San Andrés Castle, also called the Tower of San Andrés, is a coastal fort in the village of San Andrés, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Most researchers date it to 1706, though writings mention it in 1697. It guarded the beach and passing ships from pirates, and in 1797 its guns destroyed the mast and rigging of Nelson's ship Theseus. A flood in the ravine beside it later brought down half the tower. It was declared of Cultural Interest in the Canary Islands in 1999 and is a symbol of San Andrés and Anaga.
San Andres Castle
Half-ruined 18th-century coastal tower at a ravine mouth, with guns that hit Nelson's ship in 1797
- Parking
- Free asphalt car park about 10 m away; a second free car park, Aparcamiento Cabecera Teresitas, about 146 m away.
- Difficulty
- None: a car park sits about 10 m from the tower.
- Transport
- Bus stop San Andrés, about 150 m away.
- Address
- Castillo de San Andrés, 38120 San Andrés, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
What makes it special
Half the tower is simply gone. The round stone wall stands broken open on one side, where floodwater from the ravine beside it took the rest away, and from the roadside you look straight into the inside of a fort.
This is the castle whose guns, during the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797, shot away the mast and rigging of the Theseus, Admiral Nelson's ship. It went up around 1706 to guard the beach of San Andrés from pirates. The village still takes it as its emblem, and it stands as a symbol of both San Andrés and Anaga: the Anaga ridges rise behind it, and in front lies the sea it was built to watch.
Good to know
- The castle is half a ruin: part of the tower collapsed in a flood, and as of 2021 it was on Spain's Red List of heritage at risk.
- There is no drinking water nearby — fill up before you come.
- The nearest public toilets are about 356 m away.
- There is no information point nearby, so read up on the 1797 battle before you go.
Getting there
San Andrés lies on the coast north-east of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the castle stands at the mouth of the ravine where the road comes into the village. A car park with an asphalt surface sits about 10 m from the tower, so by car there is no walk to speak of. A second car park, Aparcamiento Cabecera Teresitas, is about 146 m away in a straight line. By bus, get off at the San Andrés stop, about 150 m from the castle.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, when the sun rises over the sea and lights the seaward face of the tower.
Avoid: heavy rain. The ravine beside the castle floods, and it was a flood that brought half the tower down.
Sun & daylight
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San Andres Castle on the map
The ravine beside the castle floods in heavy rain — a flood once brought half the tower down. Stay out of the ravine bed in wet weather and keep off the crumbling masonry.
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Frequently asked questions
Why is half of San Andrés Castle missing?
The castle was built beside the mouth of a ravine stream. During heavy rain the stream flooded and collapsed part of the castle; the other half still stands.Did San Andrés Castle really fire on Nelson?
Yes. During the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797, shots from the castle destroyed the mast and rigging of the Theseus, Admiral Nelson's ship.When was San Andrés Castle built?
Most researchers date it to 1706, although there are writings that mention it in 1697. It was built to defend the beach of San Andrés and protect ships from pirates.Can you reach San Andrés Castle by bus?
Yes. The San Andrés bus stop is about 150 m from the castle.Is San Andrés Castle protected?
It was declared of Cultural Interest in the Canary Islands in 1999. As of 2021 it was on Spain's Red List of heritage at risk of further deterioration.