Puerto de la Cruz

Updated 2 August 2026

Plaza del Charco, social heart of the old townOld fishing harbour and seafaring quarterLago Martiánez, César Manrique's pool complex (1977)

Puerto de la Cruz is one of the pioneers of tourism in the Canary Islands: in 1886 one of the archipelago's first sanatoriums was set up here to welcome visitors, establishing it as one of Spain's earliest tourist centres on a European scale. Its old town, with fishing roots, was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2006 and revolves around Plaza del Charco, the city's social heart. Together with the old fishing harbour and the Lago Martiánez complex, designed by César Manrique and opened in 1977, it preserves the maritime atmosphere that made the town famous.

Gallery

View of Puerto de la Cruz — Cayambe (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Plaza del Charco — El fosilmaníaco (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jardín Botánico (Jardín de Aclimatación de La Orotava) — Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Castillo de San Felipe — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Full municipality guide

History, points of interest, photos and traditions of Puerto de la Cruz

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Essential information

Accessibility

By car, via the TF-5 (North highway), taking the exit towards Puerto de la Cruz. The historic center, around Plaza del Charco, is largely pedestrian, so it's advisable to leave the car in nearby parking areas: the fishing pier esplanade (next to the coast, a few minutes' walk from Plaza del Charco) or the Maritime Park parking, both close to the center. By bus, the Puerto de la Cruz station (Avenida Hermanos Fernández Perdigón, 1) is right in the center, a few minutes' walk from the historic center and Plaza del Charco.