Candelaria - municipality of Tenerife, Spain

Candelaria is a city on the east shore of the island Tenerife in the Canary Islands archipelago. It is a city of 28,000 inhabitants (2018), best known for its basilica which includes the sculpture of the Virgin Mary (Virgin of Candelaria) and mural paintings.

Understand

• Tourism Office (Oficina de Turismo), Avenida de La Constitucion 7, 28.3552161°, -16.370093°, +34 922 03 22 30. M-F 09:00-17:00. Free 2019-08-12

History

Prehistoric caves has been found in the surrounding area of present day Candelaria, in which burials have been found containing Guanche mummies. Interestingly, the burial process used here was very similar to those used for the pharaohs in Egypt, which leads scientists to believe some connection between those existed. From the end of the 14th century, Candelaria was a deserted area often frequented by shepherds of the neighbouring Güímar kingdom which predated Hispanic rule. Ravines in the area were said to be the residence of Chaxiraxi, the Guanche mother of the gods.

Modern Candelaria is the principal Catholic centre of pilgrimage of the Canary Islands, and of the principal ones of Spain. The city is annually visited by thousands of people, both Catholic pilgrims and tourists.

Orientation

A coastal city on the east shore of Tenerife, 17 km southwest of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, with an area of 50 km².

Get in

By bus

Línea 111 is the main bus connection between north and south, and also connects Candelaria.

By car

The main highway TF-1 is just to the west.

Get around

The historic centre of Candelaria is very walkable. All of the tourist attractions can be reached by foot within minutes.

See

• Basilica of Candelaria (Basílica y Real Santuario Mariano de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria), Plaza Patrona de Canarias, 28.35128°, -16.369782°. Roman Catholic minor basilica, dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria which is the patron of the Canarias. After a design of architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado, it is the most important religious building on Tenerife. The basilica was built on the ruins of a Guanche era church that was destroyed by a fire in 1789, but construction had been postponed several times, first due to the economic crisis of 1931, then by the outbreak of the First World War and later the Spanish Civil War. It was only due to efforts by the bishop of Tenerife that an updated design of the basilica was put forward in a neo-Canarian eclectic mix of all styles that have occurred on the Canary Islands. Construction started in 1949 and was finished a decade later, with consecration in 1959. The basilica receives 2.5 million visitors annually, and has space for 5000 worshippers. Free 2019-07-25
• Cave of Achbinico (Cueva de Achbinico), Paseo San Blas, 28.349722°, -16.369167°. A cave and church, and the first Christian temple on the Canary Islands. It dates back to the Guanche era when the cave was used as a place of worship. Archaeological evidence indicates the cave has been in use for ritual purposes for over 3000 years, and a fire was kept burning in it permanently. The entrance of the cave is nowadays concealed by a small chapel. Inside the cave is a bronze replica of the Virgin of Candelaria, and her statue is the most venerated on the island. Free 2019-07-25
• Square of the Saint Patron of the Canary Islands (Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias), 28.351667°, -16.37°. 24/7. One of the most important squares of Tenerife, surrounded by the famous basilica and numerous bars and cafes. The history dates back to the late 17th century when at the location of the current plaza stood a fortress called Castillo de San Pedro. It was a defensive fortification on a beach built to protect the church predating the current basilica and a convent against pirate attacks and looting. When the castle was wiped off the map in 1826 by a storm, the idea of a square developed. Construction began a century later in the late 1950s, and the square was officially inaugurated in 1959, the same year as the basilica. Free 2019-07-25
• St Anna Church (Iglesia de Santa Ana), Calle Santa Ana (Plaza de Santa Ana), 28.35185°, -16.37133°. A church dedicated to St. Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. The mid 18th century church was built on a 16th century chapel, and hosts many religious images of great religious and artistic intervals. Free 2019-07-25
• Pottery museum "Casa las Miquelas" (Museo Alfarero de Candelaria "Casa las Miquelas"), Calle Isla de la Gomera 5, 28.3514172°, -16.3713262°, +43 922 50 52 16. A history museum focused on the forgotten craft of pottery making in the area around Candelaria. Pottery making almost completely disappeared in the 20th century, and is being revived in this small museum. 2019-08-12

Do

• The Escape Area, Calle Los Principes 3A, 28.3539701°, -16.3704534°, +34 636 44 78 21, info@theescapearea.com. Escape game with 2 rooms, El Apartemento and La Misión. Advance booking online is required. €40 2019-08-12

Buy

The pedestrian street Calle Obispo Pérez Cáceres 📍 leading up to the basilica is lined with countless souvenir shops and boutiques.

• Rambla de los Menceyes, 28.36757°, -16.36548°. 24/7. Rambla promenade lined with shops. Free 2019-07-26
• Punta Larga Mall (Centro Comercial Punta Larga), Rambla de los Menceyes 10, 28.364642°, -16.3665489°, +43 922 50 66 19. 10:00-22:00 daily. Shopping mall Free 2019-08-12
• Ale-hop, Calle Obispo Perez Caceres 46, 28.3539°, -16.3701°, +43 922 517499. Souvenir shop with a cow sticking out of the door. 2019-08-21

Eat

Budget

• Cofradia El Muelle, Avenida de la Constitución, 28.3578932°, -16.3690582°, +34 922 58 38 86. 11:00-00:00 daily. Harbourside restaurant with large portions of seafood. 2019-08-12

Mid range

• Restaurante La Casona del Vino, Carretera General del sur 44, 28.38157°, -16.366265°, +34 922 50 00 95, info@lacasonadelvino.com. Spanish cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. €15-20 2019-08-12
• La Cofradia de Caletillas, Avenida Maritima 30, 28.3671082°, -16.363552°, +43 922 50 05 01, lacofradiadecaletillas@gmail.com. Specialized in seafood, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. €8.50-23.50 2019-08-12

Splurge

• Restaurante Mar y Magma, Avenida Marítima 31, 28.3673566°, -16.3633696°, +43 922 10 99 00, info@marymagma.com. Canarian sea food with view over the ocean. €20-25 2019-08-12
• Taberna Giron, Avenida Maritima 33, 28.368443°, -16.3627065°, +34 922 50 33 12, laluna@canariastelecom.com. Fine dining restaurant for seafood. 2019-08-12

Drink

Lots of water, Candelaria has an arid climate and can get quite hot in summer so it is important to replenish body water levels.

Sleep

• Casa Lina, Calle los Príncipes 15, 28.3536188°, -16.370273°. Apartment. 2019-08-12

Go next

• Santa Cruz de Tenerife – The capital of the Canary Islands
• Güímar – The capital of the per-historic Güímar kingdom
• San Cristóbal de La Laguna – The former capital of Tenerife, with a historic centre that is a