The Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port is in the northeast of Tenerife and offers ideal conditions for an active shore excursion. This 10 km route connects the city's main attractions with longer sections along the promenade, making it the most comprehensive way to discover Santa Cruz actively.
**Important note about the start:**
There are two exits at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife cruise port, and not both are always open. The starting point is at Plaza de España, opposite the cruise port. Depending on the open exit, the route may be slightly longer.
The route begins at Plaza de España, opposite the cruise port. Depending on the open exit, a short additional walk may be necessary. Alternatively, you can start directly north and include the Plaza at the end of the loop.
First, the route leads along the promenade north to the Monumento al Ángel de la Paz. From there, it goes into the Rambla de Santa Cruz, one of the city's most beautiful promenades. You'll stroll leisurely along it before reaching and diagonally crossing the Parque García Sanabria. Via the Plaza de los Patos, you'll return to the Rambla.
Via the Rambla de Pulido, the route leads to Plaza Weyler and then into Calle del Castillo, one of the city's most famous shopping streets. A short detour via Plaza del Príncipe de Asturias completes the loop before passing the Casino and the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción to the Mercado Nuestra Señora de África.
From the market hall, the route then leads towards the coast. At the height of the Palmetum – a botanical garden that can be optionally visited – you'll reach the promenade. After the Castillo de San Juan Bautista, the Auditorio de Tenerife, one of the island's most famous landmarks, follows. From there, the route leisurely runs along the promenade back to the cruise port.
Due to road crossings and pedestrians, the route is only partially suitable for peak athletic performance. However, it is ideal for a run or walk with a sightseeing focus. If you have less time, the 5 km route offers a more compact alternative. For significantly more nature and athletic challenge, the 27 km route in the mountains or an extension of the route towards Playa de las Teresitas is recommended.
Tenerife offers an extraordinary combination of city, sea, and mountains. If you want to make the most of your stop, start with a trail run through the mountains in the north of the island and then explore Santa Cruz leisurely on foot or by bike.
Alternatively, this 10 km route is suitable as an active start or end to the day, combined with an excursion. A highlight is the trip to Teide National Park with its spectacular volcanic landscapes. However, due to the distance, there is usually not enough time for a hike to the summit there.
A very nice alternative is a hike in the much closer Anaga Rural Park. There you will find impressive nature, green mountain landscapes, and one of Tenerife's most beautiful hiking areas – ideal as a complement to a city run in Santa Cruz.
The route starts in the immediate vicinity of the cruise port at Plaza de España. Depending on the open exit, a short additional walk may be necessary.
You can either follow the route directly via the map on this page or import the GPX file into a navigation app like Komoot. We recommend navigation via the GPX file, as it is significantly more precise and you get clear guidance via GPS during your run. After saving the GPX file in your app, you can usually use the map offline. We recommend testing navigation in airplane mode without active Wi-Fi beforehand to ensure it works without an internet connection.
Tip: For safety, it is still useful to have internet access on the go. If your mobile provider on Tenerife offers no or only expensive data roaming, a global data plan that works in many countries is suitable for cruises – for example, from eSIM.sm (advertisement).
The route partly runs along busy roads, but mostly on well-maintained sidewalks. Overall, the route can therefore be classified as safe.
Especially for afternoon runs, plan enough buffer time. If time is short, you should check if you can shorten the route or if the return journey on the same route is faster. In case of emergency, it is also advisable to save the ship's telephone number, which is usually provided in the daily program, beforehand. You should also have apps like Uber or Bolt on your phone and be familiar with their use. In Tenerife, you can use Uber in addition to classic taxis.
Public restrooms are available on the promenade halfway between the Auditorio and the cruise port near a calisthenics park, and at the northeast corner of Plaza Weyler. Public water fountains are not known along the route. However, there are many opportunities to buy something to drink in the city.
The route mainly runs on asphalted roads and cobblestones, so normal running shoes are perfectly sufficient. We also recommend bringing sun protection (ad), enough water, and a phone or running watch for navigation. In addition, a payment method is useful, although in Tenerife you can usually pay by card or smartphone.