La Palma is a very special island: compared to its “siblings”, mass tourism has not yet cast an eye on this spot in the Atlantic.
Of course, there are hundreds of good reasons to visit Isla Bonita – we have put together our personal TOP 10 here, which in our eyes make this little pearl in the Atlantic very special.

1 Impressive landscapes

La Palma, also known as “La Isla Bonita”, is a true natural paradise. The island impresses with its diverse landscapes, which range from lush laurel forests, deep gorges and mountain slopes full of pine forests to barren volcanic landscapes. A particular highlight is the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a huge erosion crater characterised by dense pine forests and spectacular waterfalls. Here, hikers and nature lovers can enjoy the unspoilt beauty of nature and immerse themselves in another world.

The volcanic origins of the island are visible in many places: volcanoes such as San Antonio, Teneguía and, since 2021, Tajogaite offer fascinating insights into the geological history of the island. Its barren lunar landscapes form a stark contrast to the green, fertile areas of the island.

On the 2,426 metre high “Roque de los Muchachos”, far above the tree line, you will find another pride of the island: observatories from all over the world are located here. An ideal spot on earth, as the light pollution of the night sky is minimised.

La Palma owes its rich and varied climate zones to its high mountain ridges. Our endemic pine species – the Pino Canario – provides sufficient groundwater, as it “milks” the clouds with its long needles and “waters” the island. Eines ganz besonderen Naturschauspiels ist der Wolkenwasserfall, der sich regelmäßig über die “Cumbre Nueva” ergießt: Passatwinde drücken Wolken von der Ostseite der Insel knapp über den Bergkamm auf die Westseite und ähnlich eines Wasserfalls ergießen sich die Wolken auf die Ebene oberhalb von El Paso.

2 Historic towns

Much of La Palma is still very unspoilt. The towns and villages have retained their original charm thanks to the very few hotel complexes.

Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital of the island, is a jewel of colonial architecture. With its narrow, cobbled streets, colourful balconies and magnificent buildings dating back to the 16th century, the city offers a fascinating journey into the past. Sights such as the Castillo de Santa Catalina are silent witnesses to the city’s history and provide an insight into the time of the Spanish conquest.

The most populous town on the island is Los Llanos de Aridane. Gelegen auf der Westseite, bietet sie eine lebendige Mischung aus traditionellem Charme und modernem Leben. Der zentrale Plaza de España, gesäumt von mächtigen Lorbeerbäumen und umgeben von historischen Gebäuden, ist ein beliebter Treffpunkt für Einheimische und Besucher.

The north of La Palma is known for its small, dreamy villages surrounded by lush vegetation. Villages such as San Andrés y Sauces are enchanting with their traditional Canarian houses and quiet, cobbled streets. A small road leads into every “barranco” (ravine) on the northern flank and thus to some really small villages with barely more than 20 houses, surrounded by lush and varied nature. In this region you can enjoy the rural idyll of the island to the full.

3 Beaches and natural swimming pools

From black sand beaches such as Puerto Naos to hidden bays such as Playa de Nogales, there is plenty to discover.

La Palma offers a wonderful variety of beaches, ranging from black sand beaches to hidden coves. One of the most famous beaches is Puerto Naos with its dark volcanic sand and mostly gentle waves. This beach has been accessible again since June 2024, after it was closed due to the volcanic eruption of 2021 (Tajogaite) and the gases it emitted. Life is slowly returning to this popular coastal town and locals and tourists alike are looking forward to the revitalisation of the infrastructure and the famous promenade. One beach that is particularly popular with families is Tazacorte, which invites you to swim in its calm waters even when the swell is strong thanks to the harbour wall. The basic rule is: always pay attention to the flags on the beach. Even if the sea appears calm, a red flag can be a sign of strong currents.

In addition to the beaches (oh yes, there is NO white sand here, all the sandy beaches are black), La Palma also offers enchanting natural swimming pools and sea accesses on rocky coasts with incredibly clear water. The natural pools of Charco Azul near San Andrés y Sauces and La Fajana in Barlovento are absolute highlights. These pools are constantly flushed with fresh seawater and offer a safe place to swim.

4 Delicious Canarian cuisine

Local specialities such as papas arrugadas, mojo sauces and fresh seafood <3

Canarian cuisine is a real treat for the palate: the famous “papas arrugadas”, small, wrinkled boiled potatoes cooked in seawater and served with two traditional sauces, mojo rojo (red) and mojo verde (green), are an absolute must. This simple but incredibly tasty speciality is a perfect example of the island’s down-to-earth and aromatic cuisine. Fish lovers will also get their money’s worth, as fresh fish and seafood are offered in numerous varieties – usually freshly caught on the same day.

Another highlight of Palmerian cuisine is the savoury stews and soups, which are often prepared with local ingredients such as goat meat, sweet potatoes and chickpeas. The “Ropa Vieja” is a traditional stew made from meat, chickpeas and vegetables, which is cooked slowly and is characterised by its hearty flavour. La Palma is also known for its goat’s cheese, which is often smoked and is often served as a young cheese, grilled and with mojo verde as a starter.

5 La Palma Wine

La Palma is a paradise for wine lovers, as the island produces some of the best wines in the Canary Islands. The volcanic soil, mild climate and high altitudes create ideal conditions for growing grapes. La Palma is particularly famous for its Malvasia wine, produced in the south of the island: an aromatic and sweet dessert wine that has been appreciated for centuries.

