When you picture Tenerife, you might think of the big, sunbaked resorts in the south. But travel to the island’s emerald-green northern coast to Puerto de la Cruz, and it's a different story. It's one of the oldest tourist spots in the Canary Islands, but it has managed to sidestep feeling like a generic holiday town. It’s kept its soul as a proper Canarian port, where you’ll find olde worlde streets in the historic quarter that lead down to a coastline of dramatic, black volcanic sand. There's certainly no shortage of things to do in Puerto de la Cruz for the adventurous and the curious out there.
What to see in Puerto de la Cruz
These are the main sights that really give Puerto de la Cruz its character. From gardens with centuries of history to some incredible man-made swimming spots, these places are popular for good reason.
Wander the black sand beaches like Playa Jardín
The beaches here are something else, mainly because they were designed by the famous Canarian artist César Manrique. Playa Jardín isn't just a strip of volcanic sand; it's a whole complex. You’ll find gardens, small waterfalls and stone pathways that weave between three different coves.
Explore the Botanical Gardens (Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava)
Founded back in the 18th century by order of a king, the idea was to acclimatise plants from the tropics before they were sent to mainland Spain. Today, it’s a wonderfully peaceful place filled with towering palms and exotic trees from all corners of the globe.
Swim in the Lago Martiánez complex
If the Atlantic waves are a bit much, this is the place to go. Also a César Manrique creation, it's a massive complex of filtered seawater pools built right on the coastline. It feels less like a public pool and more like a work of art, with a huge central lake, volcanic islands, sculptures, and plenty of space to find a spot.
Visit the historic San Felipe Castle
At the western edge of Playa Jardín, you'll spot this small, sturdy-looking fort. It’s a little piece of 17th-century history, built to defend the town from pirate attacks. It’s not a huge castle, but it's been nicely preserved and is now used as a cultural space for art exhibitions and small concerts.
Fun and unusual things to do in Puerto de la Cruz
Beyond the big-ticket attractions, this is where you find the real personality of Puerto de la Cruz. It’s in the colourful backstreets, the little details, and the buzzing heart of the old town where you can really get a feel for the place.
Stroll through the Old Town and Plaza del Charco
The old town is a lovely maze of streets lined with colourful Canarian houses and traditional wooden balconies. It all leads to Plaza del Charco, the main square, which is always buzzing. It’s shaded by huge Indian laurel trees and is the perfect spot to grab a coffee at a pavement cafe and watch the world go by. This area really gives you a sense of what to see in Puerto de la Cruz just by walking around.
Climb the Agatha Christie Steps
The famous crime writer Agatha Christie spent some time here in the 1920s, and the town has paid tribute to her with a quirky, colourful staircase. As you walk up, the steps are painted to look like the spines of her famous books. It leads up to the Anglican church and is a brilliant, slightly hidden spot for a fun photo.
Discover the Puerto Street Art Project in La Ranilla
Get lost in the old fishermen's quarter, La Ranilla, and you’ll start stumbling upon some incredible murals. It's a brilliant open-air gallery where international artists have turned entire building walls into works of art. It’s a fantastic excuse to just wander without a map, turning corners to see what huge mural you'll discover next.
Free things to do in Puerto de la Cruz
One of the best things about Puerto de la Cruz is that you don’t need a fat wallet to enjoy its charm. Some of the most memorable experiences here are completely free.
Find the Orchid Garden and its surroundings
The main Orchid Garden, Sitio Litre, does have an entrance fee. However, the area itself is lovely to explore, with a distinctly historic, almost British feel to it. For a proper freebie, head up to Taoro Park. It's a huge public park that sprawls up the hillside behind the town, with beautiful gardens, fountains, and some killer views back over the rooftops of Puerto de la Cruz.
Walk the coastal promenade to Punta Brava
Starting from near Playa Jardín, there's a fantastic coastal path that winds its way along the ocean. You get a real sense of the Atlantic's power, with waves crashing against the volcanic rocks and natural pools. The walk takes you towards Punta Brava, a tiny, traditional fishing village at the far end of town.
Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz at night
The evenings here are less about big, flashy clubs and more about enjoying the warm air and laid-back atmosphere. It’s all about finding a great spot for a drink, enjoying some fantastic local food, and soaking up the lively but relaxed vibe.
Enjoy Canarian cuisine and a Zaperoco coffee
Find a traditional tasca—a small, often family-run tavern—and order a plate of papas arrugadas con mojo. They’re the famous local wrinkled potatoes served with flavourful red and green sauces. For a real local experience to finish the meal, you have to try a zaperoco. It's a speciality coffee from Tenerife, a layered glass of condensed milk, liqueur, espresso and cream. It’s basically a cocktail and a dessert in one cup.
Experience the local nightlife
Forget superclubs; think instead of finding a small, friendly bar with some live music, often Spanish guitar, drifting out of the door. The best places to start are Plaza del Charco and the surrounding streets of the La Ranilla district. They're full of little places with tables spilling out onto the pavement, where locals and visitors mingle over a beer or a glass of wine.
Things to do in Puerto de la Cruz for kids and families
While the town itself has a relaxed pace, it’s also the gateway to some of the biggest and best family attractions in all of Spain.
Spend a day at Loro Parque
Just on the edge of town, you’ll find what is arguably Tenerife's most famous attraction. Loro Parque started life as a sanctuary for parrots (the name literally means 'Parrot Park'), but over the years it has grown into a world-class zoo set within incredible botanical gardens. The penguin enclosure, a re-creation of Antarctica, is genuinely impressive, and it's also famous for its dolphin and orca shows.
Plan a trip to Siam Park
Siam Park is not in Puerto de la Cruz, it's over on the south coast, near Costa Adeje, so it's a bit of a trek. But it's so famous, it has to be mentioned. This is a massive, Thai-themed water park that is consistently voted one of the best in the world. It has everything from huge, adrenaline-pumping slides to a lazy river and a wave palace with an artificial beach. The easiest way to get there from Puerto is on one of the organised bus tours.
Best day trips from Puerto de la Cruz
While there's more than enough in Puerto to keep you busy, it's also perfectly placed for exploring some of the most beautiful parts of Tenerife.
Discover San Cristóbal de la Laguna, a UNESCO site
Often just called La Laguna, this is Tenerife's former capital and its cultural heart. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its beautifully preserved colonial city plan—a grid of colourful, historic streets that you can wander for hours.
Explore the historic towns of La Orotava and Garachico
Just a short trip up the hill from Puerto lies La Orotava, a town packed with elegant mansions and famous for its intricately carved wooden balconies. Further along the coast, you’ll find Garachico, a town that was partly destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 18th century. Today, its main draw is El Caletón, a series of stunning natural rock pools left behind by the lava flows.
Visit the ancient Drago Tree in Icod de los Vinos
It's worth visiting Icod de los Vinos for one main reason: to see the Drago Milenario. This incredible dragon tree is a true icon of the Canary Islands and is thought to be around a thousand years old.
Living in Puerto de la Cruz
After seeing all the vibrant plazas, historic streets and volcanic beaches, it’s easy to wonder what it would be like to live in Puerto de la Cruz. Expect a proper, working Canarian town that just happens to be beautiful. Grabbing a coffee in Plaza del Charco, walking the promenade at sunset, finding a new favourite tapas bar in La Ranilla—these aren't just holiday activities; they become part of the rhythm of your daily life. It’s a town with a real soul, a charming blend of local life and an international community that has been settling here for decades.