La Gomera – Unique Canary Island
Welcome to La Gomera, the second smallest island in the Canary archipelago, which has preserved its pristine nature and authentic culture. Located just 40 minutes by ferry from Tenerife, this 370 km² island offers travellers a very special experience of the Canaries.
Geographical location and transport accessibility
The island is located in the western part of the Canary archipelago. The main air gateway is La Gomera Airport (Aeropuerto de La Gomera), which receives local flights. Most tourists arrive via ferry service from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife. Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas operate regular services several times a day, with journey times of 40-60 minutes.
Natural attractions
The central part of the island is occupied by the Parque Nacional de Garajonay (Garajonay National Park), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique relict laurel forest over 11 million years old, covering an area of 40 km². There are more than 600 km of marked hiking trails of varying difficulty.
The Valle Gran Rey and Valle de Hermigua are striking terraced fields and palm groves. Of particular note are the basalt formations of Los Órganos, natural columns 200 metres high, resembling the pipes of an organ and accessible only from the sea.
Beach holidays
The island’s coastline offers a variety of beaches:
- Playa de Santiago is a quiet resort with black volcanic sand and well-developed infrastructure
- Valle Gran Rey, a series of beaches with crystal clear waters, including La Calera and Playa del Inglés.
- Playa de la Caleta is a secluded beach with natural pools.
Active holidays
La Gomera offers great opportunities for active tourism:
- Hiking routes of varying difficulty along 650 kilometres of marked trails
- Mountain biking on mountain roads
- Diving in clear waters with visibility up to 30 metres
- Whale and dolphin watching (more than 20 species of marine mammals)
- Rock climbing on basalt walls
Cultural heritage
A special place in the island’s cultural heritage is occupied by the Silbo Gomero, a unique whistling language recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is now taught in all schools on the island.
The historic centre of San Sebastián de La Gomera retains the atmosphere of a colonial town. Here you will find the Torre del Conde, the only surviving 15th century military tower in the Canary Islands.
Gastronomic specialities
La Gomera’s cuisine is characterised by its originality:
- Almogrote, a spicy pasta made of hard goat’s cheese, olive oil and red pepper
- Gofio, a traditional flour made from roasted grains.
- Miel de Palma – syrup made from the Canary date palm.
- Local wines made from Forastera Gomera and Listán Negro grapes.
Practical information
- The air temperature stays in a comfortable range of 20-25°C all year round
- The island is divided into 6 municipalities
- Public transport is provided by the Guagua Gomera bus network.
- Recommended time to visit the island is from April to October.
- The distance between the extremes of the island does not exceed 25 kilometres.
La Gomera offers an authentic experience of the Canary Islands, combining natural treasures, cultural heritage and modern tourist infrastructure. This island is ideal for those looking for a relaxing holiday away from mass tourism, interested in eco-tourism and keen to experience authentic Canarian culture.