Lago Martiánez

The northern coast of Tenerife has scenic but uncomfortable beaches, with constant Atlantic swells. The Lago Martiánez complex was built inside Puerto de la Cruz, right by the Avenida de Colón seafront, to give families a calm alternative. It is an artificial bathing area with seven seawater pools.

Half the area belongs to the main basin, el Lago, dotted with five small islands of volcanic rock. The central island holds the Sala Andrómeda, with a restaurant and a casino. A tall geyser-fountain shoots up from the middle of the green water, feeding the whole complex with filtered seawater and lit up after dark. The depth of el Lago shifts with the ocean — at low tide it becomes noticeably shallower.

Around the lake sit smaller basins, from deep turquoise pools to a shallow children’s one. They are filled from the Atlantic and warm up through the day. A breakwater separates Lago Martiánez from the open sea. Despite persistent rumours online, there is no wave pool in the adult section — the water stays calm in any weather, and only the occasional larger swell sends spray over the barrier onto sunbathers. The low parapets keep the ocean view open from almost every lounger.

The site covers around 100,000 m², with the lake and its islands taking up some 33,000 m². César Manrique took over the artistic direction in 1967. The first pools, known as Los Alisios, opened in 1971, but the full complex was only finished in 1977. The landscaping mixes Japanese garden ideas with traditional Canarian motifs — palms and shrubs between the basins, lawns, and large basalt boulders left in place.

The engineering was handled by Juan Alfredo Amigó, while Manrique shaped the landscape and the artistic elements. His sculptures still anchor the design, including «The Cuttlefish» (El Calamar) and «Roots to Heaven» (Raíces al Cielo), which sit alongside lava walls, organic fences and ocean views. Even the service buildings follow the same visual language.

After Manrique’s death, the complex was reworked under the supervision of the César Manrique Foundation: lounging areas were enlarged and a cascading fountain was added. The most recent intervention was a major ten-month closure for renovation, which finished in March 2024 and brought the basins, technical systems and walkways back into shape.

Facilities at Lago Martiánez include a spa pool, changing rooms, showers, a café, and rental loungers and umbrellas. The site is one of the main attractions on this stretch of avenida in Tenerife’s northern resort.

Complex Hours

Lago Martianez Tenerife operates on a seasonal schedule in 2026. From 1 July to 30 September, the complex welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. During the rest of the year, winter hours apply: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., also seven days a week.

Ticket Prices (2026)

Adult entry – €7.00;
Children aged 4 to 10 – €4.00;
Puerto de la Cruz residents – €3.00 for adults, €2.00 for children and retirees.

Sun loungers are included in the ticket price across the Lago Martiánez complex. Umbrellas are rented separately and cost €3 extra per day.