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Santa Cruz de Tenerife shares the capital of the Canary Islands with Las Palmas. It has a port, offices and neighbourhood life, but just half an hour from its squares you’ll find Anaga’s laurel forest and black-sand beaches.
Choosing where to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife depends on what you want to do each day: museums and terraces, mountain trails or a pool. Here are the areas and places to stay that we hand-pick one by one, along with what they offer and their drawbacks.
How to choose an area
The municipality stretches up to the peaks of Anaga. These are the areas worth considering as a traveller:
- The centre: Plaza de España, Calle Castillo and La Noria, all within walking distance, with buses and the tram close by.
- Las Ramblas and García Sanabria Park: tree-lined streets, quieter at night and a short walk from the centre.
- San Andrés and Las Teresitas: the fishing village and golden-sand beach, just a few minutes from the town centre.
- Anaga: Taganana, Benijo and El Draguillo: peace and quiet, trails and rough seas, but winding roads and few services.
- The outskirts with a view: homes with pools and terraces, convenient if you arrive by car.
For a city break, the centre is hard to beat; for a chance to switch off, choose Anaga. Most accommodation consists of holiday homes, and you can browse the full selection on our page of places to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Stay in Anaga, among laurel forests and black-sand beaches
The Anaga massif has been a Biosphere Reserve since 2015, and UNESCO reaffirmed the designation in its 2025 review. The island council is preparing a mobility plan with shuttle buses and advance reservations for some trails from Cruz del Carmen: check what’s in force before you go. Here are two homes we recommend on the north coast:
La Cábala del Draguillo
Two bedrooms for four people, with Draguillo Beach about 360 metres away and Benijo less than a kilometre away. The terrace, patio and balcony look out to sea, while the kitchen with an oven makes it easy to prepare dinner in an area with few restaurants. Free parking is public and outside the property.
La Casa Vieja
One bedroom and a sofa bed for two or three people, with a patio and terrace overlooking the sea and mountains. Tachero Beach is less than 700 metres away. Bear in mind if you arrive late: check-in ends at 22:00.
Homes with pools and room for families
If you’re travelling in a group or want your own pool, the outskirts have spacious homes with gardens and ocean views. You’ll need a car, but you’ll have more room. Here are the four we’ve picked:
Balcón de Costanera
Four bedrooms and four bathrooms for eight people, with a private pool, hot tub and barbecue: a good fit for large families or groups. La Nea Beach is 650 metres away and Radazul just over a kilometre away. There’s no parking, and the upper floors are only accessible by stairs.
Casa 5 habitaciones con Solárium
Five bedrooms and room for eleven people: there’s space for the whole family, pets included. The views take in the sea and city, and private parking is free. Quiet hours start at ten, so it’s not suitable for parties.
Tagoro Sunset View & Heated Pool Tenerife
Two bedrooms for four people, a private pool with a garden, and a terrace with outdoor dining overlooking the sea. It’s about 5 km from Tenerife North Airport and has free private parking. Check-in is only available from 15:00 to 18:00.
Finca la Tajea
A country home with a garden, private pool and hot tub, 350 metres from Santo Domingo Beach. The kitchen is fully equipped and private parking is free. Check-in is from 16:00 to 21:00, and a damage deposit may be requested.
What to see in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Start your walk at Plaza de España, beside the port, then head on foot to García Sanabria Park and the Our Lady of Africa Market. Nearby, you’ll find the Auditorio de Tenerife, Santiago Calatrava’s white wave, TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes and the Museum of Nature and Archaeology, which tells the story of the Guanches.
For a swim, head to César Manrique Maritime Park, with its seawater pools, or Las Teresitas, beside San Andrés, with sand brought from the Sahara. Take the tram to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a World Heritage Site.
When to go
Santa Cruz has mild temperatures all year round; spring and autumn are ideal for walking in Anaga.
The highlight is Carnival. In 2027, with the theme “Eternal Rome: The Empire of Carnival”, the dates shift: the opening gala is on 22 January, and street carnival runs from 19 to 28 February, with Carnival Tuesday, 23 February, a local public holiday. Book several months ahead for those weeks. The other local public holiday in 2027 is 3 May, Day of the Cross, marking the city’s founding in 1494.
Getting there and getting around
The nearest airport is Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna, a few kilometres from the centre; it handled more than 7.1 million passengers in 2025. Tenerife South is about 60 km away via the TF-1 motorway, and the port has ferries to Gran Canaria and mainland Spain.
In the city, get around on foot, by bus or by tram, whose Line 1 connects the centre with La Laguna; a car is almost essential for Anaga and the outskirts. Find the details in our guide to getting to Tenerife, and see more options among places to stay in Tenerife.
Santa Cruz is one of the bases featured in our guide to where to stay in Tenerife. If you’d prefer the southern sunshine, see where to stay in Adeje or where to stay in San Miguel de Abona. To compare islands, see where to stay in the Canary Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Some of the most common questions about Tenerife’s capital.
What’s the best area to stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
It depends on your trip. If you don’t have a car and are staying for a few days, the centre is the most convenient: Plaza de España, the market, museums, buses and the tram to La Laguna are all just steps away. If you’re looking for nature and peace and quiet, Anaga has homes beside wild beaches and laurel forest trails, but there are winding roads and few services. For families or groups, a home with a pool on the outskirts gives you more space, but you’ll depend on a car.
Is it worth staying in Anaga?
Yes, if you want to go walking and switch off. Anaga has been a Biosphere Reserve since 2015, with laurel forest, viewpoints and black-sand beaches such as Benijo and El Draguillo. The trade-off is that there are few shops, the roads are narrow and the city is far away. Bring your groceries with you and check whether the island council’s mobility measures, such as shuttle buses, are already in force.
When is the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2027?
In 2027, Carnival is later than usual because the fairground is occupied until after Epiphany. The opening gala is on 22 January, and street carnival runs from 19 to 28 February, with Tuesday 23 February a local public holiday. The theme is “Eternal Rome: The Empire of Carnival”. These are the busiest weeks of the year: book several months ahead.
How do you get to Santa Cruz from the airports?
The closest is Tenerife North–Ciudad de La Laguna, a few kilometres from the centre, with road and bus connections. Tenerife South, which has more international flights, is about 60 km away via the TF-1 motorway; you can drive or take a bus to the transport interchange. If you’re staying in Anaga or on the outskirts, pick up a hire car at the airport.
Do I need a car if I’m staying in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
Not if you’re staying in the centre. You can get around the city on foot, take the tram to La Laguna, and catch buses from the interchange to almost anywhere on the island, including Las Teresitas and San Andrés. A car is almost essential if you choose Anaga or a home on the outskirts, or want to drive up Mount Teide. Check whether your accommodation has its own parking.
