Puerto de la Cruz is the other side of Tenerife. Open left menu Puerto de la Cruz What experienced travelers recommend visiting in Puerto de la Cruz
April 10th, 2014 , 10:39 am
We will devote this post entirely to attractions northern capital of Tenerife - Puerto de la Cruz. Even when planning our independent trip to Tenerife, this city fell into our souls so much that we immediately decided to stay here.
The question immediately arises: “Why Puerto de la Cruz?”
We will try to answer this question as accurately as possible and analyze all the pros and cons of a holiday in the north of Tenerife.
So, our choice was initially carefully thought out and was not a simple accident.
Puerto de la Cruz became a tourist mecca only in the 50s and 60s. City officials turned the small fishing town into a tourist center, which became very popular among the “new Russians” in the 90s.
The main attraction
is its unsurpassed climate, which played an important role in choosing our location for our summer vacation.
When we landed at Tenerife South Airport, we were surrounded by solid yellow stones. And doubts have already crept into my soul whether we are really on one of the most beautiful islands of the Canary archipelago.
But as we moved to the north of the island along the road, we began to see banana plantations and a wide variety of flowers.
Everything around appeared before us in bright, cheerful colors. You simply won’t find anything like this in the south of the island.
Many visitors remain loyal to this city, despite the fact that
much cooler than, for example, Las Americas. Sometimes the sun can hide behind gray clouds for several days. But despite this, the air temperature almost never drops below 27 °C.
Walking around the city in sunny weather, one could always enjoy the view of the majestic peak Pico el Teide. This gave the city a certain charm and grandeur.
Although upon arrival we did not immediately notice her because of the gray clouds she appeared to us only on the second day of our stay in .
One morning, when we opened the curtains of our room, we saw this:
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The wonderful island of Tenerife offers a holiday for every taste. For those who still want to feel Spain at this international resort, we recommend staying in the city of Puerto de la Cruz. Unlike Las Americas and similar faceless tourist places that pretend to look like a European Miami, Puerto de la Cruz is an ideal option in many ways.
Location
Compared to the cities of the polished southern coast, Puerto de la Cruz is a city with its own character, soul and flavor, ancient by local standards. It is suitable for contemplation, leisurely walks through the streets and lush green parks. Here tourists are not the masters of life, but only guests who briefly plunge into the hectic life of the Spanish city.
The northern airport is only half an hour away (about 20 euros for a taxi).
Previously, Puerto de la Cruz was the main resort of Tenerife, until in the 1970s they began to actively develop the southern coast, building Las Americas, Los Cristianos and a second airport closer to the beaches. Yes, it is hotter in the south, but in the north there is also good weather and an atmosphere of a real Canarian city, which attracts many visitors to the archipelago much more than a lazy beach holiday. That is why there are significantly fewer Russian tourists in Puerto de la Cruz; Germans and English predominate, who know the value of money and always get the maximum quality at the best prices. Let's follow their example!
Nutrition
If in Las Americas the catering is of high quality, but standardized to the needs of the average European, then here restaurants and cafes are actively visited by local residents according to the good old Spanish tradition of eating out at least once a day. Accordingly, guests of the city are simply obliged to take advantage and taste fresh seafood in restaurants near Playa Jardín, and visit all the cafes in the center with beautiful interiors and leisurely service.
Bathing
In terms of climate, Puerto de la Cruz is often cloudy and humid in winter. In summer it is a little cooler than in the south, and when it is very hot there, it is quite fresh here. Due to high humidity, the city and its surroundings are surrounded by greenery of various shades. From cacti to grapes, mango and almond trees, everything grows and bears fruit on this coast of Tenerife. Having been in the south, where every bush is entwined with artificial drip irrigation pipes, you will want to quickly return to the north and breathe oxygen deeply.
The ocean on this side of the island is also different, wilder and more untamed, and makes a person feel like a grain of sand in comparison. The waves in the ocean in the area of Puerto de la Cruz are quite strong, so people usually swim here in the complex of famous artificial lakes with sea water, Lago Martianez.
A large lake with sunbathing islands and a fountain and several smaller lakes are surrounded by gardens with local flora and are combined into one recreation complex for children and adults. It is located right on the rock in the open air. This is the work of the famous Canarian architect Cesar Manrique, who managed to succinctly incorporate all the man-made beauty into the rocky shore. Here you will also find a casino, a restaurant and several bars. In the evening, the fountain is beautifully illuminated, so you can linger in the bath until it gets dark and admire the lights.
