Candelaria is a municipality of around 26,500 inhabitants in Tenerife and a place of pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands. The basilica, which can hold up to 5,000 people, is the archipelago’s most famous shrine, dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria and visited by thousands of worshippers every year. Nearby is the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, the town’s main square.
The feast of Our Lady of Candelaria is celebrated on 15 August, when thousands of pilgrims from all over the Canary Islands make their way to the famous basilica on foot.
The town has tourist facilities and a fair number of shops, bars and traditional Canarian restaurants. The fishing harbour on the seafront is worth a look, and a stroll along the waterfront, where you can admire the statues of the Guanches, is highly recommended.
Places of interest
- Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria: designed by the architect Enrique Marrero Regalado, the basilica is the most visited Marian shrine in the Canary Islands. It stands in the southern part of the municipality of Candelaria, about 20 km from the capital, Santa Cruz. It is one of the most famous shrines in the whole of Spain, with over 2.5 million visitors a year, and has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest by the Canary Islands regional government. Next to the basilica is the convent of the Dominican order, to whom the shrine has been entrusted. The feast of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria is celebrated twice a year, on 2 February and on 14–15 August.
- Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias: inaugurated on 31 January 1959, the square lies near the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria and is the main square of the municipality. It is where the town’s most important festivities take place and the gathering point for pilgrimages. It is considered one of the most important squares in Tenerife; along one side stand the statues of the nine Guanche kings. Plenty of bars and cafés cater for pilgrims and tourists.
- Beaches: the best-known beaches are Playa de la Candelaria, Las Arenas and Las Caletas (also called Samarines), all with fine black sand.
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