The wonderful island of Tenerife offers a holiday for every taste. For those who still want to feel Spain at this international resort, we recommend staying in the city of Puerto de la Cruz. Unlike Las Americas and similar faceless tourist places that pretend to look like a European Miami, Puerto de la Cruz is an ideal option in many ways.
Location
Compared to the cities of the polished southern coast, Puerto de la Cruz is a city with its own character, soul and flavor, ancient by local standards. It is suitable for contemplation, leisurely walks through the streets and lush green parks. Here tourists are not the masters of life, but only guests who briefly plunge into the hectic life of the Spanish city.
The northern airport is only half an hour away (about 20 euros for a taxi).
Previously, Puerto de la Cruz was the main resort of Tenerife, until in the 1970s they began to actively develop the southern coast, building Las Americas, Los Cristianos and a second airport closer to the beaches. Yes, it is hotter in the south, but in the north there is also good weather and an atmosphere of a real Canarian city, which attracts many visitors to the archipelago much more than a lazy beach holiday. That is why there are significantly fewer Russian tourists in Puerto de la Cruz; Germans and English predominate, who know the value of money and always get the maximum quality at the best prices. Let's follow their example!
Nutrition
If in Las Americas the catering is of high quality, but standardized to the needs of the average European, then here restaurants and cafes are actively visited by local residents according to the good old Spanish tradition of eating out at least once a day. Accordingly, guests of the city are simply obliged to take advantage and taste fresh seafood in restaurants near Playa Jardín, and visit all the cafes in the center with beautiful interiors and leisurely service.
Bathing
In terms of climate, Puerto de la Cruz is often cloudy and humid in winter. In summer it is a little cooler than in the south, and when it is very hot there, it is quite fresh here. Due to high humidity, the city and its surroundings are surrounded by greenery of various shades. From cacti to grapes, mango and almond trees, everything grows and bears fruit on this coast of Tenerife. Having been in the south, where every bush is entwined with artificial drip irrigation pipes, you will want to quickly return to the north and breathe oxygen deeply.
The ocean on this side of the island is also different, wilder and more untamed, and makes a person feel like a grain of sand in comparison. The waves in the ocean in the area of Puerto de la Cruz are quite strong, so people usually swim here in the complex of famous artificial lakes with sea water, Lago Martianez.
A large lake with sunbathing islands and a fountain and several smaller lakes are surrounded by gardens with local flora and are combined into one recreation complex for children and adults. It is located right on the rock in the open air. This is the work of the famous Canarian architect Cesar Manrique, who managed to succinctly incorporate all the man-made beauty into the rocky shore. Here you will also find a casino, a restaurant and several bars. In the evening, the fountain is beautifully illuminated, so you can linger in the bath until it gets dark and admire the lights.
When you're done with your water activities, go build sand castles and sunbathe on the natural beach, which is simply stunning in Puerto de la Cruz!
The main city beach is called Playa Jardin. This is a bay, slightly fenced off from the ocean, but the waves here are strong, so be careful.
Once upon a time, the Spaniards actively fought off pirates from the tiny fortress Castillo de San Felipe, which has survived to this day. And today it is a large, well-maintained beach with showers and sun loungers, sandy in places, rocky in others. The black sand is slightly different from the "southern" sand, apparently due to the fact that the volcano is closer to this side of the island, and there is no windblown light sand from Africa.
Attractions
Church Square (Plaza de la Iglesia) is the center of the old town in Puerto de la Cruz. Here stands a monumental cathedral from the late 17th century with the long name Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, or simply the Cathedral. It has a very beautiful iconostasis, and around the building there is a park with an unusual fountain, the murmur of which makes it pleasant to relax in the shade.
Branching off from the square is the charming pedestrian street Calle Quintana, the local Rambla with bustling cafes, souvenir shops and street performers. Here you will see the monument to Augustin Betancourt. This name is known to every St. Petersburg resident, since it was this engineer and architect who created the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral, as well as a complex technical system that made it possible to install the Alexandria Pillar in just an hour and a half without cranes. He founded the University of Railways, which gave Russia many generations of talented engineers. All roads and bridges built in Spain in the first third of the 19th century were also the work of Betancourt. He was born in Puerto de la Cruz, into a noble family.
The main square is called Plaza del Charco. This is not even a square, but a large shady square with fountains, planted with trees. Here you can have a snack at a local cafe and go shopping.
We remember that in the Canaries goods are not subject to VAT, so you can profitably dress up or update your gadgets. Interestingly, fur coats and other winter clothing are sold in Tenerife. Not because it’s cold, but because it’s beneficial for sellers and, of course, buyers.