When you're done with your water activities, go build sand castles and sunbathe on the natural beach, which is simply stunning in Puerto de la Cruz!
The main city beach is called Playa Jardin. This is a bay, slightly fenced off from the ocean, but the waves here are strong, so be careful.
Once upon a time, the Spaniards actively fought off pirates from the tiny fortress Castillo de San Felipe, which has survived to this day. And today it is a large, well-maintained beach with showers and sun loungers, sandy in places, rocky in others. The black sand is slightly different from the "southern" sand, apparently due to the fact that the volcano is closer to this side of the island, and there is no windblown light sand from Africa.
Attractions
Church Square (Plaza de la Iglesia) is the center of the old town in Puerto de la Cruz. Here stands a monumental cathedral from the late 17th century with the long name Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, or simply the Cathedral. It has a very beautiful iconostasis, and around the building there is a park with an unusual fountain, the murmur of which makes it pleasant to relax in the shade.
Branching off from the square is the charming pedestrian street Calle Quintana, the local Rambla with bustling cafes, souvenir shops and street performers. Here you will see the monument to Augustin Betancourt. This name is known to every St. Petersburg resident, since it was this engineer and architect who created the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral, as well as a complex technical system that made it possible to install the Alexandria Pillar in just an hour and a half without cranes. He founded the University of Railways, which gave Russia many generations of talented engineers. All roads and bridges built in Spain in the first third of the 19th century were also the work of Betancourt. He was born in Puerto de la Cruz, into a noble family.
The main square is called Plaza del Charco. This is not even a square, but a large shady square with fountains, planted with trees. Here you can have a snack at a local cafe and go shopping.
We remember that in the Canaries goods are not subject to VAT, so you can profitably dress up or update your gadgets. Interestingly, fur coats and other winter clothing are sold in Tenerife. Not because it’s cold, but because it’s beneficial for sellers and, of course, buyers.
The huge Mercado Municipal market is located on Avenida de Blas Peres Gonzales, near the famous Jardín Beach. Stocked counters with fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are interspersed with cafe tables where you can try it all. At the entrance to the Mercado Municipal there is a flea market where you will be offered to buy interesting antique items, jewelry and other small items.
Taoro Park and Garden is located on a hill in the city center. Once upon a time there was a wasteland, scorched by lava after the next eruption of Teide, then a hippodrome, and now it is a fertile garden of tropical plants, decorated with waterfalls.
The Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico) in Puerto de la Cruz is one of the most beautiful places on the island. This is the oldest botanical garden in Spain, founded in 1788.
Unique rubber trees, all kinds of palm trees, cacti, aloe and many unprecedented plants grow here. It is not close to the center, the road goes uphill, but it makes sense to get here: the place is extraordinary, charging the body and soul with strength.
As with any coastal city, a stroll along the promenade is a must in Puerto de la Cruz. It is called San Telmo (Paseo de San Telmo). On one side of you, crushing waves will crash against the rocks, on the other, there will be a string of shops and restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets. The premises of one of the restaurants are carved directly into the lava mass.
The resort is famous for the fact that it was from here that the tourist life of the island began. Now the flow of vacationers here is noticeably lower than in the southern resorts of Costa Adeje and Las Americas, but more than in many other Tenerife resorts. Entertainment here is limited mainly to visiting restaurants and cafes, walking along the embankment and shopping in small local shops. This resort is not popular among Russian tourists; most vacationers are Europeans, in particular Germans.
Beaches
Due to high waves, beach holidays in Puerto de la Cruz are not as good as in the southern resorts of Tenerife. On most beaches you won’t be able to swim at all, but at the same time, constant waves delight surfers. Tourists prefer to swim in huge artificial seawater pools located on the shore.
Playa de Punta Brava is located in the westernmost part of the resort coast. It is about 200 meters long and covered with black volcanic sand. Swimming is almost always prohibited here. Tourists here only sunbathe, there are few people. There are sun loungers and umbrellas, a toilet, and several cafes.
Playa Jardin, covered with black volcanic sand, is the most popular beach destination in the resort. It is located just behind the Punta Brava beach and is separated from it by a rocky area. Along its 400-meter coastline there is a beautiful park area where you can hide from the sun. Tourists here mostly just sunbathe; there are always high waves in the ocean.
