Paradise in Puerto de la Cruz

Jet black sand juxtaposed with icy blue waters. Fog lingering over lush emerald hills. Candy colored buildings illuminated against gray skies. Palm trees dancing in the cool breeze. While Puerto de la Cruz may not follow the traditional definition of "paradise", its unique charms assert it as just that.

Before we headed down to sunny Costa Adeje, our first stop in Tenerife was Puerto de la Cruz. Located on the northern half of the island, Puerto de la Cruz is generally much cooler and more tropical than its southern counterparts. We opted for one night in this colorful town in hopes of exploring the black sand beaches, hearing that it was generally more picturesque and authentic than Tenerife Touristlandia in the south.

The rumors were true, and we quickly learned that Puerto de la Cruz was brimming with character. Of the city's many notable features, I was most impressed by its eye-catching colonial architecture. The town was scattered with a kaleidoscope of vibrant buildings embellished with intricate wooden balconies, adding an invigorating contrast to the gloomy skies above.

Paired with dramatic stretches of volcanic beaches, striking lush scenery and the local cuisine's explosion of fresh flavors, the verdant oasis of Puerto de la Cruz was undoubtedly a feast for the senses.

We spent our 24 hours in Puerto de la Cruz wandering through the darling streets, shamelessly photographing every picturesque building we passed, frolicking through the black sand and feasting upon a lifetime's worth of papas arrugadas con mojo.

We also serendipitously stumbled upon a local wine festival, where we indulged on a mouthwatering array of Tenerife's best wines. As we enjoyed the live music and stellar views of the coast, we toasted to magical Tenerife (and our extraordinary luck) while we savored each glass.

When it came time to say hasta luego to our tropical oasis, I was sad to leave behind the quaint island charm of Puerto de la Cruz. Although I desperately needed to defrost in Costa Adeje, I could have easily spent more time soaking up northern Tenerife's natural grandeur and charisma.

Have you ever been to the Canary Islands?

Where's your favorite tropical escape?