Santa Cruz de Tenerife, co‑capital of the Canary Islands, blends Atlantic port energy with palm‑lined plazas, open‑air art, and a springlike climate all year. Founded after the Spanish conquest in the 15th century, the city grew around its harbor; today its historic center sits beside modern museums and a seafront redesigned around the wide, mirror‑still lagoon of Plaza de España.

November is ideal: warm days around 22–25°C, gentle ocean breezes, and fewer crowds. Beaches like golden‑sand Las Teresitas are minutes away, while the emerald folds of Anaga Rural Park bring ancient laurel forests within an hour by bus. Food is heartfelt and affordable: papas arrugadas with mojo, grilled vieja (parrotfish), gofio desserts, and the island’s signature barraquito coffee.

This guide is crafted for a strict budget and a family‑friendly pace. You’ll arrive from NRW via Düsseldorf, Weeze, or Cologne, keep transport simple with Titsa buses and the tram, and sleep in central Santa Cruz. Expect free or low‑cost activities, good‑value meals, and plenty of time to meet up with your husband on the island.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Base yourself in Santa Cruz for walkable plazas, markets, and easy buses. The city’s heart runs from Plaza Weyler to Plaza de España, with Parque García Sanabria providing green respite and playgrounds. Within 15–40 minutes, you can reach La Laguna’s UNESCO‑listed old town, Anaga’s trailheads, and Las Teresitas beach.

• Top sights: Plaza de España lagoon, TEA (Tenerife Espacio de las Artes), MUNA (Museum of Nature & Archaeology), Palmetum botanical garden, Mercado Nuestra Señora de África, Parque Marítimo César Manrique pools, and nearby Las Teresitas beach.
• Cheap, tasty eats: La Hierbita (Canarian home cooking), Bodegón El Puntero (simple, excellent fish), San Andrés’ Cofradía de Pescadores (harborside seafood), arepas and Venezuelan cafés along Calle de la Noria, and market stalls at La Recova (Mercado).
• Family tips: Flat strolls, shady parks, lifeguards and gentle surf at Las Teresitas, short “Sendero de los Sentidos” loop in Anaga, and the tram to La Laguna for car‑free exploring.

How to get there from Kamp‑Lintfort (NRW) within your budget

• Airports you can use: Düsseldorf (DUS), Weeze/Niederrhein (NRN), Cologne/Bonn (CGN). Scan all three for the cheapest Tenerife South (TFS) fare; Tenerife North (TFN) is closer to Santa Cruz but has fewer direct flights from NRW.
• Typical flight time: ~4.5–5 hours nonstop to TFS. Aim for mid‑week departures (Tue/Wed) before 20 November to stay in the €120–130 cap (light‑bag only fares).
• Find/compare fares: Use Omio (flights in Europe) and sort by price; look at NRN→TFS and CGN→TFS first, then DUS→TFS.

Home‑to‑airport regional travel (time from Kamp‑Lintfort)

• Düsseldorf Airport (DUS): ~70–90 minutes. Bus to Duisburg Hbf (e.g., SB30) + S‑Bahn to Düsseldorf Flughafen. Check Omio (trains) or Omio (buses) for exact times.
• Cologne/Bonn (CGN): ~95–110 minutes. Bus to Duisburg Hbf + regional train to Köln Hbf + S‑Bahn S19 to Flughafen. Verify on Omio (trains).
• Weeze (NRN): ~75–95 minutes. Bus to Duisburg Hbf + RE10 to Weeze, then short airport shuttle. Check Omio (trains).

Tip: Leave home ~4 hours before scheduled departure to cushion transfers and airport security, especially from CGN or on early flights.

Airport to Santa Cruz (arrival)

• From TFS (South): Titsa bus 111 (or 711 at night) to Santa Cruz Intercambiador, ~50–60 min; ~€9–10.
• From TFN (North): Titsa bus 20 or 103 to Santa Cruz, ~20–25 min; ~€2–3.
• Pay contactless on board or use a rechargeable Ten+ card; kids ride discounted. Buses run frequently in November.

Where to stay (within €50–60/night)

• Hotel Adonis Capital (central, simple rooms, frequent promos that dip into your range): Check prices.
• Apartments/rooms via VRBO (private rooms or studios in Santa Cruz often €45–65/night in November): Browse VRBO Santa Cruz.
• More hotels to compare (watch for flash sales landing near your budget): Silken Atlántida Santa Cruz, Hotel Escuela Santa Cruz, and for a splurge, Iberostar Heritage Grand Mencey. Or use the general search: Hotels.com Santa Cruz.

