The Best Areas to Stay in La Gomera, Canary Islands
The Best Areas to Stay in La Gomera, Canary Islands

Best Areas to Stay in La Gomera, Canary Islands

Where to Stay in La Gomera: A Guide to the “Island for Curious Spirits”

La Gomera is one of the islands that make up the Canary Islands archipelago. The lovely tropical island of La Gomera was Christopher Columbus’s last port of call before famously crossing the Atlantic in 1492 and is famous for cloud forests, its volcanic formations, its beautiful beaches and its unique culture. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay on the island of La Gomera, Spain.


Why you should visit La Gomera

La Gomera is one of the smallest and least populated islands in the Canaries. Its volcanic origin, mountainous relief and benign tropical climate make it a spectacular nature destination. This island is a true paradise for nature lovers and trekkers. See accommodation in La Gomera.

The most important natural attraction in La Gomera is undoubtedly the Garajonay National Park; this 4000-hectare protected area occupies much of the island’s centre and stands out for its lush laurel forests and variety of subtropical plant species. This expansive national park offers numerous hiking trails and spectacular viewpoints over its rock formations (Los Roques), the Barranco de Monteforte and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. See accommodation near Parque Nacional de Garajonay.

Other must-see natural attractions in La Gomera include the Majona Natural Park, La Mérica, Roque Cano, La Encantadora Dam and Barranco del Cabrito. La Gomera is home to many beaches and coves with volcanic sand and crystal clear waters and surrounded by impressive rocky cliffs. Unlike other destinations in the archipelago, such as Tenerife or Gran Canaria, most of the beaches of La Gomera are not usually crowded with tourists. Some of the best beaches in La Gomera include Playa De Vueltas, Playa de Alojera, Playa de la Cueva, Playa Valle Gran Rey, Playa de la Caleta and Playa de Ávalo. See accommodation near the beach in La Gomera.

Its distinct culture and historical attractions also make La Gomera a destination worth visiting. San Sebastián de La Gomera’s capital is home to a quaint historic centre boasting beautiful colonial architecture. Some of its most important historical attractions include the Torre del Conde, the Assumption Church, the Casa Colón, the Hermitage of San Sebastian and the Archaeological Museum of La Gomera. See accommodation in San Sebastián de La Gomera.


When to visit La Gomera

Thanks to its geographical location in the Atlantic Ocean and the influence of the Canary Current and the trade winds, La Gomera has a subtropical oceanic climate. This translates to warm temperatures and sunny days throughout the year. Rainfall is more frequent at higher altitudes than on the island’s coast. During the summer, the average temperatures usually range between 24 and 27 ºC. On the other hand, winters are mild and occasionally warm, with temperatures between 16 and 22 ºC.

Due to its warm temperatures all year round, the Canary Islands are a popular tourist destination regardless of the season. However, the best time to visit La Gomera is during the spring (from April to June) and autumn (from October to December). During these months, the islands receive fewer tourists, hotels still do not have their high season rates, and the warm temperatures allow you to enjoy outdoor activities and go to the beach.

In contrast to mainland Spain, the Canary Islands receive a large number of tourists during the winter. The period between December and March is considered a high season. Likewise, the summer holidays bring thousands of tourists from Spain and Europe to the islands.


Getting there and around

To fly to La Gomera, the island is served by the Aeropuerto de La Gomera. Located in the south of the island, very close to Playa Santiago, this small airport offers inter-island connections to Tenerife North and Gran Canaria.

Ferry services also connect la Gomera. Its main port, San Sebastián de La Gomera, offers connections with the ports of Los Cristianos (Tenerife) and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. See ferry schedules, routes & fares in the Canary Islands.

The best way to get around La Gomera and reach all its beaches, towns and natural areas is by car. You can rent a cheap car for your trip here.

That said, it is also possible to travel to La Gomera without a car. If you don’t have a driver’s license or prefer to use public transport in La Gomera, this island offers a bus network (locally known as guaguas) connecting its principal towns. Additionally, La Gomera has a local ferry service operated by Fred Olsen Express and travelling between San Sebastián, Playa de Santiago and Valle Gran Rey. Another excellent option to get around the island is by hiring tours that include transportation.


Where to stay in La Gomera

The best area to stay on La Gomera is San Sebastián de La Gomera. The island capital offers the best combination of historical attractions, nightlife, restaurants and hotels. San Sebastián is also close to some of the best beaches and is the best-connected town on the island. Here, you’ll find the island’s main ferry and cruise terminal. See accommodation in San Sebastián de La Gomera.

Other excellent options to consider when choosing the best location for tourists in La Gomera include Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago, the Garajonay National Park and the Hermigua Valley.