Playa de Puerto. Located in the very center of the resort between the beaches of Hardin and San Telmo. Its length is only 50 meters, there are no waves as it is located in a closed bay, but the water is too dirty to swim in. Tourists here only sunbathe.
Playa San Telmo is the best beach for swimming in Puerto de la Cruz. It is located in a closed bay, so the waves here are noticeably smaller, but there are also disadvantages - its length is only 20 meters and it is covered with pebbles.
Playa de Martianez is located in the easternmost part of the resort and has a length of about 400 meters. You can mainly meet only surfers here; there are always big waves on the beach and there is practically no infrastructure.
Puerto de la Cruz Hotels
Several dozen hotels and apartments of different star levels are concentrated in this area of the island. Using our selection, you can easily compare prices for hotels in Puerto de la Cruz among more than 100 booking sites and all tour operators!
The best hotels in Puerto de la Cruz 4-5 stars
Attractions and entertainment
Loro Park (Parrot Park). Considered the best zoo in the Canary Islands, it is one of the main attractions of Tenerife and is recommended for people of all ages.
Swimming pool complex Lago Martianez- a real salvation for those who cannot imagine their holiday without swimming in sea water. The water temperature is controlled, so you can swim in them at any time of the year.
Puerto de la Cruz seafront- a very popular place for romantic walks. It has excellent restaurants.
17th century Castle of San Felipe (Castillo de San Felipe) was built in honor of the city's founder, Philip VI, will not leave architecture lovers indifferent.
Church of Nuestra Senora de la Pena de Francia (Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Pena Francia) is the main religious building of the city. Its construction began in the 17th century and lasted almost 100 years.
Botanical Garden (Jardin de Aclimatacion de la Orotava) will save you from the midday sun and introduce you to local vegetation.
Plaza del Charco is located in the central part of the city. The pedestrian street Calle Quintana departs from it.
Statue of the patron saint of sailors and fishermen, St. Telmo. It is located on San Telmo.
Casino Taoro- the best place in the resort for gambling lovers.
Restaurants, bars and nightlife
Unlike the more popular resorts of Costa Adeje and Las Americas, here you can taste authentic Canarian cuisine. Restaurants serving African and Portuguese dishes, including a wide variety of seafood, are also equally popular. The cuisine is one of the highlights of Puerto de la Cruz. Prices in restaurants largely depend on the establishment. There are both simple cafes where you can eat inexpensively and restaurants with expensive interiors and first-class cuisine, live music and excellent views, where you can plan a romantic evening or celebrate a significant event.
Young people will be bored here; there are no nightclubs or discos here, but there are several bars open at night and a casino.
How to get to Puerto de la Cruz
The resort is located in the northwestern part of Tenerife. You can get here from the airport and most major towns and resorts by bus, but the most convenient option is to rent a car or order a taxi from Tenerife airport to Puerto de la Cruz before departure using this form. This is especially convenient and beneficial if you are eating with children or a group of friends.
) is a city with its own history, customs, traditions, with a unique flavor and distinctive character. If you compare it with other settlements of the Canary Islands, it quite large in size, there are various shops, cafes and bars. The resort is well suited for a beach holiday. This is a calm city where life flows smoothly.
In contact with
Classmates
Puerto de la Cruz on the map: location and brief description
Finding the resort on the map will not be a problem - it is located on, one of 7 in the Canary archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean. Since the islands belong to Spain, you should obtain a Schengen visa before visiting.
Puerto is located in the Orotava Valley, in the northern part of the island, 37 km from Santa Cruz, the capital of the island. The territory is landscaped, the city is rich evergreen forests and banana plantations.
First there was the port of the commune of La Orotava, which appeared in the 16th century. It was then that the city began to exist. Over time, a church and a square appeared in Puerto de la Cruz, but for a long time it remained an unremarkable fishing village. The turning point can be considered the eruption of the Teide volcano, as a result of which the main port of the island was destroyed. After this, his functions were transferred to Puerto.
The settlement in Spain grew rapidly. Puerto de la Cruz soon became an important center for the sale of wine - grape plantations, growing there, fruited very well. Then wealthy tourists began to choose Puerto de la Cruz for their holidays: the mild climate, a lot of greenery and healthy air formed by the ocean and vegetation did their job.
