La Palma is unlike any of the other Canary Islands, with an incredible geological diversity. Here’s our guide to the best things to do in La Palma, including the best hikes, viewpoints and cultural activities.
La Palma is known as La Isla Bonita, the Beautiful Island, and it’s easy to see why.
On this small, steep island, you can be walking above the clouds in the morning, then strolling through a lush rainforest in the afternoon. Cross the lava field created by a recent eruption, then stargaze beneath some of the darkest skies in Europe.
The whole island was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to the exceptional biodiversity and the long-standing tradition of sustainable land use by its population.
While outdoor activities are probably the main drawcard, there are plenty of other things to do in La Palma. Stroll the colourful streets of the capital, try the local volcanic wines, go whale watching or visit the traditional salt pans.
This guide covers everything you need to know for your visit to La Palma, plus a map and practical tips for planning your trip.
La Palma Map
La Palma is the greenest of the Canary Islands, with dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush laurel forests, and black-sand beaches. This map highlights the island’s top places to visit, which we have covered in this guide.
Click on the top right corner to open our map in your Google Maps app. Click the star next to the title to save it to your Google account.
Central Mountains & National Parks
1. Hike to Roque de los Muchachos
At 2,426m, Roque de los Muchachos is the highest point of La Palma and one of the most impressive viewpoints on the island.
If you’re not into hiking, this is a great one for you because you can drive all the way up to the summit.
The drive takes you through the pine forests before emerging, often above the cloud layer created by the northeast trade winds. From here, you’re looking down on a sea of clouds while the highest peaks remain in sunshine.
You can park close to the summit and follow a series of short, well-maintained walking trails along the ridge. These are great because they give you a slightly different perspective of the ridges.
From the summit, you are looking down into the massive Caldera de Taburiente with excellent views across the Atlantic.
The best times to visit are sunrise and sunset; however, unless you have your own car, you’ll probably need to join a guided tour. This bus tour visits many of the best viewpoints on La Palma with various pick-up points across the island.
Star Gazing –Roque de los Muchachos is one of the best places for stargazing in La Palma (we have more about this below). This stargazing tour with local wine is a great way to experience La Palma’s dreamy skies.
2. Visit the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory & Visitor Centre
La Palma is a Starlight Reserve, recognised for its exceptionally dark skies and outstanding conditions for astronomical observation.
The Roque de los Muchachos Observatory is one of the top astronomical research centres in the world.
The combination of high altitude, stable air and low levels of light pollution has made La Palma one of the best places for observing the night sky, and the island has been recognised as a UNESCO Starlight Reserve.
A great way to experience it is on a tour of the observatory at Roque de los Muchachos. They explain all the telescopes (of which there are many), the discoveries made on the island and why La Palma is so perfect for stargazing.
Tours are conducted by specialised guides, and we recommend booking with AsterArk. Keep in mind the observatory can only be visited during the day, so this is not a stargazing tour.
The visitor centre has interactive exhibits about space exploration and the discoveries found at La Palma.
Once darkness falls, the surrounding mountains are some of the best places for stargazing on La Palma. Apart from the viewpoint (as mentioned above), you could go to Llano del Jable or join a guided tour with telescopes and commentary.
3. Explore Caldera de Taburiente National Park
Just east of Los Llanos de Aridane, Caldera de Taburiente National Park is a vast volcanic crater at the heart of the island. Around 8 kilometres wide, the caldera has been shaped over millions of years from volcanic activity and erosion.
The result is a dramatic landscape of deep ravines, waterfalls and pine forests.
This is where you’ll find some of the best hiking in La Palma. There are routes ranging from short walks to full-day hikes.
The main long-distance route is the PR LP 13, a 27-kilometre trail around the caldera, which requires a good level of fitness and a full day to complete.
A great way to experience the park is to drive to Barranco de las Angustias, get a taxi to Los Brecitos viewpoint, then hike downhill through the Caldera de Taburiente, finishing back at Barranco de las Angustias.
For an even easier introduction to the park, Mirador de La Cumbrecita has some of the best views with hardly any walking.
We visited La Palma with Jet2Holidays, which has plenty of hiking destinations. Have a look at the list of walking holidays with Jet2Holidays for some inspiration.
4. Admire the Views from Mirador de la Cumbrecita
Located within the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, Mirador de La Cumbrecita is one of La Palma’s most impressive viewpoints.
