Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife is one of the most popular Spanish tourist destinations and the most visited of the eight Canary Islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Morocco, and the capital is Santa Cruz de Tenerife – the administrative, cultural, and economic center of the island. The cruise port, Puerto de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is located in the vicinity of the city center and is one of the largest cruise ports in Spain.

It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the city center of Santa Cruz (it is 1000-1500 meters away from the dock), but there is also a complimentary shuttle bus provided by the port authorities to take you into the town. Shuttle bus drop off point is Plaza de Espana – the Spanish square, the largest and the most impressive square in Tenerife, from where you can explore the downtown area full of shops, restaurants, modern and picturesque buildings, museums, and historical monuments.

Tenerife is an island of volcanic origin, so if you want to explore the natural treasures of Tenerife, head over to the Mount Teide volcano and a National Park, covering an area of 47.000 acres and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

Mount Teide is an active volcano whose summit of 3.718 meters represents the highest point in the whole of Spain and the fourth-highest volcano in the world. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the entrance to the National Park (around 40 kilometers), and the best way to get there is either with the cruise ship shore excursion or by a taxi. It is also possible to take a cable car ride that will take you to the top of the volcano, and the cable car station is located at the foot of the mountain. 

Besides the National Park, Tenerife has gorgeous beaches, and the nearest one to the cruise terminal is Playa de las Teresitas, situated in the north of the island, 8 kilometers away from the dock. It is known for its golden sands, beautiful sea, and a multitude of shops, bars, restaurants, and beach facilities.

Last but not least, if you are into water activities, you can head over to Siam Park, one of the world’s most spectacular water parks, or to Loro Park, an animal kingdom where you can enjoy numerous animal shows and its rich wildlife.

For more information on the Canary Islands, check out the article: Canaries Cruise: Best Of The Canary Islands