Explore the northern paradise of Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife, a coastal town nestled in a luscious green valley, basking in the shadow of the majestic Mount Teide. This rural spot is a tranquil retreat for nature lovers and adventurers, who can enjoy the natural parks and dramatic volcanic beaches that fringe the town’s lively plazas, palm-tree-lined avenues, and colorful buildings. We stayed here to follow our Tenerife itinerary and loved it; here are all our favorite things to do in Puerto de la Cruz, including the best hotels and dining spots.
Top Things to Do in Puerto de la Cruz
Although it’s less touristy than the rest of Tenerife, there are many amazing things to do in Puerto de la Cruz! You’ll find charming architecture, distinctive Canarian culture, and breathtaking saltwater pools. Moreover, it’s the perfect base to do day trips to places like Anaga Rural Park or Icod de los Vinos.
When choosing which airport to fly into in Tenerife, the northern airport is the closest one to Puerto de la Cruz, located 30 minutes away. The southern airport is an hour’s drive away. (Search all flights)
We loved the gigantic ficus trees with their overhanging branches and twisted, exposed roots — like something from a fantasy novel! Spend an hour wandering along the shaded walkways, looking out for tropical birds and colorful butterflies, as you get lost in this little ‘jungle’.
Getting there: It’s a 30-minute uphill walk from Puerto de la Cruz. There is also bus line 103, which takes just 10 minutes.
Entry fee and opening times: Open from 9 AM – 6 PM most days of the year. 3 EUR/3.30 USD entry.
2. Paseo de San Telmo
Before dinner, we recommend heading to Paseo de San Telmo, a scenic promenade along the coast. It’s known for its sensational Atlantic views, cool breeze, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks. Along this promenade, you’ll also find plenty of cute cafes, local craft shops, and boutiques to enjoy after your stroll.
Remember: The weather is less predictable in the north and can be noticeably cooler, so always bring layers with you, especially in the evening.
3. La Ranilla Neighborhood
La Ranilla was our favorite area in Puerto de la Cruz! This used to be the old fishing area, and its influence is still very much evident; cobblestone streets and colorful maritime houses make up the profile of this charming spot. Now, it has become very popular among street artists, with incredible murals splashed across the walls.
Tip: This is a great spot to get handmade textiles, ceramics, and jewelry. I found some beautiful pieces in the boutique shops and galleries.
4. Beaches & Swimming Spots
Puerto de la Cruz showcases island living at its finest! The northern coastal spot has endless beautiful volcanic sand beaches to enjoy. However, if the ocean is too rough for swimming, don’t worry; you’ve also got the option of the stunning Lago Martiánez – a giant saltwater complex. Here are some of our favorites:
Playa Jardín
Playa Jardin is a beautiful beach with black volcanic sand and strong waves, making it a popular spot for surfers. However, this means it’s better for relaxing than swimming itself. There are numerous facilities, including toilets, showers, restaurants, and the option to rent sunbeds and umbrellas. Note: this beach gets busy in the summer, so arrive early to get a good spot.
Playa de San Telmo
If you’re looking for a refreshing swim, Playa de San Telmo is the beach for you! This natural pebbly bay is surrounded by rocks that prevent large waves, making it a great spot for a tranquil dip. At low tide, there are also numerous small rock pools, which are great fun to explore (bring your snorkel). Best of all, it’s situated right alongside the Paseo de San Telmo promenade, meaning you can easily grab a bite to eat after.
Tip: Since the beach is pebbly, consider bringing water shoes to enter the ocean more comfortably.
Lago Martiánez
Lago Martiánez is a stunning complex of saltwater pools that overlooks the Atlantic coast; it’s one of the best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz. The seven lagoon-style pools were designed by the renowned artist César Manrique, whose aim was to blend them seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Features include rocks, gardens, palm trees, and even a lake at the center.
When we visited Tenerife in March, the ocean was too rough to swim in, so this was a fantastic alternative! We loved that it’s all saltwater, but you can still get the facilities of a swimming pool. For example, there are plenty of sunbathing areas where you can rent beds and umbrellas, as well as bars, restaurants, toilets, and showers.
Opening times and entry fee: Open 10 AM – 6 PM daily. 7 EUR/8 USD entry, including a sunbed. There are also lifeguards on site. Find out more information here.
5. Mirador de la Paz
One of the best things to do in Puerto de la Cruz is to visit a beautiful viewpoint at sunset. Mirador de la Paz is a well-loved spot, situated atop the Martiánez Cliffs, offering stunning vistas of the ocean, coastline, and Lago Martiánez. On your first night, this is a great way to get a view across the city; you can even see the island of La Palma if the weather is clear enough!
