Explore Santa Cruz
Many of us take a city break from time to time. We swan off to Paris, Rome or London for an interesting weekend. We check out the historical sites and the novel architecture, and we sit in pavement cafés and try the local food, but did you ever consider doing the same in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
Historical sites abound in Tenerife’s capital, and if you don’t know much about Spanish history, consider this, Santa Cruz is where Nelson lost his arm. If you are here in July, there is a re-enactment of the battle, which takes place around the city streets, and is a totally free and fun attraction. In fact, you can explore the city for very little cost in any event. The architecture is mind-bogglingly varied, from the stunning Calatrava-designed Auditorio, which rivals the Sydney Opera House, to the renovated, old buildings of Calle Noria, which whisper of old Havana; or from the cutting-edge design of Tenerife Espacio de Artes to cute, revamped buildings like the one pictured. A simple stroll around the city’s streets is a delight for the senses and the mind.
If parking worries you, then take the bus. TITSA (the local company) run an excellent express service, Number 110 from the bus station in Las Americas, and it stops only in Los Cristianos, after that it’s direct to the capital. The buses are air conditioned, clean, and will deposit you in the bus station almost opposite the Auditorio, Within easy walking distance, you then have the market of Nuestra Señora de Africa, where you can buy luscious fresh fruit and aromatic spices (on a Sunday, just outside the entrance, there sprawls a vibrant street market, reflecting the many cultures which have made the island what it is today).
You have museums, which are free on Sundays, by the way, although you may not have time after you’ve explored the market and eaten a tasty lunch in one of the delightful bars or cafés on Calle Noria, which, in turn, may make you want to peek into the colonial-looking La Iglesia de la Concepcción, the parish church of Santa Cruz, which dates back to the early 16th century.
If you go further, you will find cool parks, street art, docks where you will generally find tall ships as well as exclusive cruise liners, eateries of just about every type, a variety of shopping, and you may even want to make time to nip up to the most-photgraphed beach in Tenerife, Las Terresitas, which lies about ten minutes up the road. Really, there is too much to mention, best go look for yourself.
