Canarias.com Rentacar at SANTA CRUZ HARBOUR, Port

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a gateway to the capital and the north of the island

Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port is one of the island's main points of entry and one of the Atlantic's most important ports. Beside the centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island's capital, it brings together maritime activity, commercial connections and tourism, welcoming cruise ships and travellers arriving in Tenerife by sea.

The port is closely integrated with the heart of the city, providing easy access to its main avenues, squares, shopping streets and cultural venues. Unlike the beach resorts of southern Tenerife, Santa Cruz offers a more urban experience shaped by architecture, food and everyday island life.

The capital has a character of its own, combining historic buildings, contemporary spaces and a long tradition linked to the ocean. Its port has played a central role in the city's development for centuries and remains a strategic connection between Tenerife and other destinations.

Its location also makes the Port of Santa Cruz an excellent starting point for exploring northern Tenerife, from historic towns to natural landscapes such as Anaga Rural Park.

Tenerife cruise port: port of call and home port in Santa Cruz

The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is one of the Canary Islands' leading gateways for cruise tourism. According to official Port Authority figures, it welcomed 1,150,816 cruise passengers and recorded 411 cruise ship calls in 2025, confirming its importance on Atlantic and Macaronesian routes.

Santa Cruz operates both as a port of call and a home port. In 2025, 473,052 passengers began or ended their cruise here, while another 677,764 visited in transit. Many travellers therefore start their Tenerife stay in the capital, while others use their hours ashore to discover different parts of the island.

The cruise terminal forms part of the port area and pedestrians can reach the city through the Puerto-Ciudad building. From the quay, Plaza de España, the shopping streets, Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, Auditorio de Tenerife and other Santa Cruz landmarks are all within easy reach.

Hiring a car by the port helps you make the most of a stopover and plan your own route to Playa de Las Teresitas, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Anaga Rural Park or Teide National Park. If your ship sails the same day, always check the final boarding time and leave plenty of time to return.

Beaches and nature

Although Santa Cruz de Tenerife is primarily a city destination, its surroundings include some outstanding natural spaces and coastal areas.

A short drive from the port is Playa de Las Teresitas, one of Tenerife's best-known beaches. Its pale sand, calm water and setting beside the village of San Andrés make it a favourite place to enjoy the sea near the capital.

Also nearby is the remarkable Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Mountains, ravines, laurel forests and small traditional villages form one of Tenerife's most spectacular natural landscapes.

Anaga's viewpoints offer some of the island's finest panoramas, looking out over the Atlantic, the northern coast and the massif's distinctive green scenery.

Santa Cruz also provides straightforward access to other natural areas, including Teide National Park, where you can experience the volcanic landscape that defines Tenerife.

Things to do in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

One of the best ways to get to know the area is to explore central Santa Cruz on foot. The city combines culture, shopping and food with pedestrian streets, lively squares and historic buildings.

Highlights include Auditorio de Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands' architectural icons, standing beside the sea near the port. Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África is also well worth visiting for local produce, Canarian flavours and a glimpse of daily city life.

Santa Cruz is one of Tenerife's best shopping destinations, with a broad retail district and a wide choice of shops, cafés and restaurants.

The port becomes particularly lively when cruise ships arrive and gives many visitors their first experience of the island. From here, you can discover the capital quickly or set out towards other parts of Tenerife.

Food is another of the area's great attractions. Its restaurants and terraces serve both traditional Canarian dishes and international cuisine, with local produce and seafood taking centre stage.

Places to visit nearby

The location of the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife makes it easy to visit some of northern Tenerife's most interesting places.

Just a few minutes away is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its colonial architecture, historic streets and rich cultural life.

The village of San Andrés and nearby Playa de Las Teresitas are also worth visiting, combining the sea, local food and a traditional atmosphere.

Nature lovers can explore the walking routes and unique scenery of Anaga Rural Park, revealing a greener and wilder side of Tenerife.

Further north lie Puerto de la Cruz, La Orotava and Garachico, towns with outstanding historical character and scenery.

Good road connections also make it possible to reach southern Tenerife and resorts such as Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos and El Médano.

Discover Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the island at your own pace

The Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a gateway to an island full of contrasts. From the capital's urban life to the landscapes of Anaga, very different Tenerife experiences are only a short distance apart.

Exploring from Santa Cruz lets you combine culture, nature and coast, visiting well-known attractions as well as quieter corners. Travelling freely around Tenerife allows every route to fit your plans and reveals the distinct identity of each part of the island.

We look forward to seeing you at our office in the Harbour of Santa Cruz, near the cruise terminal (Muelle Ribera).

You can see the location at the following link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2mtp21LTBQHamS5d9

If you need to contact our head office, you can do so by calling (+34) 646 475 012 and +34 922714298 or +34 922388456

Please remember that a deposit of 100/300 euros (depending on the vehicle) is required, which must be paid by credit card in the driver's name. The deposit will be refunded when the car has been returned in the agreed condition.