This circular Canary island has ancient laurel forests, black sand beaches, and a unique whistling language. Visit mountain villages, taste palm honey, and hike volcanic peaks.
La Gomera, a small circular island in Spain's Canary archipelago, rises from the Atlantic Ocean with volcanic peaks reaching 1,487 meters. Walk through ancient laurel trees in Garajonay National Park, swim at the black sand beach of Valle Gran Rey, or watch fishermen bring in their catch at Playa de Santiago. In mountain villages like Hermigua, you might hear locals communicate using Silbo Gomero - an ancient whistling language that carries across valleys. Stop at local restaurants to try palm honey harvested from Canary Island date palms or sample almogrote, a strong cheese spread made with local ingredients.
Walking Through Garajonay National Park
The laurel forest covers the central part of La Gomera, with trails winding through dense vegetation and frequent fog. You can choose from several marked paths, such as the circular El Cedro route (4 hours) or the shorter Los Roques viewpoint trail (1 hour). The forest contains species that disappeared from Europe millions of years ago during the ice age, making it a living fossil of subtropical vegetation. When you reach Alto de Garajonay at 1,487 meters, look for the peaks of Tenerife and La Palma on clear days.
Exploring Coastal Villages
San Sebastián's whitewashed buildings line the eastern coast, with narrow streets leading to Plaza de Las Américas and Plaza de la Constitución, where locals gather at cafes each evening. In Valle Gran Rey, fishing boats fill the harbor next to a long black sand beach, while banana plantations and palm trees grow on the terraced hills above. The northern village of Agulo sits against a cliff face, with 19th-century stone houses featuring wooden balconies overlooking the Atlantic.
Local Food and Agriculture
Farmers cultivate small terraced fields on 60-degree slopes, growing bananas, avocados, and mangoes. During winter harvest, each Canary Island date palm produces about 4-5 liters of sap daily, which becomes palm honey. On the southern slopes, winemakers grow forastera grapes in volcanic soil, creating wines with distinct mineral notes. Try almogrote, a spread made from aged cheese, olive oil, and red peppers, which you'll find in restaurants throughout the island.
Getting Around La Gomera
Mountain roads connect coastal settlements to inland villages through switchbacks and steep climbs. You can rent a car from agencies in San Sebastián or Playa Santiago - most provide small SUVs suitable for the terrain. Public buses run between major towns with 4-5 daily connections, though weekend services are limited. Ferries depart from San Sebastián to Los Cristianos, Tenerife every two hours from 7 AM to 7 PM. The airport near Playa Santiago handles daily flights to Tenerife North and three weekly connections to Gran Canaria.
