Santa Cruz Ferries

The port of Santa Cruz plays a key role in the ferry network of Spain, offering a convenient, scenic, and often essential way to connect with nearby islands. With 6 ferry routes operated by 3 ferry companies, Santa Cruz serves as a busy hub for both passenger and freight travel.

Ferries depart regularly from Santa Cruz, with schedules varying seasonally depending on demand, weather conditions, and tourism activity.

Popular routes from this port include Las Palmas - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, Huelva - Santa Cruz connecting Santa Cruz with key coastal and island destinations. Depending on the route, crossings can range from quick local hops to longer overnight journeys, often with a choice between high-speed ferries and traditional vessels.

Operators such as Naviera Armas, Fred. Olsen Express, Balearia run regular services from Santa Cruz, offering a range of onboard amenities including comfortable seating, food and drink options, cabins, and vehicle transport. Ticket options vary by company and vessel type, with choices to suit solo travellers, families, and business passengers alike.

Whether you're island hopping, heading home, or starting a new adventure, Santa Cruz offers a reliable and enjoyable gateway to the sea.

Santa Cruz is well-connected to mainland Spain and international destinations via Tenerife North Airport, located about 15 minutes from the city center. For those already in the Canary Islands, the extensive ferry network makes Santa Cruz easily accessible, with regular connections from Gran Canaria (approximately 2-3 hours), Lanzarote, and La Palma. The city's excellent bus system (TITSA) connects the ferry terminal to the city center and major attractions. If arriving by car, the TF-1 and TF-5 highways provide easy access to the port area, where both short and long-term parking options are available near the ferry terminal.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife blends colonial charm with modern urban energy as the capital of Tenerife, the largest of Spain's Canary Islands. Set against dramatic mountain backdrops and facing the Atlantic Ocean, this bustling port city serves as a crucial gateway for travelers exploring the Canaries by sea. Visitors stepping off the ferry will immediately sense the city's unique character, a fascinating mix of Spanish heritage, subtropical climate, and the relaxed island lifestyle that makes Santa Cruz an unforgettable destination.

Santa Cruz enjoys a pleasant subtropical climate with mild temperatures year-round, making it an appealing destination in any season. Spring (March to May) offers comfortable temperatures around 20-25°C with fewer tourists and vibrant blooming gardens. February hosts the world-famous Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, second only to Rio's celebration in size and spectacle, book ferry tickets well in advance if visiting during this period. The summer months (June to September) bring warmer temperatures and more visitors, while the winter season (November to January) remains pleasantly warm at around 17-21°C, perfect for exploring the city without summer crowds. Ferry services maintain consistent schedules throughout the year, though more frequent connections may be available during peak summer months.

Santa Cruz serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the Canary Islands archipelago by ferry. Gran Canaria is just a 2-3 hour journey away, offering stunning beaches, the historic district of Vegueta, and the dramatic Maspalomas dunes. La Gomera, reached in approximately 1 hour, enchants visitors with its misty laurel forests and deep ravines, perfect for hiking enthusiasts. The volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote can be accessed via longer ferry journeys, rewarding travelers with otherworldly scenery and artistic landmarks. For those with limited time, even a day trip to nearby coastal towns along Tenerife's shoreline provides a refreshing maritime experience with stunning ocean views and charming fishing villages.

Santa Cruz offers a wealth of attractions within easy reach of its ferry port. The striking Auditorio de Tenerife, designed by Santiago Calatrava, stands as the city's architectural icon with its soaring white curves. Nature lovers shouldn't miss the Palmetum, a botanical garden featuring one of the world's largest collections of palm trees, or Playa de Las Teresitas, a golden-sand beach just 7km from the city center. The historic district invites exploration with the Plaza de España and the 17th-century Church of the Immaculate Conception. For culinary adventures, sample local specialties like papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce), fresh seafood, and Canarian wines at restaurants around the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, where the island's freshest produce is displayed in a colonial-style building.

Santa Cruz harbors fascinating stories beneath its sunny exterior. The city's Carnival celebration is officially recognized as a Festival of International Tourist Interest and has been attempting to gain UNESCO status as an Intangible Cultural Heritage event. Despite being Tenerife's capital, Santa Cruz was once subordinate to La Laguna until 1833 when it gained prominence due to its strategic port location. The iconic Auditorio de Tenerife took seven years to build and uses no right angles in its dramatic design, creating acoustic perfection. Many visitors don't realize that the golden sand at Las Teresitas beach was actually imported from the Sahara Desert in 1973, transforming what was once a black volcanic beach into a tropical paradise.