Things to See in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife: My highlights

Looking for the best things to see in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife? Look no further, I’ve got your back. When I visited Tenerife in 2025, I’ve decided to stay for a weeklong in Puerto de la Cruz because it its absolutely gorgeous with its lush greenery. This charming town is located on the north coast of Tenerife, and it offers great views, volcanic beaches and a vibrant atmosphere.

Whether you are planning a relaxing getaway to Tenerife or an action-packed adventure, here are the top places you shouldn’t miss.

1. Lago Martiánez: Seawater Pools for Everybody

Lago Martiánez is a must visit swimming pool complex if you want to relax and enjoy the sun. It is surprisingly huge, covering more than 30.000 m2, and it has seven swimming pools pumped with seawater. The main attraction is the Lago, the Lake, a circular pool with 5 islands inside.

This is where I chose to spend my whole day, sipping my sangria! There are a few bars and restaurants here, so you don’t need to bring anything with you. I absolutely loved the sangria they were making. Also, very refreshing for the hot weather.

If you are a family with small children, you can choose to stay at the pool designated for children, which has shallow depths. To make it more fun for children, this pool has a unique large sculpture to keep them occupied.The best part of this leisure complex is that it is so big you do not need to hurry to catch a spot, as there are many sunbeds. Entry is quite cheap, for adults around 5.5 euros and 2.5 euros for children.

Another amazing thing about it is the view. On completely sunny days you get to see mount Teide, Spain’s tallest mountain.

📝 Tip: Rent an umbrella right away (approximately 1 euro), so you don’t need to wait for somebody at the reception.

2. Jardín Botánico: Spain’s oldest botanical garden

This interesting botanical garden is one of Spain’s oldest botanical gardens, which opened in the 18^th century. The botanical garden was built with the idea of bringing plants from America to Spain, and Tenerife would serve as the climatization center before reaching Spain. However, this didn’t work out because Spain and Tenerife have different climates.

Nowayds, you can visit the garden from 9am until 6 pm for the mere price of 3 euro. The botanical garden is home to more than 3000 native and exotic plant species. The way that it is built, with zig zag paths makes you spend hours. I highly recommend taking your time when visiting and just relax in this beautiful garden full of colors.

📝 Tip: Bring a water bottle with you as there is no café.

3. Loro Parque: The most immersive zoo

Now this is a full day of fun for adults and children alike. While the name loro means parrot, do not be deceived, the zoo hosts many animals. Originally a parrot sanctuary, this zoo was opened 50 years ago by passionate people with the goal of preserving biodiversity. What’s more amazing is that they saved over 12 parrot species from extinction!

What I love the most about this zoo is the way they try to educate the public with their immersive experiences. You get to learn a lot about orcas, seals, dolphins, and parrots of course! Also, it’s super fun to stay in the splash zone, I highly recommend it! Just make sure to check out their schedule, to not miss any show. They are 100% worth it! You can buy tickets on their official website by clicking here.

📝 Tip: Visit Loro Parque when it opens, from 9 am so you have plenty of time to see all the animals and immersive experiences.

4. Historic center: Full of color and noise

The history center is like nothing else. The colors, the sounds, the architecture – all entrancing your senses. The colonial Canarian architecture beams with quaint balconies, courtyards and old forts.

Wander through Víctor Pérez, one of the smallest squares in the city and then admire the San Francisco Church and San Juan Chapel. The chapel is the oldest building in Puerto de la Cruz, and it was built by the architect Juan de Tejera, between 1599 and 1608. I could spend days just walking these streets and marvel at the arhitecture. It’s so relaxing!

📝 Tip: Bring your camera with you as there are many picture opportunities. Take your time and enjoy the many cafes and restaurants along the way.

5. Taoro Park: hike in the city

You cannot leave Puerto de la Cruz without visiting Taoro Park. This amazing park has an excellent panoramic view of the city, which is a must see. Hiking up Taoro mountain is not an easy walk in the park, but it’s definitely worth it. You have many lookout points along the way and waterfalls.

This is a free entrance park, open all year round, so you can visit it at any point in the year. At the top you can also relax at a café and admire the city.

📝 Tip: Wear comfortable shoes.

Puerto de la Cruz is one of Tenerife’s hidden treasures. Unlike the crowded resorts in the south, this northern gem combines authentic Canarian culture with stunning natural beauty and a relaxed atmosphere. Whether you visit for a day or a week, you’ll discover that the top attractions in Puerto de la Cruz are easy to reach and fun for everybody. If you don’t know the difference between the south and the north side of Tenerife, read more here.

Until next time, unwind and explore.