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Five must-visit beach chiringuitos in Tenerife

Chiringuito

Diario de Avisos share this list of five beach bars in Tenerife that you should visit this summer:

1. Kiosco Kraken: This chiringuito is located in the Santa Cruz beach of Las Gaviotas, just a few minutes from Las Teresitas. It is a small place where the fresh breeze of the sea comes directly and where any snack feels great before returning to the center of the city.

2. Mana Nui: Wrapped in a volcanic environment, in yellow tones, this chiringuito is the ideal place to enjoy a good dip between mojitos. It is located in Costa del Silencio, in the south of the Island.

3. Chiringuito Pirata: A classic in Tenerife for its views, atmosphere, homemade dishes, mojitos ... This chiringuito, located on the beach of La Tejita, in the municipality of Granadilla, is one - if not the most - frequented by both Tenerife residents and tourists.

4. El Caracol: Located on the beach of Las Teresitas, this place offers a wide gastronomy to its customers, as well as a nightlife environment accompanied by a dreamlike sunset. An ideal place to enjoy the authentic summer party in Tenerife.

5. Chiringuito Bollullo: This chiringuito owes its name to the coast where it is located (Playa del Bollullo, in the municipality of La Orotava). It is located in an enviable environment that invites you to enjoy the views of an authentic northern beach. The establishment offers breakfast, lunch and even dinner.

Where to Park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Aparcamiento del Intercambiador Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Image by Jose Mesa Some rights reserved

Traffic in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has always been one of the main problems for those who visit the capital, either for work or leisure, but more than the density of vehicles, the lack of parking is the real headache for drivers in this area of the island. Exploding prices too make grown people tremble each time they come to the city. Fortunately, there are car parks where you can park in Santa Cruz without the need to donate a kidney [to pay for it] or, in the best case, free. 

Diario de Avisos made a compilation of some of these:

1. Parking Santa Rosalía

Located in the central street of Santa Rosalia, number 87, very close to the Plaza del Parque Bulevar (Shopping Centre). The first hour of parking costs 1.45 euros, while the remaining hours cost 1.50 euros. 10.90 euros is the full day rate.

2. Parking Intercambiador (Transport Interchange - Bus & Tram Hub) 

Located on Víctor Zurita Soler Avenue, this car park is open 24 hours every day with cheaper rates during the weekend. Parking for one hour costs 1.50 euros, while on Saturdays and Sundays it's only 0.75 euros. Full day is 15 euros.

3. Aparcamientos del Centro Comercial Nivaria 

The parking areas of this shopping precinct, located on Tres de Mayo Avenue, are completely free for the first two hours, regardless of whether customers spend or not on the premises. From the third hour, the rate is three cents per minute (1.80 euros per hour).

4. Aparcamientos del Centro Comercial Meridiano

The Meridiano Shopping Center, located on Avenida Manuel Hermoso Rojas, has free parking open to the public during its opening hours. However, in recent weeks it has been reported that this car park could cease to be free or become only free for customers.

HOWEVER: If you're reading this, looking to find a place to park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife while carnival is on, then the advice changes: Just. Don't. Try. It. 

NOTE: All prices quoted were correct in 2019.

Helado de Gofio (Gofio Ice Cream)

Ice Cream

Gofio is one of the most basic products in the Canarian diet with which you can prepare a variety of dishes such as escaldón or rich desserts such as turrón de gofio (gofio nougat) and ice cream. This ice cream recipe had me at condensed milk, but is ideal for making good use of a couple of typical Canarian products - gofio itself and miel de palma (Palm syrup) - which you can pick up easily from local markets or even supermarkets.

Ingredients:

1 can of condensed milk 300 gr.
200 ml of whipping cream.
250 gr of gofio de millo or maíz (corn gofio).
1 soletilla [1] biscuit per person.
Grated lemon, toasted almonds.
Miel de palma (Palm honey) or miel de caña (Molasses or Black Treacle).

Elaboration:

In a bowl put the condensed milk, add the gofio and beat together until it is fully integrated. Whip the cream and fold it into the previous preparation. Place this gofio mousse into the freezer for 3 hours.

Serve gofio ice cream with crumbled soletilla biscuit and chopped almonds sprinkled on top, lemon zest and a little palm honey, or if you prefer treacle. Serve immediately.

La cocina tradicional: Helado de Gofio

[1] Bizcochos de soletilla (little sole biscuits) are what the Italians call savoiardi, the French Boudoir and that we know as Ladyfingers.

As with every other recipe in the Canary Islands, there are almost as many versions as there are people who make it. Here is a version of the ice cream with piñones (pine nuts), but I would choose the version shown below served with another local delicacy - that you can pick up at fairs and fiestas - Almendras garrapiñadas (Candied almonds).