From the mountain pass, a sweeping panorama opens across the volcanic crater, with steep forest-covered slopes rising from the valley below.
The viewpoint is easily accessible by road (see the above map for the location), so it’s perfect if you want a taste of La Palma’s dramatic scenery without hiking.
There is only a small car park, so reservations are often required during busy periods. You can book parking in advance if you are arriving between 8:30 am and 4 pm during peak periods. You’ll only need around 1 hour if you’re just visiting the viewpoint.
North & East: Ancient Forests, Towns & Coast
5. Visit los Tilos Forest & Waterfall
Just inland from San Andrés y Sauces, Los Tilos Forest is one of the best places to experience the island’s ancient landscapes. The UNESCO-listed laurel forest is a remnant of the subtropical forest that once covered most of southern Europe and North Africa millions of years ago.
Trails wind through lush moss-covered trees, giant ferns, streams and waterfalls. The dense vegetation is a really cool contrast to La Palma’s volcanic landscapes.
The highlight is the Los Tilos Waterfall, which is a short walk from the main visitor area. It’s a lovely, easy walk to the falls.
Several hiking routes start from the same spot, ranging from short walks to longer circular trails that climb through the forested slopes.
6. Hike Through Cubo de la Galga
This is a great, easy introduction to La Palma’s ancient forest. The lush route passes through a dense laurel forest filled with towering trees, moss-covered branches and enormous ferns.
It’s located in the northeast of the island with a trail that follows a well-marked circular route. The path gradually climbs through the forest with occasional viewpoints opening through the trees.
We’d call it a gentle walk, so it’s a good option if you want to experience La Palma’s famous greenery without a strenuous climb.
If you have your own car, there is a small car park near the start of the trail, about a 25-minute drive from Santa Cruz de La Palma.
Alternatively, you can join this Guided Hiking tour of Cubo de la Galga, which includes pick-up from several locations across the island. You’ll explore the forest, visit several viewpoints and learn about the environment.
7. Wander Around Santa Cruz de la Palma
The island’s capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, is an attractive town of colourful colonial buildings, carved wooden balconies and a relaxed seafront promenade.
The focal point is Plaza de España where you’ll find a few elegant buildings, historic cafes and the Renaissance-style Church of El Salvador.
From here, there are a few cobbled streets to explore and the Avenida Marítima, a waterfront promenade with rows of traditional Canarian wooden balconies overlooking the sea.
There isn’t a lot to see in Santa Cruz and we were only walking around for about 1 hour. But it’s a pretty town and a nice change of pace from the dramatic scenery.
8. Swim in the Charco Azul Natural Pools
La Palma’s rugged coastline isn’t known for long sandy beaches like the other Canary Islands, but it has a few fantastic natural pools that, in our opinion, are even better.
Just outside San Andrés y Sauces, Charco Azul has been developed with steps into the water, handrails, changing rooms, showers and plenty of parking.
It’s one of the most accessible places to swim on the island, where you can enjoy the fresh Atlantic seawater in a much calmer environment.
As the waves spill directly into the water, it may at times be closed, which it was on our visit and just opened up as we were leaving.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
A little further north, La Fajana has three interconnected seawater pools built into the volcanic coastline. The water is beautifully clear, often with fish swimming around with you, and there’s a restaurant overlooking the pools.
9. Tour the Ron Aldea Distillery
La Palma has a long connection with sugar cane which was introduced after the Spanish conquest in the late 15th century. Today, that heritage lives on in the form of rum production.
Located in San Andrés y Sauces, Ron Aldea is a family-run distillery which produces rum using traditional methods and local recipes.
We did a guided tour which included an introduction to the production and fermentation process and explained the role sugar can play in the island’s history.
The tasting is a great experience with a wide selection of different flavours to choose from. We walked out with a bottle of the caramel rum and the spiced rum, both of which are very reasonably priced. It’s a great souvenir to take with you.
West Coast: View & Beaches
10. Enjoy the Scenery at Mirador del Time
Mirador del Time is another excellent viewpoint with views across the Aridane Valley towards Puerto de Tazacorte and the Atlantic Ocean.
From here you get a wonderful overview of the diversity of La Palma, with banana plantations across the valley floor, rising volcanic slopes, mountain peaks, and the ocean in the background.
