Top Things to Do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife on a Cruise Stop
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I’ve been lucky to visit Tenerife both on a cruise and on a land vacation, and each time I found something new to enjoy.
When your ship docks in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you don’t have to go far to have a great day; the city itself has plenty to see, and if you want some beach time, Las Teresitas is just a short ride away.
In this guide, I’ll give you an overview of the best things to do right in Santa Cruz if you decide to stay close to the port, plus how to enjoy a relaxing break at Las Teresitas beach.
I’ve also put together a simple 1-day itinerary you can follow to make the most of your time ashore.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife Cruise Stop: What to Expect
When your ship docks in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you’ll be right in the island’s capital.
The cruise port has two docking areas, both within walking distance of the city; it usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes to reach Plaza de España, the main square in the center.
Depending on where your ship berths, you might also find shuttle buses running between the terminal and the city.
I’ve written a detailed article about the Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port and getting around, but for this post, I’ll focus on what you can do if you decide to stay in the city for the day.
Santa Cruz is a great option if you don’t feel like joining a long excursion. You can explore the central square, the market, and the Auditorio, and even add a beach break at Las Teresitas before heading back to the ship.
🌴 Plan Your Tenerife Trip
Looking beyond Santa Cruz? Here are two guides that will help you plan your stay on the island:
- Where to Stay in Tenerife – Best Hotels & Areas: A straightforward guide to the best areas of the island, whether you want beaches, nightlife, or quiet escapes.
- Mt Teide & Masca Valley Tour Review: My honest review of a full-day tour that covers Teide National Park, Garachico, and the jaw-dropping Masca Valley.
1-Day Itinerary in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
I’ve done this itinerary myself, and it’s very doable in a single day ashore.
Of course, you can adjust it depending on how long your ship is in port; skip a museum or the beach if you’re short on time, or linger longer at your favorite stop if you have a late departure.
🌅 Morning
- Start at Plaza de España, right across from the port (and often where shuttle buses drop off).
- Cross to Plaza Candelaria and stroll along Calle del Castillo for shops and great perfume deals.
- Continue to the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, passing by Teatro Guimerá and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción for quick photo stops.
☀️ Midday
- Optional visit to the TEA (art museum) or MUNA (archaeology & natural history), located just across from the market.
- Walk 10–15 minutes to the Auditorio de Tenerife, the city’s iconic landmark.
- Stroll past the Parque Marítimo pools and, if you have time, visit the Palmetum for beautiful views.
- Lunch: Depending on your timing, you can grab a meal in the city center around Calle del Castillo and Plaza de España (plenty of restaurants and cafés), or save it for Las Teresitas if you prefer a beachside setting.
🏖️ Afternoon
- From the Intercambiador bus station, take bus 910 to Las Teresitas Beach (20 minutes).
- Return on the same bus — it stops at Estación Marítima, right in front of the cruise terminal.
Top Things to Do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Now that I’ve laid out a simple itinerary, here’s a bit more about each place you’ll pass along the way.
This will help you decide which stops you don’t want to miss, and which ones you might skip if you’re short on time.
⛲ Plaza de España
Plaza de España is the largest square in the Canary Islands and the perfect starting point, located right across from the cruise port.
Its modern design features a lagoon in the center with the Monumento a los Caídos, a tall stone tower built in memory of those who died in the Spanish Civil War.
Beneath the square, you can also visit the remains of the old Castillo de San Cristóbal, once part of the city’s defenses, now displayed in a small free interpretation center.
Locals gather here to relax, and you’ll often see kids playing or street performers.
💡 Prefer a Guided Tour?
If you’d rather explore Santa Cruz with a local guide, there are several great walking tours available. They’re a nice way to learn more about the history and culture while covering the main sights at an easy pace.
👉 Explore the options on GetYourGuide and Viator
🛍️ Plaza Candelaria & Calle del Castillo
Right next to Plaza de España is Plaza Candelaria, a smaller square lined with cafés and historic buildings.
At its center stands the Triunfo de la Candelaria, an 18th-century marble monument dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron saint of the Canary Islands.
From here begins Calle del Castillo, the city’s main shopping street. It’s pedestrian-only and always lively, with a mix of local shops and Spanish fashion brands.
