20 mins by car
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz can feel busy and touristy at first glance — but once you peel back that layer, you’ll find a town full of colour, creativity and some truly beautiful local corners.
Give it a chance, wander a bit deeper, and you’ll discover the Puerto that we genuinely love.
Beaches & the ocean
Puerto has several black-sand beaches, all different in mood and energy.
- Playa Martiánez — perfect for sitting on the promenade and watching surfers battle huge Atlantic waves. And honestly — why not try it yourself? If you’ve ever thought about taking your first surfing lesson, this is the ideal place. The vibe is relaxed, no pressure, and the waves are reliable
- Playa Jardín — three coves stitched together, surrounded by lush Manrique-designed gardens. A classic day-at-the-beach spot with dramatic waves and sunshine ‘till late
- San Telmo natural volcanic pools & small pebble beach- small, very central, with great natural pools
- Have an afternoon Puerto coastal walk – we like to start at Playa la Muelle and continue through old town, follow San telmo seaside promenade and passing, then palm trees and gardens of lago Martianez to reach Playa Martiánez… A perfect after-dinner walk — ocean breeze, cliffs and cafes and of course plenty od Icecream spots Our favourite – always Pistacchio at PORSABOR!
La Ranilla & Plaza Benito Pérez Galdós & Plant Street,
- La Ranilla — the artsy heart of Puerto. If you love murals and unexpected beauty, you’ll enjoy Calle Mequinez and it surroundings. Huge artworks on facades, tiny illustrations hidden in corners — it’s a colourful, creative neighbourhood that feels very local and full of life.
- Our favorite square Plaza Benito Pérez Galdós — small, leafy, perfect for a glass of blanco seco at Ágora, while musicians play for coins. One of those places that makes you slow down and watch everyday Canarian life unfold.
- Find the “PLANT STREET”, leave Plaza Benito Perez Galdos and get lost in the narrow streets around it. Wandering through Calle del Lomo () and quiet residential corners, it is half the charm. Check Calle Puerto Viejo with a lot of good restaurants. Finally you’ll finally stumble upon the Calle de la Verdad and it feels like a secret garden curated by the neighbours.
Historic Centre around Plaza de la Iglesia - colourful, quiet and full of charm
- The old streets surrounding Plaza de la Iglesia are some of the most atmospheric corners of Puerto — colourful façades, no cars, and a calm, local rhythm. It’s one of our favourite areas to simply wander and settle in for a while.
- We especially love spending time between Calle San Juan or Calle Luis de la Cruz These narrow pedestrian streets are full of cosy cafés and small eateries — perfect for sitting down with a coffee, grabbing something simple and tasty, reading a book, or even working on your laptop outdoors, all year round.
- And right next to the church, on Calle La Hoya, you can actually eat very well — a small street with several really solid, local places:
Google Maps
If you want to feel the real, everyday Puerto — this is the place.
Night out & festivals
- A restaurant + disco + theatre inside a historic mansion. Our favourite spot to go out partying in Puerto: full of atmpsphere, fun, and good people-watching
- Carnaval de Puerto de la Cruz (February) — colourful, lively, more local than in Santa Cruz.
- Fiesta del Carmen (16 July) — the iconic fishermen’s procession carrying the Virgin to the boats.
Why it’s worth going
Because Puerto is alive. Doesn’t go to bed early! It’s messy, colourful, cultural, surprising — and if you push just a little past the touristy bits, you’ll find art, ocean energy, great food, tiny squares full of music, and streets filled with plants, murals and local life.