The deep honey-coloured sands of Playa de las Teresitas, just beyond San Andrés village, were imported from the Sahara. It’s a lovely beach with a spectacular mountain backdrop, where the sunbathers are almost exclusively Spanish, whether local or from the mainland. There's lots of parking available and it’s safe for children to swim here.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (TEA)
5.06 MILES
The highlights of this dramatic contemporary building are the architecture, its three galleries and the stunning library downstairs. The galleries display…
5.43 MILES
This magnificent, soaring white wave of an auditorium was designed by the internationally renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, and delivers…
22.35 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
5.06 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
5.16 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
5 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
4.96 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…
Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria
15.63 MILES
This imposing domed church dates from 1959 and sits at the edge of the town centre, overlooking a rocky beach and flanked by a plaza where nine huge…
Nearby Tenerife attractions
0.45 MILES
One side of this fort has collapsed, but the rest is still standing, so while it may not be that large or imposing, it's a significant chunk of surviving…
4.44 MILES
This museum explains the military history of the islands and the successful defence of the city, brought alive by a superb 30m scale model of the flagship…
4.75 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…
4.76 MILES
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…
4.81 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…
4.83 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…
4.88 MILES
On the northern fringe of the city centre, this park is a delightful collection of Mediterranean and subtropical trees and flowers, interspersed with…
8. Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción
4.96 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…