Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is a working port city and a good base for La Laguna, the Anaga hills and Las Teresitas beach.
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Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. It is a working port, so cargo ships and cruise ships share the harbor with ferries and fishing boats. The waterfront centers on the Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava, and the city has museums along the seafront and in the center.
Use the city as a base. The tram runs to La Laguna, a historic university town whose old center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Anaga hills, a rural park of laurel forest and steep villages, lie a short drive northeast. Las Teresitas, a beach of sand brought from the Sahara, is a short bus ride from the center. The climate is mild year-round. Carnival before Lent draws large crowds to the city. Two to three days allows time for the city and one day in the hills.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife in five
- Take the tram to La Laguna for a half dayThe tram links Santa Cruz with the colonial university city in about 35 minutes. It is the easiest culture trip on the island.La Laguna
- Go to Las Teresitas on a clear morningA long golden beach framed by hills, a bus ride north of the center. It is calmer on weekdays and in the morning.
- Check access rules for the Anaga mountainsThe Anaga laurel forest has some trails with access or parking limits. Check the park's official page for the current rules before you drive up.
- Book early if Carnival is your goalThe capital's Carnival is one of Spain's biggest, and rooms fill fast. Dates change every year, so check the official calendar before you book flights.
- Add Puerto de la Cruz for the north coastA bus ride takes you to the northern resort and its lava pools, an easy day trip or an overnight.Puerto de la Cruz
Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
See all attractions in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Need to know
- Airport
- Tenerife North (TFN) about 20 min; South (TFS) about 1 hour
- Getting there
- Flights to Tenerife North or South, then bus, taxi or car
- Getting around
- Tram, buses and walking in the center
- Best base
- The center, near the seafront and the tram
- Time needed
- 1–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°MildJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°Carnival seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Carnival season
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°WarmMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°WarmAprilClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Warm, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°WarmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low21°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°HotAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°WarmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°MildNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild, showersDecemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
Average daily high and low in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Feb Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Mar Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Right now in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 22°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 58%
La Laguna
08:42 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°16°58%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Tue22°16°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed19°15°58%Wednesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Thu21°15°3%Thursday: Fog. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri23°16°0%Friday: Fog. High 23°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat22°17°2%Saturday: Fog. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sun22°18°37%Sunday: Rain. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 37%.
Updated 05:45 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
What's on in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarEvery year
- Feb–MarCarnival of Santa Cruz de TenerifeSanta Cruz de Tenerife
- Feb–MarCarnival of Las PalmasLas Palmas de Gran Canaria, a day trip
Day trips by train
- La Lagunaabout 35 min by tramA colonial university city that is cooler than the coast.Read the guide
- Puerto de la Cruzabout 45–60 min by busThe north-coast resort with lava pools and a botanical garden.Read the guide
- Anaga Rural Parkabout 30–45 min by carLaurel forest, ridge walks and small villages.
Before you go to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
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Rules for Santa Cruz de Tenerife, checked
- Spain is part of the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (exteriores.gob.es) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's travel site for current rules.Source
- The Canary Islands sit outside the EU VAT and customs area and use IGIC instead of VAT. Check customs limits before you buy goods to take home.
- Summit access to Teide is by permit, booked in advance through the Teide National Park booking system. Walk-up entry is not guaranteed.
Plan around Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guideTenerifeThe island overview: Teide, north coast and south resorts
Read the guideLa LagunaA colonial university town on the tram line
Read the guidePuerto de la CruzThe north-coast resort with sea-water pools
Read the guideSanta Cruz de la PalmaThe next island, by plane or ferry
Read the guideSanta Cruz de Tenerife FAQ
Is Santa Cruz de Tenerife worth visiting?
Yes, for a lived-in island capital with an auditorium, museums, a nearby beach and easy access to Anaga and La Laguna. It is a better base for culture than for a resort holiday.
How do I get from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to La Laguna?
By tram in about 35 minutes, or by bus. The tram is easy, frequent and goes straight to the old town.
Is Santa Cruz de Tenerife better than Puerto de la Cruz?
It is a bigger city with more services and the tram. Puerto de la Cruz is a resort with sea pools and a more relaxed pace. Both are on the cooler, greener north-east side.
Where should I stay in Tenerife?
The south has the most reliable beach weather, the north coast is greener and more characterful, and Santa Cruz is a good city and transport base. Pick based on your trip type.
What is the best time to visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
April to June and September to October are warm and calm. Winter is mild, and Carnival season is busy. July and August are hot and busy with holiday trips.