     |
The Lido Martianez Tenerife or Lago Martianez in Puerto de la Cruz is unique.The Lido Martianez Tenerife with its natural salt water swimming pools is in the biggest of all Canary Islands in Spain. The Lido presents a rather unusual contrast in the northern resort town Puerto de la Cruz with buildings that date back 200 years and more. This Lido is so modern. The lido offers several water parks. Why parks? All of them have much subtropical vegetation planted, close by. One of the latest Tenerife attractions was the addition of a partly under ground casino with pub and live music entertainment (where old disco used to be) on Thursdays and Sundays for dancing. The Bar Restaurant Isla del Lago is
The Lido Martianez Tenerife which is most often called
Lago Martianez now, stretches from Playa (Beach) Martianez right up to town square Plaza Reyes Catholicos with MacDonalds. where on can turn a car but, must watch out for 'no parkings signs'. The 'Grua' (take away vehicle) makes it disappear faster than you can think which is very expensive, in the end. The pools are filled with 27 000m3 of water from the ocean which runs through a filter system.
The casino has been moved from Taoro Park underground the lido where special entertainment is provided. Before, people were dancing all night through at the Puerto de la Cruz Congress Center on the former Taoro Park casino grounds.
Also, to understand why the town had to create new entertainment attractions, please, go to the suburb Taoro Park, formerly one of Puerto de la Cruz high lights for decades.
The new fountain in the main lake middle is splashing enormous beams of water all around but, may only been enjoyed in mornings.Umbrellas provide shade where no palm trees protect the more sensitive skin. One pays for umbrellas and pool loungers at the park. I once was there with a friend who always went to the lido after lunch. That way she just profited by this extra service without paying when people left. Please, hear about all the technical data of the Lido as well as history since 1977.
The Lido's immediate neighbor is the more central surf beach Playa Martianez It's at the end of Calle San Telmo/Avenida Colón and, Avenida Generalisimo. Further to the left of the Lido is what is called Puerto de la Cruz center beach. These rock pools or natural swimming pools are quite popular as well. The entrance fee for it is EU 3,50 for adults. Opening times are every day
The main alternative to the lido is Playa Jardin (Garden Beach)also designed by César Manrique. 25 minutes of interesting walk to get there...
During our 1997 vacation Tenerife we got to know the Lido Martianez Tenerife from several birds eye perspectives from the 4 starHotel Valle Mar, The Hotel Valle Mar is right opposite the Lido Martianez Tenerife. We had all inclusive holidays in Tenerife at hotel Valle Mar. Food was good but, I would never book all inclusive at any Tenerife hotel, today. Tenerife restaurants leave you much less restricted. You eat where and when you want. Here, you see The owner of famous Café de Paris is also administrator/manager for LidoMartianez which means that both its discos and all the rest of the entertainment which also includes the nearby attraction El Monasterio are run by him.
My husband, who is, usually, not a people watcher, often, sat on the hotel balcony for a little while looking down at the Lagos de Martianez. "Hey Pete", I once asked. "What's so interesting down there?" "Get ready Mrs., we want to go now" , was his answer. I was, in fact, ready and threw a quick glance down. A couple of topless, very good looking young ladies lounging in the semi shade under palms in the Lido Martianez, also, almost, magnetically attracted my gaze. "Ha!" I had to laugh. "Nice view!"
Besides, the architect César Manrique is the pride and joy of his native Lanzarote. There, he, of course, excelled in his native habitat. He also designed Maritim Parque (Park) more often called César Manrique Parque in the Tenerife's capital Santa Cruz.
In those days it was also said that all pools had the shape of a Canary island. I suppose that they were trying hard to keep it that way during the last alterations.
We always admired Mr.Manrique's surroundings in Lido Martianez Tenerife. Brilliant white buildings match with terracotta colored Spanish roof tiles. Towering, dark green leaved palms give semi shade. Subtropical shrubs such as Crotons and, other plants in all colors make for variety. Even Cannas flowers are to be seen by the entrance of the Lido Martianez Tenerife.
Bright red geraniums as well as his special Photo by César Francisco Real Real.
