Plaza del Charco — named for a small tidal pool (charco) that once occupied the site — is the social heart of Puerto de la Cruz. The square is shaded by a ring of large Indian laurel trees and surrounded by traditional Canarian buildings, cafes, and restaurants. In the evenings it fills with locals and visitors alike, and on weekends the terrace bars are busy well into the night.
The plaza is the natural starting point for exploring the old town. From here you can walk to the harbour in five minutes, or north to the seafront and the Lago Martiánez. The narrow streets behind the square contain some of the best preserved old town architecture — whitewashed walls, dark wooden balconies in the distinctive Canarian style, and the occasional courtyard open to the sky.