Welcome to Santa Úrsula. In our walk through all the northern villages of Tenerife that you can enjoy during your stay on the island, we do not want you to miss a visit to this beautiful town located between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Puerto de la Cruz, with a population of approximately 15,000 inhabitants and an area of ​​23 square kilometers.

History of Santa Úrsula

The name of the town comes from a 16th-century hermitage. Formerly, at the time of the Canarian aborigines, it was part of the territory of Acentejo, giving rise to multiple battles between the aborigines and the European colonizers in the 15th and 16th centuries.

It was not until 1768 when the first town halls were created in the municipality.

Santa Úrsula is a site of great archaeological value because a large part of the aboriginal population of the area was located in this municipality, which makes it especially interesting for its archaeological value. The caves located in the ravines and the steep cliffs were the dwellings of the Canarian aborigines, which today are being preserved to protect historical memory.

Places to see in Santa Úrsula

Bencomo Cave

Declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1986, Bencomo Cave is a natural cave where, according to researchers, lived one of the last Menceyes of this territory, the so-called Guanche Bencomo. This cave is located near the viewpoint of Humboldt, between the municipalities of Santa Úrsula and La Orotava, and consists of three different spaces. One of them has two rooms open to the outside, and communication among the different parts of the cave is carried out through very narrow and low-height corridors (2.5 meters long and 0.8 meters high).

Church of Santa Úrsula

The Church of Santa Úrsula is made up of a single nave and its construction was initiated in the 16th century, but it was not until the 17th century when the work was completed with the extension we can see today. Declared as a historical monument, it has become one of the main symbols of the municipality.

Hermitage of Saint Anne

Small hermitage located on the route known as “Camino de las compras” (Shopping path) because it was a usual exchange place between fishermen and farmers.

Hermitage of Saint Bartholomew

Founded in 1705 and declared a parish in 1966, statues of Saint Lazarus, Saint Bartholomew and a small crucifix with great artistic value can be found inside.

Casa de La Portuguesa (Portuguese House)

It is a picturesque building declared a Monument in 2007 and, therefore, Asset of Cultural Interest of the Spanish Historical Heritage.

Casa de los Capitanes (Captains’ House)

Also declared a Monument and Asset of Cultural Interest in 2007, it stands out for its exterior decoration, very rare on the island, since it consists of a decoration called sgraffito, which provides great detail, especially noticeable on the shutters.

Hacienda de San Clemente (Saint Clement Estate)

It is an exuberant property in which Mr Alonso de Nava y Grimón performed the first experiments made with American plants. Inside the property there is also a hermitage, where Saint Clement is worshipped (hence the name) and where processions and celebrations were held in honor of the saint.

Ancón Beach

Possibly one of the wildest and most beautiful beaches on the island of Tenerife. Access to this beach is difficult, which means that it is not crowded despite its beauty. In addition, once you have reached the beach, it is also important to be careful when bathing, since sea currents are usually strong in this area. We already talk extensively about Ancón Beach in our blog, where you can read more information about it. It is necessary to say that although it currently belongs to the municipality of La Orotava, not long ago it was within the municipality of Santa Úrsula.

Gastronomy and where to eat in Santa Úrsula

In the whole island of Tenerife you can enjoy, at moderate prices, exquisite delicacies of the most traditional Canarian cuisine, as well as avant-garde gastronomic creations. The municipality of Santa Úrsula, has on its website a delicious gastronomic guide, where you can see all the gastronomic information of the municipality and the best places to eat.

How to get to Santa Úrsula

Assuming that you stay at the Ambassador Apartments and book a few days to spend in Puerto de la Cruz in our renovated rooms, you can travel by car, take TF-5 road and turn off at the entrance to Santa Úrsula, which will take approximately 10 minutes, or use public transport (line 101).

Time to visit Santa Úrsula

As you can see, the municipality of Santa Úrsula hides many places to see that you should not miss on your visit to the island. Do not miss enjoying its streets, monuments and history and visit this charming town in the north of Tenerife.