Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Guide
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Spain

Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Guide

Canary Islands

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the vibrant capital of the Canary Islands, is located on the northeastern coast of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. It offers a unique blend of urban life with easy access to natural beauty, making it an appealing destination for both travelers and remote workers. The city boasts a lively port, a rich cultural scene, and a pleasant climate year-round, providing a relaxed yet engaging environment.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Offers a mix of local and international cuisine. Vegan and vegetarian options are becoming more common. Enjoy late-night dining in many restaurants and tapas bars.

Local Dishes:
Papas Arrugadas con Mojo, Fresh seafood, Gofio
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, South American
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Vibrant nightlife, especially around Calle Antonio D. Alfonso, with bars, pubs, and clubs catering to various tastes.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Developing coffee culture with a mix of traditional and specialty cafes offering high-quality brews.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Common to tip 5-10% in restaurants if not included. Rounding up the taxi fare is usual.

Top Attractions
Auditorio de Tenerife
cultural
Iconic concert hall with contemporary architecture.
Plaza de España
sightseeing
Central square featuring fountains and a pond.
Parque García Sanabria
nature
Large city park with unique botanical displays and sculptures.
Museum of Nature and Archaeology
cultural
Museum showcasing natural history and archaeological finds from the island.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be purchased at phone shops in the city center or airport. Major providers include Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, and Yoigo. eSIMs are becoming more common and a passport or ID is required for registration.

Available at:
Movistar
Vodafone
Orange
Yoigo
Recommended Apps
Moovit(transport)
Cabify(transport)
Glovo(food delivery)
Just Eat(food delivery)
Google Maps(navigation)
AllTrails(activities)
WhatsApp(communication)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

The city is generally clean, with regular waste pickup and recycling services in place.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some 24-hour services available, like pharmacies and late-night food options.

Groceries
Mercadona
HiperDino
Carrefour
Mercado Nuestra Señora de África

International products are widely available in larger supermarkets. Main supermarkets include Mercadona, HiperDino, and Carrefour. Local fresh markets like Mercado Nuestra Señora de África also offer a variety of products.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Card payments are widely accepted in most shops, restaurants, and hotels. However, it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases, local markets, or in less touristy areas.

ATMs

ATMs are readily available throughout the city, including major banks like CaixaBank, Santander, and BBVA. Fees for withdrawals can vary depending on your bank and the ATM provider; it's best to check with your bank beforehand.

Schools
International

Notable international schools offer instruction in English, German, or French. Local public schools teach in Spanish.

Available Schools:
British School of Tenerife
German School of Tenerife

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
Espacio Kernel
Modern tech-focused coworking space with private offices, popular for startups.
Coworking Nomads Tenerife
Offers flexible desks and private offices with a community vibe.
Impact Hub Tenerife
Focuses on social innovation with various membership plans.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Excellent
La Escala | Food Craft & Specialty Coffee
Fast Wi-Fi, power plugs, good coffee.
Fika Coffee & Brunch
Scandinavian design, artisan coffee, laptop-friendly.
Café Caramba
Large tables, solid Wi-Fi, stylish venue.
Alternatives:
Biblioteca Pública del Estado en Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Quiet study spaces with Wi-Fi.
University of La Laguna Campus
Libraries and common areas offer quiet spaces, short tram ride away.
Digital Nomad Community
Good
6

Growing digital nomad community with emerging co-living spaces like Nomadhut and nomad-friendly cafes.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Good access to parks like Parque García Sanabria and Palmetum, offering relaxing green areas for various activities.

Running
Excellent
8

Numerous running routes are available such as coastal promenades and Parque García Sanabria, with good infrastructure and air quality.

Gyms
Available

Various gyms and sports centers available with different facilities including swimming pools and sports courts.

Available Gyms:
Go Fit Santa Cruz
Metropolitan Santa Cruz
Level Fitness Tenerife
DreamFit Santa Cruz
Tennis
Good
7

Many clubs offer tennis and padel courts. Coaching is widely available, with pay-per-use options or memberships.

Padel
Good
7

Many clubs offer tennis and padel courts. Coaching is widely available, with pay-per-use options or memberships.

Yoga
Excellent
8

Several yoga studios offer various styles, with English-speaking instructors often available.

Martial Arts
Excellent
8

Dojos and gyms offer various martial arts, popular ones include Judo, Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Skiing
Poor
0

Tenerife doesn't have ski resorts or conditions for skiing.

Water Sports
Good
7

Activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and windsurfing are available. Rentals and guided tours are common.

Surfing
Good
6

Tenerife has popular surf breaks like Las Américas and El Médano, though Santa Cruz itself isn't a primary surf spot.

Diving
Excellent
8

Diving sites with good visibility and marine life are found along the coast. Equipment rentals and certification centers readily available.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Good healthcare facilities with English-speaking staff often available. Both public and private options are present, with private facilities generally offering shorter wait times. Emergency services can be reached at 112.

Hospitals:
Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
Hospital Universitario de Canarias
Pharmacies:
Farmacia Ana Maria E. Rosas
Farmacia González
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water meets EU standards, safe to drink, though many prefer bottled water for taste.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in crowded areas, Unofficial taxi overcharging, Pushy street vendors or 'free' offers

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Santa Cruz de Tenerife offers several kid-friendly facilities like playgrounds and attractions. Cafés with outdoor seating are often family-friendly.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
9

Considered very accepting and LGBTQ+ friendly, with annual pride events and low discrimination risks.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Santa Cruz is generally pet-friendly. Parks welcome dogs and pet services are plentiful. Some accommodations allow pets.

Communities
Tenerife Expats (expat)
Digital Nomads Tenerife (nomad)

Quick Facts

Population
209,395
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is reliable, consistent with Western European standards. Outages are rare and short-lived.

Beach Access
Available

Las Teresitas is a popular nearby beach located about 15-20 minutes drive north, with imported golden sand from the Sahara and palm trees.

Mountains
Available

The Anaga Rural Park offers lush forests and hiking trails just northeast of the city.

Languages
Spanish(95%)
English(40%)
German(15%)
Emergency
112
General Emergency

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
3

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Calima (Dust/Haze)
winter, spring
Saharan dust occasionally reduces visibility and air quality.
Extreme Heat
July, August
Summers can be hot, especially away from the coast.

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