Puerto de la Cruz

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

  phone: +34 922 386 000
  address: C/ Las Lonjas, s/n

• Oficina de Información Turística CIT

  phone: +34 922 388 777
  address: C/ Puerto Viejo, 13

By air

Many people will arrive on a package deal. Some by taxi from the southern airport South–Reina Sofia (around €100) and some by bus via Santa Cruz bus station (easy to do if you do not have too much luggage). Some airlines now fly in by the nearer northern airport Los Rodeos, but on the whole only from mainland Spain. It may well be cheaper and pleasanter to pre-book a return taxi or shuttle bus from Tenerife South and to hire a car locally, than to hire a car from the airport at about twice the daily rate.
For travellers without much luggage, the local Titsa express bus 343 is very cost effective and efficient , and serves both airports. From Aeropuerto Sur a one-way ticket costs €13.55, and from Aeropuerto Norte €4.75. Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver, exact change not required. If you travel with a late flight, be careful: the last 343 bus from Aeropuerto Sur departs around 22:30 - 23:20 depending on day of week. It usually starts from track number 30.

By bus

Tenerife has a good bus service and all buses stop on C/ Cupido, just across the street from the now defunct bus station in the centre of town. The Titsa Information Centre (tel. +34 922 381 807, M-F 06:00-20:00, Sa Su and holidays 09:00-17:00) has bus schedules and route maps, and sells ten+ cards. A single card can be shared by a number of people.
Note: If you travel to/from Santa Cruz, the direct bus 103 goes by motorway and is quick. The other bus 102 takes maybe three times as long, visiting everywhere on the way, including Tenerife Norte airport and La Laguna. Going south you can take a direct bus (only a few times a day) or change at Santa Cruz bus station.
There are several travel agencies too for tours around the island or to other islands.

By car

Puerto de la Cruz is well-connected to the east and west through the TF-5 motorway. The Teide mountain area can easily be reached by just following the TF-21 uphill. Don't listen to your GPS when it proposes leaving that road while you are still within the settled areaː It may be a shorter way to climb up one of the narrow Caminos but it isn't necessarily faster, and depending on how good your navigation system is you might easily end up in a dead end. Driving over the mountain to Los Gigantes will take you over an hour the first time, even if you're brave. If you are nervous, just don't do it as the road winds scarily over high mountains. If you're driving to the Costa Adeje area, it's much quicker to go via Santa Cruz on the motorway, which takes about an hour.

By foot

Once you get away from the main shopping centre it's uphill all the way, and a fairly steep climb in places.

By bus

The long-distance Titsa buses are used as the local bus service. See above for bus details.

By car

Hiring a car locally is cheap and easy. Even with a small car (highly recommended!), navigating the old city centre can be tricky, as there are many narrow one-way roads. A GPS navigation system can help here, but don't trust it blindly as the map data may be outdated. Finding a parking spot can be even more of a challenge if you don't know where to look for it. Your safest bet is the huge near the harbour (free of charge). To get there, enter the Paseo Luis Lavaggi at its far western end. This road already has some , but to get closer to the harbour you can go all the way through, turn left at the traffic light and then follow the road up the hill and along the coast. Note that it is not possible to enter directly from the east through Calle San Felipe. Also note that in most maps this is marked as (futuro) Parque Maritimo. Don't get fooled by that, as it has been the future maritime park for decades and will probably remain a parking lot for quite some time.

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.

Museums and historic sites

• Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl

  phone: +34 922 381 490
  address: C/ Las Lonjas, s/n
  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.

• Batería de Santa Bárbara

  address: C/ Las Lonjas, 3
  This defensive fortification was built in the mid-18th century to protect the city from pirates.

• Museo Arqueológico

  phone: +34 922 371 465
  address: C/ El Lomo, 9A
  Has a large collection of indigenous Guanche artifacts, with a focus on pottery.

• Castillo de San Felipe

  phone: +34 922 373 039
  address: Paseo Luis Lavaggi, 12
  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 FranciscoLikely 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

  address: Paseo San Telmo, s/n
  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

  address: Calle Taoro 27
  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.