There’s a small café at the viewpoint, which we think is one of the best places to try a traditional barraquito – a coffee made with espresso, condensed milk, Licor 43 (a sweet Spanish vanilla liqueur), cinnamon and lemon zest. You can’t go to La Palma without trying it.
As a side note, Licor 43 is a Spanish liqueur made with a secret blend of 43 ingredients produced in Cartagena, which we just published a blog post about. Read our Cartagena, Spain guide here.
The viewpoint is beside the LP-1, the main road that loops around the island. There is a free car park next to the café, so it’s an easy stop on a drive around western La Palma.
11. Go Whale and Dolphin Watching
The waters around La Palma are home to a wide variety of marine life, with common sightings including Atlantic spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales.
Although sightings can never be guaranteed, La Palma’s waters are among the most biodiverse in the Canaries, and the protected marine areas near the coast definitely increase your chances.
Trips last around 2-3 hours and often combine wildlife watching with the Cueva Bonita sea cave, a large volcanic cave only accessible from the water.
This whale-watching experience and coastal highlights tour is highly rated and includes a 3-hour cruise as well as Cueva Bonita.
Late nights, loud markets and the best jamón of our lives. Dive into all our Spain posts.
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Southern la Palma: Volcanoes, Wine & Local Culture
12. Walk Across the Tajogaite Volcano
Located in the El Paso municipality, the Tajogaite Volcano is La Palma’s newest natural landmark. It was formed during the 2021 eruptions, which were the longest and most destructive in the island’s recorded history.
Today, you can walk across this extraordinary landscape of volcanic ash and newly formed craters, offering a rare encounter with such a major eruption.
The main hiking route crosses the volcanic terrain with really great views of the crater and surrounding lava flows. Because the landscape is sensitive and potentially hazardous, the trail is only accessible on a guided hike with an authorised guide.
The walk takes around 3 to 4 hours and is fairly easy. Our tour started at the top and did the entire route downhill.
This guided Tajogaite Volcano Trek includes a pick-up from two meeting points – the most common is near Los Llanos de Aridane, about a 15-minute drive from the volcano.
13. Taste Volcanic Wines at Bodegas Carballo
Perhaps one of the best things to come out of La Palma’s unique volcanic environment is the distinctive wines produced from the rich soil.
Bodegas Carballo is a small family-run winery where you can try wines from grape varieties that have adapted to La Palma’s unique high-altitude climates.
After the eruption in nearby San Antonio in 1677, the landscape was covered in volcanic ash. Local growers planted vines through the volcanic gravel layer to reach the fertile soil below. This method, combined with the dry climate, creates wines with a distinctive character.
We did the guided tasting, which was a fantastic way to learn about the island’s vineyards and the bodega’s production methods. We highly recommend the Malvasía Dulce, a sweet wine made from fully ripened grapes, pressed in historic teak wood.
After visiting the winery, we went straight to the nearby San Antonio Volcano, which is a great way to do it.
14. Explore San Antonio Volcano
The perfectly preserved crater at San Antonio Volcano was formed during the 1677 eruption. There is a short trail around the rim where you can take in the views of this natural spectacle and the black lava fields of Cumbre Vieja.
The circular walk along the crater rim is an easy way to take in the volcanic scenery without a challenging hike.
The on-site interpretation centre explains how volcanic activity has shaped La Palma, including an interesting section on the relationship between volcanoes and local agriculture.
Entry to the centre and the volcano walk is €8 per adult.
15. Relax on Playa la Zamora
Playa La Zamora is one of the most beautiful beaches on La Palma. Tucked into a small cove on the southwest coast near Fuencaliente, it has black volcanic sand, clear water and dramatic cliffs that shelter it from the wind.
The beach is split into two sections. La Zamora Grande is the main beach, with the smaller La Zamora Chica connected by a short coastal path.
There are showers, toilets and a small cafe perched high above the beach with wonderful views over the ocean.
To get to the beach, you need to head down a steep path from a clifftop car park. It’s well-maintained, but you might want something better than flip-flops to get back up!
Playa La Zamora is a great way to break up the sightseeing in the southern part of the island and works well with San Antonio Volcano and Fuencaliente Salt Pans.
16. Visit the Fuencaliente Salt Pans
The Fuencaliente Salt Pans are an interesting coastal landscape where sea salt has been produced via traditional methods since the 1960s.
Salt water is channelled into a series of shallow ponds, where the sun and wind gradually evaporate the water, leaving the salt crystals behind. We followed the short path around the ponds with information boards explaining the process and the importance of the salt industry to the island.
