One day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife: What to see
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the capital of Tenerife. The largest metropolis in all Canary Islands boasting of the high-rises. We came on the Armas ferry at this port from the previous island of Gran Canaria.
We started investigating the city from the panoramic view from the outside hill.
Santa Cruz is located in the north of the island in a valley; Teide volcano isn’t visible from here.
Santa Cruz used to serve as a simple port of the previous capital, La Laguna, but now it expanded with lots of buildings. The town is quite vivid; there is constant movement, traffic jams last till 9-10 p.m. The most of parking sites are to be paid for; central pedestrian part is not so nice, but there are still places in the capital to visit.
We took photos of everything from the top and came to have a closer look. We found several colourful details, but mostly common everyday life of ordinary streets and bars with terraces prevails.
One of the most interesting places of Santa Cruz is Plaza de Espana.
Giant space with a lake in the middle. It’s really cozy environment and park with entrance through beautiful stony gate.
Yellow and white soil underfoot reminds us of Paris.
On one side of the lake tall buildings (not very good) are reflected, and the other – a small triangular cafe with peaked mountains on the back.
And another panoramic view of Santa Cruz and its most famous symbol – Auditorio de Tenerife, authored by the architect Santiago Calatrava. The author managed to decorate the capital’s industrial area and make it popular. And we took photos from the observation deck you can enter after 10 am and the entrance is to be paid for. We accidentally slipped through the open gate when the workers came in for cleaning, but their boss didn’t kick us out since we explained that at 10 am the light for the photo is poor 🙂
Immediately at the Auditorio if to approach the ocean shore, you can meet with the world’s celebrities painted on the rocks.
In addition to Plaza de Espana and Auditorio de Tenerife we liked nothing in the capital. But these two are worth visiting. Moreover, behind the capital one of the best beaches, Playa de las Teresitas, is located.
It looks like local residential areas near Santa Cruz.
Before reaching the capital we descended from the highway down a steep road to a small, probably fishing village. Just a few houses and cars.
The houses, those right by the ocean, have cracked facades damaged by the water and salt, iron doors and windows. During the storm the waves crash against the facade thus the windows are to be made of metal. Probably, it’s constantly humid in those houses, it is doubtful that there is central heating, or at least any heating. And usually people don’t open the windows but hide from the scorching and bright sun in the darkness.
Here, between the houses on the cliffs, there are narrow alleys and a tiny public square with a stage where probably New Year was celebrated. There is a beach and the cars are parked on top of a hill above the houses.
We saw another interesting area from this town and we wanted to drive closer to. A number of high-rises have been built in the rock in the place that was prepared specially for them.
It seems to be the elite area, there’s very good infrastructure, it’s spacious here. Artificial beach, paths, marina.
The structure is clearly visible. All houses have windows and balconies just to the side of the ocean, and the rock behind is fitted with protective grating.
And here you can see the fishing village we were in before.
With love, RH.
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