What to see in La Palma: the Isla Bonita of volcanoes and stars
La Palma is called "la Isla Bonita" and it earns the name: the greenest and most mountainous of the Canaries, with laurel forests, a giant crater, active volcanoes and some of the clearest skies in the world for stargazing. It isn't a beach-and-nightlife island, it's an island of nature and silence. Here's what to see.
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
The heart of La Palma: a vast erosion crater kilometres wide, ringed by walls over 2,000 metres high and covered in Canary pines. There are trails for every level, from viewpoints reachable by car to demanding hikes on the crater floor. Book access online in advance and go up before 2 pm — after that clouds often cover the view.
Roque de los Muchachos and the observatories
At 2,400 metres, the island's highest point is home to one of the most important astronomical observatories in the world. The road up is spectacular and the view from the top, above the clouds, is unforgettable. At night La Palma is one of the world capitals of astrotourism: dark skies protected by law, the Milky Way with the naked eye, shooting stars. If you love the night sky, this is the place.
The southern volcanoes
The south is geologically young and active: this is where the volcanoes are, including recent lava flows. Lunar landscapes of black lava, volcanic cones, the Ruta de los Volcanes (one of the most famous hikes in the Canaries, running along the volcanic ridge). Scenery that feels like another planet.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
The capital is one of the loveliest colonial towns in the Canaries: houses with the typical wooden balconies overlooking the sea, cobbled streets, historic churches. It's a place to explore slowly on foot. It was once one of the most important ports of the Spanish empire.
To add
- Los Tilos: a humid laurel forest, a UNESCO site, with trails among giant ferns and waterfalls.
- The natural pools (Charco Azul, La Fajana): volcanic rock pools filled by the ocean, an alternative to beaches.
In short
To see the best of La Palma: the Caldera de Taburiente for the panoramas, the Roque de los Muchachos for the stars and observatories, the southern volcanoes for the lunar landscapes, Santa Cruz for the colonial town. It's the island for anyone seeking nature, hiking and the most beautiful starry sky in Europe, not the party scene.