Soon the first hotel, called Grand Hotel Taoro, was built, and then they began to convert old mansions into hotels. Thus, Monopol and Marquesa appeared. And, probably, Puerto would have remained in demand if the development of the southern part and, as a result, the construction of Playa de las Americas, a resort with a more developed infrastructure, now considered the main one, had not begun in the 1980s. But Puerto de la Cruz is firmly in second place.
Weather in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife
It differs from the southern part, but not significantly. The difference is felt mainly in early spring and winter. In summer it is more comfortable here due to the increased humidity.
A separate topic is sea weather. Water may be warm and pleasant to the body, but everything spoils it possible concern. Therefore, many vacationers prefer swimming in hotel pools, or in the Lago Martianez complex, located in the east.
Puerto de la Cruz attractions
Holidays in Puerto are not limited to swimming in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Since this is a relatively old town on the island of Tenerife, there is a lot to see. All attractions are located mainly in the historical area, traditionally called the Old Town. Many buildings dating from the 17th-18th centuries have been preserved. The castle of San Felipe on the ocean coast is rightfully considered the main one - today the building is used for concerts and exhibitions.
Worth a visit 2 churches - the temple of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia and All Saints. The first one is especially attractive, since there is a very cozy and beautiful small park with fountains in the shape of swans.
The tourist route also includes the Anglican cemetery from 1667, and Casa Abaco, which is a house museum of Canary Islands architecture.
You can have a good rest in Taoro Park by taking a walk through it. In the center of the city is Charco Square, built using black volcanic stone. You can't miss the dilapidated old building called Miranda's House, which today houses a restaurant and souvenir shop.
The most attractive place on the island is Loro Parque. Here tourists will see a variety of animal species. And to view the exceptional and very rare collection of tropical plants, it is worth visiting the Botanical Garden.
City beaches
A distinctive feature of the beaches of this resort is that the sand here is black! And all because the island is of volcanic origin. There are 4 beaches in total:
Playa Martianez is an unequipped and uncrowded beach, suitable for relaxing on the sand. Since the waves here are very strong, you won't be able to swim. However, it is very beautiful and peaceful here.
In the city center is Playa de San Telmo. The area is well equipped, many cafes have been built, you can swim safely. The downside is that it is very inconvenient and small. But the ideal option for a beach holiday is Playa Jardin. The conditions for an ideal pastime are created here, the sand is soft like velvet, you can swim and even dive near the shore.
Lago Martianez is not exactly a beach - it is a complex of artificial lakes filled with ocean water. The territory is well equipped, goes into the ocean, but there is no beautiful and surprisingly soft black sand that tourists love so much.
Cafe in the port city-resort, Tenerife (Spain)
You can’t be in another country and not try the local cuisine. Puerto de la Cruz has many cafes and restaurants that serve exceptionally fresh and delicious food. Establishments of this kind are more aimed at local residents, so the owners do not relax in offering the best to guests.
Prices are affordable, so food won't put a strain on your wallet. Tourists in recommend in their reviews the following establishments:
- Restaurante Rustico (Calle San Telmo, 1);
- La Carta (Calle San Felipe, 53);
- Tapas Arcon (Calle Blanco, 8);
- Valle Luz (Avda. Melchor Luz, 1);
- Meson El Monasterio (Los Realejos, La Montaneta).
Shopping
If your main desire is to go shopping and buy up half the goods in the city, you should choose the period of time from the first day of summer to the end of August, or from January 7 to March 6. The main sales take place in winter and summer. You can find it in stores goods at favorable prices, and by August 31, the cost of many products drops to 80%.
The stores have reasonable prices. Due to the absence of VAT, the cost of goods is significantly lower compared to Russia and mainland Europe. Recommended to visit:
Where to stay?
The main question remains - where to stay in the city when arriving on the island of Tenerife (Spain)? There are several options to choose from, which, according to most tourists, are the best, considering service level and price-quality ratio:
You can also look at a map of hotels to choose the best option depending on your desired location.
Puerto de la Cruz is one of those cities that you should visit at least once in your life!
Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife)
Today I continue a series of articles about the features of various cities and areas on the island of Tenerife. They will help you determine your place of residence.
Today is an article about the features of Puerto de la Cruz. It's experimental, the photos will be big. I need your advice. Should I insert large photographs into articles or not? Please express your opinion in the comments.
This is the oldest and most Spanish resort on the island. The city of Pueto de la Cruz itself was founded several centuries ago. As the name suggests, it was the port of the island of Tenerife. It is located near the current capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz, and the northern airport of Los Rodeos. It is the northern airport that is the base for Spanish air carriers to the mainland and between the Canary Islands.
