
San Telmo Chapel
Ancient cliffside chapel with breathtaking ocean views, offering a dramatic contrast of white architecture against the blue sea.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Higher chance of being open

San Telmo Chapel
Best Time
Higher chance of being open

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Ancient cliffside chapel with breathtaking ocean views, offering a dramatic contrast of white architecture against the blue sea.
"A beauty of a little gem in the gorgeous coast and cliff side of Puerto de la Cruz."

Check Opening Hours
The chapel is frequently closed. Try late weekend afternoons for a chance to get inside. :clock10:
Capture the Scenery
The cliffside location offers amazing photo opportunities. White walls contrast beautifully with the blue sky. :camerawithflash:

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Cliffside Vistas
Exterior
Dramatic ocean views from the edge of a high cliff. A truly breathtaking natural backdrop.

Architectural Details
Exterior
Whitewashed walls with striking basalt stone porticoes and a unique belfry. Simple yet elegant design.

Baroque Altar Paintings
Interior (if accessible)
Intricate Baroque decorative paintings framing the altar, a testament to artistic skill.
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Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Photography Opportunities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Opening Hours
The chapel is frequently closed. Try late weekend afternoons for a chance to get inside. :clock10:
Capture the Scenery
The cliffside location offers amazing photo opportunities. White walls contrast beautifully with the blue sky. :camerawithflash:
Explore Nearby Battery
Don't miss the remains of the old San Telmo battery nearby, including a guard booth and palisade. :ruins:
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Opening Hours
The chapel is frequently closed. Try late weekend afternoons for a chance to get inside. :clock10:
Capture the Scenery
The cliffside location offers amazing photo opportunities. White walls contrast beautifully with the blue sky. :camerawithflash:
Explore Nearby Battery
Don't miss the remains of the old San Telmo battery nearby, including a guard booth and palisade. :ruins:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors often praise the breathtaking cliffside location and stunning ocean views, calling it a beautiful gem. However, many note that the chapel itself is frequently closed, leading to disappointment for those hoping to explore the interior. The architecture is appreciated for its simplicity and contrast with the natural landscape.
"A small church, which does not impress in anything. There are several similar churches on the island, all equally ordinary. What is beautiful is the location, right on the edge of a high cliff, from where you have a beautiful view of the ocean. I passed through the area many times and it was always closed, with the exception of one late weekend afternoon, when it was hosting a wedding."
Paul Ciprian
"It is a rectangular building with a gable Arabic tiled roof. The walls are made of masonry and smeared with lime. Two identical basalt stone porticoes are the only decorative elements that interrupt the whitewashed walls. Both were located on simple pilasters supporting two semicircular arches.
The main facade is oriented to the west. There is a belfry with two bodies on a small moulding, in the upper right part: the first, in which the bell is located, has a quadrangular shape and cornice; the second is smaller and ends with a top. The frontispiece ends with a small cross.
The peduncle passes through two facades (north and west), which have a portico like a basement. The marsty, at the head of the temple, has other proportions from the rest of the building: the roof is single-sloped and lower in height; there is also a small door in front.
Inside the hermit, we can evaluate the root armour of the mudejar, a pair and a joint in the shape of a gutter. The shoulder straps decorated with carved geometric motifs and lace rest on pairs of carved guns in the form of curls.
On the back wall, behind the altar, decorative paintings on fallen leaves, cartouches, etc.; typical Baroque decoration, framing and complementing the altar and extending vertically to the board, occupying part of the roof (up to the first bracket).
The remains of the old San Telmo battery adjoin the square: a guard booth and palisade - a medium-height wall and pointed piles - are in front of the pediment, towards the presbytery, at the top of a cave dug by the sea, we find a small round room with a vault: a powder barrel."
oksana osiniene
"Rusty bell and tower of Ermita de San Telmo cliffside historic white chapel, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands
A beauty of a little gem in the gorgeous coast and cliff side of Puerto de la Cruz. Take time to go inside but outside has many great vantage points and options for photography. The chapel's white walls contrast greatly with the ever dark blue sky"
Komeil Karimi
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
San Telmo Chapel is located on a cliffside in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. While specific public transport routes might vary, it's often best accessed by car or taxi, especially given its somewhat remote cliff location. Parking availability can be limited, so consider arriving early if driving. The dramatic setting makes the journey worthwhile.
Information on direct public transport to San Telmo Chapel can be scarce. It's advisable to check local bus schedules for routes that get you close to Puerto de la Cruz and then consider a short taxi ride or a scenic walk to the chapel.
From Puerto de la Cruz, you can typically reach San Telmo Chapel by car or taxi. The drive offers glimpses of the stunning coastline. Walking is also an option for the more adventurous, allowing you to soak in the coastal scenery.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Generally, there is no admission fee to visit San Telmo Chapel. However, the chapel is frequently closed, so entry is not guaranteed. It's best to check for any local events or services that might be taking place.
The opening hours for San Telmo Chapel are inconsistent, and it is often found closed. Visitors have reported success visiting during late weekend afternoons. It's advisable to manage expectations regarding interior access.
No, San Telmo Chapel is not always open. Many visitors report finding it closed. The best chance to see inside is often during late weekend afternoons, or if there's a special event like a wedding.
While a wedding might mean the chapel is closed to general visitors, it does indicate a time when the chapel is open. Some visitors might be able to observe from a distance or inquire about brief access if appropriate.
📸 📸 Photography
The exterior of San Telmo Chapel, with its white walls against the dramatic blue ocean and cliffside setting, is incredibly photogenic. The surrounding coastal views also offer fantastic vantage points for capturing the chapel's beauty.
If you are fortunate enough to enter San Telmo Chapel, photography of the interior, particularly the Baroque altar paintings, is usually permitted. However, always be respectful of any ongoing services or private events.
There are generally no specific restrictions on exterior photography. For interior photography, it's always best to be discreet and respectful, especially if services are being held.
🎫 🏛️ History & Architecture
San Telmo Chapel features a simple, rectangular design with a gable Arabic tiled roof and whitewashed masonry walls. It is characterized by two identical basalt stone porticoes with semicircular arches. The belfry on the main facade adds a distinct element.
The chapel itself is an ancient Catholic place of worship. Adjacent to it are the remains of the old San Telmo battery, including a guard booth and palisade, hinting at its historical defensive role.
Inside, you might find Mudejar-style roof armor, with decorative geometric motifs. The rear wall behind the altar features Baroque decorative paintings, typical of the era, framing the altar.
For Different Travelers
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Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Dramatic Setting
The surrounding coastline is rugged and beautiful, adding to the chapel's dramatic appeal. It's a place where the power of nature meets a touch of human devotion. The sound of the waves crashing below and the salty sea air contribute to a truly immersive experience.
Architectural Features
A notable feature is the belfry, located on the upper right part of the main west-facing facade. It has two distinct bodies, with the lower, quadrangular section housing the bell and the smaller upper section culminating in a top. The frontispiece is crowned with a small cross. The chapel's design emphasizes a blend of functional simplicity and understated elegance, allowing its stunning natural setting to take center stage.
Historical Context: The San Telmo Battery
Further exploration reveals a small, round room with a vault, designed as a powder barrel, situated at the top of a cave carved by the sea. This historical military outpost, situated near the chapel, adds another layer of interest to the site, suggesting a strategic importance of this cliffside location throughout history.
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