La Gomera

La Gomera is the second smallest of Spain's Canary Islands. As a lesser-known destination, it’s guaranteed to steal your heart with its wild beauty and stunning landscapes.

In our La Gomera travel guide, you can find useful information and tips for your holidays on the island: the best beaches and outdoor activities, top sights, local cuisine, and ferry schedules. Find all the ways to reach the island and book ferry tickets to La Gomera online on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees!

Impressive landscape in La Gomera

Holidays in La Gomera

Even though La Gomera is located next to the popular island of Tenerife, it has remained largely untouched by mass tourism. Νear-circular and with a diameter of only 25 km, La Gomera is full of dense forests, gorgeous mountains and ravines, charming little villages, and stunning hiking trails.

The quiet island is an ideal destination for those looking for a relaxing holiday, but also for nature enthusiasts who want to explore its gorgeous wilderness and lush subtropical vegetation. And like all the Canary Islands, it is blessed with a mild climate and warm weather year-round.

How to get to La Gomera

There is no direct ferry to La Gomera from mainland Spain. You have to fly to Tenerife first and then travel to La Gomera by ferry from there. Ferries depart from the port of Los Cristianos and the duration of the shortest trip is 50 minutes.

Below, you can find more information about La Gomera ferries.

What to do in La Gomera

La Gomera is the perfect destination if you want to connect with nature. The island's unique natural environment is perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities and water sports, while numerous viewpoints offer breathtaking vistas of its stunning landscapes and the Atlantic Ocean. La Gomera also has great beaches, and you can even join a boat tour to appreciate the island's wild beauty and impressive coasts.

Sounds exciting? Discover the best of La Gomera with our top recommendations!

Beautiful beach with black sand and pebbles in Valle Gran Rey

Beaches in La Gomera

La Gomera has many beautiful and unique beaches. Most of them are small with pebbles or coarse sand, which is black due to the volcanic origins of the island. Some beaches have easy access and offer amenities for visitors, while others are more isolated and can only be reached on foot. It is worth the effort, however, to swim in the crystal-clear waters and marvel at the dramatic beauty of the landscape. Many beaches in La Gomera are also nude-friendly.

Bear in mind that currents can be strong in the north of the island, so you should be very careful if you choose to swim there. Families with children should go to the more popular beaches that have calm waters.

Some of the best beaches in La Gomera are:

• La Calera
• Vueltas
• La Caleta
• San Sebastián
• La Cueva
• Santiago
• Chinguarime
• Santa Catalina or Hermigua

Sightseeing and activities in La Gomera

La Gomera's great ecological value has been recognized by UNESCO, which designated the island as a biosphere reserve in 2012. Among its many impressive natural sights, the one that stands out is the fascinating Garajonay National Park, an ancient laurel forest that is almost permanently shrouded in clouds and mist.

Hiking in the park is an unforgettable experience. La Gomera is also full of amazing miradores, vantage points that offer panoramic views of the island's unique landscapes.  

Here are Ferryhopper's favorite sights in La Gomera:   

• the Garajonay National Park
• the Abrante viewpoint
• the Los Roques natural monument
• the family-friendly Charco del Conde natural pool
• the magical El Cedro forest
• the Morro de Agando viewpoint
• the awe-inspiring Los Órganos natural monument

Tip: if you want to know more about the island's history and traditions, you can visit the La Gomera Archaeological Museum in San Sebastián and the La Gomera Ethnographic Museum in Hermigua.

As for the outdoor activities in La Gomera, the island is truly a hiker's paradise, with more than 600 km of trails that allow you to explore La Gomera's natural wonders on foot. Many cycling routes pass through beautiful valleys and dreamlike mountainous landscapes. If you want to learn more about the island, its plants and animals, you can join a guided hiking or bike tour.

For those who prefer to be close to the sea, there are organized sailing tours and boat tours that take you around the island and offer amazing views of La Gomera's coasts. Diving is also a popular activity, especially on the south coast of the island. One of the best experiences in La Gomera is dolphin and whale watching. Several companies offer boat excursions for a rare opportunity to see the impressive mammals in the wild.

The striking Agando rock, part of the Los Roques natural monument

Nightlife in La Gomera

La Gomera is the quietest of the Canary Islands. It has a low-key nightlife, with visitors and locals usually gathering in small bars that have live music or DJ sets. Most bars and restaurants can be found in Valle Gran Rey. Bar Cacatua is popular among tourists and locals, while Gomera Lounge is a piano bar that hosts regular concerts, exhibitions, tango workshops, flamenco performances, and other events.

