With its head in the clouds La Gomera is a dreamy little island and the second smallest in The Canaries. Unspoilt, peaceful and just across the water from Tenerife a day trip to La Gomera makes a perfect day out.
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 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 a full-time travel blogger and writer at The Travelbunny which she started in 2011 during her time as a professional travel planner. Suzanne enjoys exploring new destinations, culinary encounters and the outdoors. When not travelling or writing about her adventures you’ll most likely find her, camera in hand, enjoying coastal walks in Sussex.
Suzanne also runs Hello Sussex a website which showcases the best of East & West Sussex. Read more about Suzanne.
Gran Canaria Local
Sunday 26th of July 2015
The pate's known as almogrote. Have you tried making it yet? It's simply delicious.
Suzanne Jones
Sunday 26th of July 2015
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 :)
Travelbunny Trips in 2012 | the travelbunny
Thursday 27th of December 2012
[...] a week in the sunshine – what a lovely daughter I have! We mainly relaxed but did head out to La Gomera for a day which is a beautiful little island and especially lovely in the [...]
tita buds
Sunday 13th of May 2012
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. :D
Travelbunny
Monday 14th of May 2012
So glad to have enlightened you a little!
Marcia Clarke
Sunday 13th of May 2012
Love the pictures, the last one with all the pastel colors is pretty.
Travelbunny
Sunday 13th of May 2012
Thank you Marcia - ice cream colours!
restlessjo
Saturday 12th of May 2012
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.
Travelbunny
Sunday 13th of May 2012
The boat part was a lovely part of the day too - I love your description of a 'shell pink sea'.