La Palma in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

This paradise of natural spaces is particularly striking thanks to the incredible diversity of landscapes it has to offer. Whether you're a fan of lush green nature or beaches and seascapes, you'll find what you're looking for on this small but colourful island.

Enjoy its natural parks and numerous viewpoints on a hiking route, be amazed by its impressive volcanic landscapes or with a romantic night-time plan to observe the stars from one of its astronomical viewpoints. This island has something for everyone, and in this itinerary I am going to tell you its secrets so that you know everything there is to see and do in La Palma.

The first thing I would advise you to do on your trip to La Palma is, if you have the chance, to hire a car to get around the island more comfortably. This way, you will have much more freedom of movement and you will be able to reach every corner of the island with ease. If you don't have that possibility, don't worry, you can also use public transport.

And now I'm going to tell you about your itinerary for the first day. To begin with, you will go up to the highest viewpoint of La Palma on an excursion to the Roque de los Muchachos. Afterwards, you will descend to the municipality of Barlovento, reaching its coast. And finally, you will take a route through the forest of Cubo de la Galga.

See the panoramic views of La Palma from Roque de los Muchachos

To start your first day in La Palma, the plan I am going to suggest is to do a route around Roque de Los Muchachos. In the central part of the island and at an altitude of no less than 2,426 metres, you will find the second highest peak in the Canary Islands.

This viewpoint is in a privileged location, from where you can see both the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and many other parts of the island. Another of its main attractions is its Astronomical Observatory. Although it is possible to get there by car, the most comfortable option would be to book a Roque de Los Muchachos Route, with which your only concern would be to relax and enjoy the route.

Follow the Carretera de las Mimbreras road

Although your next stop on today's route is Barlovento, making a short detour on the way to your next destination, you will drive along the LP-109 road, or as it is known, the Carretera de las Mimbreras.

This short road of only 15 kilometres is considered to be the most beautiful road on La Palma and along the way you will pass through cliffs, mountainous areas, lush trees and even forest areas. You'll also pass several incredible viewpoints where you can stop along the way.

Dive into Canarian gastronomy with a meal in Barlovento

Barlovento is a municipality located in the northwest of La Palma and its main attraction is due to the beauty of the natural environment that surrounds it. Once there, I invite you to go for a meal at the El Campesino grill restaurant, where you can sample the specialities of traditional Canarian food.

Take a dip in the swimming pools of La Fajana

The natural pools of La Fajana are located in Barlovento. This complex is made up of three pools of different sizes, whose waters are crystal clear and calm, as they are surrounded by walkways that protect them from the waves of the sea.

In addition, at La Fajana you can also find a large solarium where you can relax and sunbathe, but don't linger too long! But don't linger too long, because you still have the last stop of the afternoon.

End the day with a walk through the Enchanted Forest

To end your first day in La Palma, I have prepared a route through the Cubo de la Galga, or as it is known, the Enchanted Forest. This laurel forest looks like something out of a fairy tale, and also has the advantage that the path is comfortable and easy to follow, so it won't be a very hard route.

To get to know this place there are two options of routes that you can follow and that I'll leave to your choice. The first and longer one starts in the area around the Casa Asterio restaurant and is 9 km long, about three and a half hours. The second and shorter option starts at the car park on the left after the Cubo tunnel (LP-1 S.C. de La Palma - San Andrés y Sauce road), and its distance is 4 km, about two hours.

For your second day of your trip, I bring you a very complete and varied itinerary that will start in the village of Tazacorte. There, as well as strolling through its streets, you will have the opportunity to take a boat trip to see whales and dolphins. Finally, you will visit La Veta beach, where you can relax and take a refreshing swim.

Get to know Tazacorte's pier

To start your day, I'm going to ask you to travel to the coastal town of Tazacorte. Its marina is one of its main attractions. Once there, you can take a stroll while you watch the yachts moored at the quay.

Although if there is something worth mentioning in this town it is the Playa de Tazacorte, a beach of black volcanic sand that is the main tourist attraction and is considered one of the best beaches on La Palma.

Don't miss the opportunity to watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat

Taking advantage of the fact that you are in Tazacorte, I recommend that you book a dolphin watching boat tour, as these boats usually leave from the port of this municipality.

On this excursion, you will have the opportunity to sail along the coast of La Palma in search of dolphin sightings, and even, if you are lucky, of imposing whales just a few metres away from you.

Relax on La Veta Beach

Due to the orography of the island, there are not many long, sandy beaches on La Palma. That is why La Veta beach is so special. If you are lucky and your trip coincides with spring or summer, you will be able to lie down and enjoy sunbathing on the black sand of La Veta beach. This is because it is a seasonal beach, meaning that it forms in some months of the year while it disappears in others.

However, this secluded cove is not lacking in beauty, so if you get the chance, I encourage you to take a refreshing swim and a stroll along the shore while you wait for the fantastic spectacle that is the sunset.

