La Gomera Holidays

While the island is one of the smallest of the Canaries, there’s much more to it than you may think. If you love hiking, shopping, and exploring the great outdoors, you’ll find lots of things to do in La Gomera.

• Hiking is a huge draw here, and La Gomera walking holidays are massively popular. One of the best destinations for hikers is the UNESCO site of La Garajonay National Park. The park boasts stunning forest scenery and challenging mountain peaks, which make for truly spectacular walks on the island.
• If you’re not particularly outdoorsy, don’t worry! You’ll love the vibrant capital of San Sebastian; the port from which Columbus set sail on his way to America. Not only are there fantastic shopping opportunities here, but it’s also the gateway for island hopping over to Los Cristianos in Tenerife.
• Another lovely little town is Playa Santiago on the island’s south coast. Families love it here thanks to the safe pebble beach and charming beachfront hotels. It’s also earned a reputation as the golfing hub of La Gomera, with fairways on the Lomada de Tecina offering spectacular views across the Atlantic.
• While the south coast is known for its golf, the north is famous for its bananas. The agricultural town of Hermigua is at the heart of the island’s thriving banana industry, with thick banana groves leading down to one of the island’s stunning volcanic beaches. If you’re looking for something different, this is it!

From beachside restaurants in Playa de Santiago, La Gomera, to cosy cafes nestled within the farming town of Hermigua, you’ll find lots of food on the island highlighting the best flavours of the Canaries.

• Like the other Canary Islands, La Gomera is known for its fresh seafood specialities. One of the must-try dishes here is cazuela; a mouthwatering fish stew that is typically eaten with gofio. Gofio is a salty Canarian flour that’s sprinkled onto the stew to thicken the sauce, and add a touch of flavour.
• Fish and meat-based stews are a staple in La Gomera, but vegetarian cuisine is widely available. La Montana in Las Hayas is a good place to go for vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. Located in what seems like the middle of nowhere, this restaurant has access to locally grown veggies and herbs.
• If you do want to sample some of the local seafood, El Puerto is considered to be one of the best restaurants in La Gomera, and serves up fresh platters of grilled fish. Located in Valle Gran Rey, this Mediterranean style restaurant is known for its prawns and tuna, and for its locally brewed beers.
• For an absolutely unforgettable dining experience, there’s nowhere better than Mirador de Abrante. It features a glass walkway that juts out over the cliff edge, giving breathtaking views across the ocean. Come for the views, but stay for the food, which is just as good as the sights!
• One dish you’ll find on many menus in La Gomera is cress soup, a local delicacy. Look out for papas arrugadas; new potatoes boiled in salted water and eaten with a peppery mojo dip. Mojo is a real highlight of the Canaries, and the recipes for these dips are often kept a very closely guarded secret.
• One of the best ways to sample the many fine Canarian foods on offer here is to visit the local tapas restaurants, where you can try a little bit of everything. Of course, it should all be washed down with a delicious local wine, or an after dinner carajillo; espresso laced with a shot of brandy for good measure.

As La Gomera is quiet and fairly small, it’s one of the safest and friendliest of places in Spain to travel with children. Kids who love nature and animals will feel right at home on this beautiful island.

• A top family attraction in La Gomera is the Garajonay National Park which is truly magical to explore. Home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and some amazing waterfalls, you can pack a picnic for a full day out, or choose to take a guided tour to make sure you don’t miss out on the highlights.
• Another excellent option for families in La Gomera is the Laguna Grande park, located close to the national park’s visitor centre. There’s an incredible wooden playground here, complete with carvings of animals, slides, swings, and ropes to climb. It’s sure to help the little ones burn off some energy.
• Of course, the stunning coastline of La Gomera is also a big draw for families. Children will love taking a dip in the sea and playing on the dark volcanic sands, which are something they won’t have seen back home. Whale watching trips are also a great experience, and unforgettable for kids and adults alike.

La Gomera’s culture is made up of strong Spanish, South American, and Latin influences. It’s a very colourful island, with lively celebrations held throughout the year.

• The summer months of June, July, and August are the busiest in the calendar. In June, the summer solstice is celebrated in La Gomera with processions, music, and dancing. There’s a mix of both Christian and Pagan traditions during the fiesta, and bonfires are typically lit as the sun begins to go down.
• In July, the Fiesta del Carmen, the patron saint of fishermen, is celebrated with processions through the towns of La Gomera with a statue of the Virgin Mary, ending with festivities and feasts. Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago, San Sebastian and Vallehermoso hold the biggest parties to celebrate this event.

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, or indulge in watersports, you’ll really be spoilt for choice in La Gomera. La Gomera beaches are among the most dramatic in the world.

