Sights and attractions in Puerto de la Cruz

Sights 

Loro Park

Despite translating to ‘Parrot Park’, the giant zoo that is Loro Park is more reknown for its immense aquatic displays and is probably the biggest attraction to be found on the North side of Tenerife. The park is found just out of Puerto’s town centre, however travelling to and from the park is no problem as the owners have organised a doto train that runs from the centre of town to the park at hourly intervals. Inside the park is one of Europe’s largest collections of sea creatures, the most impressive of which are the four Orca Whales that the park brought in from Sea World in America. Every day the colossal beasts perform breath taking displays to the general public in the park’s huge central spectator area, where visitors get a firsthand view of the creature’s natural beauty. Aside from the whales, Loro Park also has Europe’s largest dolphinarium and the world’s largest penguin exhibition. Also, as the name suggests, the park has a huge collection of parrots totalling 3,500 including some of the planet’s most endangered species. Tourists who are planning to visit the park and the island’s other famous attraction Siam Park, can purchase both tickets together for a discounted price of €52 each (with the tickets costing €32 individually). However, before paying this price, it is well worth checking out one of the many private ticket offices that are dotted around town, who are usually prepared to do a discount if asked.

Address: Avenida Loro Parque s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz,Tenerife
Telephone.: (+34) 922 373 841
Opening hours: Daily 08:30 to 18:45 (last entrance at 16:00)
Admission: Loro Park- Adults €32, children (6-12 years) €21. Twin ticket to Loro Park and Siam Park: Adults €52 and Children (6-12 years) €35.

Lago Martiánez

The Lago Martiánez bathing complex is the jewel in the crown of Puerto de la Cruz, with it sitting pride of place on the town’s main promenade. Designed by the famous Spanish architect César Manrique in 1977, the pools are one of the defining features of the town with the artistic water features, picturesque flower beds and modern sculptures making the attraction not just a place to swim but also a work of art. Costing €3.50 to get into, inside visitors have the choice of four pools to swim in (two child friendly), the grandest and most beautiful being the artificial lake that sits in the centre, that has fluorescent lights illuminating the entire complex at night and a temperamental, volcanic-like water feature in its centre that erupts without warning. Aside from swimming and sunbathing, there is a selection of restaurants, cafes and bars meaning that visitors do not have to leave the complex in search of lunch, along with a casino if you want to try and win your entrance fee back and maybe a bit more. Another quirky feature is the artificial rock pools that have formed along the seawall at the far side of the attraction. The giant wave breakers that now protect Lago Martiánez have created the perfect home for the local crabs and fish, with the walls of the complex being a great place to stand and watch the sometimes huge creatures scurrying about their daily lifes.

Address: Avenida Colón s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Telephone: (+34) 922 385 955
Entrance to the pools is from 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance fee: €3.50 for adults and €1.20 for children up to 10 years, including the use of sun beds, changing rooms and showers; sun umbrellas cost €1.50.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia

The church of Peña de Francia sits at the heart of Puerto de la Cruz’s cultural old town, with it being the centre piece to the cafes, restaurants and ornate gardens that surround it. The church is the largest in the town and in its heyday would have dominated the skyline of Puerto de la Cruz. However, modern times have brought high-rise hotels and apartments to the town that have somewhat put the church in the shadows, but at have failed to take away the charm and style of that Peña de Francia still possesses. The church is one of the most elaborate to be found on the island, with its importance to Tenerife being reflected with the numerous refits it has had over the centuries that have given the church an unique appearance. Multiple pieces of art can be found inside, including paintings from Manuel and Luis de la Cruz and is topped off by an amazing baroque style altar named Our Lady of the Land of France. Also fine examples of Spanish gold and silver are on show dating back to the time of the Spanish Empire.

