Experience in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain by Estefanía

What is it like to live in Santa Cruz de Tenerife? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

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Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a small city but very vibrant, always full of activity since early in the morning and one of the best things is that is near the sea, so its main landscape is the vast ocean and, in a very clear and sunny day, you can see Gran Canaria in all its esplendour.

What is the student lifestyle like in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

It is ideal because, thanks to the proximity of the University of La Laguna and La Laguna itself (city always chosen by students because of the proximity to the different faculties), you have many activities related to culture (a must is visiting TEA or Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, where certain days you can see films in their original version free or for a very cheap price, among other activities), like the music hall called Auditoria Adán Martín, museums, theatres, cinemas, shops, many bookshops specialised on your degree, etc. In party terms, at night everyone tend to go to a pub to dance or have a drink, and several days during the year there are concerts or parties outdoors for free.

Main activity which gathers thousands from any part of the islands and country, the Carnival.

How much does it cost to live in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

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Depending on the area, the prices of rent and sale of houses and/or departments vary. The main street, Calle Castillo, is the most expensive area since it is surrounded by shops and, many of the architecture is very old, making you think that the city is stuck in the 70s. Nevertheless, if you prefer quieter areas (which is complicated because you have to remember that this is the capital of the islands and of the archipielago), you can move to the little suburbs closer to the little mountains that constitute the landscape. More or less, the rent of an apartment should be of 400 euros per month.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not difficult if you find advice and/or advertisements in the university where people are always looking for flatmates, for instance. Also, depending on the month of the year, several flats are rented because people tend to go to the mountain up north since most of them are originally from there and, in summer, everyone goes to the South of the island or to other islands. The best way to find an accommodation: walk, walk and walk. You will see easily the state of the buildings and the area and if you are shy, just go to the university, to any of its faculties and look at the advertisements. Don't be shy when asking, people are truly friendly and especially young people, like to be in contact with foreigners.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In the islands it is a must to eat potatoes with mojo (green and red, the former has a mild flavour but the latter is very spicy), gofio (made with corn flour), bread from Arafo, goat cheese with jam or honey from La Palma, fish (especially sardines), etc. There are many typical dishes, all of them very tasty but if you are vegan like I am, it will be a little difficult to find any traditional dish for you to eat since Canarian people love to eat fish and cheese.

What places would you recommend visiting in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

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Visit TEA - Tenerife Espacio de las Artes, Guimerá Theatre, Museum of History of Nature and Man, Music Hall Auditorio Adán Martín, Santa Cruz Cathedral, García Sanabria Park, Plaza de España, Nuestra Señora de África Market, etc. Everything is well connected by the different buses (TITSA S. A. ) or the tram which goes from the bus station in front of El Corte Inglés to Trinidad in La Laguna (main street). And most of the places are free for anyone who wants to visit them.

What advice would you give future students heading to Santa Cruz de Tenerife?

Be aware that you will be exhausted every single day, because, even though you can visit your everything by foot, you will be surrounded by many people going to and from and it is a non stop city. You will enjoy it if you are into historical and religious places, and also military buildings, and if you like to enjoy the legacy of some renown artists like Chirico, Óscar Domínguez, Igor Mitoraj, Calatrava, etc.