Some people come to Tenerife for the sun and beaches. Others sweat it out on El Teide or hike through the island’s rainforests. On one rare rest day, Johny and I decided to explore a different side of the island – the ocean and its culture. We set out to discover Santa Cruz and the southern beaches of Tenerife. One thing’s for sure: we won’t forget it.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
When Johny and I stepped into Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we expected a typical postcard town. What we found instead was a city where relaxation and history intertwine with a quiet, modern pulse – where art lives on every street, and nothing is quite what it seems.
Sala Principal
The first thing that grabs your attention is the bold architecture of Sala Principal. With curves that rival the great opera houses of Sydney, Hamburg, or Oslo, this structure was clearly inspired by the motion of the sea. But this isn’t just a concert hall – it’s a living, breathing organism whispering stories of generations of artists.
It doesn’t try to be a typical museum or gallery. It is the cultural heartbeat of Santa Cruz – a place that reflects the soul of the island and its people.
And yet, for most all-inclusive tourists, both Santa Cruz and its Sala Principal remain practically invisible.
Santa Cruz and Its Hidden Stories
Santa Cruz feels like a living book, its pages inked with mysterious art. You won’t just find it in Palacio de Santa Cruz or Castillo de San Juan Bautista – it’s on street corners, in hidden galleries, among pop-up performances. Treasures tourists often miss while staring at maps or chasing selfies.
Sure, everyone knows the port and the markets. But the real magic is in the quiet streets most people walk past. Like Calle de la Noria – a street that feels like it stepped out of another century. The buildings whisper, and before you realize it, the place has you under its spell.
Santa Cruz is full of contradictions. Artistic gems sit beside tourist traps. Bustling squares turn into hushed alleyways. Here, wisdom lives in the ordinary – in street music, in graffiti, in the wind brushing past old windows.
What tourist does: The Aquapark
After soaking in art and culture, we figured we deserved something wild. From a distance, the water slides and colorful tubes looked promising. Up close? Not so much.
The place had more of a slow-paced, family-friendly vibe – think floaties and fruit snacks, not action and adrenaline. The steep all-day entrance fee sealed the deal. This wasn’t the kind of “wild” we were after. The ocean was calling.
Playa de Las Gaviotas
Playa de Igueste
Where the sea takes what it wants. Next stop: Playa de Igueste, a mysterious black sand beach tucked away on the island’s coast. The moment we stepped out of the car, we felt like we’d landed on another planet. The sand burned under our feet, the rocks stood like ancient guardians, and the sun made us hop across the shore like we were on burning coals.
We sprinted into the ocean with relief – right into massive waves. Johny, armed with his high-end, Himalayan-grade, UV-filtering prescription sunglasses, dove in like a man on a mission. When he surfaced, his face said it all: the sunglasses were gone.
We spent the next hour as desperate amateur divers, scanning the ocean floor. Johny took it personally – like the ocean had betrayed him. His frustration grew with every wave.
So instead of a peaceful beach day, we felt like failed marine biologists. Johny remained bitter till the very end of the trip. On our way back, we stopped at a sports store, where he bought new sunglasses – €160, plus €1.50 for the neck strap.
I didn’t walk away empty-handed either. I found the perfect backpack, one I suddenly couldn’t live without. Final bill? Nearly €300.
Maybe we should’ve just stayed at the aquapark.
Lost Legends of Tenerife
If you think Tenerife is just about the northwest coast and sun-soaked beaches, you’re not looking closely enough.
There’s Las Galletas – a small fishing village that feels like an old logbook full of strange stories. Or Playa de Benijo – wild, raw, photogenic, and if you get there at sunset, you will become a mindless Instagram zombie.
Sometimes, one hidden beach is more of an odyssey than a full day in the sun.
Secret Spots of Tenerife Worth Finding
For those looking for something deeper than just a drink and a beach lounger:
- Benijo Beach – dramatic cliffs, pounding waves, and an atmosphere that feels like myth.
- Montaña Roja – the red mountain of legends, layered with ancient tales and volcanic echoes.
- The Anaga Rainforests – the island’s wildest, greenest secret.
- Las Teresitas – known for its golden sand but still off the radar for most tourists, with roots in traditional island life.
- And of course, the iconic presence of El Teide and La Catedral – reminders that Tenerife is more than a vacation, it’s an experience.
