Cesar Manrique Maritime Park

The Atlantic lies right beside the pools, and the pools are filled from it: three big saltwater basins set among black volcanic rock, palm trees and an artificial waterfall. César Manrique designed the complex, and it carries his Lanzarote habit of building places to relax out of lava, water and planting.

From the lookout the view runs across the sea and over the white curves of the Auditorio de Tenerife next door. The whole site covers 22,000 square metres, roughly three football pitches, so it takes a crowd without feeling packed. With a bar in the middle of the complex, most people stay for the day: a swim, a sunbed, lunch, another swim.

• The pools hold water drawn from the sea, and it is cold.
• A restaurant and a bar sit inside the complex, so there is no need to leave for food.
• Changing areas, showers and toilets are on site; cards and contactless payment are accepted.
• At busy times the car parks fill and finding a space can take 15 minutes or more, so arrive early.
• The atmosphere is relaxed, and topless sunbathing is common on the decks.

The complex stands on the Santa Cruz seafront beside the Auditorio de Tenerife, with direct access to the TF-1 motorway heading south and the TF-5 heading north. Two free car parks lie close by, about 130 m and 210 m away in a straight line, and there is paid parking nearby as well. At busy times the free spaces go fast, and waiting for one can take a quarter of an hour. Without a car, the nearest stop is Auditorio y Centro de Ferias y Congresos, about 220 m away.

Best: early in the day, soon after opening, on a clear, sunny day.

Avoid: peak times on hot weekends, and grey or rainy days.

The car parks fill as the day goes on, so an early start makes parking easier, and an open-air seawater pool has little to offer under cloud or rain.