Shaped like a Stone Age axe the island of La Palma is only fifty kilometres long and twenty-five wide at its widest point. Dubbed La Isla Bonita or beautiful island, La Palma enjoys far more greenery than some of the other Canary Islands.
The island is home to a massive range of flora and fauna including the Canarian Pine, cultivated citrus, avocado, chestnut, almond and banana trees. The coastal landscape is characterised by the steep volcanic cliffs and black sandy beaches as well as the ubiquitous banna plantations. La Palma has a population of about 90,000 of which most are based on the east coast in and around Santa Cruz and in "the valley" on the western side in the El Paso and Los Llanos areas.
Because of the unspoilt nature of this island, organised excursions and busy theme parks are virtually nonexistent. However, the island is a haven for hikers, nature lovers and people who wish to quietly enjoy the wonderful countryside of this beautiful island. Mountain biking and rock climbing are also popular pursuits as are windsurfing and kite boarding.
Although La Palma is far quieter than the main tourist islands there are still some areas that cater for tourists. Here are a few of our reccommendations:
Santa Cruz de la Palma
Shaped like an ancient amphitheatre, La Palma's capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma is located on the east coast of the island on the edge of the volcanic crater La Cadereta. The population hovers at around the 18,000 mark and the town has a bustling and traditional Canarian port atmosphere. There is much to see in the way of historic architecture with many of the buildings dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with many noteworthy examples of the huge wooden balconies that typify Canarian architectural style.
Tazacorte
Dubbed by many as the warmest spot on the island, Tazacorte lies on the on La Palma's west coast. The town itself is split into two parts with the lively coastal section Puerto de la Tazacorte offering a beautiful seafront promenade, charming fishing harbour, bathing beach and plenty of first rate fish restaurants. The other part is the Tazacorte village about one kilometre up the coast that is home to the town hall, post office, shops and supermarket.
Fuencaliente
This, the most southerly town on the island, enjoys a peaceful location and has a number of excellent beaches within easy reach. Much of the surrounding countryside has been given over to banana cultivation as well as the many vineyards that dot the region.