Tenerife · East coast of Tenerife
Candelaria
A pilgrims’ basilica beside bronze Guanche kings
Candelaria has been a place of devotion since islanders found the image of the Virgin in 1392, and every 15 August thousands still walk through the night to reach her basilica, where bronze Guanche kings stand facing the ocean. Line 120 makes it a short ride from Santa Cruz.
- Come for
- The basilica, the seafront square and a walk
- Make time for
- Half a day
- By bus
- Reached by a published TITSA line
The journey is part of the day
Getting to Candelaria
From Santa Cruz Intercambiador, line 120 runs via Cruce Caletillas to Candelaria (Plaza de Teror), and line 122 also calls at Candelaria (Plaza Teror). Each has a working-day table and a Saturday, Sunday and holiday table.
Checked Sources: TITSA, WebTenerife
Bus guides
- Airport buses TFS: 10, 40, 343, 711, TFN: 20, 30, 104, 343 Direct
- Santa Cruz to La Laguna Line 15, Tram line 1 Direct
Lines from this site’s guides. Times are in this page’s timetable.
Before you settle in
Keep the way home in mind.
Return from Plaza de Teror towards Santa Cruz Intercambiador on line 120 or 122, using the table for your day. Around 15 August, expect the town to be busy with pilgrims.
See the next busesA little introduction
Get to know Candelaria.
Candelaria’s basilica holds the image of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron of the Canary Islands, and stands beside the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, where bronze statues of the Guanche menceyes face the sea. Thousands of pilgrims gather here every 15 August. WebTenerife says the town is easy to see on foot.
Why go
-
Guanche kings in bronze
The statues of the Guanche menceyes in the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias show the meeting of the island’s two cultures, Guanche and Castilian.
-
A pilgrimage every 15 August
Thousands of pilgrims walk from every corner of the island through the night before 15 August to honour the Virgin.
-
Fish restaurants and a seafront avenue
Caves and natural beaches shape the coast, with fishing corners and a wide avenue along the shore where the restaurants serve fresh fish and the local desserts.
Checked – Oct 2026 Sources: WebTenerife
Make a day of it
What to do in Candelaria
- Sight Don’t miss
The basilica and the square
The basilica and the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, with the sculptures of the Guanche menceyes facing the ocean.
- Sight Don’t miss
The Cueva de Achbinico
The cave, also known as the Ermita de San Blas, was the Virgin’s first temple in Candelaria.
- Walk Don’t miss
The seafront and the beaches
A walk along the pedestrian Obispo Pérez Cáceres street and the sea avenue, with cafés and restaurants. The beaches, such as Playa de la Arena and Las Caletillas, are of volcanic sand and suited to swimming on calm-sea days.
- Sight
The old town hall
The building next to the basilica was built in the seventeenth century as the temporary residence of the island’s governors.
Show all 5 Show fewer
- Walk
The paths of the uplands
WebTenerife notes a wide network of trails across Candelaria’s rural middle slopes, for a day that goes beyond the seafront.
Checked – Oct 2026 Sources: WebTenerife
A day here
How a day in Candelaria feels
A plan built on the buses this guide already names. The departure times are in the board on this page; choose your bus back before you set out.
-
Morning
Line 120 or 122 from the capital
From Santa Cruz Intercambiador, line 120 runs via Cruce Caletillas to Candelaria’s Plaza de Teror, and line 122 also calls there; each has a working-day table and a weekend-and-holiday table.
-
Middle of the day
The square and the seafront
The basilica, the menceyes and the old town hall are together on the square; the pedestrian Obispo Pérez Cáceres street and the sea avenue lead to lunch.
-
Afternoon
On to Güímar, or back
Line 120 continues to Puertito de Güímar and Güímar for the pyramids; otherwise return from Plaza de Teror towards the Intercambiador on the table for your day.
Checked Sources: TITSA, WebTenerife
Asked and answered
Questions people ask about Candelaria
How do I get to Candelaria by bus?
From Santa Cruz Intercambiador on TITSA line 120, which runs via Cruce Caletillas to Candelaria (Plaza de Teror) and on to Güímar, or on line 122, which also calls at Plaza de Teror; each has a working-day table and a Saturday, Sunday and holiday table.
Can you swim in Candelaria?
On calm days, WebTenerife says: the beaches such as Playa de la Arena and Las Caletillas are of volcanic sand and suited to swimming when the sea is calm. On other days the seafront walk and the square are the visit.
What happens in Candelaria on 15 August?
The feast of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron of the Canary Islands: thousands of pilgrims arrive on foot after walking through the night, and the town is at its busiest. Expect crowds around the basilica and plan the bus back with a margin.
Checked Sources: TITSA, WebTenerife
Good to know
Small details. Better days.
Show 2 local tips Show fewer
-
Mind the sea
WebTenerife describes the beaches as suitable for swimming on calm-sea days; on other days, the seafront walk and the square are the visit.
-
A short trip from the capital
Candelaria pairs well with a day in Santa Cruz: both lines start at the Intercambiador.
Checked – Oct 2026 Sources: WebTenerife, Gobierno de Canarias, Servicio Canario de la Salud, Gobierno de Canarias, 1-1-2 Canarias +2
Photos and film
Candelaria in pictures
-
Watch before you go
Living Walks Plays through YouTube’s privacy-enhanced player; nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. -
The basilica stands on the seafront square; lines 120 and 122 from Santa Cruz set down at Plaza de Teror, a walk away. Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons -
The kings in bronze line the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias beside the basilica, the first sight after the bus from Santa Cruz. Photo: rene boulay, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Make room for something memorable
Book something around Candelaria
Affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Selected activity links open GetYourGuide; destination photos are illustrative. Check the date, current price, meeting point and what is included before booking.
Current experiences on GetYourGuide
Tours and activities on Tenerife as GetYourGuide lists them today, with current prices and reviews.
There’s more around the corner
Where next?
-
Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 North-east Tenerife
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Architecture, markets, museums and an urban day without a car
-
Ronny Siegel / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 -
Perlaroques / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Guide checked · How we check · Suggest a correction
Sources for this page
The sources this page cites, each with the date we checked it. Two dates mean the facts that cite it were checked on different days.
TITSA
- Line 120 timetable Checked – Oct 2026
- Line 122 timetable Checked – Oct 2026
WebTenerife
- Candelaria municipality Checked – Oct 2026
- Güímar municipality Checked
Gobierno de Canarias, Servicio Canario de la Salud
Gobierno de Canarias, 1-1-2 Canarias
Gobierno de Canarias, Dirección General de Emergencias
Plan Candelaria in the app. Take the bus.
Tenerife Bus plans your journey on the island’s published bus lines, with every stop on the way.
Scan to install on Android - Day tripsVillages, beaches and sights, with the way back planned before you leave.
- Stops in orderEvery stop on the line, so you get off at the right one.