• La Calera is the island’s biggest beach, and it’s one of the best beaches in La Gomera for families. With dark volcanic sands and calm waters, this beach is set in the relaxing, peaceful environment of Valle Gran Rey, with a number of family-friendly restaurants lining the beachfront.
• Playa del Ingles is a popular naturist beach, renowned for its calm waters and huge expanse of sand, once the tide goes out. Another volcanic beach with dark sands, Playa del Ingles is located to the west of Valle Gran Rey, and is considered to be one of the best places on the island to catch a Canaries sunset.
• Vueltas is the closest you’ll get to a white sand beach in La Gomera, which is typically known for its darker volcanic sands. With sheltered waters and easy access from the port, this beach is a top choice for families, boasting a lively, friendly seaside atmosphere that’s not too dissimilar from that back home.
• Playa de Santiago in the south is a pebble beach adorned with caves. With clear waters, this is the island’s primary diving spot. You can also snorkel here, or explore the waters in a kayak. Located in one of the biggest tourist resorts, you’ll find plenty of shops, hotels, and restaurants within the local area.
• La Cueva is one of two beaches situated in the island’s capital of San Sebastian, but despite its location, it’s actually one of La Gomera’s most peaceful beaches. You’ll find lots of chiringuitos — beach bars — here, and on a clear day you can relax while enjoying fantastic views of Tenerife’s Mount Teide.

La Gomera nightlife is quiet, peaceful, and romantic. There are plenty of places where you can simply sit down and relax, sipping local wines outdoors while enjoying the beautifully warm Canary Islands evenings.

• The best places to find a lively atmosphere are along La Gomera’s beaches, where the bars and restaurants stay open late and play music well into the night. Valle Gran Rey and the capital of San Sebastian are great for nightlife, and home to some of the island’s more vibrant hotspots.
• For a pre-dinner drink, or for cocktails as the sun goes down, the Cacatua Bar in Valle Gran Rey is an excellent choice. A small bar with a big terrace, there’s a relaxed atmosphere here. You can simply unwind and chat about your day, and plan what you’re going to get up to tomorrow.
• One of the most energetic clubs in La Gomera is Bataplan, although there’s also an attached terrace which offers a quieter, more relaxed vibe. Located right on the beachfront in San Sebastian, this is the place to go when the bars begin to shut, staying open well into the morning for all-night parties.
• On the whole, La Gomera is much more subdued when it comes to nightlife than its neighbouring islands. For a more adrenaline-pumping night out, catch the local ferry over to Tenerife and spend a night dancing and drinking in Costa Adeje, one of the most lively and colourful resorts in the Canaries.

La Gomera is perhaps the very best place in the Canaries for a romantic holiday. The secluded destinations on the island make for a lovely, intimate stay surrounded by some truly stunning scenery.

• Spend a day relaxing on one of La Gomera’s quieter beaches before taking a romantic boat ride through the clear blue waters of the Atlantic. Time your boat trip so that you’re back on dry land for a fresh seafood dinner, and then hit the bars for a cocktail or a glass of wine, just as the sun begins to set. Perfect!
• There are many romantic spots on this island that make a wonderful to take an evening stroll. From walking hand-in-hand along the volcanic sands at sunset, to enjoying a peaceful hike together around La Gomera’s rugged landscape, this really is an idyllic island for intimate couples' walks.
• And if you’re looking to get away from it all completely, and feel like there’s no one else in the world except the two of you, rent a private boat and head out into the blue. You could sail around the island for an alternative view of La Gomera, or find a private beach to relax on for the day.

How do you get to La Gomera?

As a small island, there are only two ways to reach La Gomera: by plane, or by boat from the larger neighbouring island of Tenerife, located just to the east.

How long is the ferry from Tenerife to La Gomera?

Journey times vary. The Fred Olsen Express from Los Cristianos to San Sebastian takes 50 minutes. Naviera Armas ferry takes 1 hour from Los Cristianos to San Sebastian, and 1 hour 15 minutes to Valle Gran Rey.

Does La Gomera have an airport?

La Gomera has a small airport located near to Playa Santiago. Local planes land here from Tenerife Nord Airport, so it is possible to fly from the UK to Tenerife, and transfer to a local plane to La Gomera.

Why is La Gomera also known as Isla Colombina?

La Gomera — more specifically the San Sebastian port — is understood to have been Christopher Colombus’ last stop on his way to America in the 15th century. The island is very proud of its history.

Can you drink the tap water on La Gomera?

Tap water is typically considered to be safe to drink on the island of La Gomera. However, if you feel unsure about doing so, bottled water is widely available in shops, restaurants and hotels.