With its head in the clouds La Gomera is a dreamy little island – the second smallest in The Canaries. Unspoilt, peaceful and without the brash and bling of Playa de las Americas across the water – it’s Tenerife’s alter ego. Just an hour by ferry from the port of Los Christianos this volcanic isle is a haven of forest, rock formations, deep terraced gorges and stunning views. On a clear day the best view you’ll get of Mount Teide is from La Gomera. It was only just visible in the background the day we visited the island but it didn’t matter because everywhere we stopped had an amazing view…
Terraces on the slopes of one of La Gomera’s ravines – spring flowers light up the foreground. It’s easy to see why the island draws hikers from all over Europe.
La Fortelaza – a table mountain seen across a Barranco (deep gorge). Past inhabitants of the island erected stone circles and sacrificial altars on the plateau. Is that a smoke signal in the background…
Alto de Garajonay
This is the view from Alto de Garajonay the summit of La Gomera is 1487m above sea level. Tenerife’s Mount Teide, shrouded in mist, can just be seen in the background. Three other Canary Islands can also be seen from here; La Palma, Gran Canaria and El Hierro. The area around Garajonay is a national park and home to one of the worlds’ oldest forests and unique eco-system; the Laurisilva Forest. Swirling mists creep through the gnarled lichen covered branches and tree-roots cushioned with soft spongy moss give an air of enchantment to the forest which feels somewhat eerie.
photo credit; http://whc.unesco.org
One last view as we made our way back to the ferry; the houses matched the colours of the ice-creams we were contemplating as we stopped by the port in La Gomera’s capital San Sebastian.
Take the ferry from Los Christianos to La Gomera
Take the ferry from Tenerife at the port of Los Christianos to La Gomera for around 30 euros return. How to get there.
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Suzanne Jones is creator, writer and photographer at The Travelbunny. When she’s not indulging her wanderlust you’ll most likely find her enjoying coastal walks in her home county of East Sussex, UK.
Suzanne co-writes Sussex Bloggers which showcases the best of East & West Sussex.
The pate’s known as almogrote. Have you tried making it yet? It’s simply delicious.
I haven’t tried making it yet but now I know what it’s called I can look up a recipe – thanks for letting us know 🙂
Thank you, I love finding out about fascinating places like these. (I’ve never heard of La Gomera till now — I hang my head in shame.)
The cluster of houses remind me of Lego blocks, too. 😀
So glad to have enlightened you a little!
Love the pictures, the last one with all the pastel colors is pretty.
Thank you Marcia – ice cream colours!
Love it Suze. I remember that rock up at Alto da Garajonay. The evening boat trip home over a shell pink sea was memorable too.
The boat part was a lovely part of the day too – I love your description of a ‘shell pink sea’.
Not been to La Gomera but I have family on Tenerife, and love it. You’ve not seen Tenerife until you’ve stayed with locals — forget Los Chris and Playa, the island has so much more to offer!
I”ve spent time at the national park and in the north, I agree it’s under-rated and there”s so much more to it than the resorts. Visited a great winery too but this was quite a few years ago.
La Gomerea is must do day out from Tenerife, did you try the local pate? goat cheese blended with garlic, olive oil and paprika, it’s sublime.
No we missed that :(( I might try and make some at home – could be interesting…
Wow! Stunning images!
Thank you – stunning scenery! 🙂
Looks amazing. Gutted I never made it to gomera despite going to playa de las Americas seven years in a row when I was a nipper! How long do you get there between ferries?
We had around 6 hours there, leaving there on the 16:30 ferry. We had all sorts of weather too; blues skies and sunshine to mist and chilly overcast – take a jacket if you go…