Best Things to Do in La Palma

La Palma isn't the most famous of the Canary Islands — and that's exactly its charm. Known as "La Isla Bonita," it offers volcanic landscapes, some of the clearest night skies in Europe, and hiking trails through ancient laurel forests. Here's where to start.

Walk Through La Palma's Newest Volcano

No list of things to do in La Palma is complete without the island's most dramatic landmark: the Tajogaite volcano, born in the 2021 eruption. The area is only accessible with a certified guide, but the walk takes you across ash fields to the edge of a crater that didn't exist a few years ago.

Discover the volcano guided tour

Explore an Underground Lava Tube

Beneath the island's surface, the Cueva de las Palomas volcanic tube offers a completely different perspective on La Palma's volcanic activity — walking through a tunnel carved by lava rather than looking at it from above.

Hike the Cumbre Vieja Ridge

For those who want to understand the geology behind the 2021 eruption, the Cumbre Vieja ridge is where it all began.

Read the full story of this volcanic ridge here.

See the Island's Dramatic Transformation

The eruption didn't just create a volcano — it reshaped entire villages and coastlines.

Discover what happened to the areas buried by lava.

Stargaze Under One of the World's Best Skies

La Palma is part of the world's first Starlight Reserve, home to some of the darkest, clearest skies in Europe — a favorite for astronomers and casual stargazers alike.

Discover the Caldera de Taburiente

One of Spain's most striking national parks, the Caldera de Taburiente offers hiking through pine forests and dramatic rock formations — a completely different side of the island from the volcanic south.

Walk Through Ancient Laurel Forest

The island's laurel forests (laurisilva) are living remnants of a subtropical ecosystem that once covered much of southern Europe millions of years ago — now found in only a few places on Earth, La Palma among them.

Relax on Volcanic Black-Sand Beaches

Not everything on La Palma is about hiking. The island's beaches, shaped by volcanic rock, offer a quieter, more rugged alternative to the crowded resorts elsewhere in the Canaries.

Planning Your Visit

Whether you have a few days or a full week, La Palma rewards slower travel — fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, and experiences you won't find on the more touristic islands nearby.

Explore all our guided excursions to start planning your trip, or discover our private, tailor-made routes if you'd rather explore the island at your own pace.