The huge Mercado Municipal market is located on Avenida de Blas Peres Gonzales, near the famous Jardín Beach. Stocked counters with fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood are interspersed with cafe tables where you can try it all. At the entrance to the Mercado Municipal there is a flea market where you will be offered to buy interesting antique items, jewelry and other small items.
Taoro Park and Garden is located on a hill in the city center. Once upon a time there was a wasteland, scorched by lava after the next eruption of Teide, then a hippodrome, and now it is a fertile garden of tropical plants, decorated with waterfalls.
The Botanical Garden (Jardin Botanico) in Puerto de la Cruz is one of the most beautiful places on the island. This is the oldest botanical garden in Spain, founded in 1788.
Unique rubber trees, all kinds of palm trees, cacti, aloe and many unprecedented plants grow here. It is not close to the center, the road goes uphill, but it makes sense to get here: the place is extraordinary, charging the body and soul with strength.
As with any coastal city, a stroll along the promenade is a must in Puerto de la Cruz. It is called San Telmo (Paseo de San Telmo). On one side of you, crushing waves will crash against the rocks, on the other, there will be a string of shops and restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets. The premises of one of the restaurants are carved directly into the lava mass.
City of Puerto de la Cruz in Spain
Puerto de la Cruz is a wonderful city, one of the most popular resorts in the north of Tenerife. It is part of the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands and belongs to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The area of the city is approximately 9 square kilometers, the height is 4 meters above sea level. Currently, about 35 thousand people live in Puerto de la Cruz, but during the tourist season this figure increases significantly. If you are wondering what the weather can be like in Puerto de la Cruz, then take a look at our special section. In general, it is slightly cooler here than in the south and more humid. In this regard, there are many more interesting plants, including ancient ones.
Hotels in Puerto de la Cruz
If you need an inexpensive hotel in Puerto de la Cruz, then pay attention to the apartments, there are very good ones, including those with heated pools, which is important in winter. Fans of luxury options can look at the already proven ones. One of the best hotels in Puerto de la Cruz is Botanico 5*, on the third line, but not far from the beach. Guests are satisfied with everything: location, food, service. A simpler option (three stars) is Miramar 3*, on the third line (for Tenerife this is absolutely normal, there are almost no hotels right on the shore). It also gets great reviews. Also among the hotels in Puerto de la Cruz you can consider Catalonia Las Vegas 4* (it’s right on the beach), Turquesa Playa 4* (also on the beach, apartments) and H10 Tenerife Playa 4* (also on the first line , which is why many people choose it after evaluating the placement).
Of the inexpensive hotels in Puerto de la Cruz, tourists especially like Hotel Sun Holidays, 4 Dreams Hotel Chimisay, Hotel Monopol and Hotel Don Candido - one of the most profitable. Remember that the city is built on uneven terrain, so the further from the ocean, the higher. Take this into account when choosing where to live, especially if you find it difficult to constantly get up and down.
Transport in Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is a large city by the standards of the island of Tenerife, so there are both city and intercity buses. We provide brief information about the routes, if you need detailed information, please ask questions in the comments.
- 101. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It also takes you to La Laguna, La Victoria and several other towns. The bus runs from early morning until evening - quite often.
- 102. Allows you to get from the capital - Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Puerto de la Cruz through the Northern Airport. The bus runs around the clock, not too often, but not too rarely.
- 102. Transport from Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Puerto de la Cruz is also express. Walks from early morning until evening, with average frequency.
- 325. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Los Gigantes via Icod de los Vinos. Walks from morning until late evening, quite rarely.
- 339. From Puerto de la Cruz to Realejo Alto (circular). Through Las Arenas - at 21.30 and 23.30, through Las Dehesas - at 22.30 and 0.40.
- 343. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Los Cristianos - via both airports. Walks from morning to evening with average frequency.
- 345. Transport Puerto de la Cruz - La Caldera de La Orotava. From morning to evening, with average frequency.
- 348. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Cañadas del Teide. The only way to reach the wonderful views from Teide is by public transport. Leaves Puerto de la Cruz at 9.15, from the volcano at 16.00.
- 350. Transport from Puerto de la Cruz to La Orotava, runs from early morning to late evening, average.
- 352. Bus to La Orotava and Los Realejos, from early morning until late evening.
- 353. Allows you to reach La Orotava, Realejo Bajo, Realejo Alto. From early morning until late evening.
- 354. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Icod de los Vinos, from early morning until evening, not too infrequently, via San José, La Guancha, El Pinalete.
