Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is an old northern resort on Tenerife, known for its sea-water pools, botanical garden and views of Mount Teide.
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Puerto de la Cruz is a resort town on the north coast of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands in Spain. Its harbor and older streets give it a more traditional feel than the large resorts in the south. Visitors come for the sea-water pools on the waterfront, the Jardín Botánico Canario Viera y Clavijo and the view of Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, which rises inland on clear days.
The north coast is cooler and cloudier than the south, so the town suits a slower pace: walks, swims in the pools and day trips. Most of the town's sights are within walking distance of each other, while Teide needs a day trip. Bus links run to La Laguna, and the Teide summit area needs an advance ticket, so book before you go. Stay in the old town for bars and seafood, or at Playa Jardín for the beach and the larger hotels.
Puerto de la Cruz in five
- Swim at the sea-water pools, not the beachThe lido complex by César Manrique replaces the rough black-sand shore with calm pools. Check opening hours and any entry fee on the official site first.
- Plan a Teide trip around the weatherClouds often sit over the north coast while Teide is clear above them. Check the cable car's status and the national park's permit rules before you head up.Tenerife
- Add Santa Cruz and La Laguna by busBuses link the north with the capital, and a tram runs between Santa Cruz and La Laguna. It works as an easy culture day.La Laguna
- Visit the Botanical Garden for a short, calm stopIt sits just above the town and pairs well with a morning walk. Ask the tourist office or the site before you go for hours and tickets.
- Expect a cooler, greener TenerifeThe north has more cloud and rain than the south. It is lush and good for walking, but beach weather is more reliable in the south from Los Cristianos to Costa Adeje.North Coast Tenerife
Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz
See all attractions in Puerto de la Cruz
Need to know
- Airport
- Tenerife North (TFN), about 25–30 min by road
- Getting there
- Flights to Tenerife North or South, then bus, taxi or hire car
- Getting around
- Walk in town; buses along the north coast; car for the island
- Best base
- The old harbor area or the lido promenade
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild, cloudJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cloud
- FebruaryClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°MildFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchClear12 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild, breezyMarchClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, breezy
- AprilClear10 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Spring walksAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring walks
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°WarmMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm, clearJuneClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Warm, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear10 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°ShowersNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low16°Mild, cloudDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cloud
Average daily high and low in Puerto de la Cruz, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Puerto de la Cruz
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 50%
Puerto de la Cruz
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°17°50%Monday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Tue20°16°88%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed19°16°13%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Thu20°15°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri22°18°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat23°19°4%Saturday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun24°21°40%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated 05:08 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Puerto de la Cruz
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Feb–MarCarnival of Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife, a day trip
Day trips by train
- La Lagunaabout 30–40 min by busA colonial university town that is cooler than the coast.Read the guide
- Santa Cruz de Tenerifeabout 40–60 min by busThe island capital, with a seafront auditorium and a tram.Read the guide
- Mount Teideabout 1.5 hours by carCable-car and volcano scenery; rules apply to the summit trail.Read the guide
Before you go to Puerto de la Cruz
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Rules for Puerto de la Cruz, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check your entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at arrival under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's EES page.
- Visits to the Teide summit area need an advance permit or ticket. Book through the national park's official booking site and save the confirmation.Source
- Plants, fruit and meat from outside the EU are checked on arrival in the Canaries. Declare them, and check the agriculture ministry rules before you pack food.
Plan around Puerto de la Cruz
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guideTenerifeThe whole island: Teide, north, south and ferries
Read the guideSanta Cruz de TenerifeThe island capital, with a tram to La Laguna
Read the guideLa LagunaA colonial university town in the cool uplands
Read the guideNorth Coast TenerifeVillages, cliffs and a greener side of the island
Read the guidePuerto de la Cruz FAQ
Is Puerto de la Cruz worth visiting?
Yes, for a lived-in Canary old town with a seafront, sea pools and Teide on the skyline. It is less beach-focused than the south, so it suits culture, walking and a quieter evening.
Is Puerto de la Cruz better than the south of Tenerife?
It is greener and more characterful, but cloudier. The south offers more reliable sun and bigger beach resorts. If sun is the priority, base in the south and visit the north by car.
How far is Puerto de la Cruz from the airport?
About 25–30 minutes by road from Tenerife North. From Tenerife South it is much longer, around 1–1.5 hours by car, so choose the airport with that in mind.
How do I visit Mount Teide from Puerto de la Cruz?
By car in about 1.5 hours, or on a guided day trip. Check the cable car's operations and the permit rules for the summit trail on the park's official page before you set out.
What is the best time to visit Puerto de la Cruz?
April to June and September to October balance mild temperatures with fewer crowds. Winter is mild but cloudier. July and August are warm and busy with holiday trips.