Amid the sandy beaches of northern Tenerife lies the beautiful resort of Puerto de la Cruz. With warm, sunny weather all year round and plenty of things to do nearby, this destination is popular with sunbathers and partygoers alike.
During the day, there is a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. The resort’s ancient volcanic beaches are a real draw for beach lovers, and off-shore there are plenty of diving opportunities. Away from the water’s edge, Loro Parque is voted the best zoo in Europe on TripAdvisor, and is home to hundreds of exciting animals and a large aquarium.
Top Tip: For a closer look at Puerto de la Cruz’s relaxing offerings, check out this blog post.
After Dark
When the sun goes down and the zoo and beaches close, the bars and restaurants of Puerto de la Cruz come to life. The top priority is to first indulge in some authentically Spanish cuisine and relax after a long and fun-filled day. For this, the resort has a number of great tapas bars; here are 5 that might tickle your fancy!
Bar Luis: Located just off the Plaza del Charco in the centre of town, this delightful bar is set in a colonial courtyard. The food here is fresh and delicious – the star of the show is undoubtedly the battered fish.
Tasca El Olivo: Try the octopus and mash dish at this tapas bar and you won’t regret it. And that’s only one of the many delicious dishes that are served up by friendly staff in this traditional Spanish restaurant.
La Clave: For a more upmarket dining experience, why not try this chic eatery? Drawing its cuisine from mainland Spain, this modern tapas bar offers many of the traditional mainland favourites, such as shrimp fritters.
Tierra de Jamón: For ham and cheese lovers who are looking to supplement the seafood cuisine of Tenerife with something more familiar, Tierra de Jamón is the place to go. With a top-notch selection of wines and an even better selection of hams, this part-deli is a joy for tourists and locals alike.
La Vinoteca: Everyone loves a good wine and cheese night. La Vinoteca has a small tapas menu, but it’s the best place to taste local wines and cheeses in a sophisticated setting.
After Dinner
If you are not too full after wining and dining, the bars and dancefloors of Puerto de la Cruz are the next stop on an adrenaline-fuelled evening out. If you are in search of cheap drinks and good vibes, the bars and clubs of northern Tenerife will be right up your street. Here a few of the best!
Bar Dinámico: One of the oldest establishments in Puerto de le Cruz, this bar has been around since the 1950s. Revellers enjoy its location right in the middle of the Plaza del Charco, as well as its Latin American music and bubbly character.
Blanco Bar: A sleek bar with ambient lighting and a chilled-out vibe, Blanco Bar is quintessentially Spanish. Expect to see live performances on weekends for no extra charge, and enjoy cheap beers all night long.
Limbo Bar: Limbo Bar gets very busy in the early hours of the morning, as it’s a go-to party venue for students and young people. The spirits here are inexpensive and the music is loud. Expect to see heels and snappy dressers… and don’t be surprised if you grab a kiss or two as the night progresses.
Discoteca Azucar: This is a proper club with a hot, steamy dance floor that’s full of bouncing partygoers. Have some delicious drinks and join in the Salsa dancing until 3am and beyond.
How to Get to Puerto de la Cruz
The best way to get to the sun and beaches of Puerto de la Cruz is by flying direct from London to Tenerife South Airport. The flight takes around six hours, and major airlines such as British Airways and easyJet offer very reasonable fairs.
Once you touch down, the resort is about an hour’s drive from the airport, so your best chance to get to the beach as soon as possible is with a speedy transfer. Shuttle Direct offers an efficient and reliable transfer service for an inexpensive fixed fee. Booking with Shuttle Direct beforehand takes the hassle out of the holiday, and will save you precious money for food and cocktails later on.
Where to Stay
Be Smart Florida Plaza – Located in the old town of Puerto de la Cruz and only a 12-minute walk away from the beach, these apartments are handy for tourists looking to be right in the middle of things. Nearby are the bars, restaurants and clubs that light up the resort each night. Each apartment also has its own kitchen, which is useful for whipping up a quick breakfast or an early-morning snack when you get in from the club.
Tenerife Ving – Only 200 yards away from the beach, this apartment complex has its own outdoor pool for sunbathing enthusiasts. The old town is just a ten-minute walk away, so it’s an easy stroll back after a big night out. Every apartment has a modern kitchenette, which contains all of the essentials from fridge to coffee maker.
Hotel Sun Holidays – Situated on the outskirts of the old town and seven minutes’ walk from the beach, Hotel Sun Holidays is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. Each apartment here has a small kitchenette and an en-suite bathroom. Some apartments have a bath as well as a shower, so if you are a bath lover, it is worth enquiring. You can’t go wrong with staying in this clean and modern venue.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct offers low-cost, fixed fee airport transfers across Europe and North Africa. Booking a transfer with Shuttle Direct takes the stress out of holidays by letting you sort out all of your travel arrangements before you leave. Reasonable prices and reliable service are key to allowing Shuttle Direct customers to get the best out of their holiday as soon as they touch down.
