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

This paradise of natural spaces attracts special attention thanks to the incredible diversity of landscapes it has to offer. Whether you are a fan of the greenest and lushest nature or if your thing is beaches and seascapes, in this small but colorful island you will find what you are looking for.

Enjoy its natural parks and its many viewpoints doing a hiking route, be amazed by its impressive volcanic landscapes or with a romantic night plan watching the stars from one of its astronomical viewpoints. This island has plans for all tastes, and in this itinerary I will tell you its secrets so you know everything there is to see and do in La Palma.

The first thing I am going to advise you about your trip to La Palma is that, if you have the possibility, rent a car to move more comfortably around the island. This way, you will have much more freedom of movement and you will be able to reach every corner with ease. In case you do not have that possibility, do not worry, you can also use public transport.

And now I will tell you your itinerary for the first day. To begin with, you will climb 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 make a route through the forest of Cubo de la Galga.

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

To start your first day in La Palma, the plan I am going to propose is to make a route through the Roque de Los Muchachos. In the central area of the island and at no less than 2,426 meters of al titude is the second highest peak of the Canary Islands.

This viewpoint is in a privileged place, from which you can see both the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente and many other parts of the island. Another of its main attractions is its Astronomical Observatory. Although it is possible to access 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 road.

Tour the Carretera de las Mimbreras

Although your next point on today's route is Barlovento, making a small 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 kilometers is considered the most beautiful road in La Palma and along the way you will cross cliffs, mountainous areas, lush trees and even forest areas. In addition, you will pass by several incredible viewpoints where you can make stops along the way.

Immerse yourself in the Canary 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 to eat at the restaurant El Campesino, where you can taste the specialties of traditional Canarian food.

Take a dip in the pools of La Fajana

The natural pools of La Fajana are located in Barlovento. This complex consists 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, in La Fajana you can also find a large solarium where you can relax and sunbathe, but do not linger too long! Because you still have the last stop of the afternoon.

Finish the day with a walk through the Enchanted Forest

To finish 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 trail is comfortable and easy to follow, so it will not be a very hard route.

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

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

Visit the pier of Tazacorte

To start your day, I am going to ask you to go to the coastal town of Tazacorte. Its marina is one of the main attractions. Once there, you can take a stroll while watching the yachts moored at the pier.

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

Do not miss the opportunity to watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat

Taking advantage of the fact that you are in Tazacorte, I recommend you to book a boat tour to see dolphins, as these boats usually depart from the port of this municipality.

In 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 meters away from you.

Relax on La Veta beach

Due to the orography of the island, La Palma does not have many long sandy beaches. 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, that is, it forms in some months of the year while it disappears in others.

However, this secluded cove does not lack beauty, so if you have the opportunity, I encourage you to take a refreshing swim and a walk along its shore while waiting 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 go to the Isla Verde Brewery. In addition to being one of the best rated restaurants in the area, Cervecería Isla Verde has its own brand of beer, which is handcrafted on the island of La Palma.

For your third day of travel, the first point of your itinerary will be to visit the island's capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma. After a delicious meal in one of the local restaurants of the city, you will head to the ancient village of Los Cancajos. And finally, you will finish this fantastic day covered by a sky full of stars at the viewpoint of Llano del Jable.

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

You won't want to leave the island without visiting its beautiful capital. Santa Cruz de La Palma has a centuries-old architecture and a historic center that will not leave you indifferent. One of the main characteristics of the city is its long seafaring tradition, since Santa Cruz de La Palma has the most important port of 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, painted in colors and full of flowers that adorn the facade of the picturesque houses of the Avenida Marítima. In addition to strolling through its pedestrianized historic center and admiring the beach from the promenade, you can visit other major points of interest such as the Calle Real, the Castle of Santa Catalina or the Naval Museum Barco de la Virgen.

Enjoy the gastronomy of La Palma in two charming places

If during your tour of Santa Cruz de la Palma you work up an appetite, I have the perfect place for you. In the center of the capital you will find a small bar called Tasca la 4. This coquettish and inexpensive place is perfect if during your walk you feel like a snack and while you are at it, try a local product. If you dare and you sit down in its central terrace you will be able to share a portion of Palmeros cheeses and wash it down with a beer of Canary origin.

