TRAVEL TO LA PALMA: THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF THE CANARY ISLANDS: GUIDE AND ESSENTIAL PLACES TO VISIT
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”
(Albert Einstein)
The Island of La Palma, known as “the Beautiful Island“, was a strategic stopover for centuries in the navigation of discoverers such as Columbus to the ports of the New World.
Its adjective of “the beautiful island” is not in vain: La Isla de la Palma has corners full of charm and beauty: amazing volcanic landscapes, prehistoric forests, lush waterfalls, dramatic ravines and lonely wild beaches. For all these reasons Isla Bonita was named a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002 and in this guide we tell you 10 good reasons to travel to La Palma, we provide you with practical information to organize a trip on your own to La Palma and fall in love with La Isla Bonita.
WHAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND IN THE CANARY ISLANDS? 10 REASONS TO TRAVEL TO LA PALMA IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
We do not know how to answer that question, because we are in love with the Canary Islands and in all of them we find some tourist attraction that differentiates them from the others. But what we are sure of is that the Island of La Palma is one of the most beautiful and for that reason, we are going to give you 10 reasons to travel to La Palma, also known as the Isla Bonita of the Canary Islands.
WHAT TO SEE IN LA PALMA: TOURISM PLANS IN LA PALMA, (CANARY ISLANDS)
THE 3 MOST POPULAR ACTIVITIES IN LA PALMA:
- Cumbre Vieja Volcano Hiking:
- Private tour of La Palma:
- Hiking through the Caldera de Taburiente:
These are our 10 reasons to travel to La Palma, the Isla Bonita
1BECAUSE WHEN TRAVELING TO LA PALMA YOU WILL CONNECT WITH THE NATURE OF ISLA BONITA
On the Island of La Palma, the greenest and most tropical of the Canary Islands, on a three-week drive tour, we were able to explore all the natural wonders that Isla Bonita offered us:
Explore the prehistoric jungles of the Island of La Palma: Los Tilos and the Cubo de la Galga
In the northeastern region, the greenest, wettest and most tropical of the island, we enjoy the primitive forests of the Tilos and the Cubo de la Galga, humid forests populated by giant ferns and the protected laurel forest, endemic to the Canary Islands.
The area offers excellent options for hiking on La Palma, even with small children. In that sense the island of La Palma, like other Canary Islands, is perfect for traveling with children.
The primeval forest is located in the municipality of San Andrés y los Sauces, surrounded by a natural heritage of exceptional value. Natural landscapes fall in love at first sight.
It is a perfect place to travel and connect with the nature of La Palma, with the silence, with the greenery of the primitive forests where you can observe the laurel forest, in one of the few world strongholds that are preserved intact and that you can observe when traveling to La Palma.
It is the ideal setting to open your lungs and oxygenate with the perfume of tropical flowers and laurel forest, in a quiet and harmless jungle, with excellent self-guided trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls to visit in La Palma, such as Barranco del Agua. Some of them, of greater difficulty, flow into the springs of Marcos and Cordero.
Hiking through the Caldera de Taburiente, the sleeping volcano of La Palma: A must when traveling to La Palma
Climbing the alpine road by car, until you reach the points where we made the hiking trails, was a spectacle in itself. There are many routes, depending on the levels of difficulty and the physical form of each one (more information: in Turismo La Palma).
Climb the Roque de los Muchachos and feel the clouds at your feet: A magical experience that you will live on a trip to La Palma
One of the most popular routes of La Palma is the Route of the Mirador del Roque de los Muchachos that offers one of the best panoramic views over the gigantic Caldera de Taburiente, along with the Mirador de los Andenes, where you feel the sensation of floating on the void, while watching the cascade of clouds flow over the caldera of the sleeping volcano: A natural, unique and magical spectacle.
