Santa Cruz, the vibrant capital of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is renowned for its contrasting black and white sand beaches and rugged mountainous landscape, making it a favourite destination among holidaymakers. With the end of summer just around the corner in the UK, it won't be long before the sunny days give way to cooler temperatures and frequent heavy showers.

Luckily, a popular Spanish port city provides a much-needed sanctuary for Brits in search of some winter sun. Tenerife boasts warm temperatures all year round, with an average of 24C throughout November and a comfortable 21C well into December, reports the Express. A post-Christmas getaway to this Spanish city could be just the ticket, especially as Santa Cruz plays host to one of the world's largest carnivals every February.

During the carnival season, the streets of Santa Cruz come alive with music, dancing and a riot of colourful costumes.

These events typically draw around 150,000 tourists, contributing to the nearly one million participants who join in the approximately five weeks of celebrations.

Outside of the carnival season, Tenerife offers a more tranquil retreat, providing the perfect opportunity to relax and immerse oneself in the rich cultural history of Santa Cruz.

Nestled close to the city centre is the Palmetum of Tenerife, a vast botanical garden that houses one of the world's largest collections of palm trees, offering stunning views of the island's coastline.

The main beach in Santa Cruz is Las Teresitas, a stretch of golden sand specially crafted using sands imported from the Sahara desert.

In the bustling port of Santa Cruz, one of Spain's busiest, tourists can discover the Auditorio, a contemporary concert hall echoing the design of the Sydney Opera House and crafted to resemble a ship's sails.

Tenerife, already a favoured holiday spot, is frequently serviced by numerous budget airlines, with a flight time just over four hours from the UK.

Santa Cruz city, situated nearest to the North Airport at the island's peak, offers flights from major UK cities for a bargain price of as little as £36 during the winter season, according to Skyscanner.