Most people who visit Puerto de la Cruz arrive by bus from Santa Cruz or get dropped off by a resort transfer. Most people also leave without having seen what makes the north of Tenerife genuinely extraordinary — the Orotava Valley in the early morning, Garachico’s lava pools before the day-trippers arrive, the road through Anaga before anyone else is on it.
A rental car changes all of that. Puerto de la Cruz is one of the finest base camps on the island for drivers — 30 minutes from TFN Airport, 45 minutes from Teide, 20 minutes from La Laguna, and 40 minutes from Anaga’s best viewpoints. The city itself rewards slow exploration on foot. The island beyond it rewards exactly the kind of flexible, schedule-free driving that only a rental car provides.
This guide covers everything: how to get here by car, where to pick up a rental locally, the parking system, and the best day trips from Puerto de la Cruz that justify having a car in the first place.
📍 Where Is Puerto de la Cruz — and Why Does It Matter for Drivers?
Puerto de la Cruz is located in the north of Tenerife, in the Orotava Valley, next to the boroughs of Los Realejos and La Orotava. It is one of the most important tourist areas in the Canary Islands, with many visitors from mainland Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany.
It sits on the northern coast, backed by the terraced green slopes of the Orotava Valley and facing the Atlantic. Unlike the southern resorts — built largely from scratch in the 1970s and 80s — Puerto de la Cruz is Tenerife’s original resort town, with a proper historic centre, a 16th-century harbour, and an identity that predates package tourism by several centuries.
For drivers, its position on the island is ideal:
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| TFN Airport | ~32 km | 30–35 min via TF-5 |
| TFS Airport | ~90 km | 75–85 min via TF-5/TF-1 |
| Santa Cruz de Tenerife | ~42 km | 35–40 min via TF-5 |
| San Cristóbal de La Laguna | ~38 km | 30–35 min |
| Teide National Park (El Portillo) | ~45 km | 55–65 min via TF-21 |
| Garachico | ~25 km | 25–30 min via TF-5/TF-42 |
| Anaga (Mirador Pico del Inglés) | ~55 km | 50–60 min |
| Masca / Santiago del Teide | ~60 km | 65–75 min |
The TF-5 motorway runs directly below Puerto de la Cruz, making connections east and west fast and straightforward. The TF-21 north approach to Teide begins just south of the city through La Orotava — the most scenic route to the volcano on the island.
🚗 How to Get to Puerto de la Cruz by Car
From TFN Airport — exit the airport onto TF-13, join the TF-5 motorway westbound, and follow signs for Puerto de la Cruz. The drive takes 30–35 minutes in normal traffic. No tolls, no complexity.
From TFS Airport — take the TF-1 motorway north toward Santa Cruz, then join TF-5 westbound past La Laguna. Total drive approximately 75–85 minutes. The approach from the south offers a dramatic moment when you crest the ridge and the northern coast opens up below — the green descent into Puerto de la Cruz is one of the finer road arrivals on the island.
From the southern resorts — same route as TFS. Allow 75–90 minutes from Costa Adeje or Las Américas. The journey is worthwhile as a day trip or as a relocation if you’re splitting your stay between north and south.
From Santa Cruz — TF-5 westbound, 35–40 minutes. An easy and frequently driven route on a wide, well-maintained motorway.
🏢 Local Car Hire in Puerto de la Cruz
You don’t need to pick up your car at TFN or TFS. Several car hire companies operate offices in Puerto de la Cruz itself — useful if you’re staying in the north and want to pick up later in your trip, or prefer to avoid the airport collection process entirely.
| Company | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cicar | Avda. Familia Bethencourt, 35 (38400) | Best local company, zero deposit options, audio guide of Tenerife included |
| Avis | City centre office | International brand, reliable |
| Europcar | Puerto de la Cruz office | Good fleet, compact to SUV |
| Hertz | Puerto de la Cruz | Standard international offering |
| Budget | City centre | Competitive pricing |
Cicar’s Puerto de la Cruz office is at Avenida Familia Bethencourt, 35 — well-signed and easy to reach. Cicar offers zero deposit and zero excess options that make local pickup particularly straightforward.
Picking up from a Puerto de la Cruz office rather than the airport can be marginally cheaper — airport locations carry a slight surcharge — and avoids navigating your first Tenerife road immediately after landing. If you’re planning to pick up on day two or three of your stay, the local office option is worth considering.
🅿️ Parking in Puerto de la Cruz — The Complete System
Parking is the most practically important thing to understand before arriving by car. Puerto de la Cruz has a working system — it just requires knowing the rules.
The zone colour system:
| Marking | Meaning | Cost | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue lines | Zona Azul — paid, time-limited | Varies | Typically 1–2 hours |
| White lines | Free parking | Free | Usually unlimited or long |
| Yellow lines | No parking | N/A | Never stop |
| Double yellow | Strictly no stopping | N/A | Traffic violation |
Main parking areas in Puerto de la Cruz:
Parking Plaza del Charco — underground car park in the heart of the old town. Most convenient for Playa Jardín, the historic centre, restaurants and the Martianez pools. Paid hourly. Best option for a full day visit.
