Puerto de Santiago

Overview

The town of Puerto de Santiago sits on Tenerife's west coast. This part of the island is quickly becoming a top tourist destination. It may not compete with the south in terms of visitor numbers or indeed, noise levels, but it does have the famously good weather, the increasingly popular Playa de la Arena beach, and a vast selection of restaurants and shops to keep visitors happy. Many people visit the resort town for the famous beach, and as a result, some consider Playa de la Arena to be a town of its own. With hotels built around it and an entire street full of shops only across the road, Playa de la Arena area does feel a little different to the central of Puerto de Santiago. North of Playa de la Arena there are a few shops and pubs, a small beach, and a museum. There are also large hotel complexes that have been built around a good selection of shops and restaurants. These hotel villages or 'parks' are usually for occupants and non-occupants to enjoy. For those who are not content with what Puerto de Santiago has to offer, a walk to Los Gigantes would definitely be an ideal trip. The town has a marina that is bursting with activities for all the family and breathtaking views of the cliffs it was named after – the giants. Visitors should be aware, however, that both Puerto de Santiago and Los Gigantesare built on hills, and may cause problems for those with mobility problems.

History

Puerto de Santiago, which literally means 'Port of Santiago', was originally just a port. It was however at the centre of a few historic events. One would be the landing of engineer Leonardo Torriani in 1587. He was sent by King Phillip II and was given the job to fortify the islands against any upcoming invasion attempts. King Phillip II was correct in his premonitions as the islands were frequently a target for adventurers trying to capture it. One particular invasion attempt took place on September 5th 1797 when the British Navy looked to land at the port. They weren't to make it as villagers from the nearby Los Gigantes threw rocks at the invaders from the cliffs.

Another historical importance was the port's status for inter-island trading. Along with this, fishermen would and still do, make a living off the port by going into the Atlantic Ocean to catch a variety of fish. As the fishermen settled in the area it grew in size, eventually becoming a town of its own. As of 1812 it officially became a part of the much larger Santiago del Teide municipality, along with Los Gigantes.

With tourism bringing economic growth to certain parts of the island, it was not long before the beautiful beach of Playa de la Arena became a destination for thousands of holiday-goers seeking a relaxing break. The growth of Los Gigantes and the amount of tourists that flock to Playa de la Arena has meant that the three areas are quickly merging together to form one resort, with visitors to one town often finding themselves in the other.

Culture

The people of Puerto de Santiago are slightly more diverse than those in the south. As tourism brings in thousands of people from Britain, Germany, and of course Spain, many languages can be heard in the area. Unlike some of the other tourist resorts, many Canarians have made Puerto de Santiago their home. Alongside the coast, but particularly deeper into Puerto de Santiago, thousands of apartments can be seen, something that is not as common in holiday resorts such as Playa de las Américas. The town also has a much smaller British expatriate community and apart from the odd pub or café, signposts and shop signs are not in English like in Los Gigantes. Whilst the area has a slightly more Spanish feel, it is not as strong as can be found elsewhere on the island, partly due to the amount of hotels and tourist shops.

Economy

Puerto de Santiago’s economy is firmly based on tourism. The skyline that is graced by the cliffs of Los Gigantes is being joined by a growing number of high-rise hotels, which can only suggest that the tourist economy is still growing. The area surrounding Play de Arena is more focussed on tourism than the heart of Puerto de Santiago. Outside of the tourism and services industry it is still possible to make a living as a fisherman, with many boats full of fish returning frequently to the town's port.

How to get there

By Bus:
TITSA run several bus routes to Puerto de Santiago. The 325 service leaves Puerto de la Cruz and arrives at Playa de la Arena and Puerto de Santiago six times a day, be warned however that the journey can take up to two hours. Another popular route is from Los Cristianos, with the 477 bus going directly to nearby Los Gigantes every half hour, taking a little over an hour to arrive. Finally the 493 takes visitors from Guía de Isora to Puerto de Santiago and Playa de la Arena in less than an hour, with a bus departing every two hours.

By Car:
If travelling from the south by car, connect to the TF-1 then TF-47 and it will take you to Puerto de Santiago. If driving from the north (i.e.: Puerto de la Cruz), follow TF-5, TF-82 then TF-454 is the road you need to arrive in the town. If you are driving from San Cristóbal de La Laguna or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, it is faster to follow TF-1 and TF-47 clockwise.


Sights

Acantilados de Los Gigantes (Cliffs)

The cliffs that can be seen in the skyline of Puerto de Santiago look even better up close. At 500m high at some points, a quick trip to the Los Gigantes marina will make you not only appreciate the size, but also the aura of the cliffs. Also there are plenty of fantastic photo opportunities on the way to Los Gigantes. The hills up to the town may not be suitable for those with mobility problems or pushchairs.


