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Things to do in La Palma

Our most recommended things to do in La Palma

La Palma: Guided Volcano Trekking Tour

1. La Palma: Guided Volcano Trekking Tour

Discover the new volcano of La Palma and its consequences as you visit the youngest piece of land on the continent that was created in 2021. See the lava flows and hike to the top of the volcano on this guided walking tour. Begin your hike from the first historic volcano, Tacande which was registered in 1480 and known as the burnt mountain. Start the ascent up the new Cumbre Vieja volcano and admire the overwhelming landscape that was formed in just 85 days. Hike to the top of the volcano, walk around the back edge on a 4.5-kilometer route along a comfortable path where you can observe the force of the eruption. (you do not climb on the crater). Learn about how the lava flow destroyed over 3000 buildings, and forests, and formed a new peninsula. See where the fiery molten rock carved its own path and created a new volcanic landscape.

La Palma: 3-Hour Dolphin and Whale Watching Experience

2. La Palma: 3-Hour Dolphin and Whale Watching Experience

Depart from Puerto de Tazacorte where you’ll board the Flipper and receive a warm welcome from the crew. Set sail in search of dolphins and whales, listen to the crew share information about these fascinating creatures and learn about their marine environment. Cruise around the beautiful coast of La Palma, which is home to up to 29 different types of cetaceans, and enjoy the unique opportunity to see a wide variety of whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. During the excursion visit the famous Cueva Bonita, a volcanic cave formed by ocean erosion. Soak up the magical atmosphere before heading to another idyllic cave, the Poris the Candelaria one of La Palma's most famous coastal villages. And finally, visit the volcanic deltas formed during the last volcanic eruption of La Palma in 2021.

From Tazacorte: Catamaran Cruise of La Palma

3. From Tazacorte: Catamaran Cruise of La Palma

Climb aboard a beautiful catamaran in the port of Tazarcorte and set sail off the north coast of La Palma. Travel by boat designed to access areas such as the Cueva Bonita cave, and with submarine-style views for a complete and amazing experience.  Avail of the services of a friendly crew with 15 years experience in the waters of the Canary Islands to help answer any questions you may have. Relax in the knowledge that the catamaran is equipped with a rescue boat, life jackets for adults and children and an auxiliary zodiac for your complete safety.  Make use of the on-board bar and wide deck to enjoy the sun. Discover beautiful locations, such as Porís de Candelaria,Cueva Bonita, Veta Beach, Cueva Colorada, and Puntagora Poris.

La Palma: Caldera de Taburiente National Park Guided Hike

4. La Palma: Caldera de Taburiente National Park Guided Hike

Explore the Caldera de Taburiente National Park on a guided hiking tour with bus pickup and drop-off from meeting points on the island. Admire this park which encompasses a crater that is 8 kilometers in diameter and 1,800 meters deep. Pass through ravines and view the Waterfall of Colors. Board a comfortable and air-conditioned bus at one of the centrally-located meeting points in La Palma. Relax on the scenic drive to the Los Llanos de Aridane Bus Station. Transfer to a spacious 4X4-bus ride to the Los Brecitos observation deck.  Begin your hike with sweeping mountain views. Walk through rocky vegetation and under cedar and pine trees. Keep an eye out for local birds as you follow your guide along the PR LP 13 trail to uncover the lush heart of the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente. Pass over wooden bridges that span sparking streams. Stop to swim in the cool waters of Playa de Taburiente. Rest before traveling the through the Taburiente ravine to get to the vibrantly colored Waterfall of Colors. Finally, take the Las Angustias ravine through volcanic formations to get to the Los Llanos de Aridane Bus Station. Transfer back to your meeting point on the bus.