Day 1: Arrival, Plaza de España, and Market Bites

Afternoon: Land at TFS/TFN and bus to Santa Cruz Intercambiador. Drop bags, then stretch your legs at Plaza de España—its reflecting lagoon faces the castle ruins and ocean. Duck into the adjacent Mercado Nuestra Señora de África for fruit, Canarian cheese, and an espresso; the market’s patios are lively until late afternoon.

Evening: Walk Calle Castillo (main pedestrian spine) and the sculpture‑studded waterfront. Dinner at La Hierbita for rustic cones of papas arrugadas, rabbit in salmorejo, and grilled cheese with mojo; or try Bodegón El Puntero for no‑frills, fresh fish. End with a barraquito (layered sweet coffee) at a café around Plaza del Príncipe.

Day 2: Beach Day at Las Teresitas + Palmetum or Pools

Morning: Bus 910 to Playa de las Teresitas (15–20 min). The breakwater keeps water calm—great for families. Set up near the lifeguard post; kiosks sell bocadillos and cold drinks. Walk to San Andrés village for a pastel‑painted photo stop.

Afternoon: Sea‑view lunch at San Andrés’ Cofradía de Pescadores (griddled squid, fried morena, Canarian potatoes). Back in Santa Cruz, visit the Palmetum—an ecological garden with world‑class palm collections and Atlantic panoramas—for a low‑cost, shady wander.

Evening: If it’s warm, opt for a swim at Parque Marítimo César Manrique (saltwater pools, family‑friendly). Dinner near Calle de la Noria—try a guachinche‑style spot for grilled meats, local wine, and mojo. Stroll Avenida Marítima at dusk.

Day 3: La Laguna UNESCO Old Town by Tram

Morning: Take Tram Line 1 (~40 min) to San Cristóbal de La Laguna. Wander pastel streets, arcaded squares, and the cathedral. Pop into the market for fruit smoothies and quesadillas (cheese pastries).

Afternoon: Visit courtyards along Calle Obispo Rey Redondo and the history center. Family option: Museum of Science and the Cosmos (interactive exhibits, space shows) a short tram/bus hop away. For lunch, Tasca La Rebotica does seasonal tapas at good prices; or grab arepas at a Venezuelan café.

Evening: Tram back to Santa Cruz. Treat yourself to ice cream near Plaza de España. Dinner at El Libano (affordable grills and veg‑friendly mezze) or return to the market area for casual tapas.

Day 4: Anaga Rural Park—Short, Scenic, and Easy

Morning: Bus to Cruz del Carmen (Anaga visitor area; check 275/076 schedules). Walk the Sendero de los Sentidos loops (choose the shortest boardwalk‑friendly option for a family), with laurel‑forest scents, ferny tunnels, and viewpoints.

Afternoon: Picnic at the mirador, then, if energy allows, bus onward toward Las Mercedes for another short forest stroll. Back in town, relax under the ficus trees of Parque García Sanabria (playground, fountains, modernist sculptures).

Evening: Budget dinner: Canarian ropa vieja, chickpea stews, or grilled fish at a neighborhood tascas around the market or Rambla. Nightcap: a barraquito or fresh juice—early night after the forest air.

Day 5: Museums, Last Tastes, and Departure

Morning: Choose one: TEA – Tenerife Espacio de las Artes (striking architecture, rotating exhibits), or MUNA for Guanche archaeology and island natural history—both are affordable and engaging.

Afternoon: Final market lunch—goat cheese, olives, and a tuna bocadillo—then pick up mojo jars to take home. Bus to TFS (~50–60 min) or TFN (~20–25 min) for your afternoon flight.

Evening: Homeward bound. From DUS/CGN/NRN, use Omio (trains) or Omio (buses) to plan the fastest route back to Kamp‑Lintfort (typically 70–110 min total).

Estimated budget (per person, per day, excluding flights): Lodging €50–60; public transport €6–12; food €20–30; activities €0–10. Total ~€76–112/day. Flights targeted at €120–130 total if booked mid‑week and light‑bag only via Omio.

Bookable experiences (FYI): The Viator links provided for this brief correspond to Madeira (another Macaronesian island, not Tenerife). If you ever add a Madeira side trip, consider:

• Majestic West Tour and Fanal Forest

  

• Amazing East Tour

  

• Nuns Valley/Monte with sledge ride

  

Final flight‑shopping tips for your dates: Check Tue/Wed departures before 20 November from NRN/CGN first, then DUS. Filter to “no checked bag” and look for arrivals at TFS after noon (better bus frequency). Use Omio to set price alerts; if a return creeps above €130 total, try mixing airports (e.g., CGN→TFS outbound, TFS→DUS return) and keep your home‑to‑airport times in mind.