Keep reading to learn more about the best areas to stay on the island of La Gomera, Spain.

Promoted Property
Parador de La Gomera

This impressive Parador hotel is located on the beautiful Canary Island of La Gomera and offers views of the city and the nearby island of Tenerife. The property is located on the top of a hill and surrounded by beautiful tropical gardens.

The Best Areas to Stay on the Island of La Gomera, Spain

San Sebastián de La Gomera, known locally simply as San Sebastián or “La Villa”, is the most populated town and the capital of the island of La Gomera.

Located on the eastern coast of La Gomera, off the coast of the island of Tenerife, San Sebastián stands out for its typical Canarian architecture and its colourful houses built on steep slopes.

San Sebastián is home to La Gomera’s main port. Puerto de San Sebastián de La Gomera offers a marina and the main ferry terminal on the island. It also has boat connections to other parts of La Gomera, such as Playa Santiago and Valle Gran Rey.

San Sebastián de La Gomera is famous for being the last port of call for Christopher Columbus before leaving for the Americas in 1492. The house where Columbus stayed during the month he spent on the island is now a museum (Casa Colón).

The compact historic town centre of San Sebastián de La Gomera stands out for its colonial buildings. Among the main historical attractions of the island’s capital are the Torre del Conde, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Hermitage of San Sebastián.

The Archaeological Museum of La Gomera offers cultural exhibitions about the Gomeros, the aboriginal people who inhabited the island before Spain conquered it.

La Villa is also home to famous beaches such as San Sebastián and La Cueva and other attractions such as the San Cristóbal Lighthouse.

Some of the sights around La Villa include Ávalo Beach, the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Playa de la Guancha and the Barranco del Cabrito.Being the most populated settlement and the island’s capital, San Sebastián de La Gomera also has the best public transport connections. From here you can travel by bus to other towns such as Valle Gran Rey, Vallehermoso, Alajeró, Hermigua, Playa Santiago and La Gomera airport.

Best towns to stay in La Gomera - San Sebastián
Best towns to stay in La Gomera – San Sebastián
Best area to stay in La Gomera - San Sebastián de La Gomera
Best area to stay in La Gomera – San Sebastián de La Gomera
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera - San Sebastián de La Gomera
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera – San Sebastián de La Gomera
Accommodation in San Sebastián de La Gomera - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in San Sebastián de La Gomera – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in La Gomera, Canary Islands:

  • Cultural attractions
  • Charming historic centre
  • Typical Canarian architecture
  • Best-connected town
  • Ferry and cruise terminal
  • Near some beaches

2. Valle Gran Rey

Valle Gran Rey is a town located on the west coast of the island of La Gomera.

Known mainly for its beaches, Valle Gran Rey also includes the settlements of La Calera, Vueltas, La Puntilla and Playa del Inglés.

The port of Vueltas, located in the southern core of the town, offers marina facilities, recreational and diving tours and a boat transport service to Playa de Santiago and San Sebastián de la Gomera. In the nearby area, you can find numerous restaurants, bars and a large number of tourist apartments.

The coast of La Gomera is characterized by its white waters, and the beaches of Valle Gran Rey are no exception. That said, the nearby Charco del Conde, a natural pool, offers calm and crystalline waters, ideal for the whole family. The Charco del Conde bathing area also has services such as bathrooms, showers and areas for children.

Vueltas is connected to La Calera through Avenida Marítima La Playa – La Puntilla, a sea promenade with excellent views of the ocean and the nearby islets.

Near Playa del Inglés, in the northern end of town, you’ll find the Insular Centre for the Captive Breeding of the La Gomera giant lizard. Known as “Lagartario“, this conservation centre is dedicated to preserving this endemic endangered species. The centre is open to the public (visits must be arranged in advance).

The nearby Charco de Cieno is one of the last examples of natural marshes on the island and a meeting point for migratory birds.

Valle Gran Rey is connected to the island capital by bus line 1. The town also has direct connections to the airport (line 6). Additionally, the island ferry service Fred Olsen Express connects Vueltas with San Sebastián and Playa Santiago.

Best location for tourists on La Gomera - Valle Gran Rey
Best location for tourists on La Gomera – Valle Gran Rey
Where to stay in La Gomera (island) - Valle Gran Rey
Where to stay in La Gomera (island) – Valle Gran Rey
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera - Valle Gran Rey
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera – Valle Gran Rey
Accommodation in Valle Gran Rey - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Valle Gran Rey – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in La Gomera:

  • Beach areas
  • Natural pools
  • Best area for families
  • Variety of accommodation
  • Valle Gran Rey Marina
  • Scuba diving tours

3. Playa Santiago

Playa de Santiago is a town in the municipality of Alajeró, in the south of the island of La Gomera.

