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Known as La Isla Bonita (the pretty island)
A hiker's paradise
Year-round sunshine
Over 100 miles of coast
Puerto Naos – the largest beach on the island, with fine black sand, palm trees, parasols, a promenade bursting with bars and cafés, and a Blue Flag status. A top Canary Island day out.
Puerto de Tazacorte – a family-friendly beach with calm waters and local facilities where you can grab a bite to eat
Bajamar – this 700m stretch of beach is popular with swimmers, and if you're an early riser then you're in for one hell of a sunrise over the coast!
Echentive – this small coastal spot offers a bit of peace and quiet, located at the foot of the Teneguia volcano with hot springs and natural pools to dip into
Los Cancajos – a bay with fantastic scuba diving opportunities, and calm waters all year round thanks to the volcanic breakwaters sheltering the shore
La Palma & Teneguia Princess - home to seven pools, a pizzeria and a kids' club - need we say more? Oh, and it's located in the cliffside overlooking the seafront.
Hotel Las Olas - a stylish four-star apartment complex with sea views and a choice of pools to dip into
La Palma Romántica - a charming family-friendly hotel with an outdoor pool and tennis court
H10 Taburiente Playa - with a beachfront location, a choice of pools, a snack bar and a playground for the younger guests, this one's a great all-rounder
Hacienda San Jorge - comfortable apartments set among scenic gardens, with outdoor swimming pools and a panoramic buffet restaurant on site
With year-round mild weather, La Palma is a great holiday destination any time of the year. Summer months of June to September see the hottest temperatures with August averages sitting around 24°C whilst winter months can expect averages of around 18°C.
It takes around 4.5 hours to fly to La Palma from the UK.
There is no time difference between La Palma and the UK.
The official currency used in La Palma is the Euro.
The official language spoken in La Palma is Spanish.
Officially declared as the first Starlight Reserve in the world in 2012, La Palma has strict light pollution laws making it the perfect place to marvel at the night sky. Whether you visit one of the many observatories and discover the night sky in depth or simply take a wander down to the coast and look up, you’re sure to be captivated by the gorgeous La Palma skies.
Surrounded by warm rocks, these natural pools are calmer and more relaxing than a swim in the open sea. The water is crystal clear and there’s also plenty of facilities such as toilets and a small cafe to keep you going all day. We recommend trying the Charco Azul area which is a series of natural pools including a shallow pool perfect for children and a small waterfall.
A colourful town centre with flower balconies, cobbled streets and gorgeous architecture, Santa Cruz de la Palma is the perfect holiday destination for those who want to explore a traditional town. Think picture-perfect squares, cosy cafes and tons of things to see and do.
Make a splash on your family holiday at the natural pools of La Fajana! If your little ones love exploring the waters, then this small collection of natural rock carved pools and coastal paths that perch on the edge of Barlovento’s open coastlines are sure to be a hit. Watch on as the kids explore the wavy, crystal-clear waters and take in the incredible vast open ocean views. For a fun family day out we’d also recommend climbing aboard one of La Palma’s many whale and dolphin spotting tours. Set sail from the port of Tazacorte, where you’ll be whisked off to some of the islands best viewpoints for dolphin and whale spotting, stop off at a swimming spot and enjoy refreshing drinks throughout the day. It’s something the whole family can enjoy together.
Prefer to stay put on the shores? No problem. Puerto Naos is one of the islands most popular tourist resorts, so you can hit the sands for some relaxing beach action. Kick back with a good book, tuck into a tasty lunch or fly-high on a paragliding trip – we’re sure you’ll fall in love with this black-sand pick.
We think the romantic Canaries are a perfect match for a couples holiday, and La Palma is no exception. As the sun sets here over these magical lands, the skies are clearer than you normally might find, with strict laws on light pollution across the island, it's famed worldwide as one of the best stargazing spots you can find. So grab your loved one and head off into the night to wonder at the twinkling stars that light up the night sky. We’d recommend heading over to the Roque de Los Muchachos observatories, high up above the seashores, where you can look up in awe at the display above. There’s also a guided tour you can take to discover even more about the cosmos and get let in on the best star-spotting places the island has to offer.
