The full title was meant to be: La Gomera in 3 days. 10 places you must see - a very subjective guide to Columbus's island.
Why?
Well, because Christopher Columbus stopped at La Gomera in 1492 – it was his last stop before crossing the Atlantic and discovering America.
This fact is a source of great pride for the residents of La Gomera.
Alright, but is this island even worth attention?
What was Columbus actually doing there?
What can we do there today?
And how did WE end up there?
I'll tell you everything in order.
Additionally, you'll find here a handful of practical information - how to get to La Gomera, where to stay, where to eat, WHAT to eat, how much it all costs, and whether 3 days are enough?
I should add that we were on La Gomera 5 years ago, but only for one day.
We remembered it as a pretty island, but with all the rush and desire to drive through it in one day, up and down, I knew nothing beyond the fact that it's quite small and pretty.
This stay changed our ranking of the Islands.
La Gomera pushed down El Hierro, which had been in 2nd place until now.
La Gomera is now fighting for 1st place with La Palma.
La Gomera and Other Canary Islands
After that one-day sightseeing of La Gomera 5 years ago, we focused on other Canary Islands, such as Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, La Palma and El Hierro.
Poor little La Gomera was somewhat left behind - small, close, so you can always hop over. And that's exactly what happened - we finally hopped over to it.
Literally!
We explored very spontaneously, wherever our eyes took us.
We could have missed very famous and beautiful spots in the process, but discovered others instead.
Either way, the result is that I can already say we're delighted, even though the summary should come at the end ;)
Table of Contents
Practical Information
10 Places You Must See
- Mirador de Manaderos
- Mirador de la Punta
- La Hermigua
- Laurel forests
- Mirador de Tajaque
- Mirador del Morro de Agando
- Mirador de la Curva del Queso
- Playa De Vueltas
- Mirador de Abrante
- Playa Santiago
How to get to La Gomera?
La Gomera lies very close to Tenerife.
If there's no calima, that is sand from Africa, then it's easily visible from the southern side of Tenerife.
That's why it's easiest to get there from there.
How?
There are two options - by ferry or by plane.
Out of curiosity, we drove to the airport on La Gomera to see what it looks like, because we couldn't believe that such a tiny island could have one at all.
And of course it's proportionally tiny, built on an interesting mountain.
From what I understand, only small planes fly there, mainly inter-island ones.
As always when exploring the Canary Islands, we chose the ferry option - for one simple reason - to take our car.
As residents, we get a 75% discount on ferries and flights between islands and to mainland Spain.
This makes the ferry a really advantageous option, as taking the car works out to be practically free.
On-site, we would definitely have to rent one, because exploring the islands without a car is really tiring, and worst of all, we'd lose a lot of time and wouldn't see many places.
Ferry tickets can be bought online or in physical stores. There are two companies to choose from - ARMAS and FRED OLSEN.
With the discount, we paid 58.55 euros for two people with a car, round trip. The journey takes 50-60 minutes.
The ferries themselves are comfortable.
There's air conditioning, a café, reclining seats.
Depending on the type of ship, sometimes there are outdoor terraces where you can additionally feel the trip experience.
This time we sailed on a faster catamaran, and unfortunately there was no option to go outside.
For people who don't like when it rocks (like me), that's a minus :D fortunately it's a short voyage.
Fun fact - do you know how many people can board such a ferry?
According to the information plaque on the ship - 987!
Plus all those cars, trucks - WOW.
I didn't check flights to La Gomera, but we've flown to other islands for as little as 5 euros (with discount) but without a car.
In our opinion, it's still an advantageous option.
In the car you can take EVERYTHING - diving equipment, liquids, food, tent, etc.
Flights can be bought on CanaryFly or Binter websites.
Out of curiosity, we drove up to the airport on La Gomera to see what it looks like.
The building below is it :D
La Gomera airport
runway
If you don't have a resident discount or your own car, it might turn out that a one-day trip with a travel agency will be more financially advantageous.
From what I've heard, prices range between 50-80 euros per person.
You have to decide for yourself here.
Where to stay?
The only place I associated with this island was the capital, San Sebastián de La Gomera and Valle Gran Rey. And probably that's where I would look for accommodation.
And maybe saying that would be a mistake is too much - because as we found out, both these places are beautiful - but I think we randomly hit upon something even better.
Our accommodation
Why randomly?
Because the story is that we didn't think about the fact that there was a long weekend in Tenerife.
We realized this on Friday evening. Łukasz (my husband) suggested that we go to La Gomera, finally visit this little forgotten one among the bigger, more famous islands.
I don't need much convincing - I immediately started looking for ferries, which wasn't a problem as always, and accommodation - and here was the PROBLEM.
