Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Although the Spanish landed near present-day Santa Cruz in 1494, the city's dynamic development began in the 16th century when the port became a key point on Atlantic trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It became the island's main gateway and an important trading center.

One of the most famous moments in the city's history was the heroic defense against attack by the British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson on July 25, 1797. Santa Cruz residents, led by General Antonio Gutiérrez, repelled the invasion, and Nelson himself lost his right arm in the battle. This victory remains a source of great pride for the city's inhabitants and is commemorated annually.

In 1833, Santa Cruz became the capital of the newly created Canary Islands province (including Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Palma). This status strengthened its position as the main administrative and political center.

Today, besides its port and administrative functions, the city is an important center of commerce, services, culture, and urban tourism. It shares co-capital status of the Canary Islands with Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, maintaining its position as one of the archipelago's two administrative centers.

The largest urban park in the Canary Islands, combining a botanical garden with recreational space. Named after Mayor Santiago García Sanabria who initiated its creation in the 1920s, it features numerous sculptures and art installations, including the impressive 'Fecundidad' (Fertility) sculpture and Denmark's famous floral clock gift. The park showcases exotic and subtropical trees and shrubs from around the world.

The most famous beach near Santa Cruz, known for its golden sand that was actually imported from the Sahara Desert in the 1970s! Originally a rocky coast, it was transformed into a wide sandy beach. Protected by a breakwater, it offers safe swimming conditions with full facilities including showers, changing rooms, lifeguards, sunbed rentals, and beach bars (chiringuitos).

Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, this is one of Tenerife's most recognizable symbols. Its futuristic, dynamic form resembling a wave or sail is an icon of contemporary architecture. Located by the ocean, it hosts concerts (including regular performances by the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra), opera, theater, conferences, and cultural events.

A unique botanical garden built on a former landfill site, transformed into a green oasis. It's Europe's only botanical garden specializing exclusively in palms, featuring an impressive collection of palm species from around the world arranged in geographical sections. The hillside location offers beautiful views of the city, port, and ocean.

The island's main museum presenting Tenerife's natural history and archaeology. Its most valuable collections relate to the island's indigenous inhabitants - the Guanches. Visitors can see Guanche mummies, tools, weapons, ceramics, and learn about their life before the Castilian conquest. The museum also features sections on geology, volcanology, and Canarian flora and fauna.

Less known to tourists than García Sanabria, this park is an important recreational space for locals, especially in the La Salud neighborhood. It focuses on physical activity with sports fields (football, basketball), running tracks, outdoor gyms, and children's playgrounds. A favorite spot where residents exercise and spend leisure time.