Things to See and Do in La Palma
1 ... OBSERVATORIO DEL ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOSGenerally speaking, the Observatory is not open to visitors. However, people are allowed to visit on specific days in summer. Guided tours are organised in English, German and Spanish and visitors can go inside the telescopes. However, the area where the Observatory is located [Roque de los Muchachos] can be visited the whole year round.
2 ... ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOSStanding at nearly 8000 feet, the Roque de los Muchachos is La Palma’s highest peak. It is part of the La Caldera de Taburiente National Park and there is a trail you can take up the slopes, offering amazing views of the crater walls. It can also be shrouded in thick fog and mist. La Palma’s clear skies means it is great for star-gazing and is a place where scientist from around the world go to study the stars, so much so that an observatory was set up along the steep mountain roads around the Roque de los Muchachos. We would recommend that you check on the road status before driving to this part of the island. Despite the mild weather, Roque de los Muchachos can have snow or black ice in the winter.
3 ... WORLD'S LARGEST EROSION CRATERLa Caldera de Taburiente National Park is an enormous National Park and is actually a volcanic crater and with a circumference of 28 kilometres it is the largest one in the world. The rugged walls effectively form a natural fortress, so much so the Benahoares sought refuge here when the Spanish invaded in the 15th century. La Palma’s highest peaks encircle the crater : Roque de los Muchachos, Pico de la Cruz, Pico de la Nieve and La Cumbrecita. The latter has a single opening to the south-west along a deep ravine known as Barranco de las Angustias which reaches the west coast at Puerto de Tazacorte. South of the crater, a narrow ridge divides the island, leading right down to the southern extremity, where you will encounter an impressive region of active volcanoes.
4 ... NAVAL MUSEUMClose to the Plaza de Alameda in Santa Cruz stands a replica of the Santa Maria – the ship Christopher Columbus used in 1492 to sail to the Americas. Step inside and you will find that it has been converted into a small museum and is home to a fascinating collection of maritime pieces including old maps and charts, navigational instruments and some of the ship’s old flags.
5 ... LA ZARZA CULTURAL PARKLong before the Spanish arrived, La Palma was inhabited by a group of people called the Benahoares. For an insight into their lives head to the cultural park a La Zarza where you will find out about the medicines they used and the food they ate and even their burial practices. The highlight of the park has to be the strange rock carvings that were discovered here in the early 1940s comprising circles, spirals and stick men figures but their meaning remains a mystery. There are 4 motifs used - spirals, circles, meanders and straight lines all combined in a variety of ways. Looking at the location of the inscriptions, most experts believe that they were carved to appease the gods and maintain or restore good weather.
6 ... AVENIDA MARITIMANo visit to Santa Cruz is complete without taking in the Avenida Maritima. At one end stands a twisted and gnarled dragon tree and at the other end the famous Casas de los Balcones – a row of quaint traditional Canarian houses, some of which are whitewashed and others painted in soft shades of peach, terracotta and avocado. All of them feature beautiful balustraded wooden balconies.
7 ... IGELSIA DE EL SALVADORThis is one of Santa Cuz’ star attractions and well worth a visit. Iglesia de El Salvador is a lovely little church adorned with a monumental façade and is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the Canaries. Inside it features a honeycomb-like coffered ceiling that is reminiscent of the Alhambra Palace in Granada. If you take a wander into the side chapel you will find a Flemish carving of the crucifixion that dates back to the 16th century.
8 ... EL PASOFollow the winding mountain road over La Cumbres mountains to this delightful little village located right in the centre of the island. It is well known for its silk production and handmade cigars. If you’re after something a little more spiritual take a look at the 18th century chapel, with a rather lengthy name – the Ermita de la Virgen de la Concepcion de la Bonanza inside which you will find a gorgeous mudéjar ceiling.
9 ... PLAZA DE LA GLORIETAThis is a lovely little plaza crammed with colourful and extravagant mosaic works depicting motifs of the Palmerian flor and fauna, shady benches and indigenous plants. With attention to detail, designer Luis Morera, one of the most renowned artistis of La Palma, and student of Cesar Manrique, has created the plaza over many years. Located on the Todoque-las Manchas road, El Paso - turn right before the Secadero restaurant and turn left after 300m.
10 ... MARINE RESERVEThere are actually 2 reserves, one inside the other. The outer Marine Reserve covers some 3719 hectares off Fuencaliente's coastline in the south of La Palma [the name Fuencaliente comes from the term "hot spring" or "warm fountain"]. Inside this is Fuencaliente Marine Special Conservation Area which has been incuded in the Natura 2000 [the European network of protected sites which represent the most important natural habitats for species of endangered plants and animals. The main aim of the marine reserve is the protection, renewal and development of the resources of the area to guarantee the existence of species so that fishermen can continue fishing.
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