La Pineda
Fuencaliente holidays hit the secluded nail firmly on the head, with pinch-yourself scenery and traditional Canarian touches thrown in, too.
Plump for Fuencaliente, and you’ll find yourself tucked away at the least-trodden point of one of the Canary Islands’ least-trodden islands. This peach-roofed village is set high in La Palma’s hilly centre, with volcanic peaks nosing up around it. Locals outnumber visitors by 100/1, so a stroll along the sleepy main street provides one of the most authentic tastes of the island. For something in a slightly higher gear, head to the indoor market at Villa de Mazo, or spend the day in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma.
The Teneguia and San Antonio volcanoes both stand on tip-toes above Fuencaliente, and there are walking trails which get you close to the craters of both. Set off from the village’s volcano visitor centre, and there’s a winding route which wriggles between the pair. The dusty red landscape’s more Martian than Earth-like, and gradually the trail steepens down towards the island’s southern tip. The stripy Faro de Fuencaliente – better known as Fuencaliente Lighthouse – looms over the finish line here, and makes for a cracking final photo.
Thanks to the volcanic carpet underfoot, the soil here’s an absolute gem for winemakers. Vineyards occupy blobs of land on the mineral-soaked slopes, with banana plantations filling in the gaps down at ground level. The unique conditions help piece together one of the island’s signature tipples, the malvasia wine, which is more than likely to end up in your case. Fuencaliente’s bodegas often run tours, so it’s easy to get the full vine-to-bottle story from an expert source.
Our top deals tailored to you, straight to your inbox Sign up for offers
Holiday Types
Mid/Long haul
Short Haul
Popular Destinations
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.
See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel - for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.
See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice - for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.
See Travel Aware page - for travel advice from First Choice.
See travelhealthpro.org.uk - for current travel health news.
The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
All the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Some of the flights on this website are also financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL protection does not apply to all flights. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each flight before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. ATOL protection does not apply to the other holiday and travel services listed on this website..