Parking Lago Martianez — near the famous César Manrique pools on the seafront. Good for beach visits and the northern promenade. Paid parking with reasonable daily rates.
Residential streets above the centre — the streets climbing the hillside north of the old town often have white-lined spaces available. A 10–15 minute walk to the centre, but free. The walk through the upper town is pleasant and quiet.
Avenida de Venezuela and surrounding streets — wider avenues near the bus station have a mix of blue zone and free parking. Blue zone meters accept coins and mobile payment apps. Charges are posted on the nearest meter — typically between 8am–2pm and 4pm–8pm on weekdays, with Saturday mornings included.
Practical tip 🔑 Arrive in Puerto de la Cruz before 9am for the best parking. By 10:30am on summer weekends, the town centre is full. Alternatively, park in the residential streets above and walk down — 15 minutes through the upper town and the parking is free.
🌿 What to See in Puerto de la Cruz — And How a Car Helps
Puerto de la Cruz rewards walking for its core sights — but a car gets you to the places the other guests in your hotel never find.
On foot from your parking spot:
Playa Jardín — César Manrique’s masterpiece: black volcanic sand surrounded by tropical gardens with palm trees and water features. One of the finest beach experiences in the north. Divided into three coves — Playa del Castillo, Charcón and Punta Brava — each with a slightly different character.
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Plaza de la Iglesia and the old town — the historic heart of Puerto de la Cruz, with the 17th-century Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia, the Casa de la Real Aduana (Royal Customs House), and narrow streets that predate the tourist industry by several centuries.
Lago Martianez — César Manrique’s lava-rock seawater pools on the waterfront. One of the finest examples of his island-architecture philosophy: volcanic materials used to create something simultaneously natural and designed. Entry fee, opens daily.
Loro Parque — 5 minutes by car west of the centre. One of Europe’s finest zoological parks, with gorillas, penguins, sea lions and the most significant parrot collection on the continent. Allow a full day minimum.
🗺️ The Best Day Trips from Puerto de la Cruz by Car
La Orotava — 15 Minutes South
The most elegant town in Tenerife and one of the finest examples of colonial Canarian architecture. La Orotava sits on the terraced slopes above Puerto de la Cruz — 17th-century mansions, cobbled streets, the extraordinary Casa de los Balcones, and views down the valley to the sea that are extraordinary on a clear morning.
Drive up the TF-21 and park near the historic centre. The walk between the main mansions takes 45–60 minutes. Combine with the beginning of the Teide drive on the same day — the TF-21 continues directly from La Orotava to the national park.
Teide National Park — 55 Minutes via TF-21
The most scenic approach to Teide on the island. The TF-21 from La Orotava takes you through terraced farms, then dense pine forest, then the caldera — a landscape transformation that happens in stages and is extraordinary from a rental car. See our full guide to visiting Teide by car for route details, parking and cable car advice.
Anaga Rural Park — 50 Minutes East
The ancient laurel forest of the northeastern peninsula. Take the TF-5 east toward Santa Cruz, then follow signs for La Laguna and the TF-12 toward Anaga. The ridge road leads to Mirador Pico del Inglés, Cruz del Carmen, and the descent to Taganana and the wild north coast. See our full Anaga road trip guide for detailed routes and timing.
Garachico & Icod de los Vinos — 30 Minutes West
Two of the finest towns on the northern coast, both accessible in under 30 minutes via TF-5 and TF-42.
Garachico — destroyed by volcanic eruption in 1706 and rebuilt over centuries. Its natural lava pools (El Caletón) are carved from the rock by Atlantic waves and are some of the finest natural swimming pools on the island. The town — cobblestone streets, 16th-century convents, a proper seafront — feels genuinely historic in a way that the resort south does not.
Icod de los Vinos — home to the famous Drago Milenario, a dragon tree of extraordinary age and size, surrounded by a botanical garden with views down to the coast. The surrounding valleys produce some of Tenerife’s most characterful wines.
Combine both in a single morning — 30 minutes each with stops — and return to Puerto de la Cruz for a long lunch.
La Laguna (UNESCO World Heritage City) — 35 Minutes East
San Cristóbal de La Laguna — 15 minutes from TFN Airport, 35 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz — is one of the finest cities on the island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 15th-century street grid was the model for colonial cities across Latin America. The historic centre is traffic-restricted: park in one of the underground car parks on the edge of the old town and walk in.
Masca & the West Coast — 75 Minutes Southwest
The full west coast day trip. TF-5 west → TF-82 south through Santiago del Teide → TF-436 to Masca. Return via Buenavista del Norte and the north coast. Allow a full day. See our Masca road trip guide for timing, parking, and the gorge hike permit information.
