La Palma,
Isla Bonita

Drop off the LP-1 through banana plantations (~8 min) to a small car park by an old factory building; a 3-minute path leads to a platform looking straight down the cliff onto Puerto de Tazacorte — "almost like a drone shot." Away from the main road, so usually quiet.

La Palma's main fishing harbour, directly below the mirador. Black-sand beach, palm promenade, and a cluster of casual seafood restaurants along the seafront — a good lunch stop with a view back up at the cliff you just stood on.

"This spectacular pirate bay shouldn't be missed." White houses built straight into 50-metre cliffs, reachable by a path down to the water. Guide tip: pass the first car park — there's a second one lower down. Good spot for a wide-angle photo.

Head back south to the hotel area. If there's energy left, the black-sand beach at Puerto Naos is a 5-minute detour from Villa María for a last look at the water before dinner.

Viewpoint over the cliff coast and Atlantic in the northwest. The access road is single-lane in places — drive carefully. Ends in a small car park; from there, two short hiking options lead down toward the sea (Puerto de Santo Domingo or Playa de Bujarén), both needing sure footing.

"An absolute must-do." Seawater pools built right against the ocean in Barlovento — swim while watching waves break on the rocks, then eat at the restaurant on site. Water is cold; bring swimwear anyway.

Small museum on the Guanche (original Canarian) inhabitants, plus a short, easy circular trail (~20–30 min, fine with kids) past caves and spiral petroglyphs carved into the rock. Larger hikes also start from the car park. Open Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00, €2.

One of the best viewpoints in the north, overlooking the Barranco Fagundo gorge and the coast. Starts near the hamlet of Don Pedro — a mostly flat 2.3km gravel track (~30 min each way on foot), or drive carefully. A picnic table waits at the top.

La Palma's highest point (~2,426m) and its landmark — home to some of the world's most important astronomical observatories. The road up is very winding (~1–1.5h from Los Llanos) but worth it. Go on a clear day: you'll see not just the whole island but Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro too. Clouds tend to build later in the day, so go early.

"The island's most beautiful town, and its capital." Cruise-ship port, pretty old town with shops and boutiques in traditional Spanish houses, and the finest wooden balconies on the island along Av. Marítima. Guide tip: stop at the market hall for a freshly pressed sugarcane juice.

Probably La Palma's most dramatic beach — black sand at the foot of a sheer cliff, reachable only on foot (~15 min down from the car park; there's a worthwhile viewpoint on the way). No swimming (dangerous currents), but it's spectacular to see. Quiet on weekdays.

Small cigar museum near the capital — info boards, short films and live demonstrations of hand-rolling, plus background on banana and sugarcane farming. Shop sells handmade cigars and rum. Good for non-smokers and families too. Open Tue–Sat, 10:00–13:00 only — fits Friday.

Fuencaliente, deep south. Unusual natural pools with an almost unnaturally green colour and very clear water — even fish in them — set back from a stony beach. Great for families at high tide; access to the open Atlantic too, but bring water shoes and sun protection (little shade).

Small coastal fishing village with a dark-sand beach, fishing boats, and a natural lava pool beside a white lighthouse — shallow and calm at low tide, filled and wave-washed at high tide. A path along the coast leads on to Playa del Burro a few minutes further.

"The most intense night sky we've ever seen." Beautiful even at sunset, then — once the stars come out — millions of them, constellations, and with luck the Milky Way. La Palma is a certified Starlight Reserve with strict light regulations, which is exactly why this works. Pack a jacket — it gets genuinely cold.