If you want wild beauty, a sprinkle of Spanish charm, and an actual volcano (or two) under your flip-flops — La Palma’s your island.

Destination highlights

• Known as La Isla Bonita (the pretty island)

• A hiker's paradise

• Year-round sunshine

• Over 100 miles of coast

When is the best time to go on your holidays to La Palma?

Trying to figure out the best time to visit La Palma? Good news: this little Canary Island beauty delivers sunshine, warm temps and dreamy volcanic scenery pretty much all year round. But if you want the best conditions for beach days, stargazing and exploring those epic natural pools, here’s how each season stacks up.

• Spring in La Palma (March to May) - Spring is one of the best times to visit La Palma if you want warm days, clear skies and quieter beaches. Temperatures hover in the low-to-mid 20s, the island is bursting with greenery and it’s perfect hiking weather. The sea is cooler, but the natural pools? Chef’s kiss.

• Summer in La Palma (June to August) - hot, sunny, beach-perfect days incoming. Summer brings the warmest La Palma weather with long days, calm seas and ideal conditions for snorkelling and swimming. It’s the most popular time to go to La Palma, so expect livelier resorts (and pack the good SPF).

• Autumn in La Palma (September to November) - Autumn is a total gem. The sea stays warm well into October, temperatures are still balmy and the summer crowds melt away. It’s one of the best times for couples and hikers thanks to cooler evenings, golden-hour sunsets and great visibility for stargazing.

• Winter in La Palma (December to February) - Winter is mild compared to mainland Europe, with daytime temps around 18–22°C. It’s not peak beach season, but it is ideal for walking, exploring volcanic landscapes and bagging a bargain. Resorts are quieter, and you’ll still get plenty of sunshine between the odd shower.

What are the best beaches to visit on your holidays to La Palma?

La Palma is famous for its dramatic volcanic coastline, black-sand beaches and natural swimming pools carved straight into the lava rock. They're the kinda beaches that are begging to make it to the Insta-feed. If you’re after crystal-clear waters, unreal snorkelling and coastlines with personality, this island is your girl, and these are her babies:

• Puerto Naos – the largest beach on the island, with fine black sand, palm trees, parasols, a promenade bursting with bars and cafés, and a Blue Flag status. A top Canary Islandday out.

• Puerto de Tazacorte  – a family-friendly beach with calm waters and local facilities where you can grab a bite to eat

• Bajamar – this 700m stretch of beach is popular with swimmers, and if you're an early riser then you're in for one hell of a sunrise over the coast!

• Echentive – this small coastal spot offers a bit of peace and quiet, located at the foot of the Teneguia volcano with hot springs and natural pools to dip into

• Los Cancajos  – a bay with fantastic scuba diving opportunities, and calm waters all year round thanks to the volcanic breakwaters sheltering the shore

What are the top hotels to stay at on your La Palma holidays?

Looking for the best hotels in La Palma? If it's a last minute jaunt with a side of cliffside views you want, or a cheap and cheerful escape to a quiet volcanic hideaway, these picks are always a hit and we think you'll see why...

• La Palma & Teneguia Princess - home to seven pools, a pizzeria and a kids' club - need we say more? Oh, and it's located in the cliffside overlooking the seafront.

• Hotel Las Olas - a stylish four-star apartment complex with sea views and a choice of pools to dip into

• La Palma Romántica - a charming family-friendly hotel with an outdoor pool and tennis court

• H10 Taburiente Playa - with a beachfront location, a choice of pools, a snack bar and a playground for the younger guests, this one's a great all-rounder

• Hacienda San Jorge - comfortable apartments set among scenic gardens, with outdoor swimming pools and a panoramic buffet restaurant on site

Where to stay on your La Palma holidays

When it comes to laying your noodle down, you've got two main resort areas to choose from, each offering completely different experiences.

Los Cancajos

The more popular of the two, Los Cancajos, is a bustling coastal district just on the outskirts of the island's capital city, Santa Cruz de la Palma. It’s conveniently close to the airport, so you can be in your hotel room less than an hour after landing! But to get right into our favourite subject - beaches - there’s a combination of black-sand beaches and dramatic, rocky coves that offer magical natural swimming pools: crystal-clear seawater trapped in volcanic rock formations.

It’s away from any main city centres, so you don’t need to worry about getting a good night's sleep, but naturally, the location means you’ve got everything the capital can offer close at hand. All the cultural, cosmopolitan, and culinary facilities you could wish for are available within a short taxi ride. It’s also a great spot from which to explore the rest of the island.

Puerto de Naos 

A purpose built resort on the West coast of the island. Puerto de Naos is famous for its stunning black volcanic sand beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and that perfect combination of relaxation and natural drama. The beach here (the biggest on the island) is absolutely spectacular - dark volcanic sand meeting crystal-clear Atlantic water. The resort is a lot quieter than the capital city, so it's brilliant for families who want safe swimming and good facilities, couples seeking dramatic scenery and romantic sunsets, food lovers (the fresh seafood here is incredible), and anyone who wants proper beach relaxation with easy access to some of Europe's most spectacular volcanic landscapes.

Other Canary Island holidays:

• Tenerife

• Gran Canaria

• Fuerteventura

• Lanzarote-