A sun-drenched island is a definite winner when it comes to romantic breaks, and I think Tenerife is the perfect destination. Its year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches and culture-filled metropolises offer something for virtually every couple, with the lovely capital of Santa Cruz being pretty hard to beat.
So, today I’ll be talking about just what this dazzling city has to offer you if romance is on your mind. Plus, I’ll take a quick peek at a few alternative destinations located nearby. Hopefully, this will give you a splash of inspiration for your getaway.
Santa Cruz
Let’s begin with Santa Cruz, Tenerife, which you’ll find on the north-eastern tip of the island. With a bustling, vibrant atmosphere, this city is full of historic charm and has retained a traditional Spanish feel, which is one of the things that makes it so great for romantic holidays. Here, you can stroll hand in hand, drinking in authentic Spain and peppering your day with stops in great restaurants and sophisticated shops.
Actually, the fact that Santa Cruz is so walking-friendly also plays a big part in making this city so great for couples. I mean, having to cram yourselves onto a crowded bus to get from one site to the next is hardly going to set the right tone, is it?
The presence of luxurious hotels helps, too. One of my favourites is the Iberostar Grand Hotel Mencey, which is near to the historic city centre. What I like about this place is that, as well as being close to the hubbub of the city and the beach, it is an oasis of tranquility – think beautiful gardens, fine dining and a piano bar.
Returning to the city itself, there’s oodles of choice when it comes to what to do. Couples can stick to the most obvious things – like discovering the stunning Santa Cruz Basilica – or head out on a more unique adventure. For instance, you could nip up to the seventh floor of El Corte Ingles to check out the amazing views across the city and port, or take a trip to the Noria district to enjoy the vibe in the trendiest bars and restaurants, like Mojos y Mojitos.
Or…
If you don’t fancy basing yourselves in the capital, there are some brilliant options nearby (these are also decent destinations for day trips from Santa Cruz, by the way).
La Laguna
La Laguna is one of my favourite choices – something that’s largely down to the fact that it’s a) wonderfully historic, and b) so little-known. Admittedly, the latter may seem like a slightly strange reason for being fond of somewhere, but I think a beautiful city that, owing to its lack of fame, is virtually tourist-free is a quite a refreshing thing – especially for couples hoping to find a little world of their own.
Once upon a time, La Laguna was Tenerife’s capital (Santa Cruz took the title in 1833). These days the city is still thriving, filled with stunning 16th, 17th and 18th-century buildings and gardens that dot the cobbled streets. As well as being beautiful and tranquil, La Laguna is a brilliant base for exploring Tenerife’s green north.
Puerto de la Cruz
I’ll finish up with Puerto de la Cruz, a lively city on the north coast. If you and your partner like the sound of a cosmopolitan destination with a good tourist infrastructure, great beaches and a decent nightlife, Puerto de la Cruz is likely to suit you down to the ground.
Like Santa Cruz, it’s got some lovely luxury hotels (like Hotel Botanico), while you’ll find charming gardens and town squares dot the city. Particular highlights include the Lido Martianez, which is full of lagoons and landscaped gardens, as well as Plaza del Charco.
This article was written by Alex Dweh. Alex is a successful travel writer with articles published on a number of notable travel websites, catering to a variety of audiences. To find out more about the destinations written about in this article visit http://www.sovereign.com/.