Video: Gofio ice cream served with Candied almonds and Palm honey

Tenerife in July 2019

Romería de San Benito Abad

July has no national, regional or island-wide public holidays, but the following municipal public holidays in the following districts:
  • 9 July: Festival of the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz.
  • 25 July: Festival of Santiago Apóstol in Santiago de Teide.
  • 26 July: Santa Ana in Candelaria, Garachico and Santiago de Teide.

On Sunday 14 July - always the second Sunday of the said month - the Romería Regional de San Benito Abad takes place in La Laguna. This is the only Romería denominated Regional and is declared of tourist interest, so you can imagine is one of the big ones and is considered as the most representative romeriaof the Canary Islands. It is held in honour of St. Benedict of Nursia, the patron saint of farmers of Tenerife. Mass is celebrated with a floral offering, then the cattle are blessed and the pilgrimage leaves from around mid-day. The most striking aspect is the procession of the Saint accompanied by seven women dressed in the typical costume of each of the islands of the archipelago.

The village of Chirche (Guía de Isora) is celebrates the 19th edition of their annual Día de las Tradiciones (Day of Traditions), held on the second Sunday in July each year, to keep alive the traditions of past centuries. On Sunday, July 14, the town will wake up early to receive the thousands of visitors. Free transport will be increased this year due to the high demand. Buses leave every half hour from 10.00 am in front of the Civil Guard Barracks in the town of Guía de Isora, the last bus returning from Chirche at 4.30 pm. Twenty or so houses will open their doors and patios for roasting of wheat and coffee, kneading bread, making kites, basketwork ... Don't miss the teacher and the students in the school or the healer with his remedies. Various activities; a wedding, milking, and moving will be staged and, finally, at 2:00 pm the procession and a dance is planned.

The Embarkation of the Virgen del Carmen in Puerto de la Cruz takes place on the Tuesday prior to 16 July - this year Tuesday 16 July. The image of the Virgin del Carmen is carried through the streets to the harbour, where it is boarded onto a boat, for a “sea parade” and ceremony to bless local fishermen.

In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as well as the Embarcación de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, as in previous years, on the occasion of the feast of the Virgen del Carmen, the Port Authority has organized a complete program of commemorative events that includes, sports competitions; football, dominoes and a swim across the port.

Puerto de Santiago (Santiago del Teide) is also celebrating their Fiestas in Honour of Ntra. Sra. del Carmen 2019, also Tuesday 16 July, with the solemn Eucarist at 6 pm, after which there will be the procession and offerings.

The annual recreation of 'La Gesta del 25 de Julio' (Battle of Santa Cruz 1797), will this year pay tribute to Corporal Diego Correa, who, ill, left his detachment in the battery of La Concepción with just a handful of soldiers and managed capture 17 British soldiers, a cannon and the flag of the frigate 'Emerald'. The events of the recreation start on Friday July 19 with the landing of British troops in the area of the ​​Castillo Negro (Black Castle) and the beginning of the battle, and will continue the next day, on Saturday 20 July, with the establishment of a camp in the Alameda del Duque de Santa Elena

On Friday 19 July from 16:00 Canarias Baila Tenerife at Amarilla Golf & Country Club with Latin stars, Bad Bunny (The Puerto Rican Rapper Taking Over YouTube) and Becky G, along with Maikel Delacalle, Darkiel and Ricky & El Capo.

On Friday 19 July at 21:00 Costa Adeje Sinfónico one of four big concerts taking place at Golf Costa Adeje. For the second consecutive year, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife (Tenerife Symphony Orchestra) offers an exclusive concert, under the direction of Mexican conductor Iván López Reynoso, with tenors Celso Albelo (Tenerife) and Javier Camarena (Mexico).

On Saturday 20 July 17:00 at the Campo de Fútbol de Garachico (Garachico Football Ground): Concert by international music star Juanes within the Festival Américas, which will feature the participation of Ruts & la Isla Music, Meneo Live, La Lvcha en Bermudas, Catacumbia and Adam Lor.

Tenerife Lan Party 2019

The Tenerife Lan Party 2019 - Technology and new trends event held in Tenerife - is currently taking place between 15 and 21 July 09:00 - 22:00 at the Recinto Ferial in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

La Laguna Craft Beer Festival

Friday 19 July from 17:00 and Saturday 20 July from 13:00 in the Plaza de la Catedral, the great festival of craft beers moves La Laguna with the presence of Canarian brewers in addition to the Brew Dog craft beer invited from Scotland and the Brugse Zot from Belgium, as well as gastronomy and music by the best DJ's.

City of La Laguna Rally

The main events of the 6th Ralley Ciudad de La Laguna (City of La Laguna Rally) take place on Saturday 20 July.

