La Palma Holidays

Known locally as La Isla Bonita or The Pretty Island, La Palma is a striking little island with a lot to offer. From the lush, green pine forests of the north to the rugged and unruly volcanic landscape of the south, it’s no wonder that UNESCO declared the whole island a world biosphere reserve in 2002. Get closer to nature and enjoy the wild island spirit with a trip to La Palma.

Beaches
La Palma offers its holidaymakers a beach holiday with a twist. The waters are crystal clear, the sun shines year round and the beaches are a silky-soft dark sand. From the olivine hues of Puerto Naos Beach to the jet-black sands of Puerto de Tazacorte Beach, La Palma beaches are spacious and much less crowded then those of its larger Canary Island cousins. Plus, the majority hold Blue Flag status, so you’re guaranteed clean sands, accessible entrances and plenty of facilities.
Beaches on the west coast of the island are perfect for lazy sunny days with gentle sloping sands and the most breath-taking sunsets, whereas the beaches on the eastern coast are popular with watersport enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day out then head to the wide sweeping sands of Puerto Nas. Offering calm jade-hued waters, plenty of loungers and a promenade lined with restaurants, it’s the perfect spot for a carefree beach day. Looking for something a little more wild and rugged? Why not try the unspoilt beaches of Echentive or Nogales?

Food & Drink
From hearty meat stews to delicate freshly caught seafood, the cuisine here in La Palma is a culinary adventure. Indicative of the Canary Islands, La Palma has its roots in Spanish cuisine with strong influences from both Africa and Latin America. If you’re a seafood lover then you’re in for a treat in La Palma. Surrounded by rich waters, La Palma benefits from a huge variety of super-fresh seafood on many restaurant menus. Don’t forget to try the pulpo or octopus, the simply grilled sardines and the gorgeous garlicy gambas as ajillo. No trip to La Palma would be complete without trying the famous Canary Island dish of papas arugadas or wrinkly potatoes in English. Deliciously salty and served with a red or green mojo dip, these little potatoes make for the perfect afternoon snack.

Culture
As one of the smaller and less visited Canary Islands, La Palma is less geared toward tourists and retains much more of its traditional feel. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and made to feel right at home here. The island is predominantly Christian and this is shown through the many celebrations and festivals that occur throughout the year. From traditional festivals and parades such as Holy Week to the one-of-a-kind Carnival with its infamous talcum powder throwing event, La Palma is home to some of the most unique and exciting cultural events. Make sure to visit the historic town of Santa Cruz. With buildings dating back to the 16th century, this once thriving Spanish port is a beautiful town with quaint cobbled streets and Colonial-style architecture.

Nightlife
If traditional tavernas on the square, chic seaside bars and plenty of fantastic restaurants are your idea of the perfect holiday nightlife, then La Palma is definitely for you. Whilst this beautiful little island may not be the party capital of the Canaries, there’s still one or two late night dancing venues for those nights when you just want to let your hair down. The island is home to several vineyards and microbreweries too, so if you’re looking to try something local then you don’t need to look far.

Important Information
Flight Time: 4.5 hrs
Time Difference: No time difference
Currency: Euro
Official Language: Spanish