Be amazed at the Cascada de Colores de la Palma
From the Mirador del Roque de los Muchachos (highlight of the island with 2,426 meters) you can also see almost entirely the bed of the Barranco de las Angustias, a fascinating place to descend and travel until you reach its striking Cascade of Colors.
Requesting permission in advance (you can do it from here), it is possible to spend the night in camping areas established for this purpose, and attend at night, as privileged spectators, the magnificent spectacle of stargazing on the island of La Palma.
If you prefer to make the excursions and hiking trails around the Island of La Palma that we have told you with an expert guide, do not miss our recommendations. They also organize marine excursions to spot cetaceans in the wild.
- Whale and dolphin watching in La Palma
- Hiking through the Caldera de Taburiente
2. BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO LA PALMA YOU WILL FEEL THE EARTH UNDER YOUR FEET
Another place to see on the island of La Palma are its amazing volcanoes. The Route of the Volcanoes It allows us to know the history of the eruptions of the Island of La Palma from the municipality of Fuencaliente, south of the Canary Island.
- The volcano of San Antonio is one of the protagonists of the route, where you can take a path that takes us directly to the crater of the volcano.
- From there we were able to walk the path that borders the entire volcano and observe, from one of its viewpoints, the remains of the last eruption of 1971 of the Teneguía volcano: The last eruption of a volcano recorded in Spain, until the recent eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in September 2021.
3. BECAUSE ON THE ISLAND OF LA PALMA YOU WILL HAVE BEACHES TO YOURSELF
The Canary Island of La Palma has beautiful beaches (including some of thebest beaches in the Canary Islands) of black sand, perfectly adapted for family tourism and rest, such as:
- The beach of Tazarcote, on whose beach the first landing of the Spaniards took place in 1492
- La Zamora beach, a destination to listen to the crunch of the sand at every step
- Other places of great beauty are the natural pools, such as those of Charco Azul
And others, completely wild, whose access becomes an adventure. We refer to Nogales Beach, in the north of Isla Bonita.
We go down a nice path that hangs from a cliff at the edge of the sea. On the walls of the cliff, especially in its final stretch, you can see the layers of solidified lava of different colors, which reminded us that we are on an island of volcanic origin, and that reminded us of some formations and lava caves that we had already known on our trip to the Canary Island of Lanzarote.
Once we reached the beach, we were surprised by its fine bright black sand, surrounded by challenging cliffs, on which when it rains, improvised and beautiful waterfalls are formed: a dangerous beach, but fascinating … A place to get lost… and perhaps, meet.
4BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO LA PALMA YOU WILL ENJOY THE CLEANEST SKIES IN THE WORLD
In the Roque de los Muchachos you can also visit the Astrophysical Observatory of La Palma, located, it is said, in one of the cleanest skies in the world. The road is not easy, but the views, as you ascend through the caldera of the volcano, are infarct and well worth it.
TRAVEL TIP: STARGAZING TOUR IN LA PALMA: There is also the possibility of doing a tour of observation of stars and planets with large professional telescopes, a very interesting activity to enjoy the skies of La Palma. If you are interested in this activity, you can find all the information and make reservations here: Stellar tour in La Palma.
Once up, this spectacle is sublime: with aerial panoramas, you will observe how a blanket of clouds literally extends at your feet, creating a unique and indescribable sensation.
On clear days it is possible to admire the peak of the Teide volcano (Tenerife Island): The third highest volcanic structure on the planet and the highest elevation in Spain.
5 BECAUSE DURING A TRIP TO LA PALMA YOU WILL WITNESS A UNIQUE SPECTACLE OF NATURE: THE SEA OF CLOUDS
There are few places in the world where you can admire this natural spectacle and the Island of La Palma is one of them. Undoubtedly, the sea of clouds is a phenomenon that leaves you breathless.
On Isla Bonita you can see how the clouds, as if it were a sea of waves, descend slowly down the slope of Cumbre Nueva, from the north slope to the southern slope, disintegrating as they descend.
