Consider a honeymoon or romantic getaway on peaceful La Palma – the greenest and arguably most authentic of the Canary Islands, more commonly known as La Isla Bonita (the pretty island).
Unspoiled and tranquil, La Palma is a UNESCO-listed World Biosphere Reserve and the perfect island for escaping the crowds and getting close to nature – flora and fauna on La Palma includes species endemic to the island.
Relax at one of the street cafes in charming Santa Cruz, then explore quaint streets lined with pastel-coloured houses adorned with traditional wooden doors, shutters and balconies festooned with colourful flowers.
Alternatively, hire a car to explore the lush green mountains in the north and the arid volcanic cones in the south.
Explore a cliff-fringed coast indented with classic black-sand beaches or follow inland hiking trails through lush pine-clad mountains dotted with prehistoric rock carvings and small, picture-perfect pastel-shaded villages. Relax under the swaying palms on black-sand beaches at Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos.
Hike across one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas at the Caldera de Taburiente, where you can also stargaze from one of the observatories at El Roque de los Muchachos.
Stroll through Laurel pine forest at Los Tiles, enjoy panoramic vistas from the Mirador de La Cumbrecita and examine prehistoric Guanche rock carvings at La Zarza Park and Belmaco.
More information on La Palma attractions…
La Palma’s dramatic cliff-edged coastline is indented with numerous unspoiled black-sand beaches. The best beaches include those at the beach resorts of Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos …
Choose your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this 400m-long crescent of black-sand dotted with rocky outcrops and framed by black volcanic headlands.
The beach shelves into a sheltered cove with interesting rock formations and perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling and diving among trumpet fish, rays, barracudas and turtles.
Playa de los Cancajos is located on the central east coast at Los Cancajos and is the most developed resort on La Palma. Here you can enjoy a choice of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and luxury hotels that include the beachfront Hotel Taburiente Playa and Hacienda San Jorge Apartments.
The capital of La Palma, Santa Cruz, lies just 4km to the north.
Unwind on this 500m-long stretch of palm-fringed black sand that shelves into the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
A promenade lined with numerous restaurants and bars is just a stroll away.
Come for a day or stay longer at the luxury beachfront Hotel Sol La Palma. Sunbathe, go swimming and stroll the laid-back streets of Puerto Naos – a great place to base yourself for exploring the nearby Aridane Valley and La Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
Away from the beach, go mountain biking, horseback riding and hiking in the surrounding countryside.
Puerto Naos is located on the west coast, around 35km from Santa Cruz.
La Palma offers newlyweds an excellent choice of accommodation options to suit all tastes, including the following 5-star hotels…
Hotel Hacienda de Abajo
Location: Tazacorte, La Palma
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD351 per room
Description: Located in the historic centre of Tazacorte, 2 km from the beach, Hotel Hacienda de Abajo by Vikhotels is an award-winning, adults-only hotel (over 16 years old) offering individually decorated rooms and free Spa access. All rooms are air conditioned and offer free WiFi. They each have a flat-screen multimedia TV and a telephone compatible with MP3 players and iPhones. A a free daily refill of mineral water and soft drinks is included with the minibar, while juice, beer and snacks are available for an extra cost. The private bathroom comes with a bathrobe and free toiletries. The hotel features a restaurant which serves local cuisine with international influences. There is also a selection of restaurants and bars in the area surrounding the hotel. Hacienda de Abajo has a heated outdoor pool and a garden filled with exotic plants. The hotel’s spa offers a Finnish sauna and a hydromassage pool, as well as massage and other treatments. It is 45 minutes by car to La Palma’s airport and also to Santa Cruz de La Palma, where ferries to other islands leave from. La Caldera de Taburiente Nature Reserve is 18 km away.
Hotel-Apartamento Las Olas
Location: Breña Baja, La Palma
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD592 per apartment
Description: Hotel-Apartamento Las Olas is a 7-minute walk from Cancajos Beach, and a 3-minute drive from La Palma Airport. The complex features outdoor swimming pools, a gym and free Wi-Fi zone. All apartments Hotel-Apartamento Las Olas have a balcony or terrace and a living area with satellite TV. Guests can cook in the well-equipped kitchens, and there is a handy mini supermarket on site. The aparthotel offers a large sun terrace with loungers and views of the sea and mountains. There is a paddle tennis court, beauty salon and massage service. Bicycle rental can be arranged at the 24-hour reception. Secure parking is available on-site and an airport shuttle service is available. Las Olas is less than a 10-minute drive from the island’s capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma.
H10 Taburiente Playa
Location: Breña Baja, La Palma
Rating: 4-star
Ave nightly price: AUD162 per room
Description: Hotel Taburiente Playa is 300 m from Los Carcajos Beach, on La Palma’s east coast. It offers 3 outdoor pools and free parking, as well as a sauna and tennis courts. All air-conditioned rooms at H10 Taburiente Playa have a private balcony and satellite TV. The private bathroom comes with a hairdryer. The hotel’s buffet restaurant offers show cooking and serves international food. There are also 3 bars, including a poolside snack bar and a salon bar with live music. Room service and packed lunches are available. The coastline around the hotel is popular for scuba diving, and there is a diving centre next door. You can drive to La Palma Airport and Santa Cruz de La Palma, the island’s capital, in 10 minutes.
Parador de La Palma
Location: Breña Baja, La Palma
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD170 per room
Description: Surrounded by a beautiful, natural landscape, the Parador de la Palma provides great views of the island and is set in 44 hectares of tropical gardens. Each of the hotel's rooms comes with a TV with premium satellite channels and a minibar. Enjoy a pleasant stroll through the gardens surrounding this hotel, with its plants and fruit trees native to the island. You can lie down and soak up the sun here, or take a cool dip in the outdoor swimming pool. Alternatively, you can spend the day on the beach, which is just a short drive from this complex. The hotel has excellent sports facilities onsite, including a gym where you can keep fit while on holiday, a sauna and a play area for children. The hotel has a restaurant, where you can enjoy local-style cuisine. Then you can have a drink in the bar with family or friends.
Hotel San Telmo
Location: Santa Cruz de la Palma, La Palma
Rating: 3-star
Ave nightly price: AUD132 per room
Description: Located in the heart of Santa Cruz de la Palma, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Santa Cruz de la Palma Harbour, Insular Museum, and Maritime Museum. Maroparque Zoo is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) away. This hotel features a rooftop terrace, multilingual staff, and a garden. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a front-desk safe. All rooms are individually furnished and feature free WiFi, free wired Internet, and free bottled water. Guests have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and other amenities include safes and showers.
The best time to visit La Palma is anytime.
La Palma enjoys year-round sunshine with daily summer temperatures averaging 27°C (81°F) and peaking around 30°C (86°F) during the warmest months of July and August.
Information on La Palma weather…
La Palma, also known as San Miguel de La Palma, is the most north-westerly of the Canary Islands, an island archipelago comprising seven large and six smaller islands that sit in the Atlantic Ocean around 1100km (683mi) off the Spanish mainland and just 100km (62mi) from the northwest coast of Africa.
The most convenient route to La Palma is by air to La Palma Airport (SPC), located 8km (5mi) south of the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma.
From many overseas destinations this may require first flying into Gran Canaria Airport (LPA), also known as Gran Canaria - Las Palmas Airport, located 19km (12mi) south of the capital, Las Palmas, followed by a connecting flight to La Palma Island.
By sea, La Palma is a four-hour ferry ride from Tenerife, with connections to and from the neighbouring islands of La Gomera and El Hierro.
Mor information on how to get to La Palma…
Latest update: La Palma, Canary Islands: 25 January, 2023
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