Santa Cruz de La Palma Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Pwagenblast (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Andreas Berg, Hakim Chaara, F.J Palomares, Cynthia Bueno · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Spain
- Region:
- Canary Islands & Madeira
- Coordinates:
- 28.6825° N, 17.7650° W
About Santa Cruz de La Palma
Santa Cruz de La Palma stands as the second-largest city and capital of the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Among nearby ports such as Las Palmas, Funchal, and Arrecife, this port offers a distinctive blend of history and natural scenery along the east coast.
The city sits on an old lava flow from the Caldereta volcano, just south of the centre. Santa Cruz de La Palma holds the distinction of having Spain's first democratically elected town hall, reflecting its historical significance.
Things to See and Do
Several attractions lie within easy reach of the port. Plaza de España, a historical landmark, is just 0.1 km away and rated 4.6 out of 5. The Balcones de la Avenida Marítima tourist attraction (0.3 km, rated 4.6) and Castillo de La Virgen (0.8 km, rated 4.4) provide cultural interest nearby. The Museo Insular de La Palma museum is 0.6 km from the port.
For panoramic views, visit Mirador de La Concepción observation deck (1.6 km, rated 4.6) or Mirador de La Cumbre (5.4 km, rated 4.6). Pico de La Nieve, rated 4.8, sits 8.6 km away for those seeking higher-altitude exploration.
Santa Cruz de la Palma is a city and a municipality on the east coast of the island of La Palma in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife of the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de la Palma is the second-largest city and is the capital of the island. It is along an old lava flow coming from the Caldereta, a volcano just south of the city. Santa Cruz de La Palma has the privilege of having the first democratically elected town hall in Spain.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Santa Cruz de La Palma on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Sabrina Lue · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Balcones de la Avenida Marítima
4.6 (2,153) 0.3 km from port
Residential street known for wood balconies from the 19th century, often featured in local artworks.
Near: Restaurante la Placeta (35 m) · El cuarto de Tula (57 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “Very pretty, you‘ll find beautiful places all over the city” — Leah
- 5 · “Really quaint area of La Palma. Lots of photo opportunities and a great place to come for a coffee, beer…” — David Rees
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Photo: Jessica Eyer (Rodriguez) · via Google Maps Observation Deck
Mirador de La Concepción
4.6 (1,210) 1.6 km from port
Craterside lookout overlooking the port & mountains, popular for views of city lights & sunsets.
Near: CEIP Buenavista de Abajo (303 m) · Casa Osmunda (307 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Amazing views up here and not crowded at all” — Rachel
- 5 · “Beautiful. Great hike from the city centre.” — Anna Zielińska
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Photo: Stefan Bovien Nielsen · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Castillo de La Virgen
4.4 (1,076) 0.8 km from port
Near: Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación (112 m) · Museo Naval - Barco de la Virgen (125 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Great views over Santa Cruz. Loved this spot.” — Anna Zielińska
- 5 · “Nice Fort on a hill. Awesome views of area. Bit tricky to get to by car, walking wise it's less…” — David Vega
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Photo: Isa 88 · via Google Maps Observation Deck
Mirador de La Cumbre
4.6 (739) 5.4 km from port
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Nice view, a lot of space to sit down, a bit shorter parking space for larger amount of cars” — Radoslav Juřík
- 5 · “It's a lovely view over the eastern part of the island. Not the best view of the island, but it's…” — Sem Ekkelboom
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Historical landmark
Plaza de España
4.6 (300) 0.1 km from port
Near: Iglesia Matriz de El Salvador (16 m) · City of Santa Cruz de la Palma (31 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Lovely small square just like the rest of Santa cruz. A joy to be in.” — Darren Westhead
- 5 · “Very pretty and historic streets.” — Marcus Langford
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Tourist attraction
Pico de La Nieve
4.8 (262) 8.6 km from port
Well-marked hiking trails lead to a summit with expansive views of La Gomera, Tenerife & La Palma.
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful viewpoint with rewarding hikes and panoramic views over La Palma. Peaceful spot, well worth the climb.” — Lucas Martin
- 5 · “Amazing hike but heavy due to the height. From the road (LP road) it is around 3km and 350meters up…” — Pim E
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Museum
Museo Insular de La Palma
4.5 (182) 0.6 km from port
Artwork, handicraft & textile collections alongside exhibits on natural history & ship-building.
Near: SPAR (32 m) · Iglesia de San Francisco (55 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “For 3 euros, you certainly get more than you pay for. Its brilliant. In an old convent with amazing views.…” — Darren Westhead
- 5 · “Well laid out museum with interesting mixture of natural history, island history and art works housed in a stunning building.…” — graeme linford
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Tourist attraction
Monumento a El Enano
4.5 (62) 0.7 km from port
Near: Museo Naval - Barco de la Virgen (21 m) · Heladería Dulcería El Barco de la Virgen (22 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “El Enano, the dwarf, is connected to the history of the island and these dwarfs dance at many festivals; there…” — Stef Vell
- 5 · “Founded in 1493 by Spanish conquistador Alonso Fernández de Lugo, Santa Cruz de La Palma became a strategic Canary Islands…” — Weaning Ping
Map of Santa Cruz de La Palma and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Santa Cruz de La Palma
Cruises to Canary Islands & Madeira mostly sail all year round.
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Cruises calling at Santa Cruz de La Palma
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