This volcanic Canary Island has black sand beaches, pine forests, and a dark sky reserve perfect for stargazing. Its hiking trails wind through 17th-century villages.
La Palma, the northwesternmost Canary Island, rises 2,426 meters above the Atlantic Ocean. You can walk through ancient laurel forests, swim in volcanic pools carved by the Atlantic, and watch the Milky Way from one of Europe's major astronomical observatories. The island's volcanic landscape includes the massive Caldera de Taburiente crater, black sand beaches like Playa de Nogales, and the pine forests of Los Tilos.
Getting to La Palma
La Palma Airport connects directly with major European cities including Madrid, Barcelona, and several destinations in Germany and the Netherlands. Regular ferries run between Santa Cruz de La Palma and other Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife and La Gomera. The island's road network spans 1,200 kilometers, making it easy to explore by rental car despite the winding mountain roads.
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
The Caldera de Taburiente spans eight kilometers in diameter, with deep ravines cutting through pine-covered slopes. Springs create waterfalls throughout the park, and you'll find multiple hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging full-day hikes. Look for rock carvings from the original Auaritas inhabitants along the trails, particularly near the park's water sources.
Astronomy and Stargazing
La Palma's strict light pollution controls and clear skies earned it recognition as the world's first Starlight Reserve. At Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, you can see several international telescopes, including the Gran Telescopio Canarias with its 10.4-meter mirror. Join guided stargazing tours throughout the year, with clearest viewing conditions from June through September.
Beaches and Natural Pools
Volcanic activity shaped La Palma's coastline into unique formations. At Playa de Nogales, black sand stretches beneath 200-meter cliffs, while ancient lava flows created natural swimming pools along the shore. El Charco Azul in San Andrés includes changing rooms and a restaurant overlooking the pools. The clear waters around the island contain barracudas, rays, and numerous tropical fish species.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
In the island's capital, 15th-century buildings line the streets, with carved wooden balconies extending over the sidewalks. Visit the Naval Museum to see maritime artifacts and a replica of Columbus's Santa Maria. The city's market sells fresh fish, almendrados cookies made with local almonds, and bananas grown on the island's terraced hillsides.
Local Food and Wine
Farmers and vintners maintain centuries-old agricultural practices on La Palma. Try local specialties like cabrito (young goat) prepared either fried or stewed, and papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes) with red or green mojo sauce. In Fuencaliente, small family-run wineries produce Malvasia wine from grapes grown in volcanic soil. Many vineyards welcome visitors for tastings and tours.
Hiking Trails
More than 1,000 kilometers of marked trails cross the island. Walk the Ruta de los Volcanes to see the southern volcanic zone's craters and lava flows from eruptions as recent as 2021. The Los Tilos trail takes you through a laurel forest ecosystem that existed across Southern Europe millions of years ago, with trees reaching heights of 40 meters.