Museums

Museo del Pescador

As the only museum in the area, it bares the weight of that great responsibility well. Not only does the 'Fisherman's Museum' pay homage to the area's generations of fishermen, but it also showcases some spectacular art work. The most notable is perhaps the museum's front wall. Created by artist and sculpture, Romain Bernard, three dimensional fish are literally coming out of the museum, and a model fisherman stands proudly on top of the building. Various exhibitions of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and installations take place throughout the year.

Street: Avenida 5º Centenario, Puerto de Santiago, 38683 Santiago del Teide, Tenerife (opposite Puerto de Santiago beach).
Telephone: +34 671 329 500
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 16:00 – 20:00; Saturday 10:00 – 13:00.


Activities

Water activities

For the best selection of water sports, dolphin and whale watching, diving, and big game and deep sea fishing, it is best to head up to Los Gigantes. The marina is where dozens of companies operate from, and they often head back out on to the sea near Playa de la Arena. However, a scuba diving company is based off Carretera General, the main street of Playa de la Arena.

Riaan's Scuba offers a wide selection of courses, professional certificates, or just one off dives. Along with scuba diving they offer snorkelling too.

Address: Avenida Marítima Puerto de Santiago, 33, 38683 Playa de la Arena, Santiago de Teide, Tenerife.
Telephone: +34 922 862 271


Beaches

Playa de la Arena

Without a doubt this is the best beach in the area, and one of the cleanest on the island. Having won the European Blue Flag for cleanliness, Playa de la Arena is one of the main reasons tourists visit Puerto de Santiago. The beach is made from the unique black volcanic sand and it is some of the finest around. Whilst some may find white sand more aesthetically pleasing, you can be sure the feel of the sand running through your fingers is no different.

Remember that black sand is much hotter than its whiter counterpart. Be sure to wear something on your feet as you cross the beach on a hot day.

The beach also benefits having an entire street full of restaurants and shops so close to it, meaning you won't have to trek far to get a cold drink or a bite to eat. In fact, there are two beach-side restaurants to choose from for those not wishing to venture further than they have to. Sun loungers are also available to rent, along with parasols. The toilets nearby do cost 20 cents and you have to pay for use of the showers; free taps are available to clean your feet only.

A life guard is also present, keeping an eye out for any problems. Different sections of the beach experience varying strengths of waves. The rocky section on the left hand side of the beach is often given a red flag for the choppier waves, but the right side can still be fine to enter. The beach is suitable for small children and families although some women on the beach do choose to sunbathe topless.

Puerto de Santiago Beach

This small beach that lies at the bottom of a steep hill pales in comparison to Playa de la Arena. With a lack of size and facilities, many tourists will prefer the more acclaimed beaches. Of what little sand there is, it too is naturally black, and the waves here are usually calm. Its quieter surroundings however, do give it charm. Perhaps the best ways to experience the beach is by having a romantic night-time paddle, or a pit stop visit with the children before venturing on down south to Playa de la Arena.


Festivals

Puerto de Santiago Fiesta

The date of the festival varies from year to year but it usually occurs within July or August. The week long fiesta is really a selection of daily events. Shows for children, performing dance troops, open air film screenings, and senior citizen parties take place throughout the week, not to mention the many fireworks displays.


Restaurants

La Pergola

Though slightly at the higher price range, this restaurant offers excellent views of La Gomera and of course, deliciously prepared meals. Tasting menu is also available.

Address: Centro Comercial Mar Blanco, Calle La Hondura, Puerto de Santiago, 38683 Santiago del Teide, Tenerife.
Telephone: +34 922 860 347/ 616 973 253

The Fisherman’s Inn

This unpretentious restaurant serves fresh seafood prepared in a simple yet delicate manner. Serving local wines and other meat dishes, this cosy little eatery with terrace overlooking the ocean is definitely worth visiting.

Address: Calle Agustín León González, 31, 38683 Santiago del Teide, Tenerife.
Telephone: +34 922 862 491


Shopping

If visiting from nearby Los Gigantes, the nearest shopping destination is situated on Carretera General. Vigilia Park is a shopping centre surrounded by hotel apartments. Inside the open air complex are several tourist shops selling beach essentials and holiday clothing. An electronic store, and a perfumery with a wide array of different scents for sale also make Vigilia Park their home. For those who need them, a pharmacy and a currency exchange shop are included too. The shopping centre is also a great place to take a break, as there are several cafés offering a variety of refreshments. A swimming pool is located in the centre too, and although it is part of the nearby hotel, non-accupants can use it for a small fee. It is also possible to use the hotel's other facilities. The hotel has a bar and restaurant that all can enjoy too.

The majority of the shops are found on Av Marítima Puerto de Santiago, the main tourist strip outside Playa de la Arena. Amongst the many restaurants are a variety of stores. Whether you want to get a newspaper or a tattoo, the street has a lot to offer. Clothes stores and souvenir shops can also be found here.

For grocery shopping there are two Supermercados Transito stores nearby. One is on Av de la Gaviota, and a slightly larger store on Calle Petunia, on a hill closer to Los Gigantes. Nearer to Playa de la Arena is a small but well stocked supermarket on Av Marítima Puerto de Santiago for all your general shopping needs.