🚦 Driving Tips Specific to Puerto de la Cruz
One-way streets are common. The old town has an intricate one-way system that surprises first-time visitors. Don’t assume the direct Google Maps route is the one the road allows. Use the car parks rather than circling streets looking for a spot.
The Avenida de Colón is the main seafront road — wide, well-signed, and the easiest way to orient yourself. Most beaches and major attractions are accessible from it.
Speed bumps throughout — like all Tenerife towns, Puerto de la Cruz has frequent badenes, some poorly marked. Go slowly through residential areas.
The road to Loro Parque (TF-31 west) passes through residential areas with narrow sections near the park entrance. A compact car is easier than a large SUV in the drop-off zone.
Petrol stations — several reliable stations near the TF-5 junction. Fill up before heading into the centre, where stations are harder to access.
🔗 Related Guides on rentcarstenerife.com
- 🚗 Complete Tenerife car hire guide — costs, companies, insurance and how to find the right deal before you fly.
- ✈️ Car hire at TFN — Tenerife North Airport — flying into the north? TFN is 30 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz. Full guide to the airport pickup.
- ✈️ Car hire at TFS — Tenerife South Airport — landing in the south and driving north? Everything you need for TFS pickup and the TF-5 journey north.
- 🌿 Driving Anaga Rural Park — the best day trip from Puerto de la Cruz. Ancient forest, wild coastline, villages nobody visits.
- 🏔️ Driving to Masca — TF-436 guide — the west coast day trip: Masca, Los Gigantes, and back via the north coast.
- 🛣️ Best roads to drive in Tenerife — TF-21 from La Orotava to Teide starts 15 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz.
- 🏖️ Best beaches Tenerife by car — Playa del Bollullo, Playa Jardín, and the wild Anaga coast are all within 30 minutes.
- 🛣️ Driving in Tenerife — tips for first-timers — parking zones, roundabouts, speed limits and the rules that catch tourists off guard.
- 👶 Family car hire Tenerife — Puerto de la Cruz is one of the best family bases on the island: Loro Parque, Playa Jardín, manageable distances to Teide.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions — Puerto de la Cruz by Car
Is it worth having a car in Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes — if you plan to explore beyond the town. Puerto de la Cruz is walkable for its beaches, old town, and Lago Martianez pools. But the best of the north — Anaga, Garachico, La Orotava, Teide via TF-21, Masca — all require a car. If your trip is resort and beach-based only, the bus to Santa Cruz and a taxi to Loro Parque might suffice. If you want to see the real north of Tenerife, a car transforms what’s possible.
Where can I hire a car in Puerto de la Cruz?
Several companies operate local offices in Puerto de la Cruz: Cicar (Avda. Familia Bethencourt, 35), Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and Budget. Picking up locally avoids the airport surcharge, can be slightly cheaper, and allows you to collect on day two or three rather than navigating unfamiliar roads immediately after landing.
Where is the best place to park in Puerto de la Cruz?
For the old town and Playa Jardín: underground car park near Plaza del Charco. For the seafront and Martianez pools: Parking Lago Martianez. For free parking: residential streets above the centre (10–15 min walk down). Blue zone paid street parking operates on weekday mornings and Saturday mornings — meters accept coins and mobile payment.
How long does it take to drive from TFN Airport to Puerto de la Cruz?
Approximately 30–35 minutes via TF-13 and TF-5 motorway westbound. The route is straightforward and well-signed. No tolls.
How long does it take to drive from TFS Airport to Puerto de la Cruz?
Approximately 75–85 minutes via TF-1 north to Santa Cruz, then TF-5 west. Easy motorway driving for most of the route. The arrival into Puerto de la Cruz — descending through the Orotava Valley — is one of the finer road approaches on the island.
Can I do a one-way rental from Puerto de la Cruz to TFS Airport?
Yes — one-way rentals are available from Puerto de la Cruz to TFS or TFN. A one-way fee typically applies. Cicar and the international chains (Avis, Europcar, Hertz) all offer this. Confirm availability and the exact fee at time of booking — prices vary by company and season.
Is parking free in Puerto de la Cruz?
Partially. White-lined spaces are free in residential streets away from the centre. Blue-lined Zona Azul spaces are paid (typically 8am–2pm and 4pm–8pm on weekdays, Saturday mornings). Yellow lines mean no parking at any time. Underground car parks are paid but affordable. The practical approach: use a car park for short centre visits, residential streets for all-day parking.
What is the best day trip from Puerto de la Cruz by car?
For scenery: Teide via TF-21 — the most beautiful approach to the volcano on the island, starting 15 minutes from the town. For authenticity: Garachico and Icod de los Vinos — 30 minutes west, two of the finest towns in Tenerife. For drama: Anaga Rural Park — 50 minutes east, ancient forest, wild coastline and views over both coasts simultaneously.
Explore more towns and routes in our Tenerife by Car guide.