Close the day with the most typical beer of the area

As dinner time approaches, I recommend that you make your way to the Isla Verde Brewery. As well as being one of the best-rated restaurants in the area, Cervecería Isla Verde is home to its own brand of beer, which is handcrafted on the island of La Palma.

For your third day of travel, the first stop on your itinerary will be a visit to the island's capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma. After a delicious meal in one of the city's local restaurants, you'll head to the ancient village of Los Cancajos. And finally, you'll end this fantastic day under a star-studded sky at the Llano del Jable viewpoint.

Start the day in the colonial-style town of Santa Cruz de La Palma

You won't want to leave the island without visiting its beautiful capital. Santa Cruz de La Palma boasts centuries-old architecture and a historic quarter that will not leave you indifferent. One of the main characteristics of the city is its long seafaring tradition, as Santa Cruz de La Palma has the most important port on the island, which is also intimately linked to the stories of the ancient voyages to the Americas.

The most iconic image of Santa Cruz is that of its emblematic wooden balconies, which, painted in colours and filled with flowers, adorn the façade of the picturesque houses on Avenida Marítima. As well as strolling through its pedestrianised historic centre and admiring the beach from the promenade, you can visit other main points of interest such as the Calle Real, the Castle of Santa Catalina or the Barco de la Virgen Naval Museum.

Enjoy the gastronomy of La Palma in two charming places

If you work up an appetite during your tour of Santa Cruz de la Palma, I have the perfect place for you. In the centre of the capital you will find a small bar called Tasca la 4. This charming and inexpensive place is perfect if during your walk you fancy a snack and, while you're at it, you want to try a local product. If you go and sit on its central terrace, you can share a portion of cheeses from La Palma and wash it down with a Canarian beer.

For lunch, the place I am going to recommend is the Parrilla Los Braseros Restaurant. There you can try their top quality meats, first cooked over a slow fire on the embers and then finished off on a grill for the final touch. Of course, you can accompany this delicacy with some typical "papas arrugadas" (wrinkled potatoes) and some homemade mojo.

Continue on your way to the village of Los Cancajos

Los Cancajos is a small tourist village in the municipality of Breña Baja. The main attraction of this pleasant and quiet neighbourhood is its beach, which is protected by a bay and offers calm waters and a variety of underwater life. Of course, like the other beaches in the area, its sand is black and of volcanic origin.

Another characteristic of Los Cancajos beach is that it is very popular with diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, as it has the perfect conditions for both sports.

Close the night under the blanket of an impressive starry night

You may not know it, but La Palma is one of the best places for stargazing. The fact is that this island has a law protecting it from light pollution which, together with certain factors such as its altitude and location, have earned it a place as a Starlight Tourist Destination, i.e. places considered to be the best locations for contemplating the starry skies. Because of this, it is not uncommon for night-time excursions to be offered for the sole purpose of stargazing.

Another equally valid option is to go up by your own means to one of La Palma's numerous viewpoints to see this spectacle with your own eyes. For this reason, the last plan for your third day is to go to the astronomical viewpoint of Llano del Jable, which at night becomes the ideal balcony from which to marvel at the night sky.

For your fourth day, I have prepared one of the best excursions you can do from La Palma. And although it is the longest route of your trip, it is also one of the most interesting, as you will travel through the most impressive volcanic landscapes of the island.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the famous salt flats of Fuencaliente. And to end this profitable but tiring day, I have prepared a tour of the Teneguía wine cellars.

La Palma is known for its great variety of landscapes, and one of the most impressive products of nature on the island are its imposing volcanoes and the landscapes forged by their eruptions. That's why you can't leave the island without taking the famous Ruta de los Volcanes.

Along this route you'll be immersed in open landscapes of black, earth and ochre colours where you'll see monumental volcanoes and ancient craters on an excursion of more than 17 kilometres. Although most of the hiking trails on the island are clearly marked and signposted, you can consult the official website of the Red de Senderos de La Palma (Footpath Network of La Palma) for any route.

Explore Las Salinas de Fuencaliente salt flats

After an intense hike, you will reach Las Salinas de Fuencaliente, as this is where the route ends. The salt flats are one of the most beautiful landscapes on the island, as well as one of the most visited.

The blue of the ocean water, the black of the volcanic earth and the white of the salt contrast in a unique way, making the picture worthy of admiration. You can also admire the lighthouse that stands in the background of the landscape.

End your day with a leisurely visit to the Teneguía wine cellars

At the end of this busy day, you will have a well-deserved rest. And that's why today's last activity will be a short tour of the Bodegas Teneguía. There you can relax at a wine tasting, where you will learn about the production process of this native product of La Palma and about the historical importance of this winery of Canarian origin.

