The Canary island of La Palma is another perfect holiday destination for lovers of a hot climate, paradise beaches, exotic nature, interesting monuments and natural tourist attractions. A wonderful, volcanic landscape and extensive natural areas are all on the tourist pearl – La Palma. Unlike the popular Tenerife or Gran Canaria, you are unlikely to encounter crowds of tourists in La Palma.
La Palma is an island of volcanic origin. Interestingly, it is one of the steepest islands in the world, its highest peak is 2,426 m above sea level. The total height of La Palma from the ocean floor is almost 6,500 m, so the island in relation to its surface is considered one of the highest in the world.
La Palma is a Spanish island in the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the Canary Islands archipelago. It is located near the north-western coast of Africa. Together with the entire archipelago, it is included in Macaronesia. The capital of the island is Santa Cruz de La Palma, the highest place on the island.
Climate
In La Palma, the climate is warm and stable. The average air temperature is 20°C, the average ocean water temperature is 22°C. The warmest month with an average temperature of about 25°C is August, and the coldest is January with 18°C. The island is divided in half by a high mountain range, in the west it is warmer and drier than in the east of the island. Please remember that La Palma is a high island and the temperature decreases with increasing altitude. Even if it’s sunny and warm on the beach, the weather can be completely different in higher areas.
Beaches
Playa de Tazacorte
Playa La Zamora
Playa de Echentive
Playa de los Cancajos
The natural beauty of La Palma delights – black beaches, tropical vegetation and breathtaking landscapes.
Top 10 beaches in La Palma:
- Playa de Tazacorte
- Charco Verde Beach
- Playa de Santa Cruz de La Palma
- Playa y Bajas de la Zamora
- Playa de los Cancajos
- Playa de Nogales
- Playa de Echentive
- Playa de la Veta
- Playa El Remo
- Puerto de Puntagorda
Main attractions:
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
The National Park and its abundance of jagged cliffs and pine forests as you descend into its center is a highlight of a trip to La Palma that should not be missed. Although you can do it all year round, July is a good month for camping in the National Park, with a permit required, of course.
The Caldera Taburiente Trail is a journey through the only national park on the island, which is the star of the popular tourist scene, i.e. a snake-like trail to a volcanic basin, you will look at amazing landscapes and visit La Cascade de Colores – a waterfall where iron-rich waters create a rainbow effect in the rock .
Los Tilos La Palma
Los Tilos is one of the world’s few refuges of the laurel forest, a primeval and dense broad-leafed forest that was abundant on our planet thousands of years ago. Since 1983, the Los Tilos laurel forest has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Cascada De Los Tilos – see this waterfall today with a small amount of falling water. It used to have a more spectacular effect. Nevertheless, tourists are eager to come and see this wonderful natural attraction.
Piscinas de La Fajana
La Fajana is a recreational area of the municipality of Barlovento composed of three natural seawater pools, a restaurant, toilets and car park. Especially recommended to visit in the summer season.
Natural pools carved in volcanic rocks – swimming with wonderful landscapes is truly an amazing experience.
Santa Cruz de la Palma
The capital of La Palma and the main seaport of the island – Santa Cruz de la Palma – are beautiful places that are the pride of the Canary Islands. The city contains numerous natural parks, picturesquely located by the sea, it is a perfect place for walks along narrow streets, among flower-lined houses, and for a party evening. The old town of Santa Cruz de la Palma is a paradise for art connoisseurs. Numerous palaces, buildings from the colonial period, traditional Canarian houses.
Roque de los Muchachos
The viewpoint is located on the highest peak of the island of La Palma. This is one of those places in the world where there are ideal conditions for a different astronomical sky. Therefore, elements of an observation deck were placed near the astronomical observatory, as well as several places with huge telescopes for tourists who can observe the sky for a while. At the foot of the Roque de los Muchachos viewpoint you can see an impressive 1,500-meter-deep volcanic caldera. It is covered with deciduous trees and volcanic rocks that take on a variety of shapes.
In the La Palma Roque de los Muchachos region you can go climbing. A length of 41.6 km and a positive slope of 2,575 m with an average gradient of 6.2%, corresponding to a difficulty level of 2,048 m. The peak of the climb is at an altitude of 2,421 meters above sea level.
Centro de Visitantes Volcán San Antonio
The visitor center has a lot of information about volcanism, earthquakes and the commune of Fuencaliente in the form of information boards, videos, etc. TESS – a solar telescope located outside the visitor center, observes the surface of the sun. From there, the photos are sent to a special room and can be admired.
