Nature holidays in La Gomera

Garajonay National Park

A journey back in time awaits you in the Garajonay National Park, home to a fossil forest just as it was in Europe millions of years ago! A World Heritage Site, it covers more than 10% of La Gomera. The park's 4,000 hectares culminate at Alto de Garajonay, at 1,487 metres above sea level, the highest point on the island. A vast network of paths makes exploring this exceptional forest a real pleasure for all nature lovers.

Because of the wet climate all year round, it's often very misty and the trunks of the evergreen trees are surrounded by a sea of clouds and covered in impressive layers of moss. A true spectacle of nature made up of sun, mist and temperature variations between the coast and the national park high above.

⭐ Where to stay near Garajonay National Park?

San Sebastián de La Gomera

In the east of the island, San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital and gateway to La Gomera. It was from this island capital, with its seafaring and craft traditions, that several of Christopher Columbus's expeditions set sail. San Sebastián has developed its old town, made up of four blocks of houses, using Calle Réal, which links the Church of Asunción and the Casa de los Peraza, as its main axis. It's well worth a stroll!

The architectural and cultural heritage of this city, founded in 1440, also includes theHermitage of San Sebastián and the Torre del Conde. And don't miss a visit to the Puits de la Aguada and Christopher Columbus House, where the famous Genoese admiral slept before setting off to discoverAmerica.

⭐ Where to stay in San Sebastián de La Gomera?

Majona National Park

Majona National Park, in the east of the island, stretches from San Sebastián to Hermigua. It is an area of great natural value, where you can admire an infinite number of precipices, cliffs and forests. You can also visit uninhabited hamlets such as Taguluche, Juel and Enchereda, where there is little agricultural activity and cattle rearing.

Biological features include the immense laurisilva forests and a varied fauna made up mainly of native invertebrates and a large number of birds. The main attraction here is the presence of a species of bat that is unique to the island.

La Majona also boasts an important cultural heritage represented by the Cuevas Naturales sites, sacrificial altars, cazoletas and canals located in the Barranco de Majona and the Lomo de Majona.

The GM-2, the lookout route

Let's take a step up. The GM-2 is a small ridge road offering superb views of the La Gomera landscape. The island's mountains seem to plunge into the ocean, while Tenerife and its Teide volcano loom on the horizon. Numerous viewpoints allow you to stop and enjoy these incredible panoramas for as long as you like.

The El Sombrero viewpoint, the Los Roques viewpoint and the Tajaqué viewpoint all offer different views. Leave the GM-2 for the Abrante viewpoint, a glass platform overlooking the Atlantic.

Valle Gran Rey, playa de Santiago and the other beaches of La Gomera

Although La Gomera is not particularly renowned for its beaches, the island does have a few nice spots to enjoy the ocean. To the south-west of La Gomera, Valle Gran Rey is one of La Gomera's main seaside resorts. It boasts excellent restaurants, hotels and a black sand beach. Not far away, Playa de Vuelta is just as pretty, but much less crowded.

Playa de Santiago is also a well-developed seaside resort. Those looking for wilder stretches will have a choice between playa del Inglés, playa de La Negra or playa de la Guancha.

⭐ Where to stay in Valle Gran Rey?

Hermigua

Hermigua, in the north-east of the island, was, along with the municipality of Agulo, an aboriginal territory known as Mulagua. After the conquest, sugar cane began to be grown and an important port was built to enable it to be transported. This is an ideal place to set off on an excursion to the north of the island and enjoy the trails and exceptional landscapes of the Garajonay Park, Majona Rural Park or Curato Park.

The town has a peaceful atmosphere. You can visit some places of interest such as theSanto Domingo church, the Water Mill and the Ethnographic Museum.

⭐ Where to stay in Hermigua?

✈️ How do I get to La Gomera?

Getting to La Gomera is easy: it was only in 1999 thatLa Gomera airport was opened at Playa Santiago. The airstrip is too small for charter flights from abroad and is therefore used exclusively for local air traffic.

There is a 40-minute ferry service from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife to San Sebastian de La Gomera, operated by Fred Olsen or Armas. You can take your own car on board. If you want to see whales and dolphins, you'll have better luck with the Armas ferries, as the Fred Olsen company has equipped its ships with a system that scares cetaceans away to limit the risk of collisions.

🚌 How do you get around La Gomera?

Although a few buses criss-cross the island of La Gomera, getting around by public transport is complicated. The easiest way to get around La Gomera is to hire a car (check a car hire comparator to find the best prices) or book excursions.

👉 When to go to La Gomera?

La Gomera's climate is mild all year round, with temperatures hovering between 20 and 25 degrees and very little rain.