Why Hire a Car in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
Unlike the southern resorts, Santa Cruz is not only built around tourism. It's where people live, work and enjoy the island all year round.
The city itself is easy to explore on foot, with places like Plaza de Espana, the harbour, parks and shopping streets nearby. But a car transforms Santa Cruz into one of the best bases for discovering the north of Tenerife.
From Santa Cruz you are perfectly positioned: Las Teresitas beach is around 15 minutes away, Anaga Rural Park is around 30-40 minutes away, La Laguna is around 15 minutes away, and Mount Teide is around 1 hour 15 minutes away.
Many visitors stay in the south and visit Santa Cruz for a few hours, but having a car lets you experience the authentic side of Tenerife — mountain villages, green forests, viewpoints and hidden beaches.
Santa Cruz gives you the real Tenerife. A car helps you discover the parts most visitors never reach.
Santa Cruz — Quick Facts
What to see in & around Santa Cruz
The capital rewards a wander — and the car opens up the coast and hills beyond.
Auditorio de Tenerife
The city’s soaring, wave-like concert hall on the waterfront — one of the most striking modern buildings in Spain.
Plaza de España & the market
The grand central square with its mirror-pool fountain, steps from the colourful Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África food market.
Playa de las Teresitas
A gorgeous golden-sand beach (shipped in from the Sahara!) in the fishing village of San Andrés, a short drive north of the city.
Nearby in the north: Puerto de la Cruz. Flying into the capital’s airport? See Tenerife North Airport car hire.
Recommended Drives from Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz → Las Teresitas → Anaga → Taganana
Probably the most special drive from Santa Cruz — within minutes you leave the city behind and enter one of Tenerife's most beautiful natural areas. Recommended stops: Playa de Las Teresitas, the Mirador Las Teresitas, Anaga viewpoints, Taganana village and the Benijo coastline. Perfect for nature lovers, photography and discovering old Tenerife. Local tip: start in the morning — Anaga can become cloudy later in the day, but that misty forest atmosphere is also part of its magic.
Santa Cruz → La Laguna → La Orotava → Puerto de la Cruz
A journey through Tenerife history. Recommended stops: La Laguna old town, La Orotava historic centre, the Puerto de la Cruz seafront and the botanical gardens. Perfect for couples, culture and traditional Tenerife. Local tip: take your time in La Laguna — many visitors rush through it, but the old streets, courtyards and cafes are the reason it became so special.
Santa Cruz → La Esperanza Forest → Mount Teide
One of the most beautiful routes to Mount Teide — unlike the south route, this drive takes you through the green side of Tenerife: eucalyptus and pine forests, viewpoints above the clouds and volcanic landscapes. Recommended stops: La Esperanza, Mirador de Chipeque, Teide National Park and Roques de Garcia. Perfect for scenery, photographers and people who think Tenerife is only beaches. Local tip: this is personally one of the routes that changes people's opinion about Tenerife — you leave a city and end up feeling like you crossed several countries in one drive.
Local's Pick: Playa de Benijo
Most visitors know Las Teresitas, but fewer continue deeper into Anaga towards Benijo. Playa de Benijo feels completely different from the tourist beaches in the south — volcanic black sand, dramatic cliffs, wild Atlantic scenery and one of the most impressive sunsets in Tenerife. It's not the easiest beach, and that's exactly why it remains special. The journey there is part of the experience — mountain roads, viewpoints and small villages that show the older side of the island. This is the Tenerife many visitors never see.
Who Is Santa Cruz Best For?
Before You Drive Away
- City centre roads are busier, especially during working hours — Santa Cruz is a real city, not only a holiday area.
- Underground car parks are usually the easiest option when visiting the centre.
- The TF-1 motorway takes you south towards the airport and Costa Adeje.
- The TF-5 motorway takes you towards La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz and the north coast.
- When driving into Anaga, allow more time than the kilometres suggest — roads are narrow, scenic and full of viewpoints.
- Don't rush Anaga. The best experiences come from stopping often, walking a little and enjoying the views.
- Weather can change quickly between Santa Cruz and the mountains — sunshine in the city can become cloud and mist in Anaga within 30 minutes.
Airport Desk vs. Our Service
Traditional Rental
- Queue after landing
- Anonymous counter service
- Possible shuttle to a depot
Our Service
- Local driver waiting for you
- Car ready, keys in hand
- Straight on the road, no depot
Your car comes to you — no queues
Fly into Tenerife North (just 10 minutes from the city) and a local driver is waiting at arrivals with your car ready to go. A friendly hello, a quick look over the car together, keys in hand — and you’re in the capital within minutes. Staying in town already? We can deliver to your hotel instead.
Why book with us, not a faceless chain
Backed by a 35-year local partner
We work hand-in-hand with our trusted Tenerife partner, Oasis — a family-run firm that has been on the island for over 35 years. Local know-how, with the ease of booking through us.
Delivered, not queued
Met at arrivals and handed over in person by a local driver — or delivered to your hotel. No counter, no shuttle, no wasted time.
Not just cars — memories
We’re really in the “remember Carnival in the capital?” business. The car is just how you get there. Tell us what you want to see and we’ll point the way.
Our trusted local partner
The cars are supplied and delivered by Oasis, our partner on the ground — a family-run firm that has looked after visitors to Tenerife for over three decades. We handle your booking; they hand you the keys.
What’s included in every booking
- Full insurance cover as standard
- Unlimited mileage across the whole island
- Air conditioning in every car
- Free child seats on request
- Personal airport meet & greet (or hotel delivery)
How it works
Santa Cruz car hire — your questions answered
No. You reserve online for free and pay when you collect your car. There is no upfront charge to book.
Tenerife North Airport (TFN) is just 10 minutes from the city, and we meet you at arrivals with your name on a sign. Staying in town? We can also deliver to your hotel - just ask when you book.
Yes. Cancellation is free up to 48 hours before your pick-up time, so you can book early with complete peace of mind.
Every rental includes full insurance cover and unlimited mileage as standard. Fuller cover options are available if you would like extra reassurance.
Yes, the minimum rental is 3 days. This keeps our pricing simple and lets us reserve the right car for your whole trip.
Of course. Baby seats, child seats and boosters are free on request - just add them when you book and we will have them fitted and ready.
The city itself is easy on foot - Plaza de Espana, the harbour and the shopping streets are all close together. But the best of the north, Las Teresitas, Anaga Rural Park and La Laguna, sits 15-40 minutes away. A car turns a city break into a full exploration of the north of Tenerife.
Yes - around 1 hour 15 minutes via La Esperanza forest. This route takes you through the greener side of the island, with eucalyptus and pine forests before you reach the volcanic landscape at the top.
City centre roads can get busy, especially during working hours, since Santa Cruz is a real working city rather than only a holiday area. Underground car parks are usually the easiest option when visiting the centre.
It depends on your interests: a half/full day into Anaga Rural Park via Las Teresitas and Taganana for dramatic coastal scenery, a relaxed full day through La Laguna, La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz for history and culture, or a half/full day up to Mount Teide via La Esperanza forest.
Yes - Playa de Benijo, deeper into Anaga past Las Teresitas. Expect volcanic black sand, dramatic cliffs and wild Atlantic scenery rather than a typical resort beach - the drive there through the mountain villages is part of the experience.