La Gomera

The island of La Gomera, the second smallest in the Canary archipelago after El Hierro is also the closest island to Tenerife, only 30 km away from its westernmost part. Almost circular and of volcanic origin, it covers an area of ​​378 km2 and its maximum height is the Alto de Garajonay at 1,487 m above sea level.

The Columbus island is the only one in the Canary archipelago in which "recent" volcanic eruptions have not happened, that is, for about two million years. Due to this reason, erosion has acted more regularly, leaving differentiated reliefs, spectacular rocks, and steep ravines.

On the island of La Gomera you jump from one landscape to another and you can feel how its lush and magical nature envelops its visitors little by little. Since 2011, the island has been awarded the Biosphere Reserve distinction in the Excellent category thanks to its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. A unique ecosystem forms the centre of the Garajonay National Park, declared in 1981 a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where laurisilva stands out, a mass of prehistoric vegetation typical of the Macaronesia region that covered the tropics millions of years ago and which has been preserved on the island thanks to its exceptional mild climate. You can walk quietly among these ancient trees with expert guides or plan your own route along perfectly marked paths. There are more than 600 kms of mysterious paths along a living fossil from the tertiary period.

La Gomera currently has a population of approximately 23,000 inhabitants which are distributed mainly among the 6 municipalities into which the island is divided: Agulo, Alajeró, Hermigua, Vallermoso, Valle Gran Rey and San Sebastián de la Gomera.

The base of the Gomera economy has always been agriculture and fishing. Tourism development has been very gradual and has been conditioned by the successful sustainable development policies of the competent authorities.

But if Gomeran cuisine is known for something, it is for its confectionery: biscuits, almonds and butter buns are some of its delicacies. Within this category, or you could even say that in the cuisine in general of this island, the star is palm honey. This is obtained from palm trees found throughout the island. Honey is used to flavour the many desserts of the island cuisine, such as baked milk or curd cake. The best way to know the culinary offer of a place is to savour it. For this we provide several Restaurants nearby, in Playa de Santiago:

• Tasca Fandango, Hotel Jardín Tecina (+34) 922 14 58 50
• Club Laurel, Hotel Jardín Tecina (+34) 922 14 58 50
• Bodegón del Mar (+34) 922 89 51 35
• La Cuevita (+34) 922 89 55 68
• Junonia (+34) 922 89 54 50
• Casanova (+34) 922 89 50 02
• Playa (+34) 922 89 51 47
• Casa Clemente (Alajeró) (+34) 922 89 57 21
• Pizzeria Don Tomate (+34) 922 89 55 45

We recommend you visit the 5 musts of La Gomera:

1. Garajonay National Park. This historic park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. It stands out for being the main exponent of the Canarian laurel, an ecosystem from the Tertiary Era in optimal conservation conditions. The Alto de Garajonay, the highest point on the island at 1,482 m and with magnificent views, is a must see when visiting La Gomera, as well as the viewpoints of the Los Roques Natural Monument, Morro de Agando viewpoint and Tajaqué viewpoint, located on the summits of the island, with magnificent landscape, surrounded by laurel and endemic species, and beautiful views of Benchijigua, hillsides to the north and south with cloud cascades, and magical figures on the rocks. On some occasions you can see the peak of Mount Teide float!

2. The Abrante Viewpoint. An architectural masterpiece designed by José Luis Bermejo. A transparent overhang that allows you to literally be suspended over the Atlantic at 625 meters above its waters. This imposing glass balcony gives you the opportunity to enjoy exceptional views of the town of Agulo, another of the jewels of La Gomera, and always with the island of Tenerife in sight. On the clearest days, when the fog permits, you can also see the volcano of El Teide. The scenery that surrounds this viewpoint, its impressive panoramic views or even the sensation of vertigo that you will always carry with you, are compelling reasons to visit this magical corner. The Mirador de Abrante restaurant is also another hallmark of the place and in it you can enjoy the best Canarian cuisine in a perfect setting. Imagine the experience of savouring the best dishes of the island while enjoying incredible panoramic views, and listening to a unique show in the world: the Silbo gomero (Gomeran whistling).

3. Gomeran whistling. A language that was declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and that has been a form of communication for the Gomerans for years. With only six whistled sounds, more than 4,000 concepts or words can be expressed. You can enjoy an exhibition in various places on the island, one of them: the Mirador de Abrante.

4. El Cedro. You can not miss the visit to the forest of El Cedro (40 minutes from Playa de Santiago), and enter its fairytale paths to the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes, streams and spectacular spots such as the viewpoint of the waterfall El Chorro del Cedro. Continue north to Hermigua and Agulo, stopping at the Mirador de Abrante, where you can contemplate the typical rural landscape of the Canary Islands, with the option of floating over the Agulo valley and the sea if you walk on the glass cantilever corridor. An experience like no other. Also take the opportunity to visit the Garajonay Ball Game Visitor Centre.

5. Los Órganos (north coast of Vallehermoso). They form one of the most spectacular volcanic landscapes that exist, in the form of a majestic cathedral organ carved on a basaltic cliff, accessible only by sea. Take the transfer on the Benchi Express ferry from Playa de Santiago to Valle Gran Rey (40 min), to embark there on the adventure of private excursions to Los Órganos of approximately 3 and a half hours on the west coast of the island. In this way you can admire the spectacular formation of Los Organos, which was named one of the 18 wonders of Spain by National Geograpic in 2018.