Rally Ciudad de La Laguna 2018

Romerías

On Sunday 21 July there is the Romería of Santa Ana and San Joaquín in the district of El Ortigal in La Laguna and the Romería in honour of the Virgen del Carmen in Los Campitos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Around 25 July, Santa Cruz re-enacts the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (1797) and celebrates its proud victory over English Admiral, Horatio Nelson, whose failed attempt on the city, cost him his right arm.
       

Canarias Jazz & Más

The 28th Festival Internacional Canarias Jazz & Más Heineken takes place from 5 to 21 July 2019. There are concerts in Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Puerto de la Cruz and Adeje in Tenerife, as well as on other islands. The first concert Tenerife takes place on Friday 5 July at the Plaza de los Alisios - the huge open air venue located next to the Auditorio de Tenerife in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Maceo Parker tops the billing in which female vocalists stand out with the best instrumentalists of the genre, up-and-coming groups, renowned & established artists, as well as local bands. More info (in English) here.

Garachico Crafts Fair

The 39th Regional Crafts Fair of Garachico will be held on Friday 5, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July; from 12:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., for Friday 5, and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the rest of the days, with island handicrafts and especially those elaborated in the north of Tenerife. More than 70 artists and artisans provide wide and varied range of products, completed with demonstrations and exhibitions that give visitors the opportunity to learn about the history and the development of the main pieces that can be purchased at this fair. This edition will also feature traditional basket weaving in all its varieties: Palm, Wicker, Badana, Ristra, Rafia.

Güímar Hillclimb

The 46th edition of the Subida de Güímar (Güímar Hillclimb) takes place on 5 & 6 July - the main spectator events being on Saturday. More information (in Spanish) from the organisers.

San Benito Tapas Route

The Ruta de la Tapa por San Benito (San Benito Tapas Route), now in it's 12th edition, which launched on Monday 1 July and runs until 31 July has the aim of exceeding last year's figure of 200,000 tapas served. This gastronomic event has 49 establishments in the centre of La Laguna participating. Each tapa, which will be accompanied by a glass of Presas Ocampo wine, a Mahou beer or a bottle of Fonteide water, will have a total price of three euros.

Among events in Tenerife this summer that you mustn't miss is Minimal Summer 2019, taking place at Magma Arte & Congresos, Avda. de los Pueblos, Adeje, on Saturday 27 July. It promises a mix of the best Latin music with the most avant-garde electronics. This ninth edition of the famous festival has performances by Kevin Yost, Nickodemus, Banana Bongaloo, Llam St & Music and Dj Kali among others, with food trucks, swimming pools and a “Minimal Market”. 

If what motivates you is gastronomy and the discovery of small culinary jewels, then the VIII Muestra Gastronómica de la Papa Bonita (Papa Bonita Gastronomic Exhibition) must be a mandatory date on your calendar. Los Realejos will be the scene where tastings will take place with activities and samples, always with this treasure of Canarian cuisine as the protagonist. Saturday, July 27 in the Plaza de San Agustín.

Puerto de la Cruz World Beer Festival

Friday 26 July from 17:00 to 00:00 and Saturday 27 July from 13:00 to 02:00 on the esplanade by the old Customs House (beside the old port) in Puerto de la Cruz. The Puerto De La Cruz World Beer Festival will bring together Canarian craft beers and world beers, a gastronomic area with Foodtrucks and mojitos with Ron Barceló. Music: Friday: Juana La Cubana, Renzzo El Selector and La Maldita. Saturday: Live performances, Sistah Vibes and BeatCreator. More.

Festival de Música Antigua

Friday July 26, Cambuyón Quartet in concert in Playa San Juan, in the Plaza del Centro Cultural at 9:00 p.m. Saturday 27 the Festival of Ancient Music of Tenerife kicks off with the Goldfinch Ensemble who will offer a concert entitled “Dialectic between Bach and Couperin”. In this case, the event will be held in the interior auditorium of the Playa San Juan Cultural Center at 8:45 p.m.

And there are three traditional Romerías for the final weekend:
  • 27/07/2019 - Romería Chica of Santa Ana y San Roque in Garachico
  • 28/07/2019 - Romería de Las Nieves, in Finca España, La Laguna
  • 28/07/2019 – Romería in honour of San Antonio Abad and the Sagrado Corazón de Jesús in the district of El Portezuelo (Tegueste)

Tenerife Land of Eternal Christmas

Sunbathing SantaDesert Island ChristmasScuba Diving SantaTropical Santa
Santa's Having a Whale of a TimeSurfing SantaWaterski SantaCamel Rodeo Santa
With a wide range of products in each design, click the pics (above) to see the full selections.