La Palma: Tacande Volcanic Landscape Tour

5. La Palma: Tacande Volcanic Landscape Tour

Discover the highlights of the island of La Palma on a guided day trip. Explore the picturesque landscape of the west side of the island, which were affected by the volcanic activity of 2021. Meet your guide in front of the Cabildo Insular in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Hop on the bus and head to discover some of the city's highlights, such as the Castillo de Santa Catalina, which was one of the most important castles in Spain during the Age of Discovery. See the typical double balconies of residential houses. Pass next to the Barco de la Virgen, a faithful reproduction of the Santa María sailboat, used by Christopher Columbus to discover America. Continue to the Mirador de la Concepción. Admire the views of the volcanic landscape and the island's capital from this spectacular viewpoint. Travel southwest, entering the area affected by the recent Cumbre Vieja volcano. Stop in the exclusion zone of the Tacande village where you will have a first view of the recently active volcano. Then, continue to Tazacorte to see the youngest lava flows in Spain. After lunch, head to the last stop of the tour at the Tajuya viewpoint. Take some time to safely observe the effects of the most recent volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands. Then, relax on your journey back to Santa Cruz.

La Palma: Wildlife Viewing and Cumbre Vieja Boat Tour

6. La Palma: Wildlife Viewing and Cumbre Vieja Boat Tour

Board the Fancy II, a beautiful catamaran with a 60-passenger capacity and a deck for exciting underwater viewing. Sail to the south of the island. Discover lots of marine life, including playful dolphins, beautiful sea turtles, and serene whales. Get close to the lava flows of the Cumbre Vieja volcano. Learn more about some of the details and anecdotes about this active volcanic ridge.

La Palma: Guided Trekking Tour to El Roque de los Muchachos

7. La Palma: Guided Trekking Tour to El Roque de los Muchachos

Venture to the highest point on the island of La Palma during a trek with a professional guide. Complete with transport to and from your accommodation, this tour of El Roque de los Muchachos is a great way to get outdoors and experience the natural landscape and picturesque terrain. Start your day with a convenient pickup from your hotel. Hop aboard your air-conditioned tour bus and take in the scenery en route to the Mirador de los Muchachos as you ascend the winding road. The Roque de Los Muchachos, boasting 2,426 meters in altitude, is the top of Isla Bonita and is crossed by several paths that will allow you to enjoy a panoramic view of clouds and the terrain below. Trek along a path that was once used as a commercial route connecting the municipality of Tijarafe to the capital in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Your trip will locate you at the border of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park and lead you to some of the telescopes of the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory. Experience breathtaking views of the Cumbre Vieja or Cumbre Nueva as well as the municipalities of Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte and Tijarafe. Witness the cedars, lards and summit pansies before reaching Roberto's Wall. Continue on your path as you reach Pico de La Cruz where, if the day is clear, you will be able to see as far as the island of Tenerife. Once you have completed the hike at Pico de La Nieve you will head back to your tour bus.

La Palma: Cueva Bonita Sea Kayaking Tour

8. La Palma: Cueva Bonita Sea Kayaking Tour

Discover the scenic landscapes, secluded caves, and famous volcanic Cueva Bonita on this kayak tour. Meet your guide at Proís de Candelaria, a small cove where the locals have built homes in the numerous sea caves. Learn about the history of the area from your local guide. After a short introduction and safety briefing, you'll have time to get kitted out before taking to the sea on your 1.5-hour adventure. Follow the coast towards Cueva Bonita, one of the island's main attractions which is only accessible by sea. Avoid the crowded tourist boats and travel through the cave by kayak before heading back to the meeting point.

La Palma: Special (bus tour)

9. La Palma: Special (bus tour)

Discover everything the beautiful island of La Palma has to offer on a guided full-day trip. Get a wide view of the island exploring different locations, and touch the sky from the highest point, the Roque de Los Muchachos. Meet your group early in the morning at one of the collection points indicated, and hop on the bus which will take you straight to Plaza de Tajuya, a location that became an improvised and privileged viewpoint of the recent volcanic eruption in Cumbre Vieja. Continue the route towards El Time, an impressive viewpoint located 594 m above sea level, which offers an unbeatable panoramic view of the extraordinary Aridane Valley, as well as the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Visit the Farmer's Market in Puntagorda, a weekly meeting point for the display of local products from farmers, artisans and pastry chefs. After ascending a winding road, reach the natural balcony of Roque de Los Muchachos, considered one of the best places in the world for astronomical observation due to the quality of its sky and, for this reason, internationally recognized telescopes are located here. The perspective that we have from the top of the island is impressive: at our feet, the Caldera de Taburiente, one of the largest erosion craters and a geological jewel in the world, and, around us, different viewpoints that extend over the ridges to enjoy a majestic view. On clear days we can see the silhouette of the neighboring islands of El Hierro, La Gomera and Tenerife. On the way back, travel along the east side of the island, and contemplate different levels of vegetation, whose flowering in spring adds another attraction to the landscape. See almost the entire bed of the Barranco de Las Angustias from the Mirador de Los Andenes before reaching the Royal Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Snows, where the image of the patron saint of the island is found. End your day trip with unbeatable views over Santa Cruz de La Palma, Las Breñas and the east coast from the Mirador de La Concepción before returning to your selected drop-off location with the group.