- 363. Transport to Buenavista via Icod de los Vinos, from early morning until evening.
- 382 - city bus in Puerto de la Cruz, runs quite rarely between Plaza Reyes Catholicos and the San Antonio area, including through the city market.
- 383. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to La Bera via Las Arenas. It departs only a few times a day - in the morning and at lunchtime.
- 390. Puerto de la Cruz - Realejo Alto via La Montaña. Not too often, not too busy.
- 391. Bus from Puerto de la Cruz to Realejo Alto via San Agustin. It runs only on weekdays, several flights a day.
You can buy a regular ticket or a round-trip ticket (for short trips, 10 percent discount). They also sell cards that make travel cheaper, but they cost 15 and 25 euros.
On average, a bus trip around Puerto de la Cruz will cost about 1.5 euros, to the Northern airport - almost 5, to the Southern airport - about 14 euros, to Costa Adeje - 15. According to the maps, significantly cheaper. The road from Puerto de la Cruz to Santa Cruz de Tenerife costs about 5-6 euros.
Puerto de la Cruz on the map of Tenerife
Puerto de la Cruz: map
Puerto de la Cruz weather
The weather in Puerto de la Cruz over the past years is presented in the material “Weather in Tenerife by month”.
Sights of Puerto de la Cruz: what to see
Puerto de la Cruz is a wonderful city where there is always something to do.
Firstly, among the attractions of Puerto de la Cruz is the Old Town. There are buildings built several centuries ago. The second attraction of Puerto de la Cruz is Loro Parque. People come here from all over the island. Next is the botanical garden, and entry to it is free.
Among the entertainment in Puerto de la Cruz is Lago Martianez, a complex of artificial lakes, suitable for those who want to swim even during strong waves, but are not ready to risk diving into the ocean. Entrance is paid, but the territory is very comfortable.
You can read more about the attractions in Tenerife in the adjacent article, but for now – a little about the city itself. Puerto de la Cruz is built in “levels”, i.e. To get to the top of it, you have to climb significantly. There is a promenade along the ocean. There are many cafes and tourist attractions, souvenir shops, and tour desks. There are also many hotels located here. However, once you move away from the promenade, the tourist orientation of the city ceases to be felt that way. Puerto de la Cruz is perfect for those who like to see the life of the locals, but also will not refuse the tourist infrastructure.
Beaches of Puerto de la Cruz
And, of course, one of the main aspects of a tourist city is its beaches. We will talk about them in order. Imagine that you are looking at a map of the island, from west to east there are 5 beaches - large and small.
The westernmost one is called Punta Brava (Playa de Punta Brava). Some consider it part of Hardin Beach, others consider it separate. Beautiful black sand, convenient entrance, equipped beach: there is a rescue post, rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, shower, toilet, cafe. The beach is approximately 220 by 50 meters, is popular, and entry is free.
Playa Jardin is one of the most famous beaches in Puerto de la Cruz. It is perfectly equipped, designed by an artist, and therefore very beautiful. Near the beach there is a beautiful promenade garden, a waterfall, and fish restaurants. The waves are quite strong, so surfers have fun here. Quite a lot of hotels have also been built around this beach; the beach itself is 400 by 80 meters in size, also with a shower, toilet, and rental of umbrellas and sun loungers.
Playa de Puerto is not an ordinary beach. Rather, it is an old fishing harbor, usually no one swims here, the water does not seem clean and comfortable, and the entrance is also not the most convenient. The beach is not equipped, the length is about 15 meters.
The fourth beach in Puerto de la Cruz - Playa San Telmo - is also a beach in the harbor; there are no strong waves here thanks to the rock protection. The entrance is not very convenient, many people climb up the stairs, but no winds are scary. This is a kind of alternative to the “pontoon entrance” in popular hotels. The beach is small and not equipped, but all the infrastructure is nearby.
And the last, easternmost beach of Puerto de la Cruz is Playa de Martianez. Playa de Martianez is large and comfortable. Sometimes the waves are too strong, but the rest of the time it is quite suitable for both regular swimming and surfing. By the way, you can admire incredible stunts performed by experienced athletes. Dimensions - about 40 by 400 m. There is equipment rental on the beach.
But now, ironically, its popularity is ahead of other Canarian cities. It is no coincidence that Puerto de la Cruz is one of the oldest tourist destinations in the archipelago. Those who are lucky enough to visit this wonderful place remain enchanted by the harmony and atmosphere it brings.