If you and your loved one love exploring, then a trip to La Palma wouldn’t quite be complete without visiting the San Antonio volcano. Take a walk along the volcanic crater and admire the incredible panoramic views, there’s also a visitors centre here so you can learn about the science and history of this natural wonder.
The charming Santa Cruz town comes highly on our list of top La Palma attractions. Discover the Canary culture in all its glory with a wander down this fairy-tale town’s narrow cobbled streets, daintily decorated brick tiled roofs and bright coloured wooden shutters. Be sure to stroll by the Balcones de la avenida Maritima, where you’ll see a row of florally embellished balconies painted in beautiful bright aqua blues and magical bright yellows – it’s not one to miss if you find yourself around this part of town.
We’d also recommend stepping back in time with a wander through the old town, where you can browse historical buildings, well-preserved churches and cosy cafes. Take your pick from plenty of local bars and restaurants where you can tuck into mouth-watering traditional cuisine or treat yourself to a refreshing jug of sangria to end the day.
Adventurers will feel right at home in the natural settings of La Palma, with its evergreen natural settings like the Los Tilos Forest, where you’ll find crashing waterfalls, fresh smelling leaves and soaring pine trees. Take a trek through these almighty trees and discover vibrantly coloured lizards, tropical boards and fascinating fish as you go – this amazing experience will open your eyes to the amazing animals of La Palma.
If you love getting active and exploring the surroundings then a trip to the Roque de Los Muchachos is a must. Prepare for the highlight of your holiday, as the views from this towering point of La Palma are guaranteed to take your breath away and you might even catch a glimpse of Tenerife if you’re lucky!
Fancy yourself a sun-soaked Canary Island escape? Check out our top All Inclusive holidays in the Canaries!
From unique traditions to lively carnivals, there are all kinds of events in La Palma to keep on your radar:
Almond Blossom Festival (February) - a Caribbean style carnival which takes place in the north western part of the island
Carnival Los Indianos (February/March) - this carnival celebrates the return of islanders from the West Indies, and is sometimes nicknamed 'The White Party,' because it involves participants dressing head-to-toe in white and engaging in dancing and talcum powder fighting(!!) to the sound of Cuban music
Descent of Our Lady of the Snows (July - August) - this only happens every five years so you might have to time it right, but it's more than worth it if you want to immerse yourself in a traditional festival (one that's been carried on for over 300 years!), where a shrine to 'the Lady of the Snows' is carried through the streets
Hiking festival (various dates) - make the most of the Canarian landscapes with three days of guided tours across the island
Nightlife in La Palma is relatively low-key, but that doesn't mean you can't still find somewhere to have a good time. From cosy cocktails to beachfront bars, there are plenty of places to check out for a night on the town.
Bar Utopía - the place to be for cocktails, with the cosiest terrace area where you can unwind
La Garza - a place to enjoy Spanish food as well as local wine and beer - what better way to spend the evening?
Bar La Papirusa - a quaint little seafront bar perfect for an evening tipple
Beach Bar Puerto Naos - a popular spot to drink cocktails and admire the sunset
Food in La Palma is traditional of the Canaries, with plenty of fresh seafood, tapas dishes and hearty soups to go at. Why not give these a try:
Papas arrugadas with mojos sauce - you know the drill by now, if you're staying anywhere in the Canaries, these crispy, wrinkled potatoes with a side of red pepper mojos sauce are an absolute staple
Sancocho canario - salted fish (usually sea bass), boiled with sweet potato and served with spicy mojos sauce
Queso palmero - the island's award-winning smoky goat's cheese - can be enjoyed fresh or grilled
Sopa de Picadillo - a chicken soup with boiled eggs, croutons and fresh mint
Carne en Salsa - a Palmerian style goulash, usually made with stewed pork
Vinos de Tea - La Palma is a winegrowing zone, so you'll have your pick of the good stuff, but this particular tipple comes from Tinta Negra Mole grapes which are aged in pine barrels for a unique flavour
There is currently no tourist tax in La Palma.
We are currently closely following the COVID-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Spain on the FCDO website.
Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.
British Passport holders don’t need a visa to visit La Palma for less than 90 days. Holders of other passports are advised to check with their national embassy for any visa requirements.