The island of La Gomera, the lesser-known pearl of the Canary Islands.
Where? In the western part of the Canary Archipelago, the capital San Sebastian de la Gomera, area 370 square km, population: 21,000 inhabitants.
The small island of La Gomera can be seen from Tenerife on calm days. Because this landscape that we saw, daily, from the accommodation intrigued us, we decided to visit it. It's easy to get to, from the port of Los Cristianos in Tenerife, you take about an hour by ferry. We got to the island by car, because otherwise it is much more difficult to explore.
The village of Hermigua, with the best climate in the world
La Gomera is a volcanic island, like the rest of the Canary Islands, characterized mainly by abundant vegetation, by high and steep mountains, with the highest peak Alto de Garajonay, (1487 meters), but, above all, for the fact that here is the village of Hermingua, where specialists say it would be the place with the best climate in the world. In summer, temperatures do not exceed 28 degrees, and in winter they do not fall below 18 degrees.
Winds keep temperatures temperate, neither too hot nor too cold, year-round. It is not us who say it, but the sign at the entrance to the village, put up following studies certified by German, Belgian and English specialists at the beginning of the 20th century.
And if you still got here, go down to La Caleta beach, it's only 15 minutes by car, so you can really feel the charm of the place. You can take a hike in the Cedo forest, where you will be able to admire the abundant subtropical vegetation. In Hermigua, there are still 1,775 inhabitants who live from tourism, banana plantations and wine production.
The island of La Gomera is a perfectly preserved natural paradise, suitable for tourists who love mountains and adventure. There are numerous hikes that you can do, which will offer you amazing views, as if from another world, there are secret beaches where you will be alone by the ocean, ravines and picturesque valleys, with idyllic roads on the mountain ridges and very hospitable people. The entire island has been declared a nature reserve since 2012.
In the capital of San Sebastian de la Gomera, visit the house, now a museum, where Christopher Columbus is said to have stayed before crossing the Atlantic to the New World. He arrived here on September 6, 1492. See also Torre del Conde, the refuge of the island's greatest during the rebellion of La Gomera in the 15th century, La Cueva beach and the Benchijigua nature reserve..
How do you get there
There are several ferry companies from Los Cristianos Port in Tenerife. We chose Armas, a trip costs around 40 euros per person, the price varies depending on the season, the sailing schedule and how fast the transfer is. You can book online.
Tourist attractions in the island of La Gomera
- Garajonay National Park, UNESCO site since 1986;
- El Palmarejo, La Gomera – view point;
- Abrante, La Gomera – view point;
- Los Órganos, natural monument;
- Roque de Agando;
- Agulo Village;
- Vale Gran Rey Village;
- Valehermoso village;
- Alajero village.
