Candelaria

A city of 25 000 inhabitants, best known for its basilica which includes the sculpture of the Virgin Mary (Virgin of Candelaria) and mural paintings.

• Tourism Office

  phone: +34 922 03 22 30
  address: Avenida de La Constitucion 7

History

Prehistoric caves has been found in the surrounding area of present day Candelaria, in which burials have been found containing Guanche mummies. Interestingly, the burial process used here was very similar to those used for the pharaohs in Egypt, which leads scientists to believe some connection between those existed. From the end of the 14th century, Candelaria was a deserted area often frequented by shepherds of the neighbouring Güímar kingdom which predated Hispanic rule. Ravines in the area were said to be the residence of Chaxiraxi, the Guanche mother of the gods.
Modern Candelaria is the principal Catholic centre of pilgrimage of the Canary Islands, and of the principal ones of Spain. The city is annually visited by thousands of people, both Catholic pilgrims and tourists.

Orientation

A coastal city on the east shore of Tenerife, 17 km southwest of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with an area of 50 km².

Candelaria is 25 km from TFN and 45 km from TFS. European airlines flying to Tenerife most often connect to Tenerife South Airport, whereas Tenerife North Airport offers connections to the other islands of the archipelago, and with Spain.

The historic centre of Candelaria is very walkable. All of the tourist attractions can be reached by foot within minutes.

• TITSASouth Tenerife is served by the following bus routes 040, 111, 343, 416, 417, 418, 420, 424, 447, 448, 450, 467, 471, 473, 477 and 483.

• Basilica of Candelaria

  address: Plaza Patrona de Canarias
  Roman Catholic minor basilica, dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria which is the patron of the Canarias. After a design of architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado, it is the most important religious building on Tenerife. The basilica was built on the ruins of a Guanche era church that was destroyed by a fire in 1789, but construction had been postponed several times, first due to the economic crisis of 1931, then by the outbreak of the First World War and later the Spanish Civil War. It was only due to efforts by the bishop of Tenerife that an updated design of the basilica was put forward in a neo-Canarian eclectic mix of all styles that have occurred on the Canary Islands. Construction started in 1949 and was finished a decade later, with consecration in 1959. The basilica receives 2.5 million visitors annually, and has space for 5000 worshippers.

• Cave of Achbinico

  address: Paseo San Blas
  A cave and church, and the first Christian temple on the Canary Islands. It dates back to the Guanche era when the cave was used as a place of worship. Archaeological evidence indicates the cave has been in use for ritual purposes for over 3000 years, and a fire was kept burning in it permanently. The entrance of the cave is nowadays concealed by a small chapel. Inside the cave is a bronze replica of the Virgin of Candelaria, and her statue is the most venerated on the island.

• Square of the Saint Patron of the Canary IslandsOne of the most important squares of Tenerife, surrounded by the famous basilica and numerous bars and cafes. The history dates back to the late 17th century when at the location of the current plaza stood a fortress called Castillo de San Pedro. It was a defensive fortification on a beach built to protect the church predating the current basilica and a convent against pirate attacks and looting. When the castle was wiped off the map in 1826 by a storm, the idea of a square developed. Construction began a century later in the late 1950s, and the square was officially inaugurated in 1959, the same year as the basilica.

• St Anna Church

  address: Calle Santa Ana
  A church dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. The mid 18th century church was built on a 16th century chapel, and hosts many religious images of great religious and artistic intervals.

• Pottery museum "Casa las Miquelas"

  phone: +43 922 50 52 16
  address: Calle Isla de la Gomera 5
  A history museum focused on the forgotten craft of pottery making in the area around Candelaria. Pottery making almost completely disappeared in the 20th century, and is being revived in this small museum.

• The Escape Area

  phone: +34 636 44 78 21
  address: Calle Los Principes 3A
  Escape game with 2 rooms, El Apartemento and La Misión. Advance booking online is required.

The pedestrian street leading up to the basilica is lined with countless souvenir shops and boutiques.

• Rambla de los MenceyesRambla promenade lined with shops.

• Punta Larga Mall

  phone: +43 922 50 66 19
  address: Rambla de los Menceyes 10
  Shopping mall

• Ale-hop

  phone: +43 922 517499
  address: Calle Obispo Perez Caceres 46
  Souvenir shop with a cow sticking out of the door.

Budget

• Cofradia El Muelle

  phone: +34 922 58 38 86
  address: Avenida de la Constitución
  Harbourside restaurant with large portions of seafood.

Mid range

• Restaurante La Casona del Vino

  phone: +34 922 50 00 95
  address: Carretera General del sur 44
  Spanish cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.

• La Cofradia de Caletillas

  phone: +43 922 50 05 01
  address: Avenida Maritima 30
  Specialized in seafood, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine.

Splurge

• Restaurante Mar y Magma

  phone: +43 922 10 99 00
  address: Avenida Marítima 31
  Canarian sea food with view over the ocean.

• Taberna Giron

  phone: +34 922 50 33 12
  address: Avenida Maritima 33
  Fine dining restaurant for seafood.

Lots of water, Candelaria has an arid climate and can get quite hot in summer so it is important to replenish body water levels.

• Casa Lina

  address: Calle los Príncipes 15
  Apartment.

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife — capital of the Canary Islands
• Güímar — capital of the per-historic Güímar kingdom
• San Cristóbal de La Laguna — former capital of Tenerife, with a historic centre that is a