37th International Bridge Festival in Puerto de la Cruz: Your Island Bridge Escape
The 37th International Bridge Festival (Puerto de la Cruz) is confirmed for March 22–28, 2026 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife (Canary Islands). It will be hosted at Alua Tenerife (formerly Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa). This week-long island bridge festival masterfully pairs serious tournament play with a relaxed Atlantic-island setting, making it ideal for players who desire both competition and a memorable Tenerife escape.
Puerto de la Cruz stands as one of Tenerife’s most iconic resort towns, celebrated for its captivating oceanfront promenades, dramatic volcanic coastline, and convenient access to lush gardens and breathtaking viewpoints. The 37th International Bridge Festival draws a distinctly international crowd to this vibrant northern Tenerife hub, transforming a hotel base into a social, strategic, and highly structured week of duplicate bridge. For travelers, this event naturally fosters a sense of community: you'll encounter familiar faces at breakfast, at the tables, and later during leisurely evening strolls near the sea.
Because it is structured as a festival, rather than a single-day tournament, the experience feels significantly less rushed. You have the flexibility to play, rest, explore, and return for the next session, embodying the true spirit of an island event.
Confirmed Details: Dates, Island, and Venue for 2026
Eurobridge’s official event listing verifies the festival dates as 22/03/2026 to 28/03/2026. The same listing confirms the venue as ALUA TENERIFE (Antes GRAN HOTEL TURQUESA PLAYA), providing visitors with a clear hotel landmark for accommodation planning. Furthermore, it confirms the location as Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife-Canary Islands), a crucial detail for travel logistics, as Tenerife is a large island and Puerto de la Cruz is strategically situated on its north coast.
When mapping your trip, it's worth noting that the north of the island offers a distinct atmosphere compared to the south: you'll find greener landscapes, dramatic seascapes, and often a more local, lived-in feel. This environment is perfectly suited for a week of focused bridge and gentle sightseeing.
Why This Bridge Festival is Travel-Friendly
An island bridge festival truly shines when its setting supports ample downtime between sessions. Puerto de la Cruz is perfectly designed for this. You can easily step away from the bridge tables and quickly discover:
- Waterfront walking routes for refreshing air and a mental reset.
- Charming cafés and relaxed dining options that comfortably fit within an event schedule.
- Scenic day trips, especially if you opt to add extra days before or after the festival week.
Since the festival is hosted within a hotel venue, your practical routine becomes remarkably simple: play in the same base, meet fellow participants organically, and maintain a low-stress experience.
The Significance of the 37th Edition: A Legacy of Bridge
Being the 37th edition indicates that this is a long-running, established event with a history of repeat visitors and a stable position in the international bridge calendar. Such continuity is particularly important for players traveling internationally, as it suggests an experienced organizing structure and a destination that has consistently proven its appeal over time. This also tends to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere where newcomers can feel easily included, given that many attendees participate for both the competitive bridge and the enduring friendships.
Enhance Your Trip: Cultural and Island Experiences Around Puerto de la Cruz
Even if bridge is your primary focus, Tenerife richly rewards curious travelers. Puerto de la Cruz is renowned for its beautiful gardens and stunning coastal scenery, and the north of Tenerife is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a greener, more authentic island vibe. Integrating light cultural experiences around your bridge schedule can significantly enrich your week:
- Plan a brief visit to local gardens and picturesque viewpoints within or near Puerto de la Cruz.
- Dedicate an afternoon to exploring the town’s historic streets and vibrant seafront.
- Savor traditional Canarian cuisine at a local restaurant as a relaxing post-session ritual.
These small island rituals can transform a week of intense competition into a genuinely restorative experience.
Practical Travel Tips for Players and Companions
A bridge festival is often a shared journey, even when only one person is actively playing. For a smoother and more enjoyable Tenerife stay, consider these tips:
- Strongly consider staying close to the official venue to allow for easy walks to sessions, thereby avoiding transport-related stress.
- Keep your sightseeing plans flexible, ensuring you don’t feel rushed between bridge rounds.
- If traveling with a non-playing companion, Puerto de la Cruz offers a variety of engaging daytime options to keep them entertained while you're at the tables.
Because the festival runs from March 22–28, it also perfectly complements extending your trip into the early spring travel season on Tenerife, when the island's climate is comfortably ideal for outdoor activities.
Entry Fees and Pricing: What's Verified
The verified sources utilized for this information confirm the dates and venue, but they do not disclose specific entry fees, session pricing, or package rates for the 2026 festival. Consequently, because pricing information is not stated in the retrieved official listing, it cannot be confirmed in this article. For accurate and up-to-date costs, please consult the official festival website (as listed on the event page) or directly contact the provided organizer email.
Plan Your Tenerife Bridge Week
The 37th International Bridge Festival in Puerto de la Cruz is confirmed for March 22–28, 2026, hosted at Alua Tenerife in northern Tenerife. This offers a rare kind of trip where your mornings can be calm and coastal, your afternoons strategically competitive, and your evenings wonderfully social—all within a single, walkable island setting. If you’ve been searching for a bridge holiday that feels like a true getaway without compromising serious play, Puerto de la Cruz is ready to welcome you for a week of cards, engaging conversation, and indelible Atlantic island charm.
Verified Information at a Glance
Event Overview
Event Name:
- 37th International Bridge Festival Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife-Canary Islands)
Event Category:
- Duplicate bridge tournament / bridge festival
Island/Location:
- Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain (Puerto de la Cruz)
Confirmed Dates (2026):
- March 22–28, 2026
Confirmed Venue:
- Alua Tenerife (formerly Gran Hotel Turquesa Playa)
Official Website (listed):
Organizer Contact (listed):
Pricing:
- Not published in the verified sources retrieved here.
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