Not a single accommodation available on Airbnb or Booking.
I'm thinking - mistake.
That's impossible.
I write to several friends who live there, who have contacts.
And what do I hear?
Everything's booked.
Friday evening, and we're without a plan, but with an awakened appetite for travel!
Resigned, before going to sleep I check Booking one last time, and what do I see??? 1 available apartment!
While I was booking accommodation on my phone, we were already buying ferry tickets on the laptop :D We were afraid we'd be left with just one :P
WE MADE IT!
Where?
In the town of AGULO.
This meant nothing to us.
But we were so desperate that we didn't care about anything :D And you know what?
Such coincidences are the best!
It turned out to be a wonderful town.
Located in the north of the island among the mountains.
Our apartment was located in the old town area, where cars are not allowed to enter.
Thanks to this, there was an amazing atmosphere there.
Old buildings, narrow streets, and lots of flowers!
Our accommodation was also located in one of the old tenements in typical Canarian style, called Casa Rural Los Helechos, which means rural house "Ferns".
Indeed, there was a patio with plants inside the house.
The host was very nice.
the little street where we parked ;)
When we woke up on the first day, it turned out that such views were waiting for us!
coffee perhaps?
that's how I was thinking about what to do here, but that's only for the second day, let's go back to the first one for a moment!
Day I.
Mirador de Manaderos, Mirador de la Punta, La Hermigua.
We arrived at La Gomera in the afternoon, around 4 PM.
As soon as we left the ferry and started driving uphill, the views began to enchant us.
We hit the first Mirador, or viewpoint, just moments after starting our journey :D
road from the ferry
1. Mirador de Manaderos
It was Mirador de Manaderos. Just before entering the tunnel, you can stop to see this view.
We arrived just in time for the beginning sunset, so the views were spectacular!
first I sent Łukasz on reconnaissance :P
What's great is that there were tables there so you could have a picnic with such a view!
In our opinion, a mandatory stop!
even though it was beautiful, we had to keep going
I recommend being there before sunset!
There will be a lot of "on the way" photos appearing here, but really the views that greet you at every step make you not know what to photograph.
We stopped really often, but there wasn't always such an option, a designated place.
Or it was some fraction of a second when the view, play of light and shadows did the work.
That's why unfortunately I won't be able to describe exactly where each photo is, because they were taken along the route.
2. Mirador de la Punta
Another stop on the route to the apartment.
Mirador de la Punta, La Gomera
3. La Hermigua
After checking into the apartment, we went to eat something.
About where and what to eat I write here.
If you want to go directly to restaurant descriptions, click here.
After checking in, and experiencing the first joy from the views :D
After dinner, we did some shopping at the supermarket.
Fuel and food prices are higher on La Gomera compared to Tenerife.
Fuel is a 20-cent difference.
It's worth refueling the car before sailing.
La Hermigua is a nice little town.
We spent the evening here, and returned to Agulo.
We had a resolution to get up for sunrise ... mhmmmm.
But we got up quite early anyway :D After eating breakfast, we hit the road.
We really wanted to do some trekking in one of La Gomera's biggest attractions - the laurel forests.
Day II.
Laurel forests - Garajonay National Park
4. Laurel forests
We got up enthusiastically to tackle some beautiful mountain trail.
The Canary Islands are a paradise for those who love trekking.
We had marked several trail options, but on site, after looking at the board, we changed our minds.
And unfortunately, that probably wasn't a good decision.
The trail didn't have good markings, so we probably went a bit off-track and added extra kilometers ;)
However, the view of these trees constantly accompanied us!
They look like something from a fairy tale.
Garajonay National Park covers over 10% of La Gomera island's surface and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
that little dot struggling not to slip on wet leaves, that's me ;D
and that's a restaurant in the middle of absolutely nothing, which saved us when we were already tired
6. Mirador del Morro de Agando
This point is right next to the previous one.
It's worth taking a short walk to this place.
On the way we can again admire the beautiful nature.
Apart from the laurel forests, we encountered these interesting trees.
A bit like from a dark movie.
Łukasz contemplates existence.
oooo <3
just 100 meters left!
still time for jokes
We liked the walk more than the viewpoint itself, because it was all in clouds, and we couldn't see anything :D but it looked beautiful on the maps!
I recommend it ;p
7. Mirador de la Curva del Queso
Raw rocks shaped in such an unusual way! A huge abyss, a road between these abysses, and a city in the valley - you'll see all this at this viewpoint.
It stole my heart so much that we went there twice!
these roads among the rocks probably make the biggest impression on me
such a tiny little person
8. Playa De Vueltas
At the end of the day, we went to rest in the warmth of the setting sun at Playa De Vueltas.