You know, César Manrique is said to, always, create pools that are painted white inside.Please, look at this photo which I took last year from the height of the Taoro Park. One, clearly, sees 2 of the Lido Martianez Tenerife pools with different blue shades. The blue color would reflect the sky so much better. Dark, anthracite, volcanic boulders mix in everywhere within the Lido. What a composition of shapes, sizes and colours in the Lido Martianez, also called Lagos as well as Lago Martianez Tenerife!
One Spanish Homepage called the Lido Martianez Tenerife, the Complex Martianez in Puerto de la Cruz. Most people, I know, simply say: "Vamos al lago!" (Let's go to the lake) It's like that with everything that is famous and special. Isn't it? Variations of names and descriptions spring up naturally in all sorts of linguistic expressions. But, the Lido de Martianez Tenerife is worth it. In fact it's worth every penny of its entrance fee. And, not just for the Tenerife tourist but also for those that live in Tenerife...
Here, is a small fountain in one of the enlarged pools on the right where you can see the other end of Puerto de la Cruz, faintly. There is a tunnel, too dark to make out on the picture, that is part of the motorway near Lido Martianez where you can get to the freeway or to a coastal road alternatively.
The small fountain picture of the Lido Martianez Tenerife was also taken by C. F. Real Real.
The lido always had a toddler pool. Now, it has a heated pool, as well.. The ocean surrounding the Lagos is naturally seen from everywhere which means you are being spoiled with the view of the vast, deep blue Atlantic, almost, all around, while you can hear the waves splashing against Lido Martianez Tenerife.
Here, a lone angler is behind the Townhouse (Ayuntamiento) of Puerto de la Cruz. He could see the Lido Martianez Tenerife, if he wasn't so busy catching little fishes. Would you believe that it only will takes you 10 minutes to walk to that spot from the Lido? Really, not more than that...
More details on Lido Martianez shown in photos:
At the end of the main lake is a white sculpture. Beyond we see part of the ocean of Playa Martianez bordering the Lido This is where much has been expanded. Just before the last inauguration on 6th of August 2006, I was walking there with a Spanish friend, at night. She was almost feeling a little lost at this end of the complex. No more workers were there either. The restaurant Isla del Lago was still deserted. Soon, it was all to be filled up with people of all ages. Different languages would be heard around the pools again. However, with so many different nooks where wide open spaces could be seen like through windows nobody could be claustrophobic by Lago Martianez.
Photo by César F.Real Real: Cactus or Euphorbia and, grasses by the nooks which they flank blend in perfectly. Also, the water here looks like it´s flowing in a small river. If this was added on recently it means that the foundation César Manrique is trying to honor the spirit of the late architect by supervising a good job being done.
In short, this complex or resort called Lido Martianez Tenerife has everything that one expects. Of course, it has many toilettes and change rooms. That's what you need before giving it another stroll through the very interesting and oldest resort of the island. Please, go from Lido Martianez Tenerife to Puerto de la Cruz to explore its fun.
The Calle San Telmo or passage or central waterfront San Telmo of Puerto de la Cruz by the Lido Martianez is immensely charming. It's also a kaleidoscope of details, colors, smells, music, art, Cosmopolitan flair, and, leisure shopping facilities, yummy restaurants, discos and, best shops for souvenirs, electronics as well as casual beach ware. How get to Lido Martianez Tenerife from the South, close neighborhood and Santa Cruz: Buses Titsa: Learn all including tricks with Titsa transport... Also, getting around to other island attractions from Puerto Cruz...
A trip by air from the South would take you 1,5 hours, roughly, from Reina Sofia Airport in the South to Los Rodeos Airport in the North. By road, taking the F1, it shouldn't set you back more than 80 minutes with a rented vehicle, right into Puerto de la Cruz. Next to the little harbor by the "Muelle" you may always find parking for your car. There by the little harbor is now also the moved tourist office of Puerto de la Cruz. It´s in Puerto´s oldest building the
In the same town as the Lido, here, Tenerife's another popular attraction... Would you like to see the rock pools of Los Gigantes which are entrance free? Los Gigantes is also absolutely worthy of Tenerife tours. There is also Lido Los Gigantes.
|
We stayed on the 5th floor of hotel Valle Mar, in 1997. We were very happy with the service of the hotel, by the way and, especially with its superb location by lido and rest of town action.
This photo is an example of typical César Manrique landscapingfor the Lido Martianez Tenerife.
