ATTRACTIONS: TENERIFE

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz is both the administrative centre and the capital of Tenerife. It is a bustling city with one of the busiest shipping port in the world. The enormous harbour holds many container ships, cruise liners and inter island jet foils and ferries. Santa Cruz usually hosts trasatlantic yacht races which take place with major navy and civilian sailing ships of the world participating. The port is also where traditionally fireworks displays and open air concerts take place during city festivals. The city is situated in a large natural bay with the Anaga mountains forming a stunning backdrop rising to over 1000 metres.

The city does not offer very much for the sightseeing tourist but is an excellent base for exploring the northeast of the island. Shopping is excellent. Starting from the Plaza de España on the seafront and moving up to Plaza de Candelaria, which offers excellent international brands at 'tax free' prices. Other attractions are walking distance. Museo de la Naturaleza y El Hombre has a handful of artefacts, mummies and skulls and a natural sciences section. The fine arts museum displays a collection of paintings by Canarian and Flemish artists. The city is also home to the Iglesia de San Francisco, a stunning baroque church built in the 18th century. The city's oldest church is the Iglesia de la Concepción, which has a beautiful bell tower.