'The island capital of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a lively, friendly city with picturesque streets, parks and squares as well as a world-renowned botanic garden. The centre of Santa Cruz is a mixture of old areas and modern architecture. The famous beaches of Las Gaviotas and Las Teresitas are very close nearby the city. Monte de la Esperanza, which towers over the city is also worth a visit, since the view from the summit is truly breathtaking. 'Sights include: the Plaza de Espana with its war memorial, the Museums of Archaeology and Anthropology, Carta Palace, the baroque church of Iglesia de la Concepción, the Museum of painting and sculpture, Castillo de Paso Alto.

Tips for excursions

Puerto de la Cruz

The island's principal holiday resort. Free time in the shopping paradise of Puerto de la Cruz. A visit to the botanical garden.

"Las Canadas del Teide" mountain range

Excursion into the interior of the island of Tenerife, taking in the old capital city of La Laguna, home of the University of the Canary Islands. Through the La Esperanza pine and eucalyptus woods to the little town of El Portillo, the natural gateway to the Las Canadas mountain range with Spain's highest mountain, the Teide volcano (3718 m). Lunch in Puerto de la Cruz. Free time in Santa Cruz. The excursion goes up to an altitude of 2300 m.

Mercedes Forest and Anaga mountains

After a brief bearings-finding drive through Santa Cruz, arrival at the fishing village of San Andres with its palm beach of Las Teresitas. From here the road snakes up through the dense Mercedes forest with its bay trees into the Anaga mountain range to the scenic lookout of Pico del Inglés, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view. The trip continues to the scenic lookout of Cruz del Carmen with its views of the Teide massif and the university city of La Laguna. in La Laguna a a visit to the church of the Conception. At the end of the excursion there will be wine tasting with tapas in the small town of Tacoronte.