La Palma in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

A distinctive detail of the Canary Islands is that many of the region's tourism-related activities are related to the natural attractions of each island. In the case of La Palma there is no exception to this rule, as the best things to see or do in La Palma are usually related to enjoying the volcanic and forest landscape that combines between the north and south of this island.

In this publication I have set out to organise an excellent itinerary of activities so that not a single second is left unoccupied throughout a 4-day visit to one of the most beautiful islands of the Spanish maritime territories. Read on to get a precise idea of what you could do at each stage of your trip.

No matter which way you choose to get to La Palma, from a ferry from other Canary Islands to a direct flight arriving at La Palma Airport, you will always have to pass through the island's capital as well as the surrounding area.

This small town is characterised by its modest beauty as well as the geography of the terrain on which it is built. It ranges from steep hills that descend from the Caldera de Taburiente National Park to a volcanic coastline that is characterised by black sandy beaches.

This first day of the trip is planned on the basis that you can take a hire car and drive around the area throughout the day. This is assuming you have the privilege of being able to start the first day of your visit in the early hours of the morning.

Have breakfast on the balcony avenue

There is a very peculiar area in Santa Cruz de Palma that has been one of the most representative corners of this city for a couple of centuries. It is the balconies of the old two-storey houses located along the famous Avenida Marítima, just opposite the beach of Santa Cruz de Palma.

It is a good idea to enjoy this part of the city for the first few moments of your trip, as it is a place that captures the architectural essence of this city very well. In addition, in the nearby area there are several alternatives for breakfast that form part of the list of the best gastronomic spots on the island.

La Chalana, La Placeta and La Habana are just some of the establishments you could choose to enjoy a good breakfast that will keep you satisfied until the next meal of the day.

Visit the Museo Insular de La Palma

Two streets away from the Balcones de la Avenida Marítima is the Museo Insular de La Palma. If I am talking about important cultural institutions on this island then this place takes the lead, as it is a place that occupies the premises of an old mansion and has been dedicated to the compilation of various exhibitions on the artistic, craft and textile history of the island.

Inside there are also exhibitions oriented towards the sociological history of the island as well as its strong relationship with the field of shipbuilding. There are rooms that deal with the most interesting details of the geology and natural environment of La Palma. This museum is well worth a visit before continuing your journey, as it is one of the great treasures that Santa Cruz de La Palma has to offer its visitors.

Spend the afternoon in the village of Nogales

If you drive towards the north of the island on the LP-1 road and then continue on the LP-102 , you will reach the beautiful community of Nogales in less than 30 minutes. This is an agricultural village located on the fertile hills and cliffs of the northeast coast of La Palma. It is also characterised by its ecological banana farms and other tropical resources that thrive in the volcanic soil of the Canary Islands.

Between the villages of El Corcho, Llano Molino and Puntallana you can find several alternatives for lunch, with the modest restaurant Casa Asterio and the Asadero La Molina Vieja being convenient options from a logistical perspective.

My advice is to take advantage of your visit to this village, as well as to its neighbouring communities, to admire the beauty of the rural environment of La Palma. At the same time, the viewpoint of Playa de Nogales beach as well as the black sandy terrain and greenish cliffs is a site not to be missed when touring the area.

Drive over the Puente de los Tilos and have dinner in San Andrés y Sauces

If you continue driving north on the LP-1 you'll still come across several picturesque villages such as San Juan and Los Galguitos. At one point you will have to cross the Puente de los Tilos and this is an excellent occasion if you admire the beauty of the Barranco del Agua that crosses this beautiful piece of civil engineering.

Just after passing this bridge you would be arriving at the largest urban settlement of San Andrés y Sauces, the municipality you have been driving through since Playa de Nogales. Dining here is a good idea if you plan to get accommodation in one of the many hotels in the area. Although I have to highlight the fact that the restaurants in Playa de Espindola stand out for the beauty of their facilities, as well as for their gastronomic offer.

By the end of your first day in La Palma you will find yourself officially enjoying the north of the island. However, this section has much more to offer, ranging from sea and beach activities to a visit to the highest points of the volcanic mountains of La Palma.

So your second day's itinerary continues through this impressive region. Like so much on La Palma, it will also require a hire car to facilitate transfers from one point to another within this rural but beautiful and memorable area.

Visit Charco Azul

The Charco Azul is a tourist complex located less than 500 metres from the beach of Puerto Espindola and is characterised by two natural pools that get their water directly from the Atlantic Ocean and are formed on a rocky terrain of volcanic origin.

This site has changing rooms, car park, showers, solariums, a canteen and all kinds of facilities to move safely on the rocks. There is also a children's pool and best of all, entry is completely free all year round.

can be a good way to start the day. Its proximity to several bars and restaurants also makes it a good place to have breakfast before setting off on the route to the next destinations on your trip.

Drive to Roque de los Muchachos

If you drive for about an hour from Charco Azul on the LP-1 road you will reach a point where you can turn off onto the LP-4 road. This new road will take you through several steep bends and after another 25 minutes you will be right at the entrance of the visitor centre of Roque de los Muchachos. This is the highest point of the whole island and all along the area you will find several tourist attractions.

El Mirador del Roque de los Muchachos is clearly one of these sites, as well as the beautiful Mirador del Espigón del Roque. However, the astrophysical observatory of the same name is another place you cannot miss when you are in this mountainous spot on La Palma. Bear in mind that there are several excursions that can take you directly from your accommodation to this observatory and the viewpoint. This may be your only alternative to enjoy this natural wonder if you don't rent a private car.

Then go to the Bosque Dragos el Palmar

Once you have covered everything you are interested in on the Roque de los Muchachos, you should return along the same road that took you up the mountain and take the LP-1 again to connect with the LP-112, which will take you directly to the village of Santo Domingo.