• Plaza CharcoHistoric central square of Puerto de la Cruz with a fountain in the middle, and lots of shops, bars, and restaurants around it.

• Museum of Fishery

  address: Calle de las Lonjas 5
  A small museum with ship models.

Parks

• Loro Parque

  phone: +34 922 373 841
  address: Avenida Loro Parque
  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.

• Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava

  phone: +34 922 922 978
  address: C/ Retama, 2
  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.

• Jardín de Orquideas Sitio Litre

  phone: +34 922 382 417
  address: Camino Sitio Litre, s/n
  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.

• Risco Bello Jardín Aquático

  address: Ctra Taoro, 11
  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.

• Lago Martiánez

  phone: +34 922 385 955
  address: Avda de Cristóbal Colón, s/n
  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.

Beaches

About half a kilometre to the west of the harbour is the , 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 – just follow the main promenade east past the Lago Martiánez.
For those seeking a little more seclusion, the black-sand beach of is a short distance to the west of town, with a beach bar for refreshments. Nearby (paid) are available by the Restaurante Bollullo.

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

  phone: +34 922 386 158
  address: Avda Blas Pérez González, 4
  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

  phone: +34 922 374 147
  address: Avda de Aguilar y Quesada, 1
  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

  phone: +34 922 370 133
  address: C/ Peñón, 4
  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.

• Restaurante La Papaya

  phone: +34 922 382 811
  address: C/ del Lomo, 10
  Located in a historic building with lovely courtyard, the established restaurant is best-known for its traditional Canarian seafood dishes.

• Restaurante Mil Sabores

  phone: +34 922 372 247
  address: C/ Cruz Verde, 5
  Serves creative Mediterranean cuisine. Reservations recommended.

• Meson el Monasterio

  phone: +34 922 340 707
  address: La Montañeta, 12 38410 Los Realejos
  Restaurant in a beautifully restored former monastery.

• El Taller de Seve Diaz

  phone: +43 822 25 75 38
  address: Calle San Felipe 32
  Traditional Canarian food masterfully prepared by chef Seve and his team. They have a large selection of wines to choose from.

Grocery stores

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

• Mercadona

  phone: +34 922 374 586
  address: Avda Aguilar y Quesada, 1

• Mercadona

  phone: +34 922 389 269
  address: C/ Blanco, 30

• Supercor Expres

  phone: +34 922 372 792
  address: C/ Marina, 8
  A bit more expensive than the others, but open late nights and Sundays.

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

• Vinoteca Con Pasión

  phone: +43 669 09 53 58
  address: Calle de Iriarte 52
  Gastropub and tapas bar with higher quality food.

Better to book before arrival as a tour or on the internet. Some agencies do long lets. Remember that it can be a long way up a steep hill back to your hotel/apartment if you are at La Paz, the back of town or 'German Town' as some call it because of the number of Germans who have bought apartments there. However taxi service in town is very cheap.

Mid-range

• Be Live Experience Orotava

  phone: +34 922 368 860
  address: Avda del Aguilar y Quesada, 3

• Hotel Marquesa

  phone: +34 922 383 151
  address: C/ Quintana, 11
  Built in 1712 as a private manor, the building is named after the Marquesa de Candia, a previous resident. In 1799 the Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt stayed here for five days as a guest of the then-owner Bernardo Cólogan y Fallon. In 1887 it was converted to a hotel. Modern facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, onsite restaurant, non-smoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi.

• Hotel Monopol

  phone: +34 922 384 611
  address: C/ Quintana, 15
  This 250-year-old hotel has modern facilities including an outdoor pool and onsite restaurant. Wi-Fi is €6/day; pets permitted on request.

Splurge

• Hotel Tigaiga

  phone: +34 922 383 500
  address: Parque Taoro, 28
  A great place to relax. It is surrounded by an extensive subtropical garden and from the heated swimming pool you can enjoy panoramic views which reach from Teide volcano over the Atlantic.

• Hotel Best Semiramis

  phone: +34 922 373 200
  address: Calle Leopoldo Cologán Zulueta 12
  Comfortable five-star hotel in the quiet residential area of ​​"La Paz" situated 1.5 km from the centre of Puerto de la Cruz and "Lago Martianez".

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.