Geographical position. Puerto de la Cruz is located in the northern part of the island of Tenerife. It is located at 28° north latitude and 14° west longitude. The city is located 30-40 kilometers from the capital and largest city on the island - Santa Cruz. In the south-southwest is the highest peak in the whole.
The city and its population. Puerto de la Cruz is a beautiful city which, with its population of about 35,000 people, is the second largest island in Tenerife. This city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Spain and certainly deserves its fame. The area is not overly built up, the vegetation is abundant, the climate is particularly mild, and the landscapes are picturesque. The old part of the city is located near the sea. The streets are narrow, shady and winding. In the most 
In the northern part of the city, on a small peninsula, there is a huge swimming pool, which is one of the favorite places for tourists and local residents. The place is called Lago Martinez (Lake Martinez). Around it there are several more small pools, which together try to compensate for the black sand on the shore and predispose tourists to have fun near the sea. Well, after all, the sea is the sea, so no matter how attractive the pools are, most tourists still want to swim on the beach. The local population is very hospitable and treats foreigners with great respect. Local residents are accustomed not only to tourists, but also to those who come here to look for work and develop their own business. Although the official language is Spanish, everyone here understands English as most tourists in the Canary Islands come from England and America. 
Loro Park one of the biggest attractions of the Canary Islands. This is a very beautiful park, a combination of a botanical garden, a zoo and an aquarium. Here you will see unique animal and plant species that are harmonized to perfection. Pleasant impressions begin from the entrance to the park, which is decorated in Japanese style. But don’t think that only tourists come here - nothing like that. Loro Parque is a favorite place for walks for city residents who come here to spend some time in nature, get some fresh air and have fun in their free time.
Climate. In Puerto de la Cruz. Daytime temperatures vary from 16-17°C in January to 26°C in August. 11 months a year daytime 
temperature around or above 18°C. From March to the end of November the weather is warm and suitable for the beach. In December and February it is around 18°C, but even then there are many good days for sunbathing and swimming in the sea. The water in the Atlantic Ocean near the city varies from 20 to 25°C throughout the year. This greatly affects the local climate. Due to constant winds from the north, moist air masses from the Atlantic Ocean constantly arrive at Puerto de la Cruz. They are responsible for significant rainfall and exceptionally lush vegetation on the northern side of the island. Sometimes it happens that it is cold, it rains and the thermometers show 16°C, and in the southern part of the island the temperature is 25°C, sunny and dry. And this is only a few kilometers away. In general, the climate of Puerto de la Cruz can 
be described as eternal spring.
Nature. The nature in and around Puerto de la Cruz is exceptionally beautiful. The vegetation is very dense and lush due to the humid climate. Various types of tropical flowers, shrubs and trees grow here. Even those very sensitive to cold are grown well. They really like the warm climate and abundant moisture. Here the vegetation is much more varied and much larger than in other parts of the island of Tenerife. The volcanic soil is very fertile and, combined with moisture, contributes to the richness of the plant life. There are few beaches in the city and all of them have black volcanic sand. In most places the coast is rocky. Sea 
always with a characteristic dark blue color. The waves are large in most cases because almost constant winds blow from the north. The waters around the island of Tenerife, including near Puerto de la Cruz, are very rich in life. The topography of the city is typical for an island of volcanic origin. From the shore, the height above sea level quickly begins to rise and 2 km from the shore and reaches and exceeds 200 meters. During the winter months, when the city is even greener, the peak of Teide (3718 m in height) is covered with snow.
Economy. The economy of Puerto de la Cruz is well developed. The city relies heavily on tourism as its main source of income. In addition to tourism, the city is developing agriculture. Many crops are grown in the area around Puerto de la Cruz, but mainly pineapples, bananas and grapes. The local population has a good standard of living. The place is special 
attractive to residents of northern European countries who come here for a more favorable climate, and to eastern Europeans who are looking for better wages.
When to visit Puerto de la Cruz? The climate in Puerto de la Cruz is very mild and pleasant and can be easily tolerated by even the most sensitive people. There are no typical Mediterranean summer heat or typical cold winters. Whenever you decide to visit, it is best to wear light spring and summer clothes. Keep in mind that even in January the nights are around 10-11°C and the days are 16-17°C, i.e. It doesn't get very cold, so thick clothes will probably just take up valuable space in your suitcase.
When I was little, and it was the 90s, many people had dreams of a cherry nine, a crimson jacket and a trip to the Canary Islands. In our industrial city, planes only flew to Moscow, and they were broken-down carcasses. And I couldn’t understand how it was possible to fly to a distant tropical island, see the ocean, palm trees, because it was so unreal.