On the outskirts of this picturesque community is the Dragos el Palmar Forest. This is a unique piece of land that has an infinity of beautiful trees known as Dragos that are as attractive as the Baobabs of Madagascar or the great Sequoias of California.

While in this village you can take the opportunity to grab a bite to eat for lunch. But as soon as you're done in the forest, you'll have to start driving south again on the LP-114. This will take you to the beautiful destination that will complete the itinerary of your second day in La Palma.

End the day with a visit to the Poris de la Candelaria

There is a point where after driving for about 10 minutes on the LP-114 you will have to take the LP-1. When this happens you will start driving south towards the village of Tijarafe. When you get there you could also have lunch if you didn't do so in some of the villages along the way, with Kiosco el Diablo in the hills above the village or the centrally located Los Olivos restaurant as your best alternatives.

When you are satisfied you can head towards the famous Poris de la Candelaria, which is a kind of cave that was formed in the cliffs near the Playa del Jorado.

This unique place can best be described as a tiny village with winding paths on stone staircases that take tourists from the top of the cliff to this sort of semi-circle. It has several houses that contrast beautifully with the turquoise blue waters and rocks that leave visitors thinking about the immensity of the forces of nature.

For the third day of your trip to La Palma there are still hundreds of places to be explored and focusing on the wonders that the west coast of the island has to offer is an excellent idea.

I have taken it upon myself to identify the most interesting and at the same time most entertaining places for you to enjoy at this stage of the itinerary. You have less than 48 hours left to make the most of the beauty of La Palma.

Breakfast in Tazacorte and a visit to its beautiful beach

Tazacorte is a coastal community of a couple of streets that stands out for the quality of its real estate developments. As well as for the contrasting beauty that is created with its surroundings full of ravines or with the peculiar beach of black sands and waters without any waves.

It is a beautiful place to have breakfast and start to get in the mood to enjoy the rest of the activities that will keep you busy for the rest of the day. La Buhardilla, the Playa Mont restaurant and the Kiosko Montecarlo stand out for offering you a direct view of the beach, while also offering delicious culinary preparations.

Take a trip to the San Juan Volcano

Up to this point in your trip you haven't had the opportunity to see the volcanic environment that defines the Canary Islands from a geological point of view. Therefore a trip to the San Juan Volcano could be a good plan to occupy the end of your morning and the first half of your afternoon.

To get there you should take the LP-2 from your departure from Tazacorte and after about 20 minutes you will be in the area of the Centro de Interpretación de los Caños del Fuego (Interpretation Centre of the Caños del Fuego ). There you can get a better understanding of the volcanic nature of the island and you can also leave your car parked before setting off on a short hike of about 45 minutes to the Coladas de San Juan or to the top of the volcano of the same name.

Don't hesitate to go for a swim at Charco Verde beach

After a good workout it is advisable to enjoy a visit to the beach and the area of Charco Verde, which is accessible from the LP-213 road, is a scenery worth visiting. It's a black sandy coastline that contrasts with the nearby plantations that take advantage of the volcanic fertility and has black stone cliffs that create a landscape worthy of a film about outer space.

If you want to have lunch before starting your beach session you could do so in Puerto de Naos, a coastal community that is quite similar to Tazacorte in the sense of the architecture of its real estate developments.

Pay a visit to the Teneguía wineries in Fuencaliente

In the village of Los Canarios you will find one of the most important commercial institutions on La Palma. This is the Bodegas Teneguía and having a guided tour of its facilities is an excellent way to say goodbye to the third day of your trip, while enjoying a good tasting of Canarian wines.

It is a fairly inexpensive activity, as it usually costs around 16 euros per person and is available for the whole family with no age restrictions. Although alcohol consumption is clearly reserved for those who are legally entitled to do so.

Being in the extreme south of La Palma you can't help but marvel at the volcanic character that defines this region of the island. Make the most of your visit to the area so that you can return home feeling that you have enjoyed all the possible environments of the wide natural spectrum of this beautiful island.

Start the day by visiting Los Canarios

Los Canarios is a pretty village that encapsulates everything you would expect from a rural community on La Palma after a full 3 day tour. The village has over 8 restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast if your accommodation doesn't offer it and it's definitely something you'll need to recharge your batteries before the next activity on the itinerary.

Then head to the San Antonio Volcano Viewpoint

A 2 minute drive from the centre of Los Canarios will take you to the visitor centre of the San Antonio Volcano. This is the ideal place to familiarise yourself with the short hiking route to the top of the volcano as well as to park your car without the risk of getting a traffic ticket.

When you arrive at the viewpoint of this famous volcano at the top you can enjoy a panoramic view of the south of the island. You will also be able to marvel at the magnitude of the large crater that makes up this volcanic mountain.

Take the opportunity to have lunch at Las Salinas de Fuencaliente

By the time you work up an appetite, you'll be less than 15 minutes away from one of the most important attractions in the south of La Palma. This is Las Salinas de Fuencaliente, which stands out for its proximity to the lighthouse of the same name. Also for the existence of a famous restaurant that offers Canarian gastronomic elements with a direct view of this sea salt extraction complex that has been in operation for more than 40 years.

Say goodbye to the island with a dolphin watching tour

To end your trip it is a good idea to go for the best dolphin watching tours along the coast of La Palma. These may be accessible to you as many of them leave from the harbours on the south coast of the island.

Theyusually last about 3 hours and are a completely safe and entertaining activity for the whole family. Moreover, if you have the opportunity to go on a sea excursion like this one, you will be able to enjoy a very special sunset that will make those last moments of sunshine even more special on your 4-day visit to La Palma.