The highlight of the Museum of Nature and Archaeology is an exhibition devoted to the life and culture of the Guanche, the aboriginal people who inhabited Tenerife before it was taken over by European conquerors. Admire the collection of Guanche mummies and skulls, learn about the peculiar funeral rituals undertaken by the Guanche, and see archaeological finds including ancient ceramics, fossils, and personal items that belonged to the Guanche Kings. Additional exhibitions look at the islands’ volcanic activity, natural landscapes, and native flora and wildlife.
The museum is located along Calle Fuente Morales in downtown Santa Cruz; about five minutes on foot from the Cathedral. Alternatively, ride tram line 1 to Fundación, just a 2-minute walk from the museum. Street parking is available for those arriving with their own transport, but spaces can fill up quickly, especially on weekends.
The museum is open daily. Budget travelers can make the most of free entrance on Fridays and Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm, although the museum is often busiest at these times.
Exploring Tenerife’s Museums Tenerife has a number of museums that provide insight into the island’s history and cultural identity. Right next door, the TEA (Tenerife Espacio de la Artes) is a popular destination for art lovers, who will also want to check out the Fine Arts Museum in Santa Cruz and the Eduardo Westerdahl Museum of Contemporary Art in Puerto de la Cruz. Science buffs won’t want to miss the Museum of Science and the Cosmos in La Laguna, filled with interactive exhibitions that are great fun for both kids and adults. There’s also the Historical Military Museum of the Canary Islands, which has WWII tanks and weapons on display; the quirky ARTlandya toy museum; and the Casa del Vino wine museum, where you can enjoy wine tasting.