Food in La Gomera

La Gomera's cuisine is simple, delicious and based on fresh local ingredients. There are many mouthwatering specialties that the island is known for, with miel de palma (palm honey) being the most famous one. Most restaurants in La Gomera are small and family-owned. Many serve traditional dishes, but you can also find international favorites, such as pizza and pasta.

During your vacation in La Gomera, you should try:

• almogrote (cheese paste with garlic)
• miel de palma (sweet syrup made from palm sap)
• potaje de berros (watercress soup)
• gofio (type of Canarian flour made from roasted grains)
• goat stew
• fresh fish
• almendrados (almond biscuits)
• leche asada (custard pudding)
• local wine

A creek in the beautiful El Cedro forest in La Gomera

Towns and villages in La Gomera

The capital and largest town in La Gomera is San Sebastián. It is located on the east coast and is also the main port of La Gomera. It's worth spending a few hours wandering around the peaceful town, which has two urban beaches.

We recommend visiting the Church of Our Virgin of the Assumption, as well as Torre del Conde, the most important example of military architecture in the Canary Islands. The tower is located in a charming park with grass and trees.

La Gomera also has pretty villages that you should visit to discover the quiet rural life of the island and marvel at the gorgeous landscapes and spectacular views.

Some of the most beautiful villages and towns in La Gomera are:

• El Cedro
• Imada
• Taguluche
• Chejelipes
• Agulo
• Alojera

Useful information about La Gomera

La Gomera has several amenities for visitors, such as supermarkets, banks, ATMs, and pharmacies. There is a hospital in San Sebastián, as well as medical centers in the main towns.

As for accommodation, the island offers many options, from small studios to private villas and hotels. Popular places to stay in La Gomera are Valle Gran Rey, Playa Santiago, Agulo, and San Sebastián.

The island also has a small airport that only serves flights from the other Canary Islands. The airport is located next to Playa Santiago and about 33 km from San Sebastián.

Important phone numbers for your stay in La Gomera

Here are some useful contacts to keep handy during your La Gomera holidays:

• San Sebastián tourist information office: +34922141512
• Valle Gran Rey tourist information office: +34922805458
• Playa de Santiago tourist information office: +34922895650
• La Gomera General Hospital: +34922140219
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife Port Authority: +34922605426
• La Gomera Marina: +34922141769
• La Gomera Airport: +34913211000
• Local police: 092
• Medical emergencies: 061
• European emergency number: 112

San Sebastián de La Gomera with its colorful houses

Transportation in La Gomera

While La Gomera does have a public transport system, the bus network is quite limited and services are not very frequent. If you decide to get around by bus, make sure that you check the schedule beforehand, as it can change without notice.

If you have to be at a specific place at a specific time or get from one place to another quickly, then it is preferable to take a taxi. Check that the meter is on and keep in mind that there is an extra charge in the evenings and on Sundays. Drivers have a price list for longer journeys.

Alternatively, you can rent a car or a scooter. Most car rentals can be found in San Sebastián and Valle Gran Rey. There is a restricted number of vehicles available for rent on the island, so it is advisable to book in advance.

Ports in La Gomera

The main port of La Gomera is San Sebastián, the island's capital, which is located on the east coast. The port of San Sebastián serves most ferry routes between La Gomera and the other Canary Islands. La Gomera also has 2 smaller ports: the port of Valle Gran Rey (or Vueltas port) in the southwest and the port of Playa Santiago on the south coast. You can normally travel by ferry from one port of La Gomera to the other.

Island hopping from La Gomera

There are regular ferry crossings from La Gomera to the neighboring islands of Tenerife and La Palma. Ferries to Tenerife depart several times per day and the duration of the shortest trip is only 50 minutes to 1 hour. The ferry route from La Gomera to La Palma is served daily and the journey duration ranges from about 2 hours to 4.5 hours.

On Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, you can find all the available La Gomera ferry routes, so that you can easily plan your island hopping in the Canary Islands.

La Gomera ferry: schedules and tickets

You can easily travel to La Gomera by ferry from Tenerife. Ferries leave from the port of Los Cristianos in the south of the island and usually arrive in San Sebastián de La Gomera. The ferry to La Gomera from Tenerife takes approximately 1 hour and the route is served several times per day throughout the year.

Ferry timetables are subject to change depending on the season. You can check real-time schedules and compare prices for ferry tickets to La Gomera at a glance on Ferryhopper.

Useful info: you can find out more info about ferries to the Canary Islands in 2023 on our dedicated blog.

Lush vegetation at the stunning Garajonay National Park in La Gomera

Book ferry tickets to La Gomera online

Book your La Gomera ferry tickets online on Ferryhopper with no hidden fees. Find all ferry schedules, compare ticket prices and organize your trip to La Gomera and the Canary Islands in just a few clicks!