Visiting La Palma: What are the best things to see and do in « La Isla de los Muchachos »?
Formerly known as « San Miguel de La Palma », this island in the west of the Canary archipelago is known for its undulating rocky landscapes, punctuated by volcanoes such as the famous Teneguía. The island’s capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is a charming port town whose cobbled streets zigzag between the famous solid-wood balconies of local homes.
The fifth-largest island in the Canaries, both in terms of size and population, it is renowned for its Caldeira de Taburiente National Park, and its breathtaking scenery: covered with immense pine forests, it also features a spectacular crater formation and gigantic waterfalls that delight young and old alike. The island, whose highest point is Roque de les Muchachos at 2426 m, is even recognized as a biosphere reserve by Unesco.
Wondering what to do in La Palma during your stay? Here’s the answer with our 7 must-sees to visit La Palma and take home with you unforgettable memories!
1. Taburiente Caldera National Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Bengt Nyman
One of the most popular points of interest: this gigantic protected park, dotted with hundreds of hiking trails, is an invitation to discover this wild and unspoilt land. With some peaks reaching 2000 metres, you’ll need to be in good physical shape to enjoy the sublime panoramas offered by some of the spots!
Sleep under the stars, shower under the park’s many waterfalls or admire the immense volcanic crater… 8 km wide, right in the heart of the park! If you’re looking to visit La Palma, this place is well worth the detour and will delight lovers of wide open spaces.
soul mate!
Book your excursion to the Taburiente Caldera
2. Roque de los Muchachos
Photo credit: Flickr – Martin Lovekosi
Still full of energy after surveying the Caldeira de Taburiente park? The next step is to climb the 2,426-metre Roque de las Muchachos, the island’s highest peak, not far from the park, where it forms one of the edges.
At the summit, an observatory coupled with an institute for astrophysical studies overlooks the sea of clouds and enjoys a privileged position from which to observe the stars: at certain times of the year, this site normally reserved for scientists opens its doors to ordinary visitors in order to let them discover the exceptional technical facilities housed there: the observatory boasts the largest optical telescope in the world!
3. Playa de los Cancajos
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Frank Vincentz
On the island’s east coast, this beach of black volcanic gravel allows you to admire the power of the Atlantic Ocean’s waves, which, when not raging, allow visitors to bathe in water that, let’s face it, is always rather cool. But the exceptional scenery, the delicious restaurants nearby and the invigorating air are clearly worth the detour and will convince tourists visiting La Palma to come and take a look!
4. Fuencaliente lighthouse
Photo credit: Flickr – Tony Hisgett
The Fuencaliente lighthouse is one of the four lighthouses on this volcanic land, and it’s possible to visit it, which is a very rewarding activity!
Nearby, a memorial dedicated to the Martyrs of Brazil, massacred in the 16th century by a French privateer, illustrates the strategic importance of the Canary Islands throughout their history.
5. Santa Cruz de La Palma Island Museum
Photo credit: Facebook – Visitlapalma_UK
This first-rate cultural site presents, to the delight of visitors, numerous collections of typically Canarian art, as well as handicrafts demonstrating the astonishing know-how of the inhabitants over the centuries, including breathtakingly beautiful fabrics. In addition, the island museum traces the volcanic history that explains the presence of this rocky archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, as well as the history of shipbuilding: the Canary Islands were an essential passageway for sailors linking old Europe to the new America.
6. Maroparque alleys
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Frank Vincentz
Just to the west of Santa Cruz, Maroparque is a lush zoo nestled at the foot of a hill, and this unusual place is an enriching stop-off for young and old alike: rare and sometimes endemic birds twirl in the immense aviaries, and numerous restaurants offer the chance to sample local specialities, including fish dishes typical of this oceanic zone where fish resources abound.
7. Santa Cruz de La Palma
Photo credit: Flickr – Bengt Nyman
Why not explore the cobbled streets and bustling port of the island’s capital? Renowned for its centuries-old architecture,Avenida Maritima is the city’s main quay, running along the seafront, and offers visitors the chance to discover the city’s unbridled charm and the warmth of its people, with their mythical smiles. Numerous museums await you, including the Maritime Museum with a reproduction of Christopher Columbus’s ship, the Santa Maria, or the Muslim-style El Salvador church, the Santo Domingo church… in short, it’s up to you: now you know what to do in La Palma once you’ve arrived in its capital!
How to get to La Palma
While all seven Canary Islands have their own airport, La Palma is one of the few to welcome international flights, particularly those arriving from mainland Spain. It’s therefore easy to land directly on the island, whatever your point of departure, and our partner Ulysse will help you get there by finding you a flight at the best price.
If you want to visit other parts of the archipelago, opt for the ferry ! Several ferries are available to connect the various islands, forming a dense and well-designed network: the ideal way to visit the Canary Islands while enjoying the sea air and an invigorating boat trip.
Last but not least, La Palma boasts a number of car rental agencies which, for a modest fee, will enable you to get around freely without having to rely on buses and cabs, which are not always readily available!
Where to stay in La Palma?
The great thing about visiting La Palma is that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation: you can choose according to your desires and your budget. There are numerous hotels on the island, notably in Los Cancajos, a seaside resort on the east coast, and Puerto de Naos, on the west coast. The capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is not to be outdone, with a fine selection of establishments, which you can compare by consulting the offers on this hotel comparator.
Not only that, but you can also immerse yourself in Canarian culture by renting a room in a finca, those splendid, gleaming white typical houses, now transformed into guest houses. For those who enjoy unforgettable nights under the stars, a handful of campsites offer pitches where you can become one with unspoilt nature.
To give you an idea of the different pied-à-terre in La Palma, go to our article » In which city to stay in La Palma? «
Now you know how to get the most out of your visit to La Palma, and how to make the most of your stay here. But will you be able to decide what to do in La Palma and… would you prefer to visit in winter or summer?
Map of hotels and accommodation – La Palma,es