Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre

Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre is one of the most important museums in the Canary Islands, located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It brings together two exhibitions under one roof: the natural history of the archipelago and the archaeology of the islands' original inhabitants, the Guanches.

Where is the museum located?

The building sits on Calle Fuente Morales, close to the city centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and a short walk from Plaza de España and the harbour area. It occupies the former civil hospital of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, a neoclassical 18th-century building later converted for museum use. The site is run today by the Cabildo de Tenerife through its autonomous museums body, the Organismo Autónomo de Museos y Centros.

What will you see inside?

The exhibition is split into two large sections, which give the museum its name.

The nature section covers the volcanic geology of the archipelago, including how Tenerife and its neighbouring islands were formed, along with the unique endemic flora and fauna found only in the Canaries. Expect displays on the laurel forest (laurisilva), plus birds, fish, and invertebrates specific to the region.

The human section is the heart of the museum and its most visited part. It houses a collection of Guanche mummies, belonging to the original inhabitants of Tenerife who lived on the island before the Castilian conquest in the 15th century. The Guanches mummified their dead using a technique of their own, relying on herbs and the dry volcanic climate rather than the methods used in ancient Egypt. Alongside the mummies, you'll find pottery, tools, clothing fragments, and everyday objects recovered from archaeological sites across the island.

How long does a visit take?

Seeing both sections thoroughly usually takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours if you read the exhibit descriptions carefully. The museum works well for families — the nature section in particular is a good primer on the island's volcanic geography before heading out to somewhere like Teide National Park.

How do you get there?

The museum is within easy walking distance of downtown Santa Cruz de Tenerife — roughly a 10 to 15-minute walk from Plaza de España. Nearby tram stops on the Tranvía de Tenerife connect the capital with La Laguna, making public transport a convenient option. Visitors coming from elsewhere on the island can take a TITSA bus into the city centre and walk the rest of the way.

When is the best time to visit?

The museum is open year-round, and since most of the exhibition is indoors, it's a solid choice for rainy days or when it's too hot for the beach. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, with fewer tour groups moving through the galleries.

Frequently asked questions

Are the exhibit descriptions available in English? Yes, most information panels and object descriptions are bilingual, in Spanish and English, which makes the visit easy to follow for international visitors.

Is this the same museum as MUNA? Yes. The Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre was later renamed Museo de la Naturaleza y Arqueología (MUNA), though many locals and guides still refer to it by its older name when describing the same institution and building.

Is it a good place to visit with children? Yes, the nature section with its volcano models and wildlife displays appeals to younger visitors, while the Guanche mummies tend to spark strong interest among older children and teenagers.

Do you need to book tickets online in advance? During busier tourist periods it's worth checking current opening hours and any online booking options, but in practice tickets can usually be bought on site at the entrance.