Stays in Puerto de la Cruz
1 property
Puerto de la Cruz is the historic resort town of Tenerife's north coast, set at the foot of the Orotava Valley with Teide behind it. It suits long winter stays, walkers and families heading to Loro Parque, and works without a car. It is about 27 km (typically 26–33 minutes by car) from Tenerife North airport (TFN) and about 95 km from Tenerife South (TFS).
Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife: holiday homes on the north coast
Who is Puerto de la Cruz best for?
Puerto de la Cruz is best for travellers who want a real Canarian town with a resort's comforts, rather than a purpose-built beach strip. It was the Canary Islands' first tourist destination, recommended by British doctors in the 19th century, and its old town has been a National Tourist Interest Site since 1955.
It works well for month-long winter stays, hikers, and anyone flying into TFN. If a guaranteed day of sunbathing matters most, the drier south coast around Costa Adeje is the safer bet.
What is there to do in Puerto de la Cruz?
The main sights are the old town, Lago Martiánez, Playa Jardín, Loro Parque and the botanical garden, all close together. The municipality covers just 8.7 km², the smallest on Tenerife.
- Old town and La Ranilla: Plaza del Charco is the lively centre. The old fishermen's quarter of La Ranilla hosts Puerto Street Art, an open-air mural trail running since 2014, with a free map from the tourist office.
- Lago Martiánez: a seawater lido designed by César Manrique in the mid-1970s, with a large central lake, four adult pools and three children's pools. It is listed as a Historic Garden.
- Loro Parque: the zoo opens daily 09:30–17:30. A free train runs every 20 minutes from Plaza de los Reyes Católicos.
- Jardín Botánico: the botanical garden was founded by royal order of Carlos III in 1788 and opens daily 09:00–18:00 (closed 1 January, Good Friday and 25 December).
Can you swim in the sea in Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes, the calmest sea swimming is at the Playa Jardín complex, where breakwaters shelter three black-sand beaches: Playa Jardín (240 m), Playa Chica (130 m) and Punta Brava (260 m). The beaches have toilets, showers, sunbed hire and step-free access.
Tenerife's tourism board warns that waves beyond the breakwaters can get rough, so stay inside them. On swell days, Lago Martiánez is the easy alternative.
How do you get from Tenerife North airport to Puerto de la Cruz?
The quickest way is by car via the north motorway (TF-5), about 27 km and typically 26–33 minutes. Our cars can be collected at TFN, which is the closest airport to this zone.
Without a car, TITSA bus lines 30 and 343 both link Puerto de la Cruz with TFN; the 343 takes about 27 minutes. Line 343 continues to Tenerife South and Costa Adeje, with a 50-minute non-stop leg between the two airports. Departures are limited, so check titsa.com before you fly.
How far is Puerto de la Cruz from Teide and the rest of the island?
Puerto de la Cruz is the closest of our zones to the Teide cable car, about 41 km away. Times below are free-flow driving times; allow longer at busy hours on the TF-5.
| From Puerto de la Cruz to | Distance (km) | Typical drive (min) |
|---|---|---|
| La Orotava (old town) | 8 | 11–14 |
| Tenerife North airport (TFN) | 27 | 26–33 |
| Anaga, Cruz del Carmen | 38 | 38–48 |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | 40 | 34–43 |
| Teide cable-car base | 41 | 51–64 |
| Los Gigantes | 54 | 61–76 |
| Costa Adeje | 66 | 69–86 |
| Tenerife South airport (TFS) | 95 | 70–88 |
Do you need a car in Puerto de la Cruz?
You do not need a car to get around town, but you will want one for Teide, the Anaga mountains and the villages of the north.
Car rental
Volkswagen Polo or similar
from €34 per day
What is the weather like in Puerto de la Cruz?
Puerto de la Cruz is mild all year, with temperatures that Tenerife's tourism board puts at roughly 15 to 22 °C. The north coast catches more trade-wind cloud than the south, so it is greener and gets more rain.
For a sense of the north–south contrast, AEMET's 1981–2010 normals record about 64 rainy days a year at Tenerife North airport against 15 at Tenerife South. The TFN station sits at 632 m and is cloudier than the town, so treat this as a comparison only.
Our house in Puerto de la Cruz
Casa Veranillo is a three-bedroom house on the edge of town with a subtropical garden, a pool, a covered outdoor kitchen and off-street parking.
Nearby areas to compare
For a city break with shops and culture, look at Santa Cruz de Tenerife; for cliffs and a quieter coast in the west, try Los Gigantes.
Area
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
1 stay · from €85 per night
Area
Los Gigantes
1 stay · from €80 per night
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is closest to Puerto de la Cruz?
Tenerife North (TFN) is about 27 km away, typically 26–33 minutes by car. Tenerife South (TFS) is about 95 km, typically 70–88 minutes.
Is the weather in Puerto de la Cruz good in winter?
It is mild rather than hot, roughly 15 to 22 °C according to Tenerife's tourism board. Expect more cloud and rain than in the south.
Is Puerto de la Cruz better than the south for a long stay?
For many long-stay guests, yes: shops, restaurants and buses are all within walking distance. For daily sunbathing, the south is drier and sunnier.
Can I swim in the sea in Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes, inside the breakwaters at the Playa Jardín beaches, which have showers and toilets. Waves beyond the breakwaters can be strong, and Lago Martiánez's seawater pools are a safe alternative.
How far is Teide from Puerto de la Cruz?
The Teide cable-car base is about 41 km away, typically 51–64 minutes by car.
Costa Adeje or Puerto de la Cruz?
Choose Costa Adeje for sandy beaches, sunshine and big resorts. Choose Puerto de la Cruz for a historic town, a milder climate, and quick access to TFN and Teide.