How to Find the Best Graffiti & Street Art in Tenerife, including a Spooky Ghost Town.
When you think of Tenerife, Street Art might not be the first thing that comes up. However we stumbled on some amazing locations with Graffiti and Street Art in Tenerife. We were amazed at some of the colorful murals and creative Graffiti. We even found a Spooky Abandoned Ghost Town that forms the perfect canvas for artists.
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best places to find Street Art in Tenerife. When we visit a new destination we always love the combination of architecture, food, nature and definitely also street art. We have done some awesome street art tours in Berlin en NYC. But in Tenerife we explored the street art scene on our own.
We are kicking this post off with our favorite street art location in Tenerife: an abandoned Ghost Town.
The combination of all the empty buildings and all the graffiti and artworks, made for such a great visit.
Definitely a spot to put on your must-see list for when you visit Tenerife.
Where to find the Best Street Art in Tenerife?
Have you been to the Ghost Town in Tenerife?
Sanatorio de Abona is an abandoned town on the island of Tenerife that has become a hotspot for street art and graffiti artists. We were surprised by how big this town is and how eerie it was to stroll through all the empty buildings that were never fully completed. Our Highlight was definitely the abandoned church. It was so special to see this so empty and yet fully decorated with graffiti and murals.
History of Sanatorio de Abona, the former Leper Colony.
Sanatorio de Abona was meant to become a tuberculosis colony, located on Tenerife. The town was almost fully built. But the building was stopped due to the introduction of new tuberculosis treatments. The town was abandoned and has since become a popular destination for urban explorers and street art enthusiasts.
The Street Art Scene in Sanatorio de Abona
The abandoned buildings of Sanatorio de Abona have become a canvas for street artists and graffiti writers. Many of the pieces in Sanatorio de Abona are colorful and intricate, and they often incorporate the decaying elements of the buildings themselves.
One of the most notable pieces in Sanatorio de Abona is a large mural of a woman’s face by artist Blu. The mural is located on the side of one of the buildings and is visible from a distance. Other popular pieces in Sanatorio de Abona include a mural of a bird by artist Hyuro, a series of stencils by artist El Ratón, and a colorful graffiti piece by artist Jaz.
“We saw a graffiti artist working on a few tags in Sanarotorio de Abona, so I walked up to him and asked if I could borrow a can of spray paint to leave a mark in the Ghost Town as well. We had a nice talk and as you can see in one of the pictures at the top of this post, I was able to add our initials. How awesome!”
The Future of Sanatorio de Abona
The future of Sanatorio de Abona remains uncertain. The town is privately owned, and the owners have expressed a desire to preserve the buildings and turn them into a cultural center. However, the fate of the existing street art is unclear.
Sanatorio de Abona is a fascinating destination for street art enthusiasts. As the future of the town remains uncertain, it’s important to appreciate the street art in Sanatorio de Abona while it still exists. We can highly recommend you stopping here and have a look for yourself. It is right by the main highway from the South to the North. Click HERE for a google maps link to the Ghost Town.
Where else do you need to go for Street Art in Tenerife?
Here are some other locations to spot more street art in Tenerife. Santa Cruz was our favorite out of these cities. Especially the mural underneath the bridge was stunning!
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Santa Cruz is the capital city of Tenerife and is home to some incredible street art. The city has embraced street art as a way to revitalize its urban spaces and promote creativity. Some of the best places to find street art in Santa Cruz include Calle de La Noria, Avenida Marítima, and Plaza de la Candelaria. Don’t miss the colorful mural “Chernobyl” by artist Okuda San Miguel, located on the side of the old tobacco factory.
La Laguna
La Laguna is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its beautiful architecture and rich history. However, it’s also a great place to discover some stunning street art. The walls of the buildings in La Laguna are adorned with colorful murals and graffiti, created by both local and international artists. Some popular murals include “Los Gigantes” by artist Sabotaje al Montaje and “The Traveler” by artist Sekone.
Puerto de la Cruz
Puerto de la Cruz is a charming coastal town in the north of Tenerife, and is home to some impressive street art. The town’s streets are lined with murals and graffiti, depicting everything from local culture to pop culture icons. Some of the must-see pieces include “The Fisherman” by artist Dulk, “Proud Roots” by artist Sabotaje al Montaje, and “The Octopus Garden” by artist Tono Cruz.
Los Cristianos
Los Cristianos is a popular tourist destination in the south of Tenerife, but it’s also a great place to discover some amazing street art. The town has a vibrant arts scene, and many of the buildings are decorated with colorful murals and graffiti. Some popular pieces include “The Balcony” by artist Sabotaje al Montaje and “The Heart” by artist Felipe Pantone.
We can highly recommend you discovering some of the street art hotspots we mentioned in this post when you are exploring Tenerife. The cities La Laguna and Santa Cruz were our favorites. The vibe in these cities is awesome. And of course when you are driving the main highway, it is just an easy stop to visit the eerie Ghost Town. Let us know if you’ve been to Tenerife and you enjoyed the street art just as much as we did.
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