Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Basilica

The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is the main religious temple in the Canary Islands and one of the most visited places in Tenerife. It is located in the municipality of Candelaria, beside the Atlantic Ocean, and is dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary archipelago. The basilica has enormous historical, religious and cultural importance because it is linked to the appearance of the Virgin of Candelaria before the conquest of Tenerife. According to tradition, the Guanches venerated the image under the name Chaxiraxi. Today, it is one of the main pilgrimage sites in the Canary Islands, and every year thousands of people visit the sanctuary, especially during the celebrations on 2 February and 15 August.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria is located in the historic centre of the municipality of Candelaria, on the east coast of Tenerife and next to the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias. Its location facing the Atlantic Ocean and beside the seafront promenade makes it one of the most visited places on the island. You can get there in several ways:

• By car: from Santa Cruz de Tenerife via the TF-1 motorway in approximately 20 minutes. From the south of the island, it is also easily reached by the same motorway. There are public car parks and parking areas nearby, although during festivals and at weekends there can be a large number of visitors.
• By guagua, or bus: TITSA connects Candelaria with different municipalities through frequent routes such as 120, 122, 123 and 124 from Santa Cruz and other towns in the metropolitan area.
• On foot: during the August festivities, many people make pilgrimages on foot from different parts of Tenerife to the basilica.

The visit is usually combined with a walk around the historic centre, the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias, the Dominican convent and the sculptures of the Guanche menceyes located beside the sea.

The history of the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria dates back to the 14th century, when a Gothic carving of the Virgin appeared on the coast of the Güímar valley, approximately a century before the conquest of Tenerife. The first image was venerated by the Guanches and later moved to a sanctuary built in 1526. However, that original carving disappeared during a flood in 1826. The current image was made in 1827 by the Tenerife-born sculptor Fernando Estévez. The basilica that can be visited today began to be built in 1959 thanks to the initiative of Bishop Domingo Pérez Cáceres. The Virgin of Candelaria was proclaimed patron saint of the Canary Islands in 1599 by Pope Clement VIII, a title that was later ratified by Pius IX.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria was designed by the Canarian architect Enrique Marrero Regalado and built in 1959. The building stands out for its regionalist style and for combining traditional Canarian elements with religious and Mudéjar influences. One of its most recognisable features is the 45-metre central tower, crowned by a Canarian balcony. Inside, the following elements stand out:

• The 25-metre main dome
• The murals by José Aguiar
• Works by the painter Martín González
• The 18th-century Baroque monstrance
• The 16th-century baptismal font

A visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria allows you to discover both the main religious centre of the Canary Islands and several historical and artistic elements of great value. Inside the basilica, the highlights include:

• The image of the Virgin of Candelaria
• The ceiling inspired by the Mudéjar style
• The religious murals by José Aguiar
• The Christ of Reconciliation
• A Baroque monstrance made in the Canary Islands in the 18th century
• The historic 16th-century baptismal font

In the surrounding area, you can also visit:

• The Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias
• The sculptures of the nine Guanche menceyes
• The Dominican convent
• The Pilgrims’ Fountain
• The Cave of Achbinico, or Cave of San Blas, linked to the ancient Guanches

The usual visiting hours of the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria are: Monday: from 03:00 PM to 07:30 PM Tuesday to Sunday: from 07:30 AM to 07:30 PM Opening hours may vary during religious festivals, special celebrations or important liturgical events, especially in August and February.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria holds Masses and religious services throughout the week, as it is the main Marian sanctuary in the Canary Islands and one of the most important pilgrimage sites on the island. The Mass times at the Basilica of Candelaria in Tenerife may vary depending on the time of year, religious festivals and special celebrations, especially during the festivities of 2 February and 15 August. In addition to the usual Masses, the following are also often held:

• Religious pilgrimages
• Rosaries and liturgical services
• Special celebrations dedicated to the Virgin of Candelaria
• Religious events during the patron saint festivities

To check the latest Mass times, it is best to consult them directly at the basilica itself or through the sanctuary’s official channels before visiting.

The main celebrations of the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria take place on: 2 February, the liturgical feast day of the Virgin of Candelaria 15 August, the date that commemorates her appearance During these dates, thousands of people make pilgrimages to Candelaria from different parts of Tenerife and other islands. The celebrations include processions, religious services, historical re-enactments and popular activities. The August pilgrimage is one of the most important religious events in the Canary Islands.

Yes. The area around the Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria has numerous restaurants, cafés and terraces located beside the seafront promenade and in the streets of the historic centre. In the area, it is common to find:

• Restaurants specialising in fresh fish and seafood
• Traditional Canarian cuisine
• Bars and cafés facing the sea
• Ice cream parlours and terraces in the Plaza de la Patrona de Canarias
• Places offering menus and typical Tenerife tapas

Many visitors take advantage of their visit to the basilica to eat in Candelaria and walk along the seafront avenue. The atmosphere is usually especially lively at weekends and during religious festivals, when the area receives pilgrims and visitors from all over the island.