In addition, let me remind you that it is from the port of Santa Cruz that ferries make regular trips to the mainland and the eastern Canary islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote (ferries from the southern port of Los Cristianos operate to the western islands of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro). Therefore, for those tourists who make complex trips with visits to several resorts, a stop here may be more convenient.
Like all other cities and resorts of the island, Puerto de la Cruz is located on the slope of the Teide volcano. However, the coast here, unlike the rest of the northern shores of the island, is flat. That is why a resort was organized here. I have already written about the unique climate of the island. I note that Puerto de la Cruz is no exception. The air temperature in summer warms up to 30 degrees, but usually 25-27.
In winter there is “frost” of up to 10 degrees Celsius at night. However, unlike the southern resorts, it is often cloudy and rainy here. But precisely because of this, it is very green here. The air of the ocean breeze mixes with forest and floral aromas from various parks and squares.
Another advantage of the resort will be its proximity to shopping centers in Santa Cruz, where there is the widest range of goods.
Therefore, shopaholics (let me remind you that the main sales periods are February and July) will enjoy relaxing on the ocean coast in the evenings, admiring the unique sunset that is pleasing to the eye, and tasting the versatility of the taste of malvasia in the mouth. The resort area is mostly concentrated in hotels with 3-4 star service. Next to the hotels you can always find a restaurant with an excellent menu. Unlike Las Americas, establishments are designed to serve local residents. Therefore, the prices and range of dishes are pleasantly surprising.
In close proximity to the coast is the largest zoo in the Canary Islands, Loro Parque. With his shows (parrots, fur seals, dolphins and killer whales), he has rightly earned worldwide fame. This year the zoo celebrated its 40th anniversary. Every day, buses with tourists arrive from all Tenerife resorts from 9.00 to 10.30. They are given one day to view everything interesting. In my opinion this is not enough. For example, you can imagine any large museum and try to explore it in a 3-hour excursion. Do you think there will be much knowledge left? Many may say: “Well, look, that’s enough.” However, I personally want to return to Loro Parque more than once... Nevertheless, satisfied and overwhelmed with impressions, “visiting” tourists leave Loro Parque from 16.30 to 18.00. And then the “locals” don’t grumble: “We’ve come in large numbers!”
It should be noted that the resort is not suitable for fans of ocean swimming. The two beaches of Puerto de la Cruz with natural volcanic sand of dark color are strikingly different from each other.
The first, natural Playa Martianes is wild and undeveloped. It is almost always under a red flag, i.e. not suitable for swimming due to strong ocean waves. But quite suitable for surfing and its varieties.
The second is Playa Hardin, handmade and lovingly built by an architect, taking into account all possible wishes for a comfortable stay on the beach. The beach owes its name to its proximity to the botanical garden.
In cloudy weather (this happens in the north of Tenerife, and in winter it also rains), instead of reclining on beach chairs, it’s nice to stroll through evergreen corners with exotic plants.
Between the beaches on a natural ocean headland is the famous complex of interconnecting pools with ocean water called Lago Martianez.
There is no ocean life in the pools. Natural ocean water is regularly completely renewed through a system of water intakes with filters. The summer sun in Tenerife warms the water up to 25 degrees, which is not always the case even on the beaches of the southern resorts of the island.
Not far from Puerto de la Cruz, on the northeastern edge of the island is the Anaga Nature Reserve.
Every day hundreds of tourists take walks in the protected forests. There are almost no roads here. Usually tourists drive to the famous beach. Almost every guidebook about Tenerife has at least one photograph of it.
The beach is located on the territory of the reserve and was created artificially. The sand was brought here by people from the neighboring island of Gran Canaria - that’s why it’s yellow. When you get tired of lounging on the beach, I advise you to take a walk through the relict heather and laurel forests. Scientists claim that they are the same age as dinosaurs.
There are only a few such forests left on Earth. True, to contemplate miracles you will have to walk with your own feet. Therefore, those who cannot accomplish such a feat can be advised to watch the Discovery TV channel for free, or order a helicopter excursion, which is quite affordable by Russian standards.
This is where I stop my brief and superficial review of Puerto De La Cruz. Next time I’ll tell you about El Medano.
Until we meet again, friends. GOOD to you!
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