Santa Cruz

28.46363, -16.25185

Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Travel Author

Stig Albeck

City Map

City Introduction

The city of Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. According to archaeological findings, the area where the city is located has been inhabited for around two thousand years. In 1494, Spanish troops came to Tenerife, and they landed at what is now Santa Cruz, which they established as a military camp upon their arrival. The conquest of the island began from this place. Over the years, Santa Cruz became the island’s most important port, and the port was among the most important in this part of the Atlantic. In 1833, Santa Cruz became the capital of the Canary Islands, which was changed in 1927, when Santa Cruz and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria had to share that status.

The old part of Santa Cruz is close to the city’s port, and here you can go for pleasant walks and enjoy the atmosphere. For example, you can start at the Iglesia de la Concepción church, which was completed in 1500 on the site where the first Spaniards had built a chapel at their landing on Tenerife. Opposite the church you can visit the Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología, which has fine exhibitions about nature and archeology from Tenerife and other islands and archipelagos in the region. Close to this is the art museum Museo de Bella Artes, which has fine paintings from e.g. Canarian and Flemish painters. The museum is located behind the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís church, which is also worth seeing. In the Plaza de España you can see the Palacio Insular, completed in 1940 as the seat of Tenerife’s government.

In the center of present-day Santa Cruz, the fort Castillo de San Cristóbal was built 1575-1577. It was the first Spanish fortress on Tenerife, and it was in active service several times. The fort was demolished in 1928 to make way for the construction of the Plaza de España. The preserved parts of the fort under the square are set up as a museum, where you can explore Cañón Tigre, which is the cannon used to shoot Horatio Nelson on July 25, 1797. South of the center is the Castillo de San Juan Bautista fort, built for the defense of Santa Cruz and Tenerife in the years 1641-1644. It was expanded in the 18th century and belonged to the Spanish military until 1924. Today the fort is open as a museum.

Next to the Castillo de San Juan Bautista you can see one of the most famous buildings in Tenerife and the Canary Islands. It is architect Santiago Calatrava’s building from 2003, the Auditorio de Tenerife, which is a concert hall and home to the Santa Cruz Philharmonic Orchestra. In this area there are also good opportunities to enjoy the mild climate of Santa Cruz. Palmetum is a beautiful botanical garden located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As the name suggests, the garden specializes in palm trees, and on a walk around the Palmetum you can enjoy good views, waterfalls, small lakes and a museum dedicated to palms. Next to the botanical garden, you can visit the Parque Marítimo César Manrique, a large outdoor water park with several pools and a small beach.

Other Attractions

Geolocation

In short

Santa Cruz, Spain

Santa Cruz, Spain

Overview of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is the capital of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. According to archaeological findings, the area where the city is located has been inhabited for around two thousand years. In 1494, Spanish troops came to Tenerife, and they landed at what is now Santa Cruz, which they established as a military camp upon their arrival. The conquest of the island began from this place. Over the years, Santa Cruz became the island’s most important port, and the port was among the most important in this part of the Atlantic. In 1833, Santa Cruz became the capital of the Canary Islands, which was changed in 1927, when Santa Cruz and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria had to share that status.

The old part of the city is close to the city’s port, and here you can go for pleasant walks and enjoy the atmosphere. For example, you can start at the Iglesia de la Concepción church, which was completed in 1500 on the site where the first Spaniards had built a chapel at their landing on Tenerife. Opposite the church you can visit the Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología, which has fine exhibitions about nature and archeology from Tenerife and other islands and archipelagos in the region. Close to this is the art museum Museo de Bella Artes, which has fine paintings from e.g. Canarian and Flemish painters. The museum is located behind the Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís church, which is also worth seeing. In the Plaza de España you can see the Palacio Insular, completed in 1940 as the seat of Tenerife’s government.

In the center of present-day Santa Cruz, the fort Castillo de San Cristóbal was built 1575-1577. It was the first Spanish fortress on Tenerife, and it was in active service several times. The fort was demolished in 1928 to make way for the construction of the Plaza de España. The preserved parts of the fort under the square are set up as a museum, where you can explore Cañón Tigre, which is the cannon used to shoot Horatio Nelson on July 25, 1797. South of the center is the Castillo de San Juan Bautista fort, built for the defense of Santa Cruz and Tenerife in the years 1641-1644. It was expanded in the 18th century and belonged to the Spanish military until 1924. Today the fort is open as a museum.

About the Santa Cruz travel guide

Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English

About the travel guide

The Santa Cruz travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Spanish city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Santa Cruz is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Santa Cruz and the Spain

Spain Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/spain
City tourism: https://visitsan-tacruz.es
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/

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Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Santa Cruz you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Travel Expert

Stig Albeck

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