Wondering what to do in Puerto de la Cruz? Start beside the Atlantic, follow the old streets towards the harbour, look for murals in La Ranilla or slow down in a garden. There are beaches, walks, squares, art and larger attractions within the town. Choose what suits your day below, then open our detailed local guides and original videos to explore further.
What would you like to do?
Enjoy the coast
Compare the black-sand beaches, harbour shore and seafront walks.
Walk around town
Pick a central stroll, a historic route or a greener walk uphill.
See gardens and nature
Visit the Botanical Garden and explore Taoro and its viewpoints.
Find art and history
Explore La Ranilla's murals, older squares and local stories.
Browse local shops
Choose between town-centre streets, the market and Martiánez.
Watch before you go
Get your bearings with our filmed walks and aerial views.
Choose a pace
| Time to explore | A simple way to spend it |
|---|---|
| An hour or two | Follow the seafront from San Telmo towards the harbour, then pause at Plaza del Charco. |
| Half a day | Pair an old-town walk and La Ranilla's art with a coastal stop, or take a slower garden visit. |
| A full day | Choose one main attraction or garden, then leave time for the old town and the sea. |
Beaches and the seafront
The coastline changes character as you move around town. Playa Jardín has landscaped promenades and three beach areas; the harbour has a small shore, San Telmo has rocks and pools, and Martiánez is more open to the Atlantic. You can enjoy the views and walks whether or not you plan a swim.
Use our Beaches in Puerto de la Cruz guide to choose a stretch. For a look along the western promenade, watch our walk past the three Playa Jardín beaches.
Old town, harbour and local walks
Start around Plaza del Charco and wander through the nearby streets towards the fishing harbour. A seafront route from San Telmo offers a different view of the town, while La Ranilla invites you to turn into smaller lanes. Walk as much or as little as you like; the centre has places to pause along the way.
See our Walking in Puerto de la Cruz guide for filmed route choices, and read about Plaza del Charco if you want a central starting point.
Street art and local history
Look for murals around La Ranilla, then follow the older streets back towards the harbour and the town's squares. You can make a short mural hunt part of a central walk, or take longer over the stories behind the places you pass.
Our Art guide leads to more street art and videos, while the History guide gathers heritage places and walks. For a filmed mural route, see our wall murals guided tour.
Gardens and greener views
The Jardín Botánico in La Paz is a place to spend time among mature trees and plants. Higher above the centre, Parque Taoro and the Jardines de la Atalaya offer paths and viewpoints. Choose the garden that fits your day: La Paz is a separate neighbourhood stop, while Taoro's approaches from the centre involve an uphill walk.
Explore our Nature guide, Jardín Botánico article and Jardines de la Atalaya video visit. Check a garden's current visitor information if your plan depends on opening or admission details.
Choose a main attraction
Costa Martiánez is a seawater pool complex and landmark work associated with César Manrique beside the ocean. Loro Parque is another major attraction in Puerto de la Cruz, better suited to a dedicated visit than a quick stop on a town walk. These are different ways to shape a longer day, so pick what interests you and allow time for the surrounding neighbourhood.
Read our editorial Loro Parque guide for an introduction. For Costa Martiánez, you can combine the seafront setting with the Martiánez area in our Beaches guide. Check current admission and access with the venue when planning your visit.
Shops, market and a browse
Shopping can fit naturally into a day around the centre. Explore the streets near Plaza del Charco, visit the Mercado Municipal or head towards Centro Comercial Martiánez by the eastern seafront. The Shopping in Puerto de la Cruz guide separates these in-town choices from the larger centres in neighbouring La Orotava.
If the market is your main stop, see our Mercado Municipal video before you go. Individual stalls and opening patterns can change.
Try an Adventure Hunt
If you like exploring with a purpose, Adventure Hunt offers an interactive way to discover Puerto de la Cruz on foot. Follow a route through local landmarks or look for street art around the old town. See our Adventure Hunt page for an introduction and how to get started.
See the town before you visit
Our Virtual Visits gather filmed walks, local places and aerial views. Start with a route that interests you, or browse the Drone Videos collection to see the shape of the town from above. Some videos record a particular day or stage in the town's history, so use them for orientation rather than as a promise of what will be open today.
Make the day your own
A central walk can bring together the seafront, harbour, Plaza del Charco and La Ranilla. Gardens and larger attractions make good separate stops when you want a slower pace. Puerto has slopes as well as level promenade sections, so choose the route that suits you. For dates and programmes, use our Events page; for another way to get your bearings, read our tourist bus guide and verify its current service details before relying on it.