TENERIFE

There's no better way to start this blog than recommending to visit my city, TENERIFE.
The views from the ship upon arrival are very nice compared to other ports. The Port of Tenerife is gaining in importance compared to other ports in Spain. It is home port of companies like Thomson, Aida, Costa and MSC during the winter season. It is a traditional port of call for positioning cruises arriving from America and frequent port of call for Atlantic and Canary Islands itineraries for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises and PO Cruises starting from Southampton.

 

FIVE SHIPS IN TENERIFE

The port, the island and the city has the minimum requirements that all cruise passengers expect to find when arriving:

• There is no fee for the shuttle bus. It is a free service given by the Tenerife Port

• The shuttle bus leaves you five minutes away from the City Center
• There is a tourist bus service with HOP ON HOP OFF system (9.99 €/pax), which offers the visitors a panoramic city tour with a stop next to the port
• The shopping area is next to the port

SHOPPING: You can find shops of all kinds (souvenirs, typical products) in the area Calle Castillo, Bethencourt Afonso, El Pilar.  Also in Avenida 3 de Mayo you can find the spanish version of Macy's or Harrod's 'El Corte Ingles' and a shopping center called Meridiano (tourist bus stop El Corte Inglés)

CULTURAL TOUR: Take a look at the sail-shaped building Auditorio, recent construction of spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. You can see the silhouette from your ship upon arrival (10 minutes by walk)

WALKING EXPEDITION: Go up El Castillo street, take right to Garcia Sanabria park, and down El Pilar street and finally Bethencourt Afonso street

OFFICIAL EXCURSIONS: I strongly recommend Cañadas del Teide. It's a journey by bus (1 hour 30 minutes), but the views are worth it.

ALTERNATIVES: As you leave the port you can see a lot of taxis that offer their own tour of the island (lower prices than the official tours). Just don´t forget that the ship will not delay the departure if you arrive late. For repeaters in Tenerife, you can take the tram to La Laguna (you can find vending machines at each station, the cost of round-trip journey is about 2 €, 45 minutes) or take the bus to the beach Las Teresitas (bus line 910, 20 minutes) near the exit. 
Near the shuttle Bus final stop, in the ferries terminal, there is a cheap Rent a Car (CICAR) if you choose to explore Tenerife on your own. I recommend to drive through Monte de la Esperanza to el Teide, drink something in Parador de las Cañadas (enjoy the views) and visit la Orotava, or only visit Puerto de la Cruz and la Orotava. It may be a little bit risky if you ship departs at 16.00 hours if you find traffic jams

WHERE TO EAT: Anywhere, but in the Plaza de la Candelaria (these are for tourists and expensive). You can try the juice bar Viva Maria or tortilla sanwiches of La Garriga (both little places in Perez Galdos street). For Canarian food just try El Puntero (Pi y Margall street). If you want something more elaborated and high quality go to Los 4 Postes (Emilio Calzadilla street). If you are near El Corte Inglés, I recommend La Taberna del Cortijo, with good food tapas and good spanish ham (La Salle steet next to a Shell Petrol Station). For non-adventurers or families with children there is a McDonalds on the Plaza de la Candelaria, and a Burger King in Bethencourt Afonso. There is also a tapas franchise called Lizarran in Plaza Candelaria.

Links:
Echeyde Tours
Tramway Tenerife

Puerto de Tenerife
Tourist Bus
Rent a Car

Last Update: February 2012