From Tenerife: Day Trip to La Palma Volcanic Landscapes

10. From Tenerife: Day Trip to La Palma Volcanic Landscapes

Discover the highlights of Santa Cruz de La Palma and explore the effects of La Palma's volcanic activities on this day trip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Have lunch at a local restaurant and visit the Caldera de Taburiente National park. Meet your guide at the tour partner's office in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and board the ferry. Relax and enjoy the azure Mediterranean sea on the ride to the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma. Once on land, listen as your guide explains the tour route. Hop aboard the comfortable and air-conditioned bus and begin your tour of Santa Cruz de La Palma. See a reproduction of Christopher Columbus' Santa María ship at the 'Ship of the Virgin.' Hear about La Palma's connection to this historical ship. Continue to admire views of the 17th-century Castle of Santa Catalina which was an important location on the route to the Americas. View some traditional houses with stunning Canary-style balconies. Relax on the drive to the 'Mirador de la Concepción' viewpoint. Stop to enjoy views of the island and crater from the highest part of the Caldereta volcano. Notice how the vegetation changes on the island on the drive towards the Time Tunnel. Observe how the Cumbre Vieja volcano has affected the local area. Make your way to the exclusion zone of the Tacande neighborhood where you will catch your first glimpse of the volcano. See the youngest lava flows in Spain in Tazacorte. Sit down at a restaurant to a delicious lunch of salad, bread, fish, potatoes, and cheese. After lunch, head out to see lava-formed coastal cliffs. Finally, go to the Tajuya viewpoint to witness the newest volcano in the Canary islands and snap some breathtaking pictures. Return to the port in the afternoon and take the ferry back to your starting point in Tenerife. 

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What people are saying about La Palma

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 964 reviews

Definitely book this. You won't be sorry when you see the amazing view and as our guide pour it, "you're walking on some of the newest ground on earth!" Nice, small group ! Transportation provided up to the starting point (about 10 minutes) which was a nice way to start the day. Very knowledgeable, self-invested and friendly guide. Spoke Spanish and English for us. Provided images of before, during and after the eruption which helped us visualize and understand what we were seeing. A very easy to manage walk with interesting stops along the way and opportunities to take photos. For us in our 60's (but think we're still 40!), this was the perfect mix of exercise and exploration. This really opened our eyes to the uniqueness of La Palma and would highly recommend this activity!

Hello dear Stefanie, a big thank you for the great tour with you and for your explanations and information (and the chocolate, of course) I learned more about the subject from you in a few hours than I did during my entire school days...okay, that's natural It's been a while and maybe I've forgotten something since then, but I will always remember your 5% eye "Saturn" and then later also Jupiter... that was really...moving, I can't put it any other way, that was a very special moment for me that I didn't expect at all until this moment through the telescope, there were stars just bright spots in the sky for me but the fact that I actually see Saturn was an amazing highlight, so I'm really happy about the photos

A wonderful morning at sea. The guides Gala and Andrés were super helpful and friendly and shared all kinds of whale and dolphin knowledge. We had amazing luck and saw dolphins, pilot whales, and a larger whale on our way back to the harbor. We even saw a sea turtle in the distance. Capitan Jose also drove us inside the Cueva Bonita to see the gorgeous sea cave. We loved the experience!

The hike was so rich with plant life and quite a beautiful journey. Our guide Roman had so much local knowledge of all the different kinds of plants specific to La Palma and the rich history of the island.

It was very interesting and the our guide told us a lot of informations, it was definitely worth it! :)