Driving there you can observe beautiful buildings scattered across the mountains and valleys - this is Valle Gran Rey.
I liked this road the most.
this beach reminded me very much of Los Gigantes from Tenerife - cliffs, a small port, small dark beach
Then we returned to Agulo, to our accommodation.
Day III.
We finally wanted to see better where we actually live.
So shortly after sunrise we took a walk around the area.
Since this is the north side of La Gomera, you can see Tenerife from here :)
Behind our tenements, there were so-called
FINCA, which are gardens full of citrus trees, bananas, and even chickens roaming around.
Very rural atmosphere.
few fences, as usual pipes running along the ground :D
and these views!
and here I took a photo of laundry, because we laughed with Łukasz that in Lisbon everyone admires laundry hanging on balconies, but here nobody takes photos of them!:P
lined up in formation :P
If we don't support each other, we fall
We said goodbye to AGULO - the town where we stayed and hit the road.
Tenerife seen from La Gomera
another beautiful point along the way
El Teide peeking out from behind the mountain ;)
these roads made an incredible impression on me
at this point we also discovered a dam
the palm trees on La Gomera are also completely different than on Tenerife! much more lush, full, abundant
oh my, how long you need to be here to see everything :P
9. Mirador de Abrante
here is the view from Agulo, our town, but look at the small point at the top, do you see that protruding balcony?
that's Mirador de Abrante seen from below
At the top of the island's northern cliff, there is probably the most famous viewpoint of La Gomera.
It is a seven-meter platform with a glass floor, where those who have the courage to walk on it as if suspended in the air, can admire the small valley of the Agulo region.
even though you're there alone, because it's an enclosed space, wearing a mask is required, even for photos...
view of El Teide
the glass floor is impressive
Mirador de Abrante
And the area around this point looks like this.
Teide looks really proud
Mirador de Abrante from the other side
the earth has a brick color, beautifully contrasting with the ocean
as you can see from the clothes, it was quite windy there
all of Tenerife on my head
and this is the road to Mirador de Abrante
or walks ;)
On the way we drove through the forest again.
Actually, La Gomera is shaped in such a way that the National Park is in its center, and when driving from point A to point B, you usually have to drive through it.
La Gomera - laurel forests
when we once returned that way at night, we both really said that we wouldn't want to find ourselves here alone :D these trees have such strange shapes, and together with the fog they create a fairy-tale, but also somewhat mysterious world
see for yourselves!
creatures not from this earth :P
10. Playa Santiago
Playa Santiago is a small town on the southern coast of La Gomera island.
Actually, we went there because we realized we hadn't been to this side of the island.
And we relaxed on the beach.
Yes - it was December, and we were on the beach.
Playa Santiago
From here we headed towards the capital - San Sebastian de la Gomera.
these palm trees covering entire mountains are beautiful
lots of tunnels there!
driving past this, we wondered if it was natural terrain formation or not. an information board explained that it wasn't. hundreds of years ago people made these "shelves" to cultivate the land
these roads!
approaching the capital - San Sebastian below, and El Teide in the background
such rock colors, wow
such a natural photo with a palm tree ;p
We reached the capital.
I thought it would be something like Tenerife's capital - Santa Cruz, a big city, full of cars, etc.
But it turned out to be just as charming a town as Valle Gran Rey.
It's worth taking a walk along the port promenade and sitting in street cafes.
"Columbus departed from here. On September 6, 1492, discovering America and uniting the two hemispheres of the world forever.
He arrived in the Bahamas on October 12 of the same year, then sailing through Cuba and La Española.
He returned to La Gomera again before discovering Puerto Rico and Jamaica in 1493 and in 1498 before discovering Trinidad and reaching the mainland for the first time near the mouth of the Orinoco River
San Sebastian de la Gomera
Łukasz waiting for an invitation to Columbus's house
Columbus's House
Torre del Conde
Torre del Conde is a Castilian fortress from the 15th century located in San Sebastián de La Gomera.
It is a military-type building.
Its function was primarily to represent courtly power.
It was built by the Count of La Gomera Hernán Peraza el Viejo in the years 1447-1450, and the noble elites of La Gomera took shelter there during the Gomeros rebellion.
Perhaps at that time it was the center of a larger group of temporary or smaller fortifications.
Among the towers built during the conquest of the Canary Islands, this is the only one preserved to this day.
Last photo taken before boarding the ferry.
Playa de la Cueva, right next to the port
Thoughts about La Gomera
Only 20 thousand people live here, so as you can imagine, it's very peaceful!
But it's a different kind of peace than just from total isolation.
