After years of standing empty in the centre of Puerto de la Cruz, the old bus station may finally be on its way out.
The Town Hall has now secured the funding needed for the demolition, bringing together €4.1 million through its latest budget modification and a further €1.5 million from the Canary Islands Government. That gives the project a total budget of €5.6 million.
For many people in Puerto de la Cruz, this will feel like long overdue progress. The old station has spent many years sitting unused in one of the most visible parts of town. Now, at last, there is a real path forward.
What has been approved
The Town Hall has included €4.1 million in its latest budget modification to complete the funding needed for the demolition of the old bus station. That is added to the €1.5 million already being provided by the Canary Islands Government.
The demolition itself is a complex job because of the size of the structure and its central location in Puerto de la Cruz. This is not a small clearance project on the edge of town. It is a major intervention in one of the most sensitive and strategic parts of the municipality.
According to the information released, the demolition project was delivered in February by Gesplan, and all the required sector authorisations are already in place. With the funding now secured, the next step is to move the file into the contracting process.
When could work start?
If the remaining steps move forward as expected, the demolition could begin before the end of 2026. Even so, that is still subject to the normal risks that come with public works. Delays are possible, and there is also the possibility that the tender process could attract no bidders.
The expected execution period for the works is 18 months.
Why this site matters
The old bus station occupies around 15,000 square metres in a key part of Puerto de la Cruz. The site sits between Paseo Hermanos Fernández Perdigón, Paseo del Jardinero, Calle El Peñón and Calle El Pozo, close to Plaza Francisco Afonso Carrillo.
That helps explain why this project matters so much. This is not just about removing a disused building. It is about unlocking one of the most important central spaces in the town and deciding what Puerto de la Cruz wants that area to become in the future.
For years, the old station has been one of the clearest signs of stalled change in the centre. It is large, empty, highly visible and impossible to ignore. That is why any real movement here feels significant.
What could come next?
The longer-term vision for the site is ambitious. The preliminary plan already drawn up for the area includes a large public square, an auditorium and multifunctional building, two public buildings, two commercial buildings and 900 parking spaces spread across three levels.
The original idea had been to locate the cultural building in the old Parque San Francisco area, but that option was dropped because the space was too limited and the expected cost had risen too much.
The current aim is to create a more modern, sustainable and integrated part of town, in line with wider efforts to improve public space and green infrastructure in Puerto de la Cruz.
The political argument
As expected, the funding decision has also triggered political criticism. The PSOE has argued that the local government is using up municipal reserves and leaving less financial protection for the town. The wider budget modification reportedly exceeds €21 million, with €4.1 million of that allocated to the demolition of the old station.
The response from the current local government is that public money should be used to deal with the town’s real needs and long-delayed urban problems. That argument will continue, but the practical reality is that this is the clearest movement the site has seen in years.
Why this feels important
For many residents, the biggest point is not the political fight but the fact that something is finally happening. The old bus station has sat unused for so long that it has become part of the background of daily life in Puerto de la Cruz, even though everyone knows it should have been dealt with years ago.
If the demolition really does move ahead, this could become one of the most visible changes in Puerto de la Cruz over the next few years. More importantly, it could begin turning one of the town’s most frustrating dead spaces into something useful again.
There are still steps to go, and there is still room for delay. But after so many years of waiting, this is the first piece of news that feels like real progress.
Frequently asked questions
Has the funding for the demolition been secured?
Yes. The project now has a total budget of €5.6 million, combining Town Hall funding and support from the Canary Islands Government.
When could the demolition start?
If the contracting process moves forward as expected, the works could begin before the end of 2026.
How long are the works expected to take?
The published execution period is 18 months.
Where is the old bus station site?
It occupies a central area between Paseo Hermanos Fernández Perdigón, Paseo del Jardinero, Calle El Peñón and Calle El Pozo, near Plaza Francisco Afonso Carrillo.
What is planned for the site in future?
The preliminary vision includes a large public square, an auditorium and multifunctional building, public buildings, commercial buildings and 900 parking spaces across three levels.
Why is this such a big issue in Puerto de la Cruz?
Because the old station has spent nearly two decades unused in a very central location, making it one of the town’s most visible stalled urban spaces.