Located 35 km by road from San Sebastián de La Gomera, this resort town is known for having one of the longest beaches on the island.

Like many places in the Canary Islands, Playa Santiago emerged as a small fishing village. In recent years, the settlement has experienced great growth thanks to its booming tourism industry.

Playa de Santiago is considered one of the main destinations for scuba diving tours of the archipelago. Thanks to its many caves and the incredible variety of ecosystems found on its seabed, Santiago is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Avenida Marítima, which runs alongside its main beach, is home to many restaurants, bars and pubs.

Other beaches near Playa Santiago include Playa de Suárez, Playa del Medio, Playa de Chinguarime and Playa Ereses.

Playa Santiago is home to Tecina Golf, the only golf course on the island, and it is also very close to La Gomera Airport.

Dónde dormir en La Gomera - Playa de Santiago
Dónde dormir en La Gomera – Playa de Santiago
Best area to stay in La Gomera - Playa Santiago
Best area to stay in La Gomera – Playa Santiago
Accommodation in Playa Santiago - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Playa Santiago – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in La Gomera, Canary Islands:

  • Beach areas
  • Near the airport
  • Wide variety of hotels
  • Nightlife and restaurants

4. Garajonay National Park

Garajonay National Park is the largest protected area in La Gomera.

Covering ​​40 square kilometres, this lush national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Garajonay, like the rest of the island, has a volcanic origin and stands out for its extensive laurisilva and heather, fire and pine forests. The mild temperatures and high humidity of La Gomera have created the perfect microclimate for the development of unique ecosystems. A good part of the plant and animal species found in these forests can only be found on La Gomera.

In addition to its dense forest and endemic species, Garajonay is famous for Los Roques, impressive rock formations product of volcanic activity and erosion.

Some of these formations, such as La Fortaleza, were considered sacred by the Gomeros (the native people of the island) and were used as shelters during the conquest of the Canary Islands by the kingdom of Castile.

With an altitude of 1,487 metres, Alto de Garajonay is the highest point on the island. You can catch spectacular views of La Gomera and the neighbouring islands in the distance from its multiple viewpoints.

The park’s many forests are easy to explore. There are 18 hiking trails starting from different parts of the island. From the Garajonay National Park Visitor Centre, located in Juegos de Bolas (Agulo), you can hire free guided tours (available every Friday).

Being a sparsely populated area with little public transport, the best way to explore Garajonay is by car. Additionally, the park can be reached with organized tours and on foot through its many hiking trails.

Best area to stay in La Gomera for trekking - Garajonay National Park
Best area to stay in La Gomera for trekking and hiking – Garajonay National Park
Where to stay in La Gomera for nature - Near Garajonay National Park
Where to stay in La Gomera for nature – Near Garajonay National Park
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera -  Garajonay National Park
Where to stay on the island of La Gomera – Garajonay National Park
Accommodation near Garajonay National Park - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation near Garajonay National Park – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in La Gomera, Spain:

  • Garajonay National Park
  • Quiet area
  • Rural accommodation
  • Hiking trails

5. Hermigua Valley

Hermigua is a municipality located in the northeast of the island of La Gomera, 12 km from its capital, San Sebastián de la Gomera.

This municipality occupies a fertile valley extending from the centre of the island, in the vicinity of Garajonay National Park, to its northeast coast (Playa Hermigua).

With rugged terrain full of volcanic ravines, Hermigua Valley offers some of the best scenery on the island.

Its location, near Garajonay National Park and Majona Natural Park, makes Hermigua Valley one of the best areas to stay in La Gomera for nature enthusiasts.

A low population density characterizes this municipality. The main settlements are distributed throughout the valley and include Hermigua, Las Casas, Santa Catalina, El Estanquillo, El Tabaibal and El Estanquillo.

Some of the attractions of the Hermigua Valley include El Cedro Forest, the Convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, the Hermitage of San Juan, the Iglesia de la Encarnación, the Davit of Hermigua, the Gofio Los Telares Mill and the Ethnographic Museum of La Gomera.

The accommodation in Valle de Hemigua is made up of small hotels, rural houses and family-run guest houses.

Where to look for accommodation on La Gomera: Hermigua Valley
Where to look for accommodation on La Gomera – Hermigua Valley
Best towns to stay on La Gomera - Hermigua Valley
Best towns to stay on La Gomera – Hermigua Valley
Accommodation in Hermigua - Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Hermigua – Click on the map to see all the available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay on La Gomera island, Spain:

  • Near Garajonay and Majona
  • Rural accommodation and country villas
  • Great natural beauty

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|ES| Las mejores zonas donde alojarse en La Gomera, Islas Canarias.