Lago Martianez Seawater Pools

You swim in seawater under footbridges and past islands of black volcanic rock, with the open Atlantic just beyond. The centrepiece is the lake Manrique added in 1977: 15,000 square metres of water, roughly two football pitches, with grottoes and bridges to swim through and around.

The whole complex is his work, and it shows in the details: volcanic stone, palms, watchtower-like lookouts and sculptures such as La Jibia, a cuttlefish, and Los Alisios, named after the trade winds. It was built over the old natural rock pools of the Llanos de Martiánez, where visitors were already bathing at the end of the 19th century.

The salt water arrives without the waves. When swell makes the sea along this coast too rough for swimming, this is where you swim in it. With loungers, bars, a restaurant and separate children's areas, a whole day here passes easily.

• Many stairs link the levels and lead down to most pools; the entrance and toilets are step-free, but getting around is hard with limited mobility.
• A sun lounger comes with the ticket. Umbrellas cost extra, though parts of the complex have natural shade.
• The toilets inside are for ticket holders.
• Restaurants and bars inside serve food and drink, and cards and contactless payment are accepted.
• The water is seawater and cools you fast on a grey morning; it feels warmer once the sun has been on it.

The complex lies on the seafront of Puerto de la Cruz, at the edge of the town centre, so most people simply walk in along the promenade.

By bus, the Plaza Reyes Católicos stop is about 180 m away in a straight line, and a tourist bus stop is about 190 m away.

Drivers have a paid car park about 220 m away and the larger paid Pirámides de Martiánez car park about 400 m away. There is also free street parking and a free car park in the area. From any of them, it is a short walk through town to the entrance, and inside, stairs take you down to the pools.

Best: a sunny weekday, from late morning into the afternoon.

Avoid: grey, cool or rainy days, and weekends if you want a quiet corner.

Everything here is open air, so the complex depends on the sun: the water warms as the day goes on, and on an overcast day there is little to do. A town lido fills with local families at the weekend. When heavy swell closes the sea to swimmers, the lake is the obvious place to be.