Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz in the Canary Islands

Puerto de la Cruz is positioned on the Northern a part of the island of Tenerife and is a part of the Canary Islands (Spain).

Town is understood for tourism, but in addition for the numerous Northern Europeans who dwell within the metropolis to outlive the chilly climate season in Northern Europe.

Associated Learn: Guide to the Canary Islands

Earlier than you go… right here is an outline:

The place to remain in Puerto de la Cruz

10 Attention-grabbing Issues to do in Puerto de la Cruz

1. Go to the Second Finest Zoo on the planet: Loro Parque

In case you are visiting Tenerife, then this place is a should to go to. Loro Parque is palms down top-of-the-line zoos I’ve been to.

The zoo has an intensive and various reserve of animal and plant species. You possibly can see completely different creatures within the park for example: chimpanzees, gorillas, sea lions, otters, jaguars, tigers, alligators, flamingos, unique fish, piranhas, sea horses, and numerous sharks.

Subsequent to this, the zoo supplies completely different reveals in the course of the day. This consists of sea lion reveals, dolphin reveals, parrot reveals and orca reveals. The ocean lion, dolphin and orca reveals are actually sensible.

Loro Parque was awarded by Journey Advisor as the primary finest zoo in Europe and the second finest zoo of the world.

You possibly can order your ticket on-line now, so that you don’t have to attend in line on the field workplace.

Price: €42
Opening Hours: 09:30 – 17:00
Free cancellation as much as 24 hours prematurely.
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Loro Parque has all of it – this gorgeous attraction in Spain boasts the most important dolphin tank in Europe, a tunnel beneath a shark tank and the most important penguin enclosure on the planet. It’s additionally one among solely two parks in Europe the place you may see orcas!

Along with the fascinating sea creatures, there are additionally the standard animal species to find – from chimpanzees and gorillas to majestic lions and tigers, reptiles, bugs and rather more. Hottest, nonetheless, are the colourful parrots that carry the park to life with their brightly coloured plumage and melodious songs.

With a robust dedication to animal welfare and environmental sustainability, a go to is as thrilling as it’s eco-friendly!

Tip 1 for visiting Loro Parque

If you enter the park you should buy a ticket for the ‘Discovery Tour’ together with or excluding lunch (you may as well buy the ticket online earlier than you go). That is positively value a purchase. I purchased this additional ticket and obtained a personal tour within the ’worker solely’ components of the zoo.

Throughout this tour I visited the sleeping advanced of the Gorillas, realized in regards to the meals and conduct of the Gorillas, visited the water purification advanced of the penguins and visited the day advanced of the Orcas. The non-public tour on the advanced of the Orcas was superb. In the course of the present you will note the Orcas from above, however in the course of the tour you’ll go down in a posh and may watch the Orcas behind a window. Through this, you may see the Orcas on the similar top as you. The Orcas are very curious animals and can come typically to the window to work together with you.

I’ve by no means been that near a giant creature just like the Orca. It was superb! For those who additionally wish to expertise this, I like to recommend you go to the zoo within the early morning or ask the ticket desk for the Discovery tour, as a result of the later you’ll enter the zoo, the upper the prospect that the tickets for this particular tour will likely be bought out.

Tip 2 for visiting Loro Parque

Each 20 minutes a free categorical prepare departs from Reyes Católicos (metropolis middle Puerto de La Cruz) to Loro Parque. The final prepare leaves at 17.45 from Loro Parque.

Information about Loro Parque

• Loro Parque was awarded by Journey Advisor as the primary finest zoo in Europe and the second finest zoo of the world.
• The doorway price is round € 42 for adults.
• Youngsters beneath 6 free entrance.
• Loro Parque is open from 9.30 AM to five.00 PM from Monday to Sunday.

2. Watch the Sundown or Sunbathe at Playa de Jardin

Have you ever ever imagined what paradise would possibly appear to be? A sunny sandy seaside, shimmering turquoise waters, unique vegetation and effervescent waterfalls – perhaps like this?

Then it is best to positively go to Puerto de la Cruz within the north of Tenerife. Right here you will see the gorgeous seaside of Playa Jardin. The seaside is black and the ocean is deep blue. The encompassing space is characterised by lush vegetation.

Playa de Jardin is the most important and nicest seaside of Puerto de la Cruz.

Playa de Jardin means ´Backyard Seaside´ in English. The seaside is surrounded by palm bushes and completely different sorts of flora.

On the seaside you will see black sand. There may be one massive restaurant the place you may have lunch or purchase drinks and snacks. On the seaside are solar beds, parasols, showers and bogs obtainable.

Manrique tried to maintain the seaside as pure and wild as attainable. He surrounded it with manicured inexperienced areas, a botanical backyard and a speeding waterfall – all in order that beachgoers wouldn’t be disturbed by the noise of the hustle and bustle of Puerto de la Cruz.

Playa Jardin is split into three pure sections by fascinating rock formations: El Castillo, El Charcon and Punta Brava. Synthetic reefs have been constructed within the sea to guard the seaside from the robust waves. Nevertheless, there are additionally open areas for surfers.