The salt pan sits on the lava flows from the Tenguía Volcano, which was the youngest in the Canary Islands until the Tajogaite Volcano in 2021.
The black ash fields, the pink salt pans, the sea, and the Fuencaliente Lighthouse combine to make a great photo opportunity.
How to Get to la Palma
La Palma has its own airport, located around 10 minutes from Santa Cruz de La Palma. There are regular domestic flights from Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Madrid.
We were lucky enough to travel with Jet2, who sponsored us for this trip. You can check flights to La Palma with Jet2 and start planning your getaway right now.
We departed from Manchester, so if you’re in that part of the UK, you can also check out the flights from Manchester Airport by Jet2, which has a fantastic list of destinations.
Where to Stay in la Palma
Where you decide to stay will depend on the type of holiday to La Palma you are planning. Here is a quick rundown of the main areas.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
This is the capital and the most convenient base if you’re only staying for a few days. It has the widest choice of restaurants and facilities, and it’s only a short drive from the airport.
We stayed at H10 Taburiente Playa with Jet2Holidays, which is very conveniently located between the airport and the capital.
Los Llanos de Aridane
Located on the west side of the island, Los Llanos has a lively town centre with easy access to Caldera de Taburiente, Tajogaite Volcano, Puerto de Tazacorte and most of La Palma’s best hikes.
Fuencaliente
This is perfect if you’re looking for a quieter stay surrounded by volcanic landscape and vineyards. It’s a great base for exploring the southern tip of the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is la Palma Worth Visiting?
Yes, particularly if you enjoy hiking, nature and exploring the outdoors. La Palma is one of the least developed Canary Islands with dramatic volcanic landscapes, ancient forests, and excellent walking. However, if you are looking for sandy beaches, large resorts or nightlife, islands such as Tenerife or Gran Canaria might be a better fit.
What Is la Palma Famous for?
La Palma is best known for its volcanic landscapes, hiking trails and exceptional stargazing.
The island is home to Roque de los Muchachos, one of the world’s leading astronomical observatories, the vast Caldera de Taburiente National Park, and the Tajogaite Volcano, which was formed during the 2021 eruptions.
It is also known for its laurel forest, black-sand beaches, volcanic wines and relaxed atmosphere.
How Many Days Do You Need in la Palma?
We recommend spending 5 to 7 days in La Palma. This is enough time to explore the national parks, complete a few hikes, and explore the volcanic south. You’ll also have plenty of time for stargazing and whale watching. If you are interested in hiking, you could spend 10 days exploring the extensive trail network.
Is la Palma Good for Hiking?
La Palma is widely regarded as one of the best hiking destinations in the Canary Islands. There are hundreds of kilometres of well-maintained trails, ranging from short walks to challenging mountain hikes. The most popular routes are Caldera de Taburiente, Roque de los Muchachos, Cubo de la Galga and the guided hike across the Tajogaite Volcano.
What Are the Best Hikes in la Palma?
For spectacular mountain scenery, the trails around Roque de los Muchachos are excellent. Caldera de Taburiente National Park has some of the island’s best full-day walks, while Los Tilos and Cubo de la Galga are excellent for experiencing the laurel forests.
When Is the Best Time to Visit la Palma?
La Palma is a year-round destination, but the best time for hiking is from March to June and September to November. During this time, temperatures are pleasant, and visibility is generally at its best. Summer in La Palma delivers reliable sunshine, but it can be pretty warm, particularly in lower-elevation areas. Winter is mild by mainland Europe standards.
What Is the Weather Like in la Palma?
La Palma has a mild, subtropical climate year-round, but the weather can vary dramatically depending on where you are on the island. Thanks to the island’s mountainous interior, conditions often change quickly with altitude.
The climate is heavily influenced by the northeast trade winds, which push moist Atlantic air up the mountains, creating the famous ‘sea of clouds’. This often blankets the eastern slopes while the higher peaks rise above the cloud layer in sunshine and the west coast remains clear.
As a result, the north and east of the island are generally cooler, greener and wetter, while the south and west tend to be warmer, drier and sunnier. It’s not unusual to experience completely different weather conditions on opposite sides of the island, so it’s always worth carrying an extra layer and checking the forecast before heading into the mountains.
This guide was produced in partnership with Jet2.com.
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