Puerto de la Cruz Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know as a First-Timer
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife’s tourism hub in the north, has something for everyone. Quite frankly, that’s no small task.
The city attracts families, digital nomads, retirees and easy-going ¨give me a view and a cheap beer¨ crowd. They certainly don’t spend their time in the same places, but each group finds a way to experience Puerto de la Cruz on their own terms and make for a relaxing trip.
Are you considering a trip to Puerto de la Cruz? Check out our ultimate travel guide for the best tips to make the most of your stay.
Need a Hotel? Our Top Recommendations in Puerto de la Cruz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Tigaiga – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Atlantic Mirage Suites – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️⭐️ DWO Nopal – Click here for rates & availability
Why Should You Visit Puerto de la Cruz?
Despite having a well established tourism infrastructure, Puerto de la Cruz has managed to maintain a sense of place without becoming kitsch.
Originally a fishing village and port, the waterfront was gracefully transformed into a seaside promenade, which is a central meeting point for morning or afternoon strolls. Beyond the waterfront you can explore traditional neighborhoods, colorful street art, go for a swim and visit top attractions like Loro Parque and the city’s botanical garden.
Puerto de la Cruz is also a convenient and practical base from which to explore the greater north of Tenerife. You can easily day trip to some of the island’s key sights such as San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Anaga Rural Park and El Teide.
Whether you want an active vacation, or a few days to relax and recharge, Puerto de la Cruz has you covered.
Where to start? Everything you need to know is in this Puerto de la Cruz travel guide.
Where is Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is located on the northern coast of Tenerife, at the bottom of the Valle de la Orotava. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Tenerife’s north airport and about an hour from Tenerife’s larger airport in the south.
Just a few minutes up the hill from Puerto de la Cruz lies the historic city of La Orotava. Other frequented sites are within about a half hour’s drive such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Icod de los Vinos and the picturesque town of Garachico.
How to Get to Puerto de la Cruz
Generally reliable and relatively frequent public transportation connects Puerto de la Cruz with both of Tenerife’s airports. Timetables of the bus company (Titsa) can be viewed here.
Renting a car is easy and is the best way to explore the island at your own pace. Taxis are also readily available from both airports.
At this time, Tenerife does not support any ridesharing apps.
How to Move Around In and Outside of Puerto de la Cruz
For the most part, it makes sense to explore Puerto de la Cruz by foot. The major sites, as well as plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars are located downtown in the largely pedestrian historical center.
And while the downtown is relatively flat, Puerto de la Cruz’s hills and stairs begin right outside of the center. Don’t let this intimidate you – frequent buses and even hotel shuttles are all options to help you move smoothly throughout the city if you don’t enjoy walking.
Most visitors looking to explore outside of the city will rent a car. However it is certainly possible to forgo the car and use public transport to get around, as long as you have the time and don´t mind skipping off the beaten track places.
Taxis are available, but are best for shorter excursions.
When is the Best Time to Visit Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is a year-round destination, but visitors should consider what type of vacation they want before they commit.
Tenerife’s image of everlasting sun, tans and lying on the beach is certainly true for a part of the island, but the island as a whole. While winter temperatures in Puerto de la Cruz allow for pleasant outdoor exploration, you aren’t guaranteed to have enough sun to bake on the beach all day, every day. During the winter months it’s more likely that you will experience bouts of sun and clouds and possibly moments of light rain.
So, if your main goal is to return home with a noticeable tan, the south of Tenerife will likely better suit you unless visiting Puerto de la Cruz in the summer. A more nuanced month-by-month breakdown is below.
February – March: Tenerife celebrates Carnival over a two week period, sometime during the months of February and March. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the focal point for the festivities, but Puerto de la Cruz usually hosts smaller events including drag shows, parades and music. During this time accommodation prices rise and the city feels a bit more buzzy and crowded than usual. Prices also rise and book out quickly during Semana Santa, or Holy Week, which falls sometime between March and April.