But dreams need to be realized, and today we will go to one of the Canary Islands - the island of Tenerife and visit a tourist town Puerto de la Cruz.
is an archipelago of seven islands of volcanic origin, which are located in the Atlantic Ocean 100 km from the northwestern coast of Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara). The islands belong to Spain, so you need a Schengen visa to visit the island. By the way, most people from Russia go on vacation to the island Tenerife. Imagine my surprise when I saw flights to almost all 7 islands at the German airport.
When we were choosing which part of the island to go to, we settled on the town Puerto de la Cruz, because there is more greenery there than in the south, the weather and climate are also milder, there are fewer noisy tourists, and there are more places for walking than in other towns.
On the map we see that the resort Puerto de la Cruz is located in the north of the island of Tenerife, the capital of the Canary Islands is in the east - this is Santa Cruz, and most Russians go on vacation to the southwest of the island on Playa de las Americas or Costa Adeje. There are two airports on the island, one near the capital, Tenerife North, and the other in the south, and most flights to Tenerife land at this airport.
After arrival, we arrived at an all-inclusive hotel called Hotel Blue Sea Interpalace. We had such a beautiful view from the window, and I immediately fell in love with this city and island. Plus I saw the ocean for the first time!
As soon as we left the hotel, an even more beautiful view of the ocean opened up in front of us.
Due to the volcanic origin of the island, the beaches have black sand.
In addition to black sand, there are strong waves on the island, there is an ocean after all! It’s almost impossible to swim, but the waves hit me so coolly, the first blow blew my bandage off, and my swim shorts immediately became clogged with fine sand.
For the convenience of vacationers in the city Puerto de la Cruz made complex Lago Martianez, which was opened in 2007. The complex is made in such a way that it is as if you are relaxing next to the ocean, and not to the pool.
In this huge complex, the pools are filled with sea water (7 pools in total, connected to each other), there are islands, there are cafes on the territory, you can take any sun lounger, take an umbrella and relax.
It’s not called Tenerife for nothing "Island of Eternal Spring", because the air temperature here stays around 20-25 degrees all year round; in winter, however, it can be cooler. We were in Tenerife at the beginning of April, it seemed to be cool, there was a breeze, but you burned instantly, which is not at all surprising - the island lies at the same latitude as the Sahara. You can turn crimson in no time, so always use sunscreen.
More than 2 million people live on the Canary Islands, and almost a million people on Tenerife, so there is very little parking space, so people park bumper to bumper, and when parking they show such miracles of balancing act that you are amazed.
And often you come across such nice parking lots.
As is customary in tourist places, we meet the artist.
The walk along the embankment continues.
And for some reason this part of the embankment reminded me of America in the early 20s, although I was not there.))
And this is how city residents decorate palm trees.
From one of the beaches there is a view of the sky, which is usually hidden in the clouds. This volcano is the highest point in Spain - 3718 m. You can climb the volcano by cable car, and the area around the mountain is a national park. By the way, thanks to the volcano, the island has a specific climate; the hot air that blows from Africa does not penetrate to the north, so the south of the island is drier and there is much less rain there than in the north. At the same time, the volcano traps clouds that come from the north Atlantic Ocean, so most of the rain falls in the north of the island.
And this is an ordinary small park and houses where local residents live.
In the city Puerto de la Cruz there are two large gardens: Jardin Botanico And Parque de la Sortija.
Jardin Botanico is a botanical garden with an entrance fee, the garden was founded by King Carlos III in 1788.
The garden contains 2,500 flowers, trees and other plants brought from the tropics and subtropics.
I really liked the Calla flowers, which are correctly called Whitewing.
By the way, as it turned out, the garden is located in an elite area, where there are such cute houses.
The next park called Parque de la Sortija- a wonderful quiet cozy place where locals run around or just sit and chat on benches. When you enter the park you immediately come to the waterfall.
The park has a pond with lilies and a lot of different palm trees.
Then we come across various images of the Guanches, who were the indigenous population of the islands before the Europeans arrived here. The Guanches engaged in farming, raising livestock, wrote petroglyphs and were exterminated in the 15th century
One of the main attractions of the park is the beautiful view of the city and ocean. True, it was raining and foggy, so we couldn’t enjoy the view...
Many people say that the Canary Islands are boring, but I didn’t get tired of them at all; in addition, I was pleased with the large number of flowers and plants, as well as places for walking.
Well, that's it, the vacation is over, and we are flying home on the brand new Airbus A320 from Air Berlin, I hope to visit the Canary Islands again someday. And soon I will write a couple more stories about the Canary Islands.
