ROUTE FROM SANTA CRUZ

Maritime Park

The best way of having a swim in Santa Cruz without stepping on a beach is visiting this magnificent complex, a posthumous work of art by the architect César Manrique, which faces the auditorium and the Palmetum. Enjoy three sea water swimming pools with islets, palm trees, volcanic rocks and an exceptional variety of leisure activities. A fantastic day. Open

‘Adán Martín’ Tenerife Auditorium

It is iconic, ground-breaking and a symbol of the modern Santa Cruz. The auditorium is a stunning building by Santiago Calatrava, where you will be able to see the best performances on the island. Don’t miss their guided tours and certainly don’t miss seeing it at night, illuminated in its entire splendour. Open

Calle del Castillo

The high street of the capital and the undisputed paradise for shopaholics, a street always buzzing and alive with people. Here, there are shops where you will find clothes, electronic items, jewellery, souvenirs, perfumes and sunglasses. The best idea is to start from Plaza Weyler and make your way down to Plaza de España, or vice versa. Open

Meridiano Shopping Centre

Well situated, modern and accessible. It is one of the most popular shopping centres in Santa Cruz, where you can find everything: famous brands and leading fashion designers, sport shops and perfume shops. If you prefer to have a meal or some tapas, go up to the terrace, choose place to your liking and enjoy. Open

The Guimerá Theatre

A classical romantic style theatre and the oldest in the Canary Islands, only two steps away from Calle del Castillo. It was inaugurated in 1851 during the reign of Isabel II. You will easily recognise it by the beautiful bronze sculpture in the shape of a female face that presides over the steps of the building. Open

‘TEA’ Tenerife Arts Space

When you arrive here you will realise why it is the most visited museum in the city. This concrete building has a stunningly fearless design, and portrays the unmistakable avant-garde style of Herzog & de Meuron. It has become the flagship of modern aesthetics and hosts the best contemporary art exhibitions. Open

Museum of Nature and Man (MNH)

A quick visit to this fabulous museum, very close to TEA (Tenerife Arts Space), will take you back to the aboriginal era of the Canary Islands where you can learn about the ancient inhabitants, the Guanches. Don’t miss exploring their mummy exhibition, insect collection or the funerary exhibition: shocking, entertaining and educational. Open

Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África

The ‘Our Lady of Africa Market’ is commonly referred to as ‘La Recova’. If you want to find out why it is the most visited place in the city, take a walk around this Colonial-style building, try the local food and discover its fantastic ground floor, full of stalls where you can choose fresh seafood and have it cooked right in front of you. Open

García Sanabria’s Park

Start exploring this beautiful park from its unique flower clock, located by the steps. Find the fountain in the central courtyard and get lost following the paths hidden among the lush vegetation, palm trees and sculptures. To get your strength back, there is a kiosk and a terrace nearby. Open

Las Gaviotas Beach

An ideal place to disconnect and sunbathe in the nude, if you want. Located under the Anaga mountain range, it’s a fine black sandy beach with its own character. Although it might be a little far from Santa Cruz, it is easy to get there, although it is much better if you go early in the morning because when the tide comes in it almost covers the entire beach. Open

Las Teresitas Beach

Only seven kilometres (4.5 miles) away from the city centre you find the most popular and beloved beach by the locals. A long beach, with calm waters, golden sand and palm trees, it is the ideal beach for swimming, sports or just walking along the shore. Don’t forget about having a bite to eat at one of its ‘chiringuitos’ or tasting fresh fish in the village of San Andrés. Open

Benijo Beach

If you avoid crowded beaches, this is your paradise: isolated, virgin, white sand and open ocean. Located in Taganana, in the hamlet of Benijo, it is best enjoyed when the tide is low. At the top of the path that takes you to the beach there is a restaurant with incredible views. Open

Anaga Rural Park

Explore this natural landscape, an authentic place of pilgrimage for those who love hiking, and discover its amazing and beautiful, thousand-year-old forest. This Country Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve, is crowned by a mountain range which bears its name and hides breathtaking landscapes, ravines and caves. Open

La Tarta Viewpoint

Immerse yourself in the sight of the multicoloured layers of lava which you can behold from the La Tarta viewpoint. You will be able to distinguish between the strata of different volcanic materials dating from different eras. They resemble a slice of cake so much that you will feel like taking a bite! Open

Teide Observatory

On this route, you will also find the Teide Observatory which dedicates its scientific work to solar observation and robotic astronomy. It has a large number of solar and nocturnal telescopes owned by different European countries. And it is the world’s largest solar observatory! It can only be visited on a guided tour which you can book with Volcano Teide Volcano Teide Experience. Open

Corral del Niño Viewpoint

Stand at the Corral del Niño viewpoint and enjoy excellent views of the Teide Observatory’s astrophysical observation towers to your left and a group of black volcanic cones in the background, which emerged at the beginning of the 18th century. Open

Cafetería Km 5

They say that the sandwiches at the Cafetería Km. 5 are ones of the best in Tenerife. The place is crowded, without a doubt, but it appears that it has no parking difficulties. It offers a wide selection of very cheap, generously filled sandwiches, confectionery and mixed dishes. Bakery service is also offered. Open every day from 6.00 am to 3.00pm. Open

Bodegón Campestre Restaurant

Good barbecued meat tastes like heaven! Bodegón Campestre specialises in grilled meat at a reasonable price. According to Google reviews, the portions are generous and the meals are deliciously juicy. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 12.00 midday to 12.00 midnight; on Sundays to 11.00pm. Mondays closed. Open

Aloe Plus Lanzarote · Aloe Vera Museum

On this route, you will find a place where, in addition to buying products made from Canary Islands aloe vera, you can learn about the history and culture of this plant and see what production system is used for its cultivation and harvesting. But this is not the only surprise that awaits you at the Aloe Vera Museum. Stop at this Aloe Vera interpretation centre set up by Aloe Plus Lanzarote, a cosmetics brand from the Canary Islands. It boasts over 500 m² to discover the history of a thousand-year-old plant which has multiple beneficial properties for health and is cultivated in the Canary Islands. Admission is free. You can also try the Aloe Vera, either fresh or dehydrated. Open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 3.30pm. Closed on weekends. Open

El Rosario Petrol Station

The Teide National Park is a protected area. As such, it does not have any petrol stations. For your safety, remember to check the tank of your vehicle before passing by the last petrol station on this route in order to make sure that you have enough fuel to go to and return from Mount Teide. Open