To eat, the place that I am going to recommend you is the Restaurant Parrilla Los Braseros. There you will be able to taste its meats of maximum quality, cooked first to the slow fire of the embers and to give him the final touch, it is finished off in a grill. Of course, you can accompany this delicacy with some typical wrinkled potatoes and some homemade mojo.

Continue on your way to the village of Los Cancajos

Los Cancajos is a small tourist town that belongs to the municipality of Breña Baja. The main attraction of this neighborhood of pleasant and quiet atmosphere is its beach, which protected by a bay presents us with its calm waters and its varied underwater life. Of course, as in the other beaches of the area, its sand is black and of volcanic origin.

Another feature of the beach of Los Cancajos is that it is very popular with diving and snorkeling enthusiasts because 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 to observe the stars. And the fact is that this island has a law of protection against light pollution that, along with some factors such as its altitude and location, have earned it a position as a Starlight Tourist Destination, that is, places considered as the best locations for starry skies contemplation. Because of this, it is not uncommon that night excursions are offered for the sole purpose of seeing the stars.

Another equally valid option is to climb by your own means to one of the many viewpoints that La Palma has to see this spectacle with your own eyes. Therefore, 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 where you can marvel at the night sky.

For your fourth day, I have prepared for you one of the best excursions that can be done 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 mines of Fuencaliente. And to finish 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 is why you cannot leave the island without first traveling the famous Route of the Volcanoes.

During this route you will immerse yourself in open landscapes of black, earth and ocher colors where you will see monumental volcanoes and ancient craters in an excursion of more than 17 kilometers. Although most of the hiking trails on the island are well marked and signposted, you can consult any route on the official website of the Red de Senderos de La Palma.

Explore the salt flats of Fuencaliente

After the intense hike, you will arrive at Las Salinas de Fuencaliente, since this is where the route ends. The salt flats are one of the most beautiful landscapes of 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. In addition, you can also admire the lighthouse that stands at the bottom of the landscape.

End your day with a quiet visit to the wineries of Teneguía

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 Teneguía Winery. There you can relax in 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 and 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 visit the small town of San Andres.

Start with the beautiful Nacientes de Marcos y Cordero Trail

The start of the route is located at the Casa de Monte, so there you will begin your hike during which you can cross the 13 water tunnels that are on the way.

The route has a length of just over 12 kilometers and as you walk it, you will see a beautiful landscape full of vegetation with lush pines and other wonders of native flora that form a true paradise of biodiversity . The walk begins next to the old water channel and during the hike 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 hard trail, you can visit the nearby Cascada de los Tilos, a fall of more than 60 meters high. This place is one of the most visited and photographed of the Isla Bonita, and this spectacular waterfall leaves no one indifferent.

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

Pay a visit to the village of San Andrés

After your nature walk, you should head 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.

Finally, you can take a walk 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 will have the opportunity to explore the interior of the Cueva Bonita and finally, you will enjoy the incredible views of the Mirador Del Time.

Start your morning in Poris de la Candelaria

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

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

Of course, in this wild corner of La Palma you will not find stores, bars or restaurants, as this small architectural ensemble is formed only by 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. The Cueva Bonita is only accessible from the sea and is one of the main tourist attractions of the island.

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

End the day with magnificent views of the sunset

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

It is located at almost 700 meters above sea level and, although it can be reached by car without problems, there is a steep footpath of 3 kilometers if you dare to go for a walk. From there, you will be able to contemplate an unforgettable sunset.

Unfortunately, your vacation 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 can visit the best beach on the island.

Start your day with a route in the Caldera de Taburiente

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

In its interior can be reached up to 2000 meters of unevenness and all its surface is plagued with the known as canary pine. In addition, its terrain is crossed by deep ravines, and there is even a waterfall called the Cascada de los Colores due to the variety of tones of its wall.

To visit this magnificent natural park, the route that I am going to recommend is the one that leaves from the Barranco de las Angustias and, after going down a hard descent called "El reventón", leads you to the end of the road, but not before taking a small detour to admire the Cascada de los Colores (Waterfall of Colors).

Visit Puerto Naos

Puerto de Na os was once a small fishing village belonging to the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane. However, nowadays it has become one of the most touristic destinations of La Palma. Once there, I encourage you to make a stop to eat in one of its many restaurants specializing in fish, seafood, and various products of the area.

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