April – May: Good overall temperatures, less clouds and shoulder season accommodation rates make April and May an excellent moment to travel. During this time, visitors can comfortably enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities from swimming to hiking. Festival season begins in May with the well known open-air street festival MUECA and the Up&Down Jazz and World music festival.
June – July: Excellent weather and the busy start of the summer season. Expect sunny skies and warm days. The popular celebration of San Juan takes place on the 23-24th of June as well as the small, but traditional, goat bathing event. July has a smattering of religious festivals and the Canarias Jazz & More music festival.
August: The height of summer. You may see some small businesses shut down for one or two weeks for summer vacation. If you are planning a trip during this time, check if your hotel has air conditioning before you book.
September – October: Fewer crowds, lower prices and sustained warm temperatures make September and October another good moment to visit before the winter high season begins. In September, the Phe Festival for independent music and culture takes place.
November: Expect fluctuations in the weather including cooler evenings, periods of clouds and chances of drizzle.
December – January: Winter high season. You’ll still be able to sightsee and explore comfortably, but you should expect shifting weather patterns. Night time temps on average are 13°C – 15°C (55°F – 59°F).
Should I Base Myself in Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is a lovely and practical base from which to explore northern Tenerife. And returning to Puerto de la Cruz for a sunset cocktail and tasty dinner after a day of sightseeing is a failproof plan. Whether a romantic or relaxed holiday, Puerto de la Cruz is a solid option.
Puerto de la Cruz also makes a particularly good base for families looking to head to the greener north. An easily walkable center, hotels with pools and plenty of attractions make it easy for the whole family to enjoy their time. Several hotels specifically cater to the family market, making holiday planning even easier.
Who is Puerto de la Cruz not the best base for? Anyone who wants a guaranteed tan outside of the normal summer season would be better off booking in the south of the island, as well as those looking for dance clubs and late nights. To make the distinction more clear, Puerto de la Cruz is the land of a relaxed cocktail and a view, not stilettos and a 3-day hangover.
How Long to Stay in Puerto de la Cruz
A trip to Puerto de la Cruz can easily be adapted to the amount of time you have. That said, you can easily spend one day walking around the center, enjoying a meal and going for a swim.
Staying two or three nights allows you to slow things down and see a bit outside of the city. In this scenario you might spend one day in town, a day at the beach and a day at a bodega tour or sightseeing in a nearby town.
Staying four or five days would be sufficient to see the basic big ticket items in the north such as Anaga Rural Park, San Cristóbal de la Laguna or El Teide. Staying longer will allow you to penetrate more deeply, make spontaneous stops and adventure at your own pace outside of the classic must-see items.
Where to Stay in Puerto de la Cruz
Even before looking at hotels, we suggest you ask yourself: what type of holiday do I want and will I bring a car? Answers to these two questions will likely help narrow down the best area for you to stay in.
Historic Center: The historic downtown is centered around Plaza del Charco. This is a great area for first time visitors and people who want to exit their hotel and have everything at their fingertips. This zone is also a good option for those planning to use public transport to move around the island due to its close vicinity to the main bus station.
Lago Martiánez: If seaviews and shopping are your priorities, this is the area for you. The waterfront promenade is directly at your doorstep, as well as plenty of restaurants and bars. This is where you will find a concentration of larger brand name hotels with solid amenities like H10 Hotels, FERGUS and Meliá.
Botánico & La Paz: This is the quieter, hillside area of Puerto de la Cruz with several all-inclusive hotels. If you don´t mind walking up and down the hill, using public transport, or your hotel’s free shuttle, this is an excellent laid-back spot with great views.
Taoro: A quieter hillside area directly above the city’s historic downtown center with great views of the city, ocean and El Teide mountain. The two major hotels in the area, the Gran Hotel Taoro and Hotel Tigaiga are historic four and five star properties with extensive, well tended gardens.
