During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries Puerto de la Cruz attracted an unusual group of visitors. Travellers from Britain and across Europe came to the town not only for its climate but also for inspiration.
Among them were writers, artists and explorers who documented Tenerife’s landscapes, plants and culture. Their work helped introduce the Canary Islands to a wider audience and shaped how the island was described in travel literature.
Several of these visitors left a lasting connection to Puerto de la Cruz, particularly through places such as Sitio Litre Garden, which became a meeting place for travellers and scientists.
Quick Answer
Which writers and artists visited Puerto de la Cruz? Several notable figures visited the town, including the botanical artist Marianne North, the travel writer Olivia Stone and the novelist Agatha Christie.
Marianne North and Botanical Painting
The British botanical artist Marianne North travelled extensively around the world documenting plant life through her paintings. During her visit to Tenerife she spent time in Puerto de la Cruz and painted several works inspired by the island’s plants.
Some of these paintings were created while she stayed at Sitio Litre Garden, which provided a rich collection of tropical plants and botanical subjects.
North’s paintings are now preserved in the Marianne North Gallery at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, where her Tenerife works remain an important record of the island’s plant life in the nineteenth century.
Olivia Stone and Travel Writing
Another important visitor to Tenerife was the British travel writer Olivia Stone.
Her book Tenerife and Its Six Satellites, published in 1887, provides one of the most detailed travel accounts of the Canary Islands from the nineteenth century.
Stone described the landscapes, towns and culture of the islands in remarkable detail, offering modern readers a fascinating glimpse into Tenerife during a period when European travellers were beginning to explore the archipelago more widely.
Her writing helped introduce the Canary Islands to British readers and contributed to the island’s growing reputation as a destination for travellers.
Agatha Christie in Puerto de la Cruz
The famous British novelist Agatha Christie also spent time in Puerto de la Cruz during her travels in 1927.
Her stay in Tenerife came during a period when she sought time away from public attention and travelled through several destinations.
Today the town remembers her connection with Puerto de la Cruz through a bi-annual festival celebrating her life and literary work.
Cultural Visitors to Tenerife
The presence of writers, artists and scientists helped shape Puerto de la Cruz into an early destination for travellers interested in nature, culture and exploration.
Visitors such as Marianne North and Olivia Stone documented the island’s landscapes and plants, while scientists studied its climate and natural history.
These visitors played an important role in shaping how Tenerife was described in travel literature and scientific writing during the nineteenth century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which writers visited Tenerife?
Several writers visited Tenerife including Olivia Stone and Agatha Christie.
Did Agatha Christie visit Puerto de la Cruz?
Yes. Agatha Christie stayed in Puerto de la Cruz during her travels in 1927.
Who was Marianne North?
Marianne North was a British botanical artist who painted plants from around the world, including several works created in Tenerife.
What is Olivia Stone’s book about Tenerife?
Her book Tenerife and Its Six Satellites describes the landscapes, towns and culture of the Canary Islands during the nineteenth century.