La GomeraCanary Islands · Spain

All About La Gomera

La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands. Before the seabound voyagers sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, La Gomera was the edge of the world. La Gomera’s contrasting landscapes of volcanic mountains, sea cliffs, and lush forests earn the island Biosphere Reserve status. White-washed villages cling to mountainsides amongst agricultural terraces while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The diverse topography and comfortable climate of La Gomera draw nature enthusiasts hoping to roam wild ecosystems. As you wander from the dense rainforests to black-sand beaches, La Gomera will speak to your more adventurous side. Mass tourism still hasn’t overwhelmed La Gomera like the larger Canary Islands, and it remains a place for respite. Book your ferry tickets to La Gomera from the other Canaries for a needed break from modern society. Ferryscanner helps you find ferry tickets to this unspoiled island for an idyllic trip you’ll never forget.
 

Routes and Ferries to La Gomera

La Gomera doesn’t see the foot traffic like the other Canary Islands, but unspoiled landscapes await those who venture here. It’s a quiet lifestyle on La Gomera that feels worlds apart from glitzy resorts and packaged vacation deals. Hikers and beachgoers will find serenity wandering its deep ravines, laurel forests, and black-sand beaches. La Gomera’s nature has a wild feeling, and intrepid explorers can temporarily escape the stresses of modern civilization. La Gomera is accessible from several Canary Island ports, and ferry tickets to La Gomera transport you to a sacred location.

Using Ferryscanner, you can browse through multiple timetables and routes to book ferry tickets to La Gomera. If you’re visiting the Canary Islands, you can sail to La Gomera from several ports. Naviera Armas offers daily routes to La Gomera from Los Cristianos (Tenerife), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), and La Palma. Scheduled ferries from Los Cristianos take roughly 1 hour, while direct ferries from La Palma take on average 2 hours and 45 minutes. Use caution when booking ferry tickets to La Gomera from La Palma since some routes make stops in Los Cristianos. Scheduled ferries from Las Palmas take around 5-6 hours and require you to change vessels at Los Cristianos.
 

Port of La Gomera

After you book ferry tickets to La Gomera, prepare to disembark in the picturesque village of San Sebastián de La Gomera. Located on La Gomera’s eastern coast, San Sebastián is a delightful spot to start your journey around the island. A mixture of white-washed and colorful buildings adorns the hillside while sailboats sit in the marina. From the marina, it’s a short 10-15 minute walk into the center of San Sebastián.

San Sebastián de La Gomera is also a place of historical interest since it’s the port Columbus departed from to reach the Americas. Just a 10-minute walk from the ferry terminal, the Church of the Assumption is a spiritual place of worship to reflect on San Sebastián’s history. Columbus and his crew visited the peaceful church before departing on their harrowing journey.
 

Best Beaches

Although La Gomera boasts around 100 km of coastline, the beach selection is smaller than you’d expect. That’s due to the rugged coast that consists of sea cliffs and mountainous terrain. As for the beaches you’ll find, La Gomera treats visitors to an otherworldly experience, unlike your average tropical vacation. Black-sand shores, strewn pebbles, volcanic rocks, and dreamy waters reimagine your idea of idyllic beaches. La Gomera boasts wild, unspoiled beaches that make your Canary Island trip an epic adventure.

Playa de Santa Catalina

Capped by rugged mountains, Playa de Santa Catalina enchants visitors with its scenic location. Turquoise waves lap against the pebble-strewn shores, while white-washed houses and terraces adorn the mountainside. Next to a set of pillars, a tranquil pool makes a beautiful spot for locals to swim during balmy weather. With those sensational sea cliff vistas, no one can blame them for mingling here to cool off.

Playa de Vueltas

In the rustic village of Valle Gran Rey, Playa de Vueltas is a favorite for boating activities. The sheltered beach has calm waves that make the water ideal for swimming and sailing excursions. Black-rock cliffs tower above the black sand, pebbled shoreline for dramatic viewpoints. And the adjacent fishing village makes an excellent place to grab a delicious snack after your swim.

Playa y Baja de la Sepultura

Glossy, black-sand shores make Playa y Baja de la Sepultura one of La Gomera’s most desirable locations. However, it requires effort to enjoy sinking your toes into that fine volcanic sand. The beach is inaccessible by car, and you must bring your hiking shoes to shimmy down the steep descent to the water. But you’re rewarded with a lonely coast of rocky sea cliffs and crystal-clear water.

Playa de Santiago

Playa de Santiago rests on the island’s southern edge and has the facilities for a fabulous beach vacation. The coarse, pebbled beach sits a few minutes from the airport and near hotels, bars, and markets. Sea cliffs overlook the turquoise waters, and beach condos lie steps from the shore. From the boardwalk, you can watch a breathtaking Canary Island sunset with your drink in hand.
 

Places to Visit

Whether you’re here for adventure or relaxation, La Gomera will treat you right. The mystic landscapes of this small island draw all types of visitors to explore its scenic beauty. Discover volcanic beaches, ancient forests, sleepy villages, and untamed wildlife in this exotic land. Once you step off the ferry, you’ll understand why the simple life flourishes on this Biosphere Reserve.

Garajonay National Park

When you imagine the Canary Islands scenery, volcanic cliffs and wild beaches usually come to mind. However, Garajonay National Park transports you into another dimension of the archipelago’s diverse terrain. The UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves the largest laurel forests in the Canary Islands, a dramatic turn from La Gomera’s volcanic landscapes. In the island’s center, Garajonay contains natural springs and cascading streams to support the dense vegetation. Hiking through this mystical landscape guides you through rainforests, cloud forests, and beautiful plant life.

Roque de Agando

You can’t talk about Garajonay National Park without mentioning its most iconic symbol. Roque de Agando proudly stands at 1,250m and overlooks the surrounding forests and rocky outcrops. It’s actually one of several mystifying rock formations, but Roque de Agando is the most impressive of the bunch. While rock climbing is now banned to preserve the site, it’s worth getting a photo of this famous monolith.

Mirador de Abrante

Mirador de Abrante boasts arguably the most spectacular views anywhere in La Gomera. The cliffside restaurant towers above Agulo village and clings to the edge of a sharp cliff face. Also with the glass skywalk, customers get to enjoy tapas staring at the rugged landscape directly beneath them. Grab a savory plate, glass of wine, and dessert with a dash of adrenaline rush.

Chipude

Just outside of Garajonay National Park, Chipude is a picturesque village nestled on a plateau. It’s among the oldest settlements on La Gomera and contains historic treasures around the table mountain. Hikers flock to the fertile landscape to begin treks to the summit of La Fortaleza. Once sacred to La Gomera’s original inhabitants, La Fortaleza was a spiritual place of worship eons ago. After conquering the mountain, wander the village to visit bars, restaurants, and a medieval church.
 

Transportation Around La Gomera

La Gomera has a public bus transport system that helps you navigate the small villages across the island. Autobuses Mesa has routes that stretch from Agulo in the north to Valle Gran Rey and Playa Santiago in the south. San Sebastián de La Gomera lies adjacent to the port and is pedestrian-friendly for travelers without a vehicle. Taxi services are available in several villages across the island.

For the most flexibility to access remote sections of La Gomera, a rental car will serve you best. San Sebastián de La Gomera has several local and international car rental agencies near the port. That way, you can save time and energy when exploring the natural beauty of La Gomera.