Melo Villareal
(Tenerife, Spain) When you visit Tenerife, you may think of amazing volcanic landscapes, beautiful black sand beaches and the stunning blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, but do you think of amazing plants and post-modern swimming pools?
If you do, you’re probably thinking about Puerto De La Cruz. This stunning city is to the north of the island and is a hidden gem of the Canaries. It’s quieter than you might expect for the bustling tourist hub that is Tenerife, and better suited to family holidays or holidays for slightly older couples.
Jardin Black Sand Beach
Though it’s a little quieter than some of the other resorts in Tenerife, do not assume that Puerto De La Cruz is a ghost town! It’s still a popular destination and there are loads of great reasons to visit with the highest holiday return rate in the whole of Tenerife. Probably the first and foremost is the world famous Lago Martinez. This is an incredible swimming pool complex comprising seven amazing salt water pools. Designed by the renowned architect Cesar Manrique, the complex is a design classic, this beautiful spot is also renowned for its fee for a day’s entry, this is nominal and includes sun loungers and parasols.
Dolphins at Loro Parque
If you want to lounge by the sea rather than by a pool, Puerto De La Cruz has two great beaches. Like the rest of Tenerife, these are volcanic black sand beaches. While that might be amazingly photogenic, be aware that the sand is very gritty and the closer you get to the sea, the larger the pieces! Both beaches, just a short walk from the city harbor, are well appointed with sunbed and parasol hire, as well as both having at least one cafe. The surf can be pretty intimidating, but don’t worry too much as there are lifeguards on hand!
Lago Martinez municipal swimming pool at Puerto de Santiago
If the surf does put you off the beaches though, there’s still plenty to do in this amazing city. Puerto De La Cruz is known as the City of Eternal Spring, and that’s mostly because of the incredible parks. You might think that the Loro Parque would be exclusively filled with tourists, but this amazing zoo and a natural park is still frequented by locals fairly often, and it’s easy to see why. The amazing plants here make it seem a relaxed and natural place, and if you’re with the kids the chance to see parrots, dolphins, penguins and Orca show is sure to keep them entertained! It does not cost a great deal for park entry, so a day trip is well worth it, especially if you can catch one or more of the animal shows.
If you want to embrace nature but aren’t too sure about the crowds at the Loro Parque, the Botanical Gardens, another of the city’s amazing attractions, are sure to be more your thing. Whether you’re interested in botany or not, this is a beautiful place to wonder around, sit on a bench or stop for a picnic. For those who do care about the plants, the Gardens were initially set up to house new natural specimens on their way to Spain from the New World, and as a result there are a huge range of really well established tropical trees and plants. Even if you’re not interested in the names and types of the plants, you can definitely enjoy the amazing colours and refreshing air.
Puerto De La Cruz is known as The City of Eternal Spring, and with the amazing plants and refreshing beaches, it’s easy to see why.
Also Read: Of the Old and of the New: A Walking Tour of Madrid, Spain
