Tenerife Carnival: Live your fantasy to the fullest

Every year many locals and tourists come to celebrate Tenerife Carnival, the traditional festival full of extravagant costumes and parades which continues all month long and doesn’t stop till early morning. If you are visiting Tenerife in the months of February and March you should not miss out on the opportunity to come see for yourself.

Tenerife Carnival in Santa Cruz
Carnival Parade

What happens in the Tenerife Carnival?

The biggest of these festivals takes place in the capital of the island – Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The main Tenerife Carnival is very colorful, with bright beautiful costumes and huge parades. There are two parts to the Carnival: the official musical performances and the street parties. Thousands of people come each day to the streets of Santa Cruz to participate in this fantastic celebration. It is by far the largest Carnival on the island, but there are other options to choose from. Puerto de la Cruz features a festival with a richer history and there are also smaller events in towns across Tenerife. Most of these are located on the south of the island, but Los Cristianos Carnival is the most popular among the tourists in the southern resorts.

Tenerife Carnival in Santa Cruz
Carnaval de Santa Cruz

Tenerife Carnival consists of three main parades. The Cabalgata is the opening parade. Here the queen that is elected every year and the bridesmaids are carried in decorative floats. The day is full of dancing and fancy dresses. The next comes the Coso Apoteosis, the biggest parade that attracts many tourists from the south of the island. The closing parade is called the Burial of the Sardine. This includes the burning of a paper mache sardine after bringing it through the city streets. All of these are spectacular events and there is fun for everyone!

The burial in the Carnival of Tenerife
Burial of the Sardine

Why should you join in on the fun?

Between these events there are continued parties late into the night where the participants give freedom to their fantasy creating all kinds of costumes. The weekend after the Carnival traditionally holds the Piñata party, another festival which starts with even more celebrations. No matter for how long you are going to stay on the island, you will definetely find something to enjoy during these weeks. Every year the Tenerife Carnival has a particular theme, and in 2018 the theme is Fantasy. To make the best out of your experience you must dress up and join in on the fun. Immerse yourself in the fantasy and live this dream called Tenerife Carnival.

We welcome you to come experience this energetic festival by yourself. And if you need a convenient transport to move around the island, then check these Tenerife car hire offers to get the best service for affordable prices.

Soak Up the City in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

There’s nothing quite like a city break to fuel the senses and melt the credit card. And when you’ve got glorious sunshine, fabulous Spanish cuisine and chic waterside living to boot, your city break just got a whole lot better.

Have you guessed where it is yet? That’s right – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island’s effervescent capital. It’s amazing to think that most city slickers head to the historic sights of Rome or the designer boutiques of Paris when they need their fix of tall buildings and nightlife. But Santa Cruz is equally abundant in great sights, impressive architecture and a buzzing scene after dark.

So if you’re planning a holiday in Tenerife this year, and once you’ve armed yourself with maps, a fully loaded credit card and a hire car from none other than http://www.tenerifecarhire.com/, make sure you build in a trip to Santa Cruz. Here’s why…

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival

  • Historic: The city dates back to at least the late 15th century, when the Castilians arrived and established a settlement – the early building blocks of Santa Cruz – which began to spring up around the port.
  • Beaches: If you like the idea of basking on a beautiful beach, head to Las Teresitas – it’s the city’s largest beach and features imported golden sand. Over on the next bay is Las Gaviotas, a quieter affair featuring Tenerife’s natural black volcanic sands. You’ll probably find a few sunbathers sporting the ‘natural’ look too, so be warned!
  • Party: If you think Rio knows how to party, look no further than the spectacular Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It’s one of the world’s biggest carnivals and attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year.
  • Taste: All the Spanish favourites are here, including steaming plates of paella and oh-so-tasty tapas. Fresh seafood is in abundance, and if you move away from the tourist trail around the harbour, you can find cheaper restaurants dotted around the city that are invariably better quality – especially if packed with locals.

These are just a few reasons why we think Santa Cruz is worth a look. And don’t forget, if you’re staying in the north of Tenerife, try our Puerto de la Cruz branch for local car hire. It’s easy to get to and it’s just a short drive from Santa Cruz, making getting in and out of the capital that little bit easier. Plus, you’ll find a wide range of car hire options to suit your needs, as well as your budget.

See you in Santa Cruz!