What to see and do in La Palma
The Beautiful Island
A guide to La Palma with 32 hand-picked places. Each one with how to get there, useful tips and any permits you need.
- Nature & scenery (12)
- Adventure & sport (4)
- Camping & vans (2)
- Towns, heritage & food (10)
- Nightlife (1)
- Fiestas & tradition (3)
Upcoming events in La Palma
Nature & scenery
Viewpoint
Roque de los Muchachos
Garafía, La Palma
The island’s highest point, above the Caldera de Taburiente and the sea of clouds. At sunset and at night, breathtaking.
📷 Best light: at night
⚠️ The road may close due to snow or ice in winter.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Mirador de El Time
Tijarafe, La Palma
A view over the Aridane valley and the mouth of the Angustias ravine, with the sea and banana groves below.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Beach & cove
Playa de Nogales
Puntallana, La Palma
Black sand beneath a green cliff, reached by a stairway. One of the island’s most beautiful beaches.
⚠️ Strong currents: better enjoyed from the shore.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Playa de Puerto Naos
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
The west coast’s big black-sand beach, with a promenade and the island’s best sunsets.
⚠️ After the 2021 eruption the area had access restrictions: check the current status before you go.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Charco Verde
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
A small, sheltered black-sand beach with calm water on the west coast.
⚠️ Check for access restrictions in the area affected by the 2021 eruption.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Playa de Tazacorte
Tazacorte, La Palma
A black-sand beach by the harbour, with a promenade and fish restaurants. Village atmosphere.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Playa de La Zamora
Fuencaliente, La Palma
A black-sand cove between cliffs and banana groves, with a rock in the water. Reached by steps.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Rock pool
Charco Azul
San Andrés y Sauces, La Palma
Natural pools among volcanic rock on the north-east coast. Clean water, calm and a village feel.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
La Fajana rock pools
Barlovento, La Palma
Seawater pools at the foot of the northern cliffs, with waves crashing right beside them.
⚠️ Check sea conditions before swimming.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Photo spot
La Cumbrecita viewpoint
El Paso, La Palma
A balcony looking into the Caldera de Taburiente, with walls over a thousand metres high.
📷 Best light: at sunrise
⚠️ Car access requires a prior parking booking.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Fuencaliente salt flats
Fuencaliente, La Palma
White salt pans among black lava, with two lighthouses and the sea behind. One of the island’s best sunsets.
📷 Best light: at sunset
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Tajogaite volcano
El Paso · Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
The newest volcano in the Canaries (2021). A striking new landscape to visit with respect.
📷 Best light: at sunset
⚠️ Only via authorised routes and viewpoints; some visits are guided. Check before you go.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Adventure & sport
Hiking trail
Los Tilos forest
San Andrés y Sauces, La Palma
Fairy-tale laurel forest at the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. Trails lead to the Marcos y Cordero springs, with tunnels and waterfalls.
⚠️ For the springs, bring a torch and a raincoat.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Volcano Route
El Paso · Fuencaliente, La Palma
A ridge traverse between craters and pine forests, one of the finest in the Canaries. Long and demanding: plan your transport.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Sport
Paragliding over Puerto Naos
Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
Tandem flights over the Aridane valley, landing by the sea. Views of the volcano and the coast.
⚠️ Always fly with licensed companies and pilots.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Snorkelling
Playa de Los Cancajos
Breña Baja, La Palma
Black-sand coves sheltered by breakwaters, with volcanic seabeds full of life.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Camping & vans
Campsite
Caldera de Taburiente campsite
El Paso, La Palma
Sleep inside a National Park, surrounded by thousand-metre walls. You arrive after a walk of about 6 km.
Directions: From the nearest point reachable by car it’s about 6 km on foot. Collect your permit in El Paso first.
⚠️ Mandatory National Park booking. Groups of up to 10.
📝 Permit or advance booking required: apply here.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
El Pilar campsite
El Paso, La Palma
Pine forest on the ridge, the start of the Volcano Route. Tables, barbecues and starry skies.
⚠️ Prior permit from the island council (Cabildo) required.
📝 Permit or advance booking required: apply here.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Towns, heritage & food
Charming town
Tazacorte
Tazacorte, La Palma
A town of banana plantations and colourful houses, with a fishing harbour and a quiet old town.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
San Andrés
San Andrés y Sauces, La Palma
One of the island’s prettiest villages: cobbled streets, an old church and the sea beside it.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Santo Domingo de Garafía
Garafía, La Palma
A remote north-western village above the cliffs, where time seems to slow down.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Heritage & museums
Santa Cruz de La Palma old town
Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma
Calle Real, Plaza de España, Renaissance mansions and the famous colourful balconies on the seafront.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Barco de la Virgen – Naval Museum
Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma
A replica of one of Columbus’s caravels in the middle of town, housing the island’s naval museum.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Royal Sanctuary of Las Nieves
Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma
The sanctuary of La Palma’s patron saint in the hills above the capital. Starting point of the Bajada.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Belmaco cave
Villa de Mazo, La Palma
A cave once inhabited by the ancient Benahoarites, with spiral rock carvings and a small visitor centre.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
La Zarza & La Zarcita Cultural Park
Garafía, La Palma
A trail through laurel forest to panels of Benahoarite rock carvings, with an interpretation centre.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Local flavours
Fuencaliente Malvasía wines
Fuencaliente, La Palma
Vineyards on volcanic ash in the south of the island. Visit the wineries and try the sweet Malvasía.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
La Palma cigars
Breña Alta, La Palma
A tradition brought back from Cuba by returning emigrants: workshops where cigars are hand-rolled.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Nightlife
Nightlife
Laid-back nights on La Palma
Santa Cruz de La Palma · Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma
Nights here are about bars, terraces and live music in Santa Cruz and Los Llanos. The big parties are at each village’s fiestas.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Fiestas & tradition
Patron saint fiesta
Feast of Our Lady of the Snows
Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma
The feast of La Palma’s patron saint. Every five years comes the Bajada de la Virgen, with the famous Dance of the Dwarves.
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Cultural event
Los Indianos
Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma
White linen, hats, Cuban son and clouds of talcum powder. A party remembering those who emigrated to Cuba and came back.
📅 Carnival Monday (February or March)
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Transvulcania
Island-wide, La Palma
A world-famous mountain race along the Volcano Route and up to Roque de los Muchachos.
📅 Usually held in May
📍 How to get there: By car By bus (guagua) On foot
Opening hours, access and permits can change: always check official sources before you go and respect natural areas.
Other islands
- Tenerife61 places · From Teide to Anaga
- Gran Canaria118 places · A continent in miniature
- Lanzarote44 places · Land of volcanoes
- Fuerteventura34 places · Dunes and wind
- La Gomera28 places · Forests and ravines
- El Hierro25 places · The meridian island
- La Graciosa11 places · The eighth island