Santa Cruz de la Palma Tours

Canarians call La Palma ‘la isla bonita' – the beautiful island – which is quite the compliment. It's so enchanting that Rudi, one of our guides, decided to make it his home 40 years ago. ‘I love doing this tour,' he says. ‘It shows you the island's past and present – from one of the world's biggest observatories to Tajogaite, Europe's newest volcano.' Plus, you'll discover wonders such as Roque de los Muchachos and the primeval Caldera de Taburiente.Your adventure kicks off as you venture up the 2,500m-high Roque de los Muchachos – La Palma's highest peak – passing the domed astronomical observatory on the way. At the top, take in the views over the 8km-wide Caldera de Taburiente, the island's only national park. Ringed by cloud-bursting peaks, this immense bowl is thick with pine forests and waterfalls. Your guide will fill you in on the park's history and how your visit will help conserve its ecosystems.Next, it's on to Puntagorda – arguably one of the prettiest villages in the Canaries. Nestled between two ravines, rows of pine and almond trees flank cobbled streets that enjoy sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. Here, you'll have some time to have a poke around the weekly farmer's market, with stalls dedicated to local produce and handicrafts. At El Time viewpoint, there are heart-pounding views over the Angustias gorge. We'll also make our way to Tajuya viewpoint, from where you can observe the scarred, inferno-like slopes of the Tajogaite volcanic cone, formed from an eruption in autumn 2021.

There's a reason La Palma is known as ‘The Green Paradise', and you'll see why on this trip to the northeast. And with our expert local guides, you'll get the inside track from passionate locals. Rudi, one of our guides, says, ‘Before becoming a guide, I worked on a Canarian banana plantation for 5 years. It was a great way to immerse myself in island life.' On this full day tour, you'll discover fragrant forests, volcanic rock pools and colonial villages. Then, to round off the experience, you'll sample sweet-as-honey local rum.Kick off this jam-packed excursion at San Bartolo viewpoint – overlooking steep coastal hills and the Atlantic beyond, the views are a showstopper. From here, it's onto the natural sea-water pools of Charco Azul – the ‘blue pools' where, weather permitting, we'll have a quick swim. Then, it's onto the sea-view village of San Andres, a flower-filled cluster of brightly coloured buildings enhanced by all the greenery.Next up, is one of Rudi's favourite parts of the tour. ‘You walk beside tropical banana plantations and find out why they're essential to island life,' he says. Then, after a stroll along the volcanic shoreline of Charco Azul, you'll stop to taste rum at one of the last traditional distilleries in the Canaries.'

La Palma's natural wonders are plentiful, and this full-day tour concentrates on some of its southern highlights. You'll stop by the village of Mazo for a look around its colourful houses, stand before the crater of San Antonio volcano and learn about the island's volcanic activity, and round off at the salt pans and lighthouse of Fuencaliente.