Many cruisers love it for the perfume stores; prices here are much cheaper than in many European cities.
Even if shopping isn’t your goal, walking down Calle del Castillo gives you a feel for local life, with street performers, bakeries, and plenty of places to stop for a drink or lunch later in the day.
🥭 Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
Less than a 10-minute walk from Calle del Castillo is the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, the city’s lively local market.
Opened in the 1940s, it’s housed in an orange, colonial-style building with courtyards and archways.
The market is busiest in the morning, so if you arrive early, you’ll catch the real energy of Santa Cruz as locals do their shopping.
🎭 Teatro Guimerá & Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
On the way to the market, you’ll pass two landmarks worth a quick stop.
The Teatro Guimerá is the oldest theater in the Canary Islands, dating back to the 19th century. Its neoclassical façade makes a nice photo stop as you walk by.
A few minutes further is the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, easily recognized by its black-and-white bell tower. This church is one of the most important in Tenerife and offers great panoramic views of the surrounding streets.
Even if you don’t go inside, both sites are easy to admire as part of your walk toward the market.
🖼️ TEA & MUNA Museums
Right across the street from the market, you’ll find two museums side by side.
The TEA – Tenerife Espacio de las Artes is a striking modern building designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron, showcasing contemporary art exhibitions and photography.
Just opposite is MUNA – Museum of Nature and Archaeology, where you can learn about the Canary Islands’ volcanic origins and see the famous Guanche mummies.
Both museums are excellent, but since cruise time is limited, I’d treat them as optional stops, perfect if you enjoy art or history and want to escape the midday heat for an hour.
🎶 Auditorio de Tenerife
About a 10–15 minute walk from the market is the Auditorio de Tenerife, the city’s most iconic landmark.
Designed by Santiago Calatrava, its sweeping white roof shaped like a wave makes it one of the most photographed buildings in the Canary Islands.
The area around the auditorium is open to the ocean, so it can get quite windy; be ready if you’re stopping for photos.
Most visitors admire it from outside, but if you have extra time, guided tours and occasional exhibitions allow you to see the interior as well.
👉 Explore Auditorio de Tenerife tours and activities
Right next to the Auditorio stands the small Castillo de San Juan Bautista, better known as the Castillo Negro (Black Castle) because of the dark volcanic stone it’s built from.
Dating back to the 17th century, it once defended the city against pirate attacks and today makes an interesting photo stop as you walk toward the Parque Marítimo and Palmetum.
🌴 Parque Marítimo & Palmetum
Next to the Auditorio, you’ll find the Parque Marítimo César Manrique, a leisure complex with saltwater swimming pools surrounded by palm trees.
It’s popular with locals on weekends, but for cruise visitors, it’s usually more of a photo stop unless you’re planning to spend the whole day swimming.
Right behind it sits the Palmetum, a large botanical garden built on a former landfill.
Today, it’s home to hundreds of palm species from around the world, spread across landscaped paths with ponds and viewpoints.
I visited for about half an hour and, to be honest, the plants themselves weren’t anything special, but the views from the top are incredible. From here, you get one of the best panoramas of Santa Cruz, the port, and the ocean.
It can be windy up there, so keep that in mind. Entrance is around €6 and you buy the ticket on the spot.
If you enjoy gardens or just want sweeping views of the city, the Palmetum is easy to include on your walk along the seafront from the Auditorio.
🏖️ Las Teresitas Beach
If you’d like to add some beach time to your day in Santa Cruz, head to Las Teresitas, the city’s most famous stretch of sand and the closest beach to the cruise port.
The beach is about 25 minutes by bus from the Intercambiador (main bus station), or around 20 minutes if you take the bus directly from the cruise port stop.
To give you an idea of distances: the Auditorio de Tenerife is only a 5-minute walk from the Intercambiador, while the Palmetum is about 15 minutes on foot. From either, it’s easy to reach the station and catch bus 910, which runs regularly to Las Teresitas.
The ride passes right by the cruise terminal, and on the way back, you can hop off at the Estación Marítima stop directly in front of the port.
The beach itself is long, wide, and lined with palm trees, with golden sand imported from the Sahara.
There are also beach bars and restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish or a cold drink with your toes in the sand.