The wineries on La Palma often offer guided tours and tastings where visitors have the opportunity to try different grape varieties. In addition to Malvasia, excellent red and white wines are also produced, although these vary greatly in character depending on the island region. From light to very heavy wines, almost everything can be found.
We personally had the pleasure of working with “Bodegas Perdomo”, a small family business in Las Tricias run by two sisters. Sounds interesting? Especially for closed groups, we are happy to organise a tour finale with the Perdomo family, a short guided tour followed by a wine tasting – an absolutely perfect day.

6 Pleasant climate

La Palma enjoys a mild and pleasant climate all year round. The small temperature fluctuations make the island particularly exciting for holidaymakers in the winter months. With average temperatures rarely below 18°C in winter and above 27°C in summer, La Palma offers ideal conditions for outdoor activities and relaxation all year round. The trade winds provide a refreshing breeze even in summer.

The pleasant climate also favours the island’s diverse flora and fauna, which can thrive in the various microclimates ranging from lush forests to barren volcanic landscapes. And yes, in winter there can be snow on the Roque de los Muchachos for a few days – then we get on our bikes at +/- 0° and finish the tour at 25° on the beach with a dip in the sea 😉

7 The active island

La Palma is an island that has retained its authentic charm and has remained largely untouched by mass tourism. Instead of crowded beaches and large hotel complexes, visitors will find a quiet oasis here. The unspoilt landscape and the many opportunities for active tourism make La Palma particularly attractive for nature lovers and adventurers. Hikers can explore the island on the numerous well-marked trails through dense laurel forests, across impressive volcanic landscapes and along breathtaking gorges. The clear waters around La Palma are a paradise for divers and snorkellers who want to discover the rich underwater world with its lava formations.

A popular highlight are the dolphin and whale watching tours, which are mainly offered from Tazacorte. The combination of unspoilt nature, diverse outdoor activities and the absence of mass tourism makes La Palma an ideal destination for anyone looking for peace, relaxation and adventure in an authentic and natural environment.

8 Celebrate festivals as they fall

La Palma is known for its lively celebrations, festivals and events that attract visitors all year round and offer a deep insight into the island’s rich culture and traditions. The carnival of Santa Cruz de La Palma is particularly famous: a celebration to which people from all over the Canary Islands and the mainland travel. “Los Indianos” is Carnival Monday, when everyone dresses up in white and the whole town organises a “powder war” to commemorate the return of the Palmerian emigrants from Cuba. This celebration attracts thousands of people.

Another spectacular festival is the “Bajada de la Virgen de las Nieves”, which takes place every five years in Santa Cruz de La Palma. The highlight of this celebration is the “Danza de los Enanos” (Dance of the Dwarves), a humorous parade in which the participants appear in dwarf costumes and dance to traditional music. In addition to these major events, there are numerous local festivals and harvest celebrations that celebrate the traditions and customs of the island. These festivals not only offer entertainment, but also the opportunity to get to know the warm hospitality of the Palmeros and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the island.

9 Country and people

La Palma captivates with its unspoilt charm and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants. The Palmeros, as the locals are known, are proud of their rich culture and traditions, which they share with visitors with open arms.

Relatively little English or German is spoken in the shops and also in the restaurants – but this does not stand in the way of hospitality. If you bring a few words of Spanish with you, the Palmeros will gratefully accept it and communication always works somehow.

The welcoming atmosphere can also be felt on the village squares, where the locals gather for coffee, pensioners sit on benches here and there smoking cigars and children play football. Life mostly takes place outside, cafés and restaurants live to a large extent from outdoor seating and the Palmero simply likes to sit together.

The combination of the country and its people gives the island a special rhythm that keeps holidaymakers coming back year after year.

10 Mountainbiking

La Palma is a paradise for mountain bike enthusiasts and offers unique MTB conditions thanks to its natural beauty. The island has an extensive network of trails that lead through spectacular landscapes and cover a wide range of difficulty levels. From challenging enduro trails to cross-country routes through dense forests – La Palma has something for every biker. It can happen that you enter the trail in alpine terrain, plunge through pine forests and over carpets of pine needles into deciduous forests and thus experience a variety of surfaces in a very short time.

Thanks to the year-round spring-like climate, we have the opportunity to enjoy the island on two wheels in both summer and winter, and the low level of tourism means that you rarely meet other people on the roads. The combination of challenging routes and La Palma Flow, unspoilt nature and the warm hospitality of the Palmeros makes La Palma an incomparable destination for mountain bikers.

10.1 Timbre

Oh, and if we were to take a poll of our guests, the answer would probably be: many of them would be: Timbre.
In the summer of 2022, she suddenly stood in the shop entrance, emaciated and screaming at us with all her soul. It was then that she decided that we were her new home and since then she has reliably notified us every time someone approaches the side door (hence her name “doorbell”), discusses technical issues with the guys from the workshop and actively gives advice.

Rarely have we experienced such a talkative cat, and her highlight every day is when the groups come back from tour and she can join the group.

La Palma is a multifaceted holiday destination that impresses with its stunning nature, cultural treasures and diverse outdoor activities. Whether you are looking for peace and relaxation or want to experience adventure in the wild beauty of the island – La Palma offers unforgettable experiences for every visitor.