Family Fun In Tenerife: Visit The Castles Of Santa Cruz

There’s nothing like watching families arrive in Santa Cruz for the first time and seeing the kids’ eyes light up on the Tenerife transfersfrom the airport as they spot the atmospheric castles and forts along the town’s waterfront. If your little ones are interested in tales of pirates and princesses, soldiers and kings, then a visit to one (or all!) of these historic sites will be a holiday highlight for them.

Of course, Santa Cruz has so much for families to do, from its excellent Blue Flag beaches to a wide range of child-friendly activities, that it may seem hard to fit all the activities in. But with no fewer than four castles or fortresses in the town (which have been declared Assets of Cultural Interest) there are plenty to choose from so see which ones peak your child’s interest.

Castillo de San Juan

One of the most striking fortresses in the historic port is the Castle of San Juan Bautista (known locally as Castillo Negro thanks to the black stone used in its construction), the site has a gruesome history as an important site in the African slave trade. The round structure was originally built in the 17th century to protect the port’s important trade from invasion or pirates. It is very well preserved and a great place for the kids to explore.

Nearby you and the family can check out the Casa de la Pólvora, one of the oldest structures in Santa Cruz built in 1757, where the artillery and gunpowder for the fort was stored.

San Cristóbal Castle

Bring the exciting maritime history of the island alive for your kids at the San Cristóbal Castle Interpretation Centre. The informative museum uses pictures and timelines to explain the role Tenerife played in the history of the Canary Islands, including the defeat of the English in 1797, who were led by Horatio Nelson.

El Castillo de San Cristo de Paso Alto

Built as a gun battery in 1528, and then remodelled into a castle in the 17th century, this is one of the oldest fortresses on the island. The fortification was home to as many as 15 cannons and 55 artillery men, who all played a part in defending the island of Tenerife from invasion by Nelson and the English fleet. Unfortunately in 1950 much of the structure was demolished to make way for a new road, but the gun platform remains and is now a great vantage point for taking in wonderful ocean views.

Getting There

Because Tenerife and Santa Cruz are such family-friendly locations, popular with British tourists, you’ll find there are a wide range of flights flying to the island’s two airports from cities across the UK. Flight times are around four and half hours and flight are offered by airlines including: British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet. The closest airport to Santa Cruz is North Airport: Tenerife transfersfrom North Airport take around 20 minutes.

Save time and stress at the airport by booking your Tenerife transfers online before you leave home. That way you can relax knowing that transport for you and your family will be waiting for you when you land.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for affordable Tenerife transfers Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.