23:00, Sa 13:30-15:00, 19:30-23:00, Su 13:30-15:00, 19:30-22:30. Traditional Canarian food masterfully prepared by chef Seve and his team. They have a large selection of wines to choose from. €25 - €45.

For those who self-cater, there are several good-sized supermarkets in town.

• Mercadona, Avda Aguilar y Quesada, 1 (in the Las Pirámides de Martiánez shopping centre, +34 922 374 586.
• Mercadona, C/ Blanco, 30, +34 922 389 269. M-Sa 09:00-21:30.
• Supercor Expres, C/ Marina, 8, +34 922 372 792. Daily 09:00-24:00. A bit more expensive than the others, but open late nights and Sundays.

Mercadona, Avda Aguilar y Quesada, 1 (in the Las Pirámides de Martiánez shopping centre, +34 922 374 586.

Mercadona, C/ Blanco, 30, +34 922 389 269. M-Sa 09:00-21:30.

Supercor Expres, C/ Marina, 8, +34 922 372 792. Daily 09:00-24:00. A bit more expensive than the others, but open late nights and Sundays.

Mesón Los Gemelos, C/ Peñón, 4, +34 922 370 133. Th-Tu 12:00-23:00. Popular with both locals and tourists, this restaurant serves traditional Canarian cuisine in a pleasant setting with friendly service. On weekends the queues to get in can be very long, so reservations are recommended. Mains €8-14.

Restaurante La Papaya, C/ del Lomo, 10, +34 922 382 811. Th-Tu 12:30-23:00. Located in a historic building with lovely courtyard, the established restaurant is best-known for its traditional Canarian seafood dishes. Mains €9+.

Restaurante Mil Sabores, C/ Cruz Verde, 5, +34 922 372 247. F-W 12:00-23:00. Serves creative Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations recommended. Mains €12-18.

Meson el Monasterio, La Montañeta, 12 38410 Los Realejos, +34 922 340 707. M-F 12:00-24:00, Sa-Su 10:00-24:00. Restaurant in a beautifully restored former monastery.

El Taller de Seve Diaz, Calle San Felipe 32, +43 822 25 75 38. W-F 07:30-23:00, Sa 13:30-15:00, 19:30-23:00, Su 13:30-15:00, 19:30-22:30. Traditional Canarian food masterfully prepared by chef Seve and his team. They have a large selection of wines to choose from. €25 - €45.

Whatever you like is here though you'll normally have to go down south for 'happy hours' and the disco scene.

• Vinoteca Con Pasión, Calle de Iriarte 52, +43 669 09 53 58. Gastropub and tapas bar with higher quality food. €3 - €15.

Vinoteca Con Pasión, Calle de Iriarte 52, +43 669 09 53 58. Gastropub and tapas bar with higher quality food. €3 - €15.

Puerto de la Cruz is often hazy, especially in the afternoon. The temperature drops with the haze, but the UV penetration doesn't; it's very easy to get badly sunburnt here on a hazy day if you don't realise this.

Some people who have hired cars here have been told to leave nothing in them overnight and to even leave them unlocked as that way they do not get their windows broken by people looking to steal from them.