Address: Plaza Iglesia, 2, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Telephone: (+34) 922 380 051

Plaza del Charco

The central plaza is where town folk and tourists alike come to have an evening meal, a quite drink or just to sit in the shade of numerous trees that surround this busy area. All around the plaza’s edges are a mass of restaurants, each serving its own special of the day with the menus ranging from Spanish all the way to Chinese. Some of the best restaurants and bars are found to the west of the plaza, in two secluded courtyards where people can enjoy a quite meal or drink whilst they look out on the hustle and bustle of Plaza del Charco. Entertainment wise, there are quite a few game arcades to keep the kids entertained, whilst the bars usually have live music playing until the early hours for the adults.

Parque Taoro

Once the gardens of the Grand Hotel, the ornate flower beds and refreshing water fountains that decorate the area are now an attraction in themselves, as visitors can take the fifteen minute trek up from the centre of town to admire the botanical garden’s natural beauty. Inside the maze of footpaths lead visitors off in numerous different locations, taking them past picturesque waterfalls, beautiful flowers imported from all over the world and occasionally the odd peacock and pheasant.

Address: Altos de Taoro s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (access via Carretera del Batanico).
Telephone: (+34) 922 378 400 (Puerto de la Cruz Council Parks and Gardens Service)
Opening hours: permanently open.
Admission: free

Puerto Pesquero (Fishermen’s Quay)

The 17th century port is one of the most beautiful parts of the town where, on a fine day, sunbathers laze over its grand and ancient walls and bold locals dive into its refreshingly clear waters. At its height the port was an important part of the town’s existence, as traders from around Europe brought goods in and out of Tenerife. However, in modern times the port is now used primarily by the town’s local fisherman and the occasional speedboat, meaning there is plenty of room for tourists and locals to siesta on its quaint beach. In the evenings the port is the venue for Puerto de la Cruz’s many fiestas and gatherings. On quiet weekday nights a giant projector is set up to play the latest Hollywood blockbuster, free of charge, and on the weekends there is usually a party or festival of some sort going on that pretty much the whole town turns out for. The fort that sits above Pesquero is also a great spot to snap a picture of the sun setting and generally take in the views of Puerto de la Cruz, although the only remnants left over from its days protecting the town are a few rustic canons.

Where: from Plaza del Charco, venture north-eastward for Calle La Marina.

Botanical Garden

In this 40,000m2 botanical garden (also a scientific institution carrying out research and developing programmes on the conservation of floras and vegetation of the Canary Island) you will marvel at various tropical and sub-tropical plants in different shapes, size, age and places of origin. P. Ledrú, a French naturalist has the honour of being the first to catalog the species in this garden and proposed a systematic way of organising them.

Address: Calle Retama, 2, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Telephone: (+34) 922 383 572
Opening hours: Gardens (09:00 to 19:00 from 1st April to 30th September; 09:00 to 18:00 from 1st October - 31st March).
Library and Herb Garden: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 13:00
Closed: 1st January, Good Friday and 25th December


Museums

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo

Formally known as The Eduardo Westerdahl Museum of Contemporary Art (MACEW), this free museum was re-opened in 2007 after a forty year absence from Puerto de la Cruz. Inside visitors will find one of Spain’s largest collections of Spanish contemporary art with the work of artists such as Juan Ismael and Óscar Domínguez being on display. The museum/art gallery is located above Puerto de la Cruz’s Tourist Information near Puerto Pesquero, making it a perfect place to start off from on the tour of the town.

Address: Casa de la Aduana, Calle Las Lonjas s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (near Puerto Pesquero).
Telephone: (+34) 922 381 490
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00, Friday from 17:00 to 20:00.
Web: www.macew.com

Museo Arqueológico

The small museum can be found just off the Plaza Charco and houses some of the best examples of Guanche pottery and jewellery that have been found in the Canaries. For just €1 visitors can stroll around the exhibits, many of which are permanent though on occasion temporary exhibitions and educational displays are put out to add something a bit different. Some of the best things to look at are the authentic Guanche mummies that are on display, as well as the tiny clay idol named ‘El Guatimac,’ due to it being the only example of its kind.

Address: Calle del Lomo, 9, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife.
Telephone: (+34) 922 371 465
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 21:00, Sunday: 10:0013:00, Monday: Closed
Admission: €1