If you have time in the afternoon, Las Teresitas is the perfect way to relax before heading back to your ship.
Tips for Cruisers Visiting Santa Cruz de Tenerife
🚶 Walking vs Shuttle
Depending on where your ship docks, it’s about a 15–30 minute walk to Plaza de España, the city’s main square. Some ships run shuttle buses, usually dropping off right there, which saves you time.
🚌 Getting Around
Santa Cruz is easy to explore on foot.
If you’d like to skip sightseeing and head straight to Las Teresitas Beach, bus 910 leaves from the Estación Marítima stop by the cruise port every few minutes, and the ride takes around 20 minutes.
Tickets are inexpensive and can be paid directly to the driver in cash or by contactless card (just avoid large banknotes).
Buses in Tenerife are generally efficient and usually run on time; you can always check updated schedules on the official TITSA website.
Taxis are another easy option. They wait at the port entrance, and the ride to Las Teresitas takes about 15 minutes. It’s more expensive than the bus, but worth it if you’re short on time or traveling with a group.
💡 Cruise Tip
Some cruise lines sell transfers to Las Teresitas, but these are often overpriced compared to local options.
A taxi from the port usually costs much less and gets you there in about 15 minutes. Unless you really want the convenience of booking through the ship, I’d recommend checking a taxi first.
⏰ Time Management
Cruise days fly by. If you want to see both the city and the beach, keep your sightseeing in the morning and save the afternoon for Las Teresitas. Always check your ship’s all-aboard time and leave some buffer.
🍴 Meals
For lunch, you’ve got plenty of choices: restaurants and cafés around Plaza de España and Calle del Castillo if you’re staying in the city, or beach bars at Las Teresitas if you’d like fresh fish by the sea.
💡 Practical Notes
- It can get windy near the waterfront and at the Palmetum, so bring a light jacket even on warm days.
- Smaller shops often close for siesta in the afternoon, though cafés and restaurants stay open.
- Free Wi-Fi can sometimes be found in public squares, but it’s easier to rely on a café connection if you need it.
Shore Excursions vs DIY in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
One of the biggest questions when visiting Tenerife on a cruise is whether to book a shore excursion or explore on your own.
The good news is that Santa Cruz is one of the easiest Canary Islands ports to do independently.
🧭 DIY exploring
The main attractions: Plaza de España, the market, the Auditorio, and even the Palmetum, are all within walking distance of the port.
Public transport is reliable and inexpensive, with bus 910 taking you directly to Las Teresitas beach.
Taxis are also available at the terminal if you prefer a quicker option. If you enjoy walking and want flexibility, a self-guided day is the way to go.
🚌 Shore excursions
Cruise lines also offer organized tours, usually combining Santa Cruz with longer trips around the island, such as Mount Teide, La Laguna, or wine tastings.
These can be a good option if you’ve already seen the city or want the convenience of a guide and guaranteed return to the ship.
Just keep in mind that booking directly with the cruise line is often more expensive.
If you’d like more flexibility (and usually better prices), you can also find a wide choice of tours through reliable platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator. I’ve booked many times with them and always had a great experience.
👉 Explore Tenerife tours and activities with Viator and Get Your Guide
🤔 Which is better?
If it’s your first time in Tenerife and you want a relaxed day, staying in Santa Cruz and heading to Las Teresitas is more than enough.
But if you’d like to see more of the island beyond the capital, a shore excursion can make the most of your limited time.
Conclusion
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a port where you don’t need to go far to fill your day. You can walk from the ship to the main squares, do some shopping, visit the market and Auditorio, and still have time for a beach break at Las Teresitas.
I’ve done this route myself and it works well in a single day. Whether you spend more time in the city, head straight to the beach, or try both, it’s an easy port to enjoy without stress.
👉 If you’d like more practical info on docking, transport, and the top things to do on the island, check out my full Tenerife Cruise Port Guide.
👉 If you’re deciding where to base yourself on the island, take a look at my guide to Where to Stay in Tenerife (Best Areas & Hotels)
👉 For a detailed look at one of the island’s best excursions, read my Mt Teide & Masca Valley Tour Review
👉 Planning a Canary Islands itinerary? You may also enjoy my guides to Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, and La Palma.
You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, USA & Canada, Middle East, Australia & New Zealand
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