Tenerife, Canary Islands

Auditorio de Tenerife

This futuristic dome is included among the most impressive buildings of Spanish architecture. A work of architecture made of concrete and metal is even depicted on national postage stamps. At the opening of the Auditorio, the heir to the Spanish royal throne was in attendance. Inside, there are two halls - a symphonic hall and a chamber hall. The main hall is impressive for its size: the stage is 17 meters high, and the depth of the orchestra pit is 14 meters. Music lovers will appreciate the “sound all around” effect. The small hall practically copies its “older brother” and differs only in its scale. Recently, the “Palmetum” was built nearby - a palm botanical garden with five hundred varieties of palms, which borders the complex of ocean-water pools built a little earlier on the coast.

Iglesia de la Concepción Church

The only church in the Canary Islands that has five naves. The church was built on the site of the first chapel, which was erected by Spanish conquistadors after their landing in Tenerife. Its tall bell tower makes it visible from afar-well in advance. Although this goes against Catholic rules, the church is known among the people as the “Santa Cruz Cathedral.” After all, it is the main temple of the island’s capital, and it houses the eponymous relic-a cross that laid the foundations of the city. Architecturally, the church is considered a blend of Tuscan style and Baroque.

Plaza de la Candelaria

This is the grand square of the “light-bearing” patroness of the Canary Islands. On it stands a marble monument, “The Triumph of Candelaria,” depicting the Virgin Mary, in front of whose pedestal four Guanche chiefs bow (they sided with the Spaniards during the conquest of the islands). An interesting architectural ensemble around the square includes the Tenerife government building, the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Saint Francis, all built in the Baroque style. On the left stands the Palace of Rodríguez Cartas, built in the 17th century (today it houses a bank office). Be sure to pop into the palace building for at least five minutes to see the luxurious inner courtyard with staircases and dark-wood verandas.

Black Castle

This is one of the oldest sights in Santa Cruz. The Castle of San Juan Bautista (named after John the Baptist), built in 1641, is also known as the Black Castle. Located in the very heart of the city, this powerful fortress with a massive round tower, parapets, and gun embrasures for five artillery pieces played a crucial role in defending against raids by invaders. Every year in July, a reconstruction of the Battle of Santa Cruz takes place here, during which the legendary British admiral Horatio Nelson suffered defeat in an attempt to invade the city.

Beaches of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Right near the city there are two magnificent beaches: Taganana with volcanic black sand, typical for this area, and the only beach on all of Tenerife with yellow sand-Las Teresitas, one of the most popular beaches in the archipelago. This is a 1.5-kilometre-long man-made beach, where, in the 1970s, barges brought yellow sand from African Sahara in place of the local black volcanic sand. In the vicinity of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, there are several diving centres suitable for divers of any level. You can also go surfing and windsurfing on Tenerife, as well as enjoy other water sports. Beautiful coral reefs can be found in these waters.

Shopping

Many tourists come to Santa Cruz de Tenerife for shopping - the capital of the Canary Islands has firmly earned a reputation as a “shopping paradise.” There are especially many shops, stalls, and boutiques on Plaza La Candelaria and on the pedestrian street Calle de Castillo, which runs perpendicular to the square. At the city market Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, located on San Sebastian Street, you can buy fruits, vegetables, flowers, and above all, spices. The covered market, which looks like a spacious courtyard decorated with arches, is nothing like the European ones and attracts tourists with its exotic atmosphere.

Loro Parque

Loro Parque is a world-famous animal park that’s worth visiting even if you’ve come to the island without children. The main attraction here is 4,000 species of parrots (after which the park is named). In a large oceanarium you can see orcas (predatory dolphins), and in a huge aquarium with icy blocks-penguins (the Loro Parque Penguinarium is considered one of the largest in the world). And as you walk through the built-in transparent tunnel, you can watch rays, sharks, and tropical fish swimming above your head. A full-fledged zoo occupies the rest of the grounds: in large pavilions live gorillas, jaguars, tigers, and turtles. Be sure to visit the entertaining shows held throughout the day.

Medieval Castle of San Miguel

This is a real medieval castle. And the immersion into the Middle Ages will be just as authentic. At the entrance to San Miguel Castle, visitors are given a cloak of a specific color-whichever color you get, you have to cheer for the knight of that color. Guests are taken through the armory, where each of them is greeted by the king. After that, they find themselves in a hall where the tournament is held. Six brave knights compete for the title of the best of the best, but the winner will be the one with the loudest group of supporters: you don’t have to hold back your emotions. This is made easier by an unlimited supply of red and white wine served in iron mugs. After the tournament, lunch awaits-a chicken soup that you have to eat without utensils. A dive into the era-what more could you want?

Old Town La Laguna

The historic center of San Cristóbal de La Laguna consists of many districts built hundreds of years ago with small houses, churches, and noble mansions. This part of the city has been well preserved to this day, and the entire Old Town of La Laguna has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost every building has its own name and history. Many of La Laguna’s sights are connected with the name of its founder, the Spanish conquistador Alonso de Lugo. The best way to see Canary Island architecture with traditional wrought-iron decorations on fences and facades-and to immerse yourself in a colonial atmosphere-is to take a walk through the old streets with cobblestone paving and cozy corners of green courtyards.

Los Gigantes Cliffs

The jagged cliffs of Los Gigantes (the Giants' Cliffs) are located on the western coast of Tenerife. In fact, they belong to the Teno mountain range, which itself is the western slope of Mount Teide. The sheer rock walls, stretching for 10 kilometers and rising up to 600 meters high, are truly breathtaking! Many travelers experience a real catharsis here, feeling the full power of the universe. No wonder the local Guanche natives called these heights “Walls of Hell” and believed that the world ended right here. Like much else in Tenerife, Los Gigantes cliffs are the highest in all of Spain.

Excursion to Mount Teide

A trip to the foot of the sleeping Teide volcano has long become a must for all the island’s guests. Once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back again and again. Along a scenic road that runs through dense pine forests and mountain villages, you’ll rise above the clouds and stop at several viewpoints over the clouds, where you can enjoy for hours the breathtaking view of the “sea of clouds-an immaculate white plain” below. Then you’ll find yourself among amazing volcanic landscapes-rivers of solidified lava, lunar valleys, and rocks of different shapes and colors that have become the heroes of local legends. Teide is located in the center of the crater of the ancient volcano “Las Cañadas,” and the entire surrounding area has been designated a National Park and is the largest protected reserve in the Canary Islands.

Island sightseeing tour

A fascinating excursion during which you will see the island’s main beauties and attractions. You will learn about its history and culture, as well as get acquainted with the way of life of its residents. During the excursion, you will circle the entire island of Tenerife along its perimeter, making stops at the most famous and symbolic places. Your first stop awaits you in the west of the island in the breathtaking Barranco de Masca gorge, which was once considered the landing place of pirates and smugglers. Next, you will stop at the viewpoint in the city of Garachico - the largest city and port on the island until 1706, when a volcanic eruption buried the old town under lava. From there, you will go to the nearby Icod de los Vinos, famous for its thousand-year-old dragon tree and the Church of Saint Mark. It is here, in one of the wine cellars, that you will enjoy a tasting of local wines and liqueurs. Don’t forget your swimsuits and towels. If you wish, you can swim in the natural lava pools of Garachico.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can check it after booking the cruise in your “Personal Customer Account”.