Did you know? Agatha Christie, the famous British author, vacationed in Puerto de la Cruz in the early 1920s. It’s said that Puerto de la Cruz inspired parts of her book ‘The Mysterious Mr Quin’. You’ll see a statue dedicated to her at the Mirador.
Tip: Looking for another sunset spot? My favorite thing to do in Puerto de la Cruz was to watch the sunset from El Castillo San Felipe. There was a man who played beautiful live music while everyone gathered on the stone stairs to watch the sunset. Such a great vibe!
Did you know? The international Agatha Christie festival is held in Puerto de la Cruz every two years. Keep an eye on what’s on in Tenerife when you visit, as you might be lucky enough to catch it! There are theatre performances, film screenings, and exhibits all focused on her work.
7. La Orotava
Just a 15-minute drive from Puerto de la Cruz is the historic town of La Orotava – an absolute must-visit on your trip! Wander around its pretty streets, admiring the traditional Canarian mansions from the 17th century, ornate wooden balconies, and stunning viewpoints overlooking the Orotava Valley.
As a huge textiles fan, I was in heaven here! The town is renowned for its crafts, with artisans producing exquisite lace, ceramics, and beautiful woodwork.
Casa de los Balcones
We especially loved Casa de los Balcones, a picturesque house in La Orotava, built in 1632. The home features beautiful wooden details, situated in a charming inner courtyard filled with tropical plants.
Now it’s a museum, where you can listen to an audio tour using your phone by scanning the QR codes. We think it’s the highlight of the town!
Opening times and entry fee: Open daily from 9 AM – 7 PM. Tickets cost 6 EUR/6.50 USD. Book your tickets in advance here.
Read: The ultimate one week in Tenerife itinerary
Constitution Plaza
The central square of the town is the perfect place to gather with friends and family. It’s full of outdoor restaurant terraces, chatter, and music, and is generally just a great vibe! Grab a drink and admire the beautiful, colourful buildings and the pretty kiosk that sits in the center.
Club Social Liceo Taoro
Right next door to the Marquesado de la Quinta Roja Garden, discover the red mansion of La Orotava: Club Social Liceo Taoro. Built in the 1920s, it is an extremely grand-looking structure that now serves as a members-only social club, hosting events and concerts.
This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it for yourself, though; head for the Cafetería Liceo de Taoro inside the mansion, which has a terrace with a gorgeous view. It’s a picture-perfect spot to grab a drink and reflect on your time in La Orotava.
Our Favorite Restaurants and Cafes in La Orotava
Aside from Cafetería Liceo de Taoro, there are also loads of other great places to eat and drink in the town. Here are some of our favorites:
Tip: If you don’t want to drive, you can also take bus line number 345 to La Oratava. It takes just 15 minutes (check the full schedule here).
Getting to Icod de los Vinos: 30 minutes by car from Puerto de la Cruz or 55 minutes by bus (line 363). If you want to visit the dragon tree (inside Parque del Drago), we recommend arriving as early as possible. We visited at 9:30 AM, which was still peaceful before the tours arrived.
Parque del Drago
The ancient tree sits within the beautiful Parque del Drago, a luscious botanical garden filled with palm trees, cacti, herbs, and other plants. Although you can’t walk close to the tree itself due to conservation efforts, there are plenty of beautiful walkways that offer a view of it. Take in the lovely fragrance of flowers, the sounds of the Canary Island birds, and the view of Mount Teide in the distance. It’s truly a magical spot!
Tip: Enjoy a delicious homemade cake and coffee at Casa del Drago (opening at 11 AM), a historic house located within the park, featuring traditional Canary stone and wooden beams.
Entry Fee and Opening Times: Open 8 AM – 6 PM. Entry 5 EUR/5.50 USD. Book your ticket for Parque del Drago here
Casa del Plátano (Banana Museum)
This small museum was a pleasant surprise for us! Decorated to resemble an old office, the museum boasts a truly unique vintage feel, complete with black and white photos of the old banana plantations and vintage Land Rovers scattered throughout the site.
It’s fascinating to explore the rooms and discover the history of banana farming on the Canary Islands. You even get a free banana as part of your ticket!
Entry fee: 5 EUR/5.50 USD. Get your ticket in advance here.
Tip: At the back of the site, they also have their own small banana plantation with the fluffiest, white chickens hopping around.
9. Bodegas Monje
Did you know Tenerife has delicious wine? The northern coastline around Puerto de la Cruz is renowned for its stunning vineyards, which flourish in the volcanic soil.
