Places guide · Faith and Guanche memory
A coastal town that concentrates two distinct layers of Tenerife's history: the basilica that houses the patron saint of the Canary Islands, and nine statues that commemorate the last Guanche kings before the Castilian conquest.
Why it is worth the visit
Candelaria is, above all, the town of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the entire Canary archipelago. Its basilica welcomes thousands of pilgrims every year, especially around 14 and 15 August, when its main festival is celebrated with performances and mass processions.
But right in front of the basilica, in the square facing the sea, nine bronze statues commemorate the menceyes, the kings who ruled the nine Guanche kingdoms of Tenerife before the Castilian conquest of the 15th century. The combination makes Candelaria one of the few places on the island where the Catholic faith and pre-Hispanic memory share the same space.
What to see
Both can be seen on the same stroll around the square facing the sea.
The sanctuary that houses the image of the patron saint of the Canary Islands. Its façade and interior receive pilgrims all year round, with a particular influx during the August festivities.
Larger-than-life bronze statues, set on volcanic rocks facing the sea. They represent the last kings of the nine kingdoms into which Tenerife was divided before 1496.
How to organise it
From a quick stop on the way south to coinciding with its main festival in August.
Before you drive
The town is well connected by motorway, with parking near the square.
Candelaria has a direct exit from the TF-1 motorway, with public car parks a short distance from the basilica square and the Menceyes. On the main festival dates (14–15 August) traffic and car park occupancy increase considerably.
Practical information
On the east coast, a step from the TF-1 motorway between Santa Cruz and the south of the island.
About 20 minutes from Santa Cruz, or a little over half an hour from the southern resorts.
Public car parks a few minutes' walk from the basilica and the Menceyes square.
The square and the basilica can be visited well at any hour; sunset adds good light for photos facing the sea.
Titsa connects Santa Cruz with Candelaria in 20–30 minutes, a comfortable alternative if you don't want to take the car for a short visit.
Enough to see the basilica and the Menceyes at an easy pace, unless you coincide with the main festival.
The promenade in front of the basilica has fresh fish and seafood restaurants, with direct views of the coast and the statues of the Menceyes.
Easy to combine with the capital on a half-day route along the east coast.
Candelaria connects well with the road that climbs towards Teide National Park from the south.
Before you set off
Frequently asked questions
The menceyes were the kings of the nine Guanche kingdoms into which Tenerife was divided before the Castilian conquest of 1496. The nine bronze statues in front of the basilica represent them larger than life.
She is the patron saint of the entire Canary archipelago, not just Tenerife. Her basilica welcomes pilgrims all year round, with a particular influx at her main festival on 14 and 15 August.
One to two hours is enough to see the basilica and the Menceyes at an easy pace, unless you coincide with the August festivities.
Yes. It has a direct exit from the TF-1 motorway and fits perfectly as a short stop on the journey between Santa Cruz and the south.
The promenade in front of the basilica has several fresh fish and seafood restaurants, with direct views of the coast and the statues of the Menceyes.
Yes, Titsa connects Santa Cruz with Candelaria in about 20–30 minutes — a comfortable alternative for a short visit without taking the car.
Next stop
Candelaria condenses into a single stroll two layers of Tenerife's history that are rarely told together: the one after the conquest, and the one before.
Photo of the Candelaria Basilica: MarisaLR, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Photo of the Menceyes: Bjoertvedt, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
