Located beneath Plaza España are the still-standing fragments of the former castle that once rose up majestically here. The remains can be accessed by an entrance on the seaward side of the plaza. A small museum here commemorates the history of the castle and there's usually someone around to answer questions and to hand out explanation sheets in English.
Castillo de San Cristóbal
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.56 MILES
The cable car provides the easiest way to get up to the peak of El Teide. The views are great – unless a big cloud is covering the peak, in which case you…
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA)
0.31 MILES
The highlights of this dramatic contemporary building are the architecture, its three galleries and the stunning library downstairs. The galleries display…
0.77 MILES
This magnificent, soaring white wave of an auditorium was designed by the internationally renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, and delivers…
17.98 MILES
Established in 1788, this magnificent botanical garden has thousands of plant varieties from all over the world and is a delightful place to while away an…
Biblioteca Municipal Central de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
0.3 MILES
This library downstairs at TEA is a design classic, a vast open-plan room with overhanging globular lights, copious natural light, angular lines and a…
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
0.4 MILES
Dating from 1944, this tantalising market is housed in an eye-catching building that combines a Latin American feel with Moorish-style arches and patios…
Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre
0.25 MILES
This brain-bending amalgam of natural science and archaeology is an excellent museum, despite a rather confusing layout. Set inside the former civil…
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
0.2 MILES
It's difficult to miss the striking bell tower of the city’s oldest church, which also has traditional Mudéjar (Islamic-style architecture) ceilings. The…
Nearby Santa Cruz de Tenerife attractions
0.07 MILES
The majority of Santa Cruz’ sights and museums are within easy walking distance of the revamped waterfront Plaza España, with its huge circular wading…
0.2 MILES
If churches are your religion then don’t miss this pretty baroque church from the 17th and 18th centuries, with its richly carved ceiling and ornate…
3. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
0.2 MILES
It's difficult to miss the striking bell tower of the city’s oldest church, which also has traditional Mudéjar (Islamic-style architecture) ceilings. The…
0.21 MILES
Founded in 1900 and formerly part of the adjacent church (note the fabulous stained glass), this excellent museum has an eclectic collection of paintings…
0.23 MILES
One of the city’s architectural highlights is the rectangular, 19th-century Teatro Guimerá. The sumptuous interior is reminiscent of Madrid’s Teatro Real,…
0.25 MILES
Located in a former market, this gallery houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary Canarian and mainland-Spanish artists.
7. Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre
0.25 MILES
This brain-bending amalgam of natural science and archaeology is an excellent museum, despite a rather confusing layout. Set inside the former civil…
8. Biblioteca Municipal Central de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
0.3 MILES
This library downstairs at TEA is a design classic, a vast open-plan room with overhanging globular lights, copious natural light, angular lines and a…