The most famous winery is Bodegas Monje, which not only offers delicious wines but also some of the most incredible views. Sitting on the edge of a sloping hillside, with grapevines spilling down towards the deep blue ocean, and Mount Teide in the distance, this is hard to beat.
Bodegas Monje offers various wine-tasting experiences, but the English tours are only available on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 AM and 4 PM. We recommend choosing a tour that allows you to participate in the traditional winemaking process, such as stomping on the grapes with your bare feet.
Getting here: From Puerto de la Cruz, it is a 15-minute drive to Bodegas Monje. You could also combine it with a day trip to Anaga Rural Park.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Our Favorite Cafes & Restaurants
As we used Puerto de la Cruz as our base for our Tenerife itinerary, we ate the majority of our meals there. We found some real gems, serving amazing fresh seafood and other local dishes for an excellent price! We never paid more than 30 EUR for a starter, two mains, and two drinks (15 EUR pp). Here are some of our favorites:
- Restaurante Régulo
- Mokita Foodiexperience
- Pizza Brava
- Restaurante Alanda
- Slow coffee Tenerife
- La casa del Panadero
- Manipura
- Indian Crown
Tip: The tap water in Puerto de la Cruz is very safe to drink, so bring your reusable water bottle and travel plastic-free! It has a slight chlorine taste, but it’s not too noticeable.
Where to Stay in Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz offers a wide range of excellent accommodation options. However, it’s worth remembering that compared to the south of Tenerife, there are fewer resorts here and more apartments for rent.
When considering areas, anywhere in the old town is lovely, or you could opt for a hotel in Playa Jardin. Alternatively, for a more peaceful experience, consider staying in La Paz, a tranquil neighborhood located at the top of the hill, where most accommodations offer fantastic ocean views.
We stayed at: Alua Tenerife. We found this to be a reasonable price for what you get, including good rooms, a nice breakfast, and a large pool. It’s also located next to the old center of Puerto de la Cruz, a quiet area near lovely black-sand beaches and excellent restaurants. It is a typical resort-style hotel, though, so if that’s not your vibe, we recommend one of the options above.
How Many Days in Puerto de la Cruz
If you’re planning to stay in different places around Tenerife, then a stay of just 3 days in Puerto de la Cruz would be sufficient to explore all the best northern spots. However, if you’re using it as your primary base for your Tenerife itinerary, a week would be perfect to see all the island’s highlights and still have time to relax.
How to Visit
How you visit Puerto de la Cruz depends on the airport you’re flying into:
- From the northern airport: 30 minutes by car and bus line number 30
- From the southern airport: 1 hour by car, or 1.5 hours on bus line number 343
Getting Around
Getting around Tenerife from Puerto de la Cruz is super easy! Here’s how it works per type of transport:
By Car
The best way to explore the area is definitely by renting a car. It gives you much more flexibility to plan your itinerary and make day trips from Puerto de la Cruz.
We recommend to rent a car in Spain through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Note: When renting a car, it is advisable to consider finding accommodation with parking, as this can be an issue, especially during high season.
By Bus
If you don’t have a car, it’s no problem. The green TITSA bus service is excellent and connects most spots on the northern coastline to Puerto de la Cruz, making it easy to explore. Moreover, the tickets are cheap, and you can easily travel more with the chargeable card.
Note: As public buses make numerous stops, the journey time will be longer than if you travel by car.
Organized Tour
Alternatively, a fun way to explore the area is on an organized tour from Puerto de la Cruz. These typically include your return transportation, entrance fees, and a local guide who can provide more information about the sights. (Book your tour in Puerto de la Cruz)
How Much Does Puerto de la Cruz Cost?
Puerto de la Cruz is a reasonably priced destination, offering a mix of accommodations, restaurants, and activities suitable for all budgets. As we mentioned, we never paid more than 30 EUR for a starter, two mains, and two drinks. Moreover, we discovered that the town is situated near most of the best attractions in Tenerife. For example, beaches, pretty towns, and natural parks, which are free to visit!
Note: We visited in the off-season (early March), which was beautiful, and accommodation prices were still relatively low. During the summer, prices tend to rise in line with demand, so it’s advisable to book your hotel well in advance.
Best Time to Visit
We loved visiting Puerto de la Cruz in the spring! It was overall very sunny, with mild temperatures (around 18°C on average) that were perfect for exploring. Remember that, in general, the north is cooler and cloudier than the south, which can be a welcome change in the hot summer months.
Tip: If you plan to visit mountainous areas, such as Teide National Park or Anaga Rural Park, remember to bring plenty of layers, as the weather is considerably cooler and more changeable.
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