There may be additionally a lifeguard, as a result of generally the waves can change into very excessive, which makes it harmful to swim. When that is the case, a pink flag will likely be proven on the seaside.

Playa de Jardin is certainly value a go to. You possibly can sunbathe however additionally it is a really good seaside to observe the sundown within the night.

3. Get pleasure from a Day Swimming at El Lago Martianez

El Lago Martianez is an outdoor swimming pool advanced and it actually appears to be like implausible! There are 4 massive swimming pools and three babies’s swimming pools. The swimming pools are crammed with filtered sea water.

Sights embrace a big man-made physique of water surrounded by emerald inexperienced swimming pools, manicured gardens and terraces, and eating places. Breathtaking views of the ocean and the majestic Mount Teide full this distinctive facility.

The park was designed within the Seventies by Lanzarote’s famend artist, César Manrique. He built-in parts of conventional Canary Island structure and native flora to create a singular design.

As a historic backyard, Lago Martiánez is taken into account an essential cultural heritage website. Folks of all ages will discover leisure to go well with their tastes.

There are 4 swimming pools for adults and three extra for youngsters, all surrounded by lawns with sunbeds and umbrellas for stress-free.

The advanced additionally gives a number of terraces, kiosks, eating places and, since 2006, a on line casino – the right complement to a day of solar and sea views.

Information about El Lago Martianez

• El Lago Martiánez was awarded by Journey Advisor because the second finest aquatic park in Europe in 2014.
• The doorway price is round €5.50 for adults and € 2.50 for teenagers as much as 10 years.
• El Lago Martiánez  is open from 10AM to 5PM from Monday to Sunday.

4. See the Skyline of Puerto de La Cruz

On high of the Martianez cliffs, you may see a spectacular view of Puerto de La Cruz.

The point of view is behind lodge ‘Puerto de la Cruz’. It’s important to stroll some stairs, however the view is superb.

5. Go to La Plaza del Charco In the course of the Day or Night time

Plaza del Charco is a giant sq. within the centre of Puerto de la Cruz.

Plaza del Charco has lengthy been one of the crucial widespread locations within the municipality. This particular standing just isn’t just for vacationers, but in addition for locals and residents of the Canary Islands. In Spain and the Canary Islands, life is lived outdoor, and so is Plaza del Charco.

Numerous vacationers come right here to benefit from the idyll and admire the gorgeous palm bushes and different subtropical vegetation. The locals like to walk alongside the promenade or drink their cortado (espresso) and watch the colourful hustle and bustle. Some {couples} sit in love on the benches across the fountain with the gorgeous water plant in the course of the plaza.

Proper in the course of the plaza, subsequent to the fountain, there’s additionally a kids’s playground and the Cafe Dinamico – for a few years an insider’s assembly place in Puerto de La Cruz.

Across the Plaza del Charco are quite a few cafes, bars, eating places, ice cream parlors, fragrance outlets, style boutiques and rather more. Right here you may eat, drink, stroll, store – simply calm down.

Within the evenings there’s a lot happening: night time owls among the many younger vacationers or locals meet within the Hannen Pub or within the cozy Coloration Cafe for a beer or a cocktail.

The title “Plaza del Charco” comes from a seawater pool that was in the course of the sq.. Though the plaza has been redesigned in recent times, the fountain pool with a taro plant, the birch figs and a few spectacular palm bushes have been preserved.

6. Rejoice Carnival like You Have By no means Performed Earlier than

It’s superb to rejoice Carnival in Tenerife.

Normally the carnival is round February and the perfect place to rejoice carnival is in Santa Cruz. The celebration of carnival in Santa Cruz is second solely to carnival in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil on the world social gathering stage. Subsequent to Santa Cruz, you may as well rejoice carnival very properly in Puerto de la Cruz.

The parades are implausible to see and there are a lot of avenue events. If you go to the middle within the night, you will see dwell music and folks dancing all over the place.

The environment is implausible. Subsequent to the dressing up, the carnival in Tenerife have some particular traditions like:

1. The lads have to decorate up like a feminine. Sure, you learn it appropriately. Many of the males will costume up like a feminine. They are going to borrow the garments and sneakers of their feminine companions.
2. In the course of the day there are humorous occasions like heel working.
3. On Ash Wednesday, the ‘burial of the sardine’ will happen. On the seaside on the previous harbor of Puerto de la Cruz is a giant papier maché sardine. In the course of the night time, this will likely be burnt and the occasion ends with fireworks.
4. The ‘gran cosa apoteosis’ (the Carnival closing parade) may be very humorous to attend. In the course of the parade, huevos tacos (that are eggshell and fabric balls held collectively by paste) are thrown onto the passing parade from home windows and balconies.

7. Go to the Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico)

Jardin Botanico (Botanical Gardens) is positioned in Puerto de La Cruz.

It’s a very massive backyard with distinctive vegetation and bushes from all around the globe. Virtually each plant and tree is labeled with the title of the plant or tree in several languages.

