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    • La Palma
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    La Palma Holidays

    • Overview
    • Things To Do
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    La Palma holidays aren't just off the beaten track, they're in the barely-trodden crop of land that lies beyond that. Think volcanic countryside, slumbering villages and grade-A stargazing.

    Make-up free

    Nothing whispers under-the-radar quite like Spain's La Palma. It’s neighbours with Tenerife, but that’s practically where the similarities end. This place has stuck with the natural look, with just a handful of settlements and hotels nosing out from the banana plantations and pine-covered hills. Even the bigger towns, like Santa Cruz de la Palma and Puerto Naos, are cut from a classic Canary Island cloth.

    Volcanic scenery

    The beaches are a tell-tale sign of the island’s volcanic back story – they’re black-sand numbers, and a few come with Blue Flags poking out of them. Away from the volcanic sands, the peaks of Teneguia and San Antonio rear up in the south, and the pine-clad Caldera de Taburiente National Park dominates the northern landscape. Hiking trails are threaded along the Cumbre Vieja ridge, with views that are a solid 10. Call in at the village of Fuencaliente, and you can hike the hillside trails down to a hundred-year-old lighthouse.

    Starry nights

    La Palma’s home to one of the world’s largest telescopes. Bulb-like observatories peek above the clouds on the island’s ridge-like spine, and come into their element when night rolls around. It’s all thanks to the glassy sky, which is so clear after dark that the stargazing conditions are among the best on the planet. UNESCO's slapped a protected tag on the entire island, making it a biosphere reserve from top to toe.

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    At a glance

    • Hit the beach at Puerto Naos
    • Hike along a volcanic trail
    • Visit the traditional village of Fuencaliente

    Destinations in La Palma

    Top Destinations

    • Puerto Naos

      Holidays to Puerto Naos deliver natural awe – think dramatic volcanoes and ebony beaches wrapped around a little village.

    • Brena Baja

      Surrounded by lush forests, untouched countryside and wild beaches, holidays to Brena Baja are a nature-lover's paradise.

    • Fuencaliente

      Fuencaliente holidays hit the secluded nail firmly on the head, with pinch-yourself scenery and traditional Canarian touches thrown in, too.

    • Los Cancajos

      For black-sand beaches, tasty tapas and a mountainous horizon, holidays to Los Cancajos are right up your street.

    Top things to See and Do in La Palma

    • BEACHES
    • SHOPPING
    • NIGHTLIFE
    • FOOD & DRINK
    • The dark side

      This island beauty is one of the smallest Canaries, but it’s got some first-rate beaches on offer. Don’t come expecting golden sands – it’s a volcanic spot, so things are dark and mysterious. There are year-round sea breezes here, too, so it’s a top pick for watersports like wind and kite surfing.

    • The Big Beach

      The beach at Los Cancajos is by far the most popular stretch. It’s made up of three bays, all with the Blue Flag seal of approval. The sands are dark and volcanic, the seas are clear and great for snorkelling, and the beaches come complete with postcard views across to Tenerife and La Gomera. There are also loads of watersports on offer, a playground for the kids and a generous helping of bars and restaurants.

    • The Secret Beach

      For a more out-the-way spot, try La Zamora Beach, 15 minutes’ drive from Fuencaliente. It’s a pretty rugged spot – all black sand, pebbles and craggy cliffs – but it’s usually deserted, so if you prefer to have the sands to yourself this is the place. There’s not much in the way of facilities, though, so it’s a good idea to pack a picnic if you’re staying for the day.

    • Bargain Buys

      Santa Cruz is a 40-minute drive from Fuencaliente, and home to the 100-year-old Mercado Muncipal. This indoor market runs from 7am until 2pm Monday to Saturday, and is fantastic for fresh produce like goats' cheese, traditional pastries and wine. Los Cancajos is a similar distance, and at its flea market on Saturday mornings you can pick up everything from flowers to pottery. You'll find it at the south end of the seafront.

    • Mid-Range Buys

      Browse the shops in Santa Cruz and you'll find some selling hand-crafted cigars. Made half-an-hour down the road in Mazo, they're cheaper than the ones from Havana but just as good. Plus, they were supposedly a favourite of Churchill. The Centro de Artesania in Fuencaliente is a top spot for handicrafts – it's open every weekday 'til 6pm and you can pick up embroidery, tapestry, and hand-woven baskets.

    • Designer Buys

      As you'd expect on such a small island, designer labels aren’t big news. The locals nip over to Tenerife to get their high-end fix. That said, you will find stores like Benetton in the cobbled shopping streets of Santa Cruz's centre. And there are a good few boutiquey places spread around Calle O' Daly, which is better-known locally as Calle Real.

    • Laid-back evenings

      Easy evenings are what La Palma does best. Places like Fuencaliente have a clutch of low-key restaurants and bars in town, and the hotels will normally have their own entertainment laid on. If you want to head further afield, take the 40-minute drive to Santa Cruz and try wandering down Avenida Maritima. This seafront stretch has a good few family-friendly cafés and restaurants to pick from.

    • Lively evenings

      La Palma isn't big on neon nightlife, but head for Centro Commercial in Los Cancajos and you'll find a lively set of watering holes. The new marina in Santa Cruz is also a good bet for bars with a bit of buzz about them. For something different, try a DIY wine tour. Fuencaliente, Puntagorda, Tijarafe and Teneguina all have their own unique varieties. All you need is a Sat Nav and a designated driver.

    • Ropa vieja

      The name of this starter means 'old clothes' and it's so hearty it's sometimes served as a main. It's a hefty mix of potatoes, chickpeas, ham, tomatoes, meat and eggs. Originally a dish for using up left-overs, it got so popular that it spread around the world. You'll find versions in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

    • Sancocho

      You can't open a menu in La Palma without seeing a fish dish – the island is surrounded by the sea, after all. One of the best has to be Sancocho, a slow-cooked stew of salty fish, veg and potatoes. The type of fish varies by restaurant and depends on what's been caught, but it's often sea bass or halibut.

    • Cabrito frito

      Goat meat is a popular choice on menus in La Palma, and it has a really rich flavour. Cabrito frito is seasoned and deep-fried goat's meat and, while every restaurant will have its own version of this dish, it often comes on the bone. If so, do as the locals do – ditch the table manners and use your fingers.

    • Rapadura

      When you browse the dessert section, this is probably the one that will stand out. It's a cone-shaped stick made of traditional Canarian flour and sugar cane syrup, with things like almonds, cinnamon and lemon added to give it some flavour. You can get chocolate, milk and coconut versions, too.

    • Malvasia

      Europeans first settled on La Palma 500 years ago, and it wasn't long before they planted vineyards. Pretty soon afterwards, La Palma became famous for its strong, sweet wine – it's been namechecked by the likes of Shakespeare and Byron. It's traditionally a dessert wine, but locals also drink it on its own.

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    Our destinations in La Palma

    • Los Cancajos

    • Puerto Naos

    • Fuencaliente

    • Brena Baja

    Popular holidays

    • Family holidays in La Palma
    • Luxury holidays in La Palma
    • All inclusive holidays in La Palma
    • Last minute holidays in La Palma
     
     

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    DESTINATIONS IN La Palmay