It rather comes from close contact with nature, very well-organized towns, and cleanliness.
Yes - cleanliness caught our attention.
We were equally struck by the coherence of the towns, their colors, connection with nature. The houses there look like a complement to the landscape.
It's something different than in Tenerife.
In Tenerife, you sometimes get the impression of a big mess in architecture, you'd search in vain for very nice, charming towns.
Well, except for La Orotava for example.
In La Gomera, it's still Canarian style and charm, but more orderly :D
The only tourists we passed were retired Germans.
Only in Valle Gran Rey could you feel a bit of vacation atmosphere.
Restaurants were full, but not only with tourists, but with the local community.
Weather in La Gomera
The weather in La Gomera is very similar to Tenerife, but a bit cooler.
The warmest months in La Gomera are August-October.
The coldest: February, March, January.
Just like Tenerife, it has different climate zones.
This means that on the same day you can be in a forest where it's 13 degrees and raining, and an hour later drive down to the beach where it's 25 degrees.
Garajonay National Park covers the highest part of the central mountain massif, often covered with fog, providing continuous precipitation in the form of drizzle.
Lower areas are semi-desert, strongly sunny and devoid of rainfall.
In December we could lie on the beach, and it was about 23 degrees.
And in the higher parts of the mountains it was even 13 and we needed jackets.
I note that these are distances of 30-50 minutes by car ;)
Here are a few more shots from the views we passed along the way.
Roque de Agando is a famous rock formation on La Gomera island - it's often used as a symbol of the island.
this is probably my second favorite view from this trip
El Teide makes a beautiful background here
half already has daylight, the other half can still sleep ;)
Where, what and how much to eat?
Since we ate in different places, most often ones that were somehow along the way, I'll show you very random choices.
The assumption of this trip was not to make assumptions ;)
That's why we didn't check recommended restaurants, we didn't have a list.
We wanted to eat, so we ate.
I've gathered more or less where we were and here's a summary.
1. La Casa Creativa/Bar Terraza Pedro in La Hermigua
Fish croquettes, ratatouille, chicken wings with honey sauce
Most people were there to have a drink, and we also had the impression that this place was better for that than for filling up.
But it was tasty.
2. Restaurant Camping La Vista in the middle of nowhere :D
The story is that we were walking on a trail, exhausted to the max, and suddenly in the middle of the mountains this restaurant appeared to us like a mirage!
Typical Canarian cuisine, a fireplace, which is totally rare here, and a nice view.
The restaurant itself is not beautiful, but the surroundings are like a fairy tale.
this is the road leading to the restaurant
restaurant surroundings :D
it's a restaurant at a campsite
yes - that's the restaurant :D
inside looks like this
but there's Dorada beer :D
typical Canarian dishes and prices are ok for this location
3. Restaurante La Laguna Grande
We found this restaurant on the last day, which we spent mostly in the mountains, where it was 13 degrees!
We were so cold that from all these impressions I didn't even take a photo of the restaurant.
It's located in the middle of the forest, and it's a so-called zona recreativa, a recreation and rest area.
There are playgrounds and picnic areas there.
the only thing I did was take a photo of CARNE FIESTA, and soup, which as befits typical Canarian cuisine came with GOFIO, which is flour that they add to everything - soups, milk
GOFIO is a type of flour where cereal grains (wheat, barley, rye) or corn are roasted before grinding.
And it's the roasting that gives gofio its incredibly intense aroma and specific taste, as well as color (yellow, brown).
It can be consumed raw.
I also wanted to discreetly take a photo of the restaurant interior and show that there's no heating, so you sit in your jacket.
I DON'T KNOW why Łukasz is pretending to be a rapper
4. Pizzeria La Botellita
Pizzeria in San Sebastian, we had delicious pizza there before the ferry.
And you know what?
As a proper blogger, I didn't take any photos there :D I'm adding a pin for you ;)
San Sebastian de la Gomera
5. Various coffees and teas
Coffee and a small beer are usually the cheapest things you can order in bars on the islands.
There's a culture here of going out for coffee to a bar, so the prices for locals are really OK.
That's why I'm not giving specific names and places, because we had drinks in several places during small breaks.
this was breakfast in the town of AGULO, most often it will be bocadillo, which is a sandwich, or croissant, with carne mechada - which is meat specifically "shredded" in long pieces
cortado leche leche coffee - strong espresso with condensed and regular milk, very sweet! prices for such coffees are usually 80 cents-1.50 euro depending on the place and whether they think you're a tourist :D
So, do you feel encouraged to visit La Gomera?
I recommend it! :)
I recommend, Kamila Zienkiewicz