From the Canary Islands to New Caledonia, you will see native vegetation and animals, however the spotlight is undoubtedly the quite a few palm bushes. Every of those imposing palms is positioned amongst a wide range of native vegetation.

Notably spectacular are the Caribbean vegetation that characterize the botanical backyard of their variety. A go to wouldn’t be full with out a take a look at the flowering baobabs.

Furthermore, there’s a pretty and peaceable pond behind the gardens. This backyard is an effective place to calm down and spend one or two hours of the day.

There isn’t a restaurant within the backyard, so carry some water and meals with you. Throughout the backyard, are a few eating places the place you may have a scrumptious lunch or dinner.

Information in regards to the Botanical Gardens

Or it’s possible you’ll take an tour “Los Guanches Coast”. There will likely be 2 stops: Botanical Gardens (Admission included) and Playa El Bollullo. 

8. Playa de Martianez

This seaside is between the Martiánez cliffs and the Costa Martiánez advanced.

Like a lot of the seashores within the north of Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz, Playa Martiánez has black sand with pebbles.

The seaside is artificially created and guarded by breakwaters at a 90 diploma angle to the Atlantic. Surfers recognize this association as a result of, relying on the swell, there are superb circumstances for freshmen and superior surfers.

In comparison with the gorgeous Playa Jardin, the principle seaside of the town, Playa Martiánez is by far not as massive and comfy. The precise stretch of seaside is comparatively slim, however gives loads of house for sunbathing.

Generally it may be troublesome to enter the water with out concern, because the waves at Playa Martiánez will be fairly excessive. Nonetheless, that is the right place to benefit from the sea and take spectacular pictures.

Nonetheless, the seaside gives all of the facilities you’ll anticipate in a metropolis like Puerto de la Cruz. You possibly can take pleasure in culinary delights proper on the promenade, only a stone’s throw away from the seaside life.

The view of the evergreen northern coast is breathtaking.

A part of the small black sand seaside is open to the ocean, whereas one other half is partially protected by breakwaters. This supplies optimum circumstances for surfers and bodyboarders.

No marvel that there’s a surf college right here that caters for each freshmen and professionals.

Particularly bodyboarders like to come back to this seaside to reap the benefits of the fixed waves.

Playa Martiánez just isn’t all the time guarded and will be difficult on account of some rocks within the water and unpredictable currents.

For that reason, there’s often a pink flag on this seaside prohibiting swimming. It is a disgrace as a result of it’s one among my favourite seashores.

Listed below are some actions close by:

9. Go to the Outdated Castillo de San Felipe

Castillo de San Felipe is a really small previous citadel (stays of chateau) positioned subsequent to Playa de Jardin.

You possibly can take a look inside and browse in regards to the historical past of the citadel. It’s not very attention-grabbing to go to, however in the event you go to Playa de Jardin, it’s value to have fast look inside this citadel. You’ll cross it anyway.

The Castillo de San Felipe, constructed within the mid-Seventeenth century, is positioned west of the town middle and as soon as served as a protection towards pirates.

At present it hosts exhibitions and cultural occasions that enliven the defiant constructing.

The Castillo de San Felipe was constructed between 1641 and 1655 within the form of an irregular pentagon. It was initially composed of two components: The inland half was a two-story constructing with storerooms and a commander’s condo, whereas the seaward half was a one-story constructing designed as an open cannon courtyard. Throughout a restoration within the twentieth century, these constructions have been modified in order that San Felipe now seems as a steady two-story constructing. The fortress is now used for exhibitions and numerous occasions.

From the Castillo there’s a magnificent view of Playa Jardín (Backyard Seaside) and you’ll start a six-kilometer coastal hike to Mirador San Pedro.

10. Go to the Outdated Harbor

In case you have finished the 9 issues above and you continue to have vitality left to discover the town, you may additionally go to the previous harbor of Puerto de la Cruz. It’s positioned subsequent to the ‘Plaze del Charco’.

The harbor may be very small and is these days used to swim and fish.

The port of Puerto is a spot that everybody ought to go to. Right here you may meet vacationers, fishermen, sportsmen, divers and locals, all having fun with the distinctive environment of the pier and the port.

Early within the morning, the port comes alive. The fishermen go about their conventional actions and the idyllically moored fishing boats give the pebble seaside a really particular, nearly dreamy environment.

For vacationers and locals alike, the port of Puerto de La Cruz is an actual attraction. Particularly within the night you may benefit from the romantic environment and admire the sundown. Within the morning you may take pleasure in a panoramic view over the Orotava Valley, excellent for dreaming.

Puerto de la Cruz is a really good metropolis to go to throughout your keep on Tenerife. There are many issues to do and the climate is all the time very good.

For those who prefer to social gathering and want to go to an superior night time membership I like to recommend Limbo to you. This place is implausible. Secondly, Blanco can be a superb bar to have some drinks.

We additionally advocate hiring a automobile and exploring the roads in Tenerife.