Making the most of Santa Cruz Tenerife
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships dock at Santa Cruz port. Tenerife Port Authority provides free shuttles to town-center Plaza de Espana, where pedestrian shopping streets converge, and taxis are usually at the pier. Walking into town is pleasant when not too hot. It has been reported that taxis and shuttles are sometimes absent, so arrange ahead.
The new terminal has a 395 meters berth, 10 meters depth, 50 check-in desks and is 8,473-square-meters, making it the biggest in the region. A large staging area serves taxis and buses, and two state-of-the-art gangways are available. The entire facility is a five minute walk from the city center.
Some cruise companies may say free shuttles are limited to people with walking disabilities, but they are for everyone.
Airport is around nine miles away; taxi costs 15-20 Euro.
Hotels near Cruise Terminal; take a printable map along.
Tenerife, the largest Canary Island, is one of the world’s most scenically stunning. Its 12,402 ft.-high Mount Teide outline dominates a volcanic island of varied landscapes and tourist experiences.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the busy main port, with ultramodern bank buildings and plenty of traffic. Its pleasant center, Plaza de Espana, is a 20 minute walk from terminal and has an unusual four-sided-cross tower. Activities include museums and strolling shady Municipal Park, admiring its unique assortment of tropical flora. Plenty of sidewalk cafes await your patronage.
Getting around
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife Hop-On Hop-Off Tour lets you board and leave as often as you wish at 12 stops conveniently placed around the city.
Cabbies also tour the island; negotiate clearly beforehand whether price is per party or person.
Nearby places
Mount Teide, Tenerife's and Spain's highest point, is in Las Canadas National Park, famed for spectacular volcanic rock formations. From the parking lot, a cable lift takes tourists to the volcano at 3550m. Due to the distance, an organized excursion is your best bet.
La Laguna, Tenerife’s oldest city and former capital, is a recently designated world heritage site. From downtown Santa Cruz beside Plaza de Espana, Line #1 tram runs directly there; La Trinidad terminus is nearest Old Town. It costs little over an euro one way and takes about 40 minutes.
Food and shopping
Tenerife’s more or less tax-free status means many electronics and perfume stores. Tobacco pruducts are heavily discounted and often cheaper than cruise-line offerings.
Many shops observe 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. siesta, though main Santa Cruz center stores stay open throughout.
For upscale shopping, visit El Corte Ingles, a large department store with attached center, 15 minute walk or 4 Euro taxi ride from port.
For basic supplies without going into town, find a few shops and a restroom along the pier in the direction of town.
Money
Currency: the euro.
Staying connected
Many sidewalk cafe's provide free Wifi, and Mcdonalds on main square is a cruise-crew favorite.
For emergency assistance anywhere in Spain, dial 112 free of charge. The service is offered in Spanish and, in some tourist areas, English, French and German as well.
Opening Hours and
Most shops and business hours run Monday through Saturday, 9.30 h to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h.
Big shopping centers and department stores are uninterruptedly open 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h, and sometimes Sunday.
Coastal-city shops are usually open after 22.00 h in the high season.
Pharmacies trade 9.30 to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h. Major cities have pharmacies open 24 hours. Their rolling late-hour schedule is published in newspapers and posted at all pharmacies.
Museums generally close on Mondays.
National information.