Playa Jardin: The closest area to the main black sand beaches of Puerto de la Cruz. Located on the edge of the historical downtown.
El Burgado/Punta Brava: A more relaxed and residential area on the outer edge of Puerto de la Cruz. The main hotel in this area is Precise Resort Tenerife. This is the best spot for people who want to be able to access Puerto de la Cruz once or twice, but don’t plan to make their whole trip revolve around the city.
Top Things to Do In Puerto de la Cruz
Classic activities in Puerto de la Cruz include leisurely meandering around the historic downtown, snapping pictures of street art, shopping, swimming and eating at the city´s many delicious restaurants.
The main ticketed activities include visiting Loro Parque, the botanical garden, or swimming in the Lago Martiánez salt water pools.
For more in depth information about what to visit in Puerto de la Cruz, check out our extended guide on what to do in the city.
Best Things to Do Around Puerto de la Cruz
La Orotava
A short uphill drive will bring you to La Orotava, where you can walk around the beautiful historic center and enjoy typical Canarian architecture, manicured gardens and beautiful churches.
Icod de los Vinos & Garachico
Visit the famous Drago tree in Icod de los Vinos, or join an organized tour of the nearby lava tube at Cueva del Viento. Continue on to discover the salt water swimming pools of Garachico (Tenerife’s prettiest coastal town).
Teide National Park
Get above the clouds to visit dramatic volcanic landscapes that feel like Mars and stare in awe at Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide.
Anaga Rural Park
Travel winding mountain roads to reach tiny villages, remote viewpoints and hike through mossy laurel forests.
San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Walk the historic downtown of this UNESCO-listed city, visit cozy cafés and check out a museum.
Sip Wine
The north of Tenerife is home to many vineyards and bodegas. Tours and tastings can be organized in advance at larger operations such as Bodegas Monje and Bodega Tajinaste.
Eat Local
Enjoy Canarian food and local wine at a Guachinche: an informal and often family-run establishment.
Practical Tips for Visiting Puerto de la Cruz
Bring comfortable shoes. Some of the historic streets are cobbled and you may find yourself going up and down hills. Flip-flops aren’t ideal for a full day of exploring the historic downtown.
Be conscious of hills. The downtown historic center is mostly flat but the minute you leave it behind, the hills begin. If you are staying in areas like Botánico, La Paz or near Parque Taoro, expect to tone your legs.
If arriving by car, sort out parking first. There is a large free car park downtown, but depending on where you stay, it may be further away than you’d like. Street parking around the city is possible, but can be cramped, especially if staying in the popular Lago Martiánez area.
Pack for more than one type of weather. A light summer jacket will be useful, even in the summer, if you plan to visit villages at a higher elevation.
Coordinate around festivals. If you have free rein on dates, coordinate around some of the more exciting events in the city such as MUECA, Carnival or San Juan.
Learn some Spanish. You’ll be able to move around in English easily, but if you want to stand out from the rest of the tourists, learn a few words of Spanish. They go a long way and are always appreciated.
Puerto de la Cruz: The Bottom Line
If you´ve made it this far in the Puerto de la Cruz travel guide, then you know the city is a worthy stop during your visit to Tenerife and a convenient base from which to explore the north of the island.
Puerto de la Cruz is a great choice to relax for a few days, enjoy ocean and mountain views, good restaurants and watch the sunset from a rooftop terrace bar. And when you feel ready to explore beyond the city, you´ll find a fair number of day trips you can make to further get to know the north of Tenerife.
Check Out Our Other Puerto de la Cruz Guides
What to Do in Puerto de la Cruz: And What to Skip
Puerto de la Cruz: Family-Friendly Hotels with Built-In Entertainment
Where History Meets Hospitality: Puerto de la Cruz’s Best Historic Hotels
Playa Castro and the Rambla de Castro Protected Area: A Day Trip From Puerto de la Cruz
What To Do in Tenerife: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Tenerife
