Santa Cruz is located in the northeastern part of Tenerife. It is a port city of major strategic importance, being a major crossroads between Africa, Europe and America. The busy port has different quays that deal with cruise ships, merchant and ferry ships. It is a modern town with plenty of trade activity especially in the import and export sector. Service industries are the main employer in Santa Cruz. The city itself is a good example of how modern and traditional architecture mix. You will come across an eclectic mix of traditional Canarian architectire and modern style buildings.
Santa Cruz has an urban population of around 230,000. The city is the centre of Tenerife’s communications and transport network. The main motorways on Tenerife start from Santa Cruz, with the TF-1 Motorway linking to the south of the island which incorporates Playa de Las Americas and other resorts. The TF-5 motorway links the capital with the northern area of the island including Puerto de la Cruz. The two airports on the island are well served from Santa Cruz – nearby Tenerife North Airport lies on the TF-5. Tenerife South Airport is located close to the TF-1 motorway and is 75km south of Santa Cruz.
The city had an important role in past naval history, due to the strategic importance of Tenerife on the route between the Mediterranean and the new world in America. The port was often stormed in war time by the British and the Dutch fleets up the 19th Century.
Things to Do and See in Santa Cruz
Attractions
The following are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Santa Cruz:
Churches: If you are interested in archaeology there are some wonderful churches to be savoured in Santa Cruz – the 18th Century San Francisco Church and the Carta Palace are of a typical Canary Island design, both having wonderful courtyards to explore, and impressive balcony views. Right behind the Plaza de la Candelaria is the 16th century church of La Concepcion and higher up is the charming Plaza del Principe square.
Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre: This Museum hosts permanent exhibitions and many relate to the life of the Gaunche people who inhabited the island. The museum is home to many archaelogical finds relating to the islands, including some wonderfully preserved mummies of gaunche kings!
Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife: This is a huge botanical garden which specialises in palm trees. It is divided into geographical sections and has waterfalls, streams and ponds. The gardens are not open to the general public, however they can be accessed by prior appointment with Santa Cruz Town Council.
Auditorio de Tenerife: The Tenerife Auditorium was completed in 2003, and has a wonderful structure with a sail shape with rollers of blue and white. The venue is used for concerts, shows and opera. It is one of the emblems of the city and is located in the port area of Santa Cruz.
La Plaza de España: This area, right by the sea is the place of one of the main administrative buildings the Cabildo de Tenerife. If you head to Pilar Street, you will come across the 18th century church of Pilar. Close by is the Garcia Sanabria Park which is home to some wonderful foliage.
Towers of Santa Cruz: These are towers that were completed in 2008 and are the skyscrapers you will see in the city. They are the tallest residential buildings in Spain.
Shopping
Santa Cruz has an important role as a commerical and shopping centre on Tenerife. If you fancy splashing out some euros in the city, the places to go to are the city centre streets of Castillo, del Pilar, Viera, Clavijo and San José. There are also plenty of stores in Rambla Street. Also well worth visiting are the shopping malls of Añaza and Avenida de 3 Mayo. You can also visit popular shops in the area along the Plaza de Espana to Plaza de Candelaria.
Beaches
The most popular beach in Santa Cruz is the manmade Playa de Las Teresitas. It is a wonderful beach which was created with golden sand imported from the Sahara Desert, which covers over the volcanic black sand that is quite common on the north eastern seaboard of Tenerife.
Mairead writes for Novacarhire.com - an independent car hire reservation website where you can book low cost car hire at over 5000 locations worldwide.
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