The Fortín de San Fernando is a small fort on the coast of Los Realejos, on the north side of Tenerife, in the Rambla de Castro area. It was built as a battery to guard this stretch of shore, and three cannons still stand on it, with a lookout point above. Footpaths through palm trees lead to the fort, and the path continues up to a viewpoint, the Mirador de El Fortín, over the fort and the sea.
Fort of San Fernando
Local name: Fortín de San Fernando
Small coastal fort with three cannons above the Atlantic, reached on foot along trails through palm trees.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: the fort is reached along a footpath, and neither the parking nor the entrance is accessible.
- Parking
- Free car park about 348 m away in a straight line; a second parking area about 683 m away.
- Difficulty
- An easy walk on footpaths through palm trees from the car park, about 348 m away in a straight line; wear proper shoes.
- Transport
- Bus stops La Tropicana (stop 5260), about 315 m away, and San Vicente (stop 4329), about 384 m away.
- Advance booking
- Not needed; the site is open at all hours with no ticket.
- Hours
- Open at all hours.
- Address
- C. la Rbla., 31, 38416 Los Realejos, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
Three old cannons point out to sea from the fort, with a lookout point above them. The fort itself is modest and shows a little neglect, so the setting does most of the work. The trails that lead here wind through palm trees along the north coast, and the walk in is a good part of the reason to come.
Keep going on the path above to the Mirador de El Fortín. From there the view is wider and better: the fort below, the palms, and the open Atlantic beyond.
Good to know
- There are no toilets and no drinking water at the fort or nearby. Bring water with you.
- The fort is reached on foot. The trail is easy, but wear proper shoes.
- The fort is small and a little run down; it works best as part of a walk along this coast.
- The better view is from the Mirador de El Fortín, on the path above the fort.
- There is no wheelchair access: neither the parking nor the entrance is accessible.
Getting there
The last stretch is on foot. The nearest car park is about 348 m away in a straight line, with a second one about 683 m away, and from either you walk in along trails through palm trees. Buses stop at La Tropicana, about 315 m away, and at San Vicente, about 384 m away.
A guidepost marked El Fortín stands about 106 m from the fort. Past the fort, the path carries on up to the Mirador de El Fortín, with the view back over the fort and the coast.
Best time to visit
Best: a clear day, in the morning or late afternoon.
Avoid: the middle of a hot day, and wet weather.
The view over the sea is the reason to come and low cloud hides it, while a trail in full midday sun or on wet ground is harder going.
Things to do nearby
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Fort of San Fernando on the map
The fort and the trails sit on cliffs above the Atlantic, and the drops are not fenced all along. Keep back from the edge and keep children close.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Fortín de San Fernando?
On foot. The nearest car park is about 348 m away in a straight line, and the bus stops La Tropicana and San Vicente are about 315 m and 384 m away. Trails through palm trees lead to the fort.Is the walk difficult?
The trails are easy, but the approach is a walk on a footpath, so wear proper shoes.Are there toilets or water at the fort?
No. There are no toilets and no drinking water at the fort or nearby, so bring water with you.Where is the best view?
At the Mirador de El Fortín, on the path above the fort. It looks down over the fort and out across the sea.