On your fifth day you will start with a tour through one of the most beautiful areas of the island of La Palma, the route of the Nacientes de Marcos y Cordero. At the end of your journey, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of the Cascada de Tilos waterfall, and to end the day, you will pay a visit to the small village of San Andrés.

Start with the beautiful Nacientes de Marcos y Cordero Route

The start of the route is located at the Casa de Monte, so there you will begin your walk during which you will be able to cross the 13 water tunnels along the way.

The route is just over 12 kilometres long and as you walk along it, you will see a beautiful landscape full of vegetation with leafy pines and other wonders of the native flora that form a true paradise of biodiversity. The walk starts next to the old water channel and during the walk you will come across the different tunnels until you reach the Bosque de los Tilos, a spectacular laurel forest.

Marvel at the incredible beauty of the Cascada de los Tilos waterfall

Once you have finished the tough trail, you can visit the nearby Cascada de los Tilos, a waterfall of more than 60 metres high. This is one of the most visited and photographed places on the Isla Bonita, and this spectacular waterfall leaves no one indifferent.

Afterwards, you can take a break for lunch at Restaurante Casa Demetrio, a small restaurant located in Los Tilos, whose terrace is under the very shade of the forest.

Pay a visit to the village of San Andrés

After your nature walk, you should make your way to your next destination, the small but charming village of San Andrés.

The buildings of San Andrés revolve around the Church of San Andrés Apóstol. Due to its small size, in less than half a day you will have plenty of time to stroll through its picturesque streets at your leisure and visit at least the most interesting places, such as the Plaza de San Andrés or the Ermita de El Pilar hermitage.

Finally, you can take a stroll towards the coast until you reach the natural pools of Charco Azul. This beautiful bathing area is protected from the swell of the sea, as well as having an extensive solarium area for sunbathing.

To begin the tour on your sixth day, you will first visit La Palma's best kept secret: the small village of Porís de la Candelaria. Next, you'll have the chance to explore the interior of the Cueva Bonita and finally, you'll enjoy the incredible views from the Mirador Del Time.

Start the morning in Poris de la Candelaria

Poris de la Candelaria is a tiny village of extraordinary beauty hidden in a cave on the edge of the sea.

This little gem of La Palma is located in the municipality of Tijarafe. To reach it you have to cross a narrow, winding road that will take you to this film set hidden in a rocky cavity up to 50 metres high. Geologically, this is the oldest area on the island and is inhabited by families who, generation after generation, have inherited these picturesque little houses on the edge of the sea.

Of course, in this wild corner of La Palma you won't find any shops, bars or restaurants, as this small architectural ensemble is made up solely of the white houses of the locals who live in the village.

Explore Cueva Bonita

And from a village hidden among the rocks, you will travel to a mysterious cave in the sea. Cueva Bonita is only accessible from the sea and is one of the island's main tourist attractions.

This rocky cavity forms part of the numerous caves found on the northwest coast of La Palma. Its two entrances are large, although the interior is not very deep. The best way to reach it is to hire a kayak excursion, which are quite common in this area and leave from Poris de la Candelaria itself.

End the day with magnificent views of the sunset

Less than 20 minutes' drive south of Cueva Bonita is Mirador Del Time, a balcony overlooking the vast Ariadne Valley with one of the most spectacular views on La Palma.

It is almost 700 metres above sea level and, although it is easily accessible by car, there is a steep 3-kilometre footpath if you fancy a stroll. From there, you will be able to watch an unforgettable sunset.

Sadly, your holiday is coming to an end. But don't worry, because for your last day I have prepared a very special farewell for you. To start the morning, you will visit the majestic National Park Caldera de Taburiente and in the afternoon, you will go to the town of Puerto Naos where you will visit the best beach of the whole island.

Start your day with a tour in the Caldera de Taburiente

The Caldera de Taburiente National Park is a natural environment of volcanic origin located in the central part of the island.

In its interior you can reach up to 2000 metres in height and its entire surface is covered with the well known Canary Island pine tree. Furthermore, its terrain is crossed by deep ravines, and there is even a waterfall called the Cascada de los Colores (Coloured Waterfall ) due to the variety of tones of its wall.

To visit this magnificent natural park, the route I am going to recommend is the one that starts at the Barranco de las Angustias ravine and, after a tough descent called "El reventón", takes you to the end of the path, but not before taking a small detour to admire the Cascada de los Colores (Coloured Waterfall).

Visit Puerto Naos

Puerto de Na os was once a small fishing village belonging to the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane. Nowadays, however, it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations on La Palma. Once there, I encourage you to stop for lunch in one of its many restaurants specialising in fish, seafood and various local products.

The main tourist attraction of Puerto Naos is its fantastic beach, which ranks among the top of the largest beaches on La Palma. To end the afternoon of your last day on the Isla Bonita, you can watch the sunset for the last time from one of the terraces and beach bars that form part of its promenade.