A day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

In the Canary Islands the weather is always pleasant, with the temperatures during the coldest months ranging between 16ºC and 24ºC. As soon as you wake up you could go for a swim, sunbathe or go for a stroll along its best-known beach, Las Teresitas. It is alive with palm trees and, although it belongs to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is located in the town of San Andrés. Its calm waters and great facilities are ideal if you are travelling with children. A little further from the city lie the beaches of Taganana and Benijo. The council has installed a series of webcams so that you can check them out in real time. 

Other places to take a dip The César Manrique Maritime Park, a complex of several swimming pools with artificial waterfalls and beautiful views.If instead of relaxing you are looking for a bit of “action”, try diving, snorkelling, surfing, sailing or paddle-surfing. You will find a whole range of activities at the Marine Sports Centre.

Before you leave the coast make sure you take some snaps for your memories, either on the Las Teresitas beach or in the marina, of the dozens of anchored yachts.Afterwards, you could take a leisurely stroll through the city's shopping streets and pick up a few souvenirs. You've probably worked up an appetite by now, and you've got several options. Treat yourself and book a table at one of the restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide. A treat for any palate.

Another safe bet is the iconic Nuestra Señora de África market, where you will find different varieties of cheeses, wines, freshly made food and endless flavours, to eat in or take away. It only opens in the morning and is perfect if you're looking for an authentic taste of Santa Cruz.

You could start by visiting some of the most famous squares, for example Plaza de la Candelaria, Plaza Weyler, Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias and Plaza de España. Hidden underneath the latter, in an underground gallery, are the remains of San Cristóbal castle, which was the first important fortification on the island in the 16th century. However, the best preserved castle in the city is San Juan Bautista.One of the best things about walking around Santa Cruz de Tenerife is that it has a large permanent outdoor exhibition. As you stroll along its avenues and parks, for example, García Sanabria, you will come across works by renowned artists such as Henry Moore, Martín Chirino, Joan Miró and Óscar Domínguez.

Before you leave Santa Cruz, make sure to visit the La Concepción church or the San Francisco church. And if you feel like visiting a museum, the Nature and Archeology (MUNA) houses the famous Guanche mummies. The most popular museum in the city is the modern Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA) which has showcased works by artists such as Warhol, Ansel Adams, Patti Smith, Carlos Schwartz, Dorothea Lange and Henry Moore. If you're travelling with the little ones, you'll love the Palmetum Botanical Garden and its impressive collection of palm trees (the best in Europe).

Relax while nibbling on some “papas arrugadas” (wrinkled potatoes) with spicy mojo sauce, grilled cheese, “almogrote” (a kind of cheese paté), “ropa vieja” (a typical dish made with shredded beef and chicken)... In this page you can choose from the different beach clubs, roof tops, gastrobars and restaurants the city has to offer.

The best way to end your visit is a show, either before or after dinner. The impressive and iconic white building of the Tenerife Auditorium, designed by Santiago Calatrava, offers an impressive repertoire of music, dance and opera shows. Check the schedule, because you won't want to miss out on one of these performances.