Visit La Palma: What are the best things to do and see in "La Isla de los Muchachos"?
Formerly known as San Miguel de La Palma, this island located in the west of the canarian archipelago is known for its landscapes of hilly raw rocks, punctuated with volcanoes like the famous Teneguía. The capital of the island, Santa Cruz de la Palma , is a charming harbour town whose paved alleys zigzague between the famous balconies of solid wood of local dwellings.
Fifth island of the Canary Islands, whether by its size or population, it is renowned for its National Park of the Caldeira de Taburiente, and its mirific landscapes: covered with immense pine forests, it also includes a spectacular crater formation and gigantic cascades that make the joy of small and large.The island, whose highest point is in the Roque de les Muchachos and its 24
Are you wondering what to do in La Palma during your stay? Here is the answer with our 7 essentials to visit La Palma and bring back unforgettable memories with you!
1. La Caldeira de Taburiente National Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Bengt Nyman
One of the most popular points of interest: gigantic park protected by hundreds of hiking trails is an invitation to discover this wild land is preserved. Some peaks peaking at 2000 meters, however, you have to be in good physical shape to access the sublime panoramas offered on some "spots"!
Go to sleep in the beautiful star, shower under the many waterfalls that the park has or admire the huge volcanic crater of... 8 km wide, in the heart of the park! For those looking to visit La Palma, the place is really worth a visit and will delight lovers of large spaces. Sister soul!
Book your trip to Caldeira de Taburiente
2. Le Roque de los Muchachos
Photo credit: Flickr – Martin Lovekosi
Still full of energy after surveying the park of the Caldeira de Taburiente? We pass to the next step: go climb the 2426 meters from the highest point of the island, the Roque de las Muchachos , located not far from the park in question which it constitutes one of the edges.
At the top, an observatory coupled to an institute of astrophysical studies overlooks the cloud sea and enjoys a privileged situation to observe the stars: at some times of the year, this site normally reserved for scientists opens its doors to the Lambda visitor in order to make discover the exceptional technical facilities that are hosted there: the observatory has the largest optical telescope in the world!
3. Playa de los Cancajos
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Frank Vincentz
On the east coast of the island, this gravel beach black volcanic allows to admire the power of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which, when it is not unleashed, allows the visitor to bathe in a water, let’s say, always rather fresh. But the exceptional landscape, the delicious restaurants nearby, as well as the invigorating air are clearly worth the detour and will convince tourists who have come to visit La Palma to come for a tour!
4. The Fuencaliente lighthouse
Photo credit: Flickr – Tony Hisgett
At the southern end of the island, it is a must-see for those who are looking for what to do in La Palma: Fuencaliente lighthouse is one of the four lighthouses that this volcanic land counts, and it is possible to visit it which constitutes a very enriching activity!
Nearby, a memorial dedicated to the Martyrs of Brazil, massacred in the 16th century by a French corsary, allows to understand the strategic issues represented by the Canary Islands throughout their history.
5. The island museum of Santa Cruz de La Palma
Photo credit: Facebook – Visitlapalma_UK
This first-rate cultural place presents, for the greatest pleasures of visitors, numerous collections of typically Canadian art, as well as hand-crafted pieces proving the amazing know-how of the inhabitants over the centuries, including fabrics of breathtaking beauty. In addition, the Island museum retraces the volcanic history explaining the presence of this rocky archipelago planted in the middle of the Atlantic, as well as that of the naval construction: the Canary Islands having been an obligatory place for sailors linking old Europe to the new America.
6. Aisles of the Maroparque
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Frank Vincentz
Just west of Santa Cruz, the Maroparque is a lush zoo nestled at the foot of a hill and this unusual place is an enriching stop for young and old: rare and sometimes endemic birds veevolt within the immense volieres and many restaurants will allow you to taste the local specialties, including fish dishes typical of this oceanic area where fish resources abound.
7. Santa Cruz de La Palma
Photo credit: Flickr – Bengt Nyman
Why not survey the paved alleys and the lively port of the capital of the island ? Renowned for its centuries-old architecture, Avenida Maritima is the main dock of the city, along the seaside, and offers the visitor the opportunity to discover the crazy charm of this city and the warmth of its inhabitants, with a mythical smile. Many museums await you there, including the maritime museum offering a reproduction of the boat of Christopher Columbus, Santa Maria, or the church El Salvador in the Muslim style of Santo Domingo. In short, it’s up to you to see: you now know what to do in La Palma once it has reached its capital!
How to get to La Palma?
If the seven Canary Islands own their airport, La Palma is one of the only ones hosting international flights, especially those arriving from continental Spain. It is therefore easy to land directly on the island whatever your point of departure and, to do so, our partner Ulysses will allow you to get there by finding a flight at the best price.
If you want to visit the other parts of the archipelago, opt for the ferry ! Several of them are available to travellers to connect the different islands and form a rather dense and well-designed network: it is the ideal way to visit the Canary Islands while enjoying the sea air and a lively boat ride.
Finally, La Palma has many agencies car rentals which will allow you, for a modest price, to move freely without depending on the buses and taxis, not always easily available!
Where to stay in La Palma?
The advantage, when you visit La Palma, is that you will have to choose between the different types of accommodation: to select according to your wishes and budget. The island includes many hotels, including Los Cancajos , seaside resort of the east coast, and to Puerto de Naos On the west coast. The capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is not the rest with a beautiful selection of establishments, which you can compare by consulting the offers on this Compare hotels .
This is not all, of course, it is also possible for you to immerse yourself in the Canadian culture by renting a room in a room in a finca , these splendid houses typical of a sparkling white, now transformed into a guest house. For all lovers of unforgettable nights in the beautiful star, know that a handful of campsites offer pitches in order to no longer make one with a wild and preserved nature.
To give you an idea of the different feet on the ground in La Palma, go to our article « In which city house in La Palma? »
From now on, you know how to best enjoy when you get to visit the Palma, and enjoy your stay on site to the maximum. But will you manage to choose what to do in La Palma and.. will you prefer to go there winter, or summer?
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