La Gomera is one of the smallest islands in the Canaries, measuring only 20 km from north to south. Nicknamed ‘Isla Magica‘, it is surprising how many natural wonders and how many different landscapes can be found in this small territory. It is also called ‘Columbine Island‘, being the last island touched by Christopher Columbus before his expedition to discover America in 1492.
Contrasts dominate La Gomera and it is normal to go from immense palm tree-covered valleys to rocky precipices and sheer cliffs, from lush prehistoric forests to small beaches of volcanic sand that make their way between rocky inlets.
A true natural jewel, La Gomera was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2011 due to the richness of its marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and the Garajonay National Park, with its extremely rare laurisilve forest, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986.
La Gomera is a truly magical island for lovers of the wildest and most authentic nature and for hikers, who have 600 kilometres of trails at their disposal to travel the length and breadth of the island and immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere.
Interesting fact: on this island you can also hear the silbo gomero, a whistled language that intersperses each syllable with a whistle, so that it can be heard 3 kilometres away.
La Gomera, like all the Canary Islands, enjoys a temperate climate all year round, with minimum temperatures of 18° and maximums of 30° in summer. It is precisely the summer months that are the best for visiting the island, as there is almost no rainfall between June and August, which makes the various hiking trips easier.
But to enjoy La Gomera at its best and in complete tranquillity, the months of May and September are also excellent: mild climate, very few tourists and the feeling of having the island at your complete disposal.
La Gomera, the ‘Isla Magica’, offers views that are unique in the world and its rich natural heritage allows visitors to immerse themselves in this magical setting. Don’t miss the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and the basalt wall of Los Organos, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
La Gomera is a volcanic island and the last recorded activity on the territory dates back two million years. There are no longer any active volcanoes on the island, but there are many traces left by ancient eruptions: it is not difficult to come across strange rock formations of volcanic origin, just as the black sand on the beaches is another clear testimony to La Gomera’s past. Los Organos itself originated from the slow cooling of a lava flow from an ancient crater.
Some of the best things to see in La Gomera include Valle Gran Rey , one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations, the fishing village Playa Santiago in the sunny south, and Vallehermoso, overlooked by the large volcanic crater of Roque Cano, a full 400 metres wide. Don’t miss a visit to La Gomera’s capital, San Sebastian, an atmospheric town that retains the flavour of times gone by.
There are many beautiful beaches on the island that invite you to swim directly in the Atlantic. Nature lovers will be amazed by the secluded bays and quiet beaches dotted along La Gomera’s rugged coastline.
Most of the bays and beaches have black sand, as the origin is volcanic, and the water is very clean. Some beaches can only be reached on foot, but the hike is definitely worth it. Among the most beautiful beaches on the island are Playa de Ingles, the long Playa de Valle Gran Rey or Charco del Conde, a bay protected by cliffs. Playa de Santiago, Playa del Medio and Playa de Alojera are also popular and well frequented.
If, on the other hand, you decide to stay close to the capital San Sebastian, know that you can easily walk to two beaches, Playa de San Sebastian and Playa de la Cueva.
La Gomera offers a wide range of activities throughout the year. The island maintains perfect conditions for those who want to remain physically active, as well as for those who simply want to enjoy a relaxing boat trip.
In particular, La Gomera is famous for its hiking opportunities, unique in the world for their trails and landscapes. Other popular activities on this island include whale watching tours, boat trips, cycling, diving and golf.
Those wishing to spend time actively in La Gomera can choose between leisurely hikes and more challenging tours. It is easy to create your own mix, perhaps in combination with a relaxing day at the beach or sea or at some resort offering wellness packages.
There are numerous hiking trails in La Gomera, first and foremost the Garajonay National Park with its prehistoric forest. Hiking and long walks will give you the opportunity to explore and explore every aspect of the island.
Beautiful places can be reached by following old mule tracks or crossing steep hills or pleasant forest paths, for a total of 600 kilometres of marked trails, many of which are also accessible to mountain bikes.
The trails pass through forests, rugged desert hills and palm tree valleys. A paradise for hikers and adventure lovers, the succession and alternation of its different landscapes makes La Gomera a unique place in the world and absolutely not to be missed!
Tip: Don’t miss the miradors, the various belvederes that can be found in every part of the island and offer crazy views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Many boat tours are organised daily to discover the island’s coastline and its many coves. Among the most popular boat tours is the one that sails past the basalt wall of Los Organos, in the north of La Gomera, and the one that goes all the way around the island.
La Gomera is truly a natural paradise and it is not uncommon to spot dolphins and whales off its wild coast. There are many tours that specialise in observing these beautiful marine animals in their natural habitat.
The fascinating scenery that La Gomera offers diving enthusiasts includes distinctive rock formations, reefs and sandy seabeds, as well as a lively and diverse fauna.
It is possible to take diving lessons or simply rent equipment and set off independently to discover the seabed and fish.
It may seem unusual for an island like La Gomera, but golf is becoming increasingly popular among the activities offered to visitors. The success of this sport on the island is probably due to the combination of physical exercise, contact with nature and a totally relaxing atmosphere.
La Gomera is small and also for this reason the availability of accommodation – hotels, flats, traditional rural houses – is not so wide. It is always advisable to book a few months in advance, so that you can also get a better offer and secure adequate accommodation.
Yes, but which location to choose as a base for exploring the whole island? The island’s capital, San Sebastian de la Gomera, is the ideal place to stay. The pretty village also has a harbour from where sea excursions to admire the coastline depart and offers a direct ferry connection to Tenerife. Various roads and trails also branch off from San Sebastian to the rest of the island, making it the perfect base for hikers but also for those who want to travel comfortably.
Valle Gran Rey has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. The terraced landscape, expanses of palm trees and colourful gardens full of fruit trees give a unique touch to the village, which is criss-crossed by a road that winds between cliffs and idyllic coves. The beaches in the area are busy and well served by clubs and restaurants. Accommodation can be found to satisfy every demand: directly on the beach, in La Puntilla, in La Calera, in Vueltas, in Borbalan or in the quiet upper valley. There are many hotels and tourist complexes.
The green valley of Hermigua lies between two mountain ranges, in the north of La Gomera, where the climate is temperate all year round. Hikers in particular love Hermigua for the uniqueness of its landscape. The area is also famous for its ceramics and the handicraft production of special musical instruments. Its beach, Playa de Hermigua, cannot exactly be called a ‘beach’, as it is more of an access to the sea, which, with its strong waves, offers excellent surfing conditions. For swimmers, the nearby Playa de La Caleta is recommended.
La Gomera can be reached by plane or by ferry, which leaves from Tenerife, specifically from Los Cristianos, and reaches San Sebastian de La Gomera in just 30 minutes. There are also internal flights from Tenerife North to La Gomera, but the fares are not very cheap and the flights are not frequent.
It is therefore better to take a plane to Tenerife, preferably to the South airport, and then from there to Los Cristianos and take the ferry to La Gomera. To travel within the island it is finally recommended to rent a car, as public transport is not very well developed.
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