Travel Tip: Do not forget to do what we call: “a route through the clouds”: which runs through El Roque de los Muchachos, the Degollada de los Franceses, the Mirador de los Andenes and the Astrophysical Observatory. Simply, a wonderful route that you should not miss when traveling to La Palma.
6BECAUSE THE ISLAND OF LA PALMA IS A DESTINATION ADAPTED TO ANY TYPE OF TRAVELER
Any traveler can enjoy the benefits when traveling to the Island of La Palma: travelers with children, lovers of nature and hiking, rural tourism, surfers hunting for waves. Isla Bonita offers corners for all types of travelers and tastes.
7.BECAUSE ON A HOLIDAY TO THE ISLAND OF LA PALMA YOU CAN DO MULTIPLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Hiking, adventure sports, cycling, water sports and diving. If you like outdoor activities and enjoy nature, when traveling to the island of La Palma, you can spend a perfect holiday with family, as a couple, or with friends.
8 BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO LA PALMA YOU WILL ENJOY EXCELLENT GASTRONOMY
The gastronomy of the island of La Palma is as varied as its landscapes. Personally, we stayed with the kid-based dishes, their roasted cheese and their potatoes with red, spicy, and delicious mojo.
All of them seasoned with their rich wines, such as the famous Malvasía and the rich palmeros bananas, which can not be missing from the table.
9 BECAUSE ISLA BONITA IS AN AFFORDABLE ISLAND FOR ALL BUDGETS
Isla Bonita is very economical, perfect for tighter pockets. A stay in the rural houses of La Palma can be a very beautiful, authentic and economical experience, for a quiet and relaxed holiday on this beautiful island of the Canary Islands.
10.BECAUSE ON ISLA BONITA YOU WILL OPEN YOUR SENSES
A trip to the Island of La Palma in the Canary Islands is an experience to awaken your senses: incredible landscapes without crowds; the silences of open, clean, solitary and unpolluted spaces…
Abrupt volcanic routes that leave you with your mouth open; the smell of greenery of the forests and leaf litter; The flow of water from streams and waterfalls, corners that are small paradises, which amaze the senses …
- The most comfortable way and with a direct flight from several points in Spain, is through the company Iberia Express, on a journey of about 3 hours to Santa Cruz de La Palma.
- Another option is to go to Tenerife, and from there make a flight Tenerife-La Palma, or travel by boat or ferry to La Palma from Tenerife. Iberia usually offers good off-season deals. You can find the different flight options, from this search portal for cheap flights to La Palma (click on the link).
Where to stay in La Palma?
In the time we were touring La Isla Bonita, we stayed in different places. We wanted to experience different places and environments, so our chosen accommodations were as follows:
- We stayed in rural apartments, called “La Hacienda San Jorge“, (click on the name for more information): Abeautiful accommodation of traditional Canarian architecture, surrounded by tropical garden paths.
- At the end of our trip to La Palma we wanted to pay homage and stayed at an all-inclusive resort, called La Palma & Teneguia Princess in the municipality of Fuencaliente, south of Isla Bonita. It is a spectacular hotel, with numerous swimming pools and restaurants, located on the slopes of a volcano and with breathtaking views over the sea. Click the link for more details.
- In addition, in case you are interested, we inform you that you can benefit from discounts of up to 15% on accommodations from here, courtesy of Booking.
How to get around and tour the island of La Palma?
- The rental car is the most comfortable way to tour Isla Bonita at your own pace and without schedules.
- We booked our rental car in the following search engine, we like it because it is a comparator of offers and you can always find very good prices without franchises and free cancellation, in the best car rental companies in La Palma.
- In addition to being our reader you benefit from rates with special discounts if you book from here: Car rental in La Palma with AUTO EUROPE.
La Palma, the beautiful island, the greenest and most tropical of the Canary Islands, is a perfect island for a holiday, to connect with nature, with tranquility and with exceptional landscapes… You will be surprised.
Happy travels.
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