In a nutshell
- La Palma isn’t an island where you just laze around on the beach — there are simply too many exciting activities to keep you busy.
- Our absolute top picks include a volcano hike, stargazing, and a whale watching tour.
- In this article we walk you through our favorite things to do in La Palma — all tried and tested by us personally.
Hike the New Tajogaite Volcano
What can you expect? A guided hike up the Tajogaite volcano, which formed during a major eruption on the island in 2021. With an experienced guide and a small group, you’ll hike up to the volcano’s crater. The whole tour takes about three hours and is manageable even for inexperienced hikers, since the elevation changes are relatively modest.
Is it worth it? Absolutely — we did this tour ourselves and loved every minute of it. When else do you get the chance to hike up a volcano that erupted just a few years ago? The landscape scarred by the lava is seriously stunning, and our guide shared a ton of fascinating information about the eruption and the volcanoes on La Palma.
Book the Tajogaite Volcano Tour
Stargazing
What can you expect? La Palma is genuinely one of the best places on the planet for stargazing — which is exactly why the island has so many observatories. You can head out on your own, of course, but joining a guided tour that takes you to the darkest and most spectacular spots is a whole different experience.
Is it worth it? Without a doubt. It’s truly incredible what a night sky can look like when there’s no light pollution. In big cities — and across most of Europe — you simply never get to see anything like it.
Our tip: If you want to capture the night sky with your camera, check out our article on photographing stars first — it’ll make a huge difference to your shots.
Book a Stargazing Tour on La Palma
Classic Sightseeing
What can you expect? La Palma has so many impressive places to see: sweeping viewpoints, charming coastal towns, picturesque mountain villages, and much more besides.
Is it worth it? Totally. Spending a few days exploring the island by rental car is absolutely worth it. If you’d rather not drive yourself, there are guided tours that hit all the top highlights too.
Our tip: Check out our article on the best sights on La Palma — you’ll find all the details about our favorite spots on the island.
Snorkeling off the Coast
What can you expect? La Palma is a really great spot for snorkeling. You don’t need to head far out to sea — many guided snorkeling tours take place right near the beach, so there’s no long boat journey involved.
Is it worth it? Definitely! Snorkeling is always a great experience, and on La Palma it’s super easy to arrange.
Hiking on La Palma
What can you expect? La Palma is hugely popular with hikers — and for good reason. The landscape is incredibly diverse: dense laurel forest, rugged coastal cliffs, and of course volcanoes. It’s one of the best things to do in La Palma, full stop.
Is it worth it? A hike is an absolute must on any La Palma vacation. There are trails for every skill level, from super easy walks to seriously challenging climbs.
Our tip: An easy trail leads through the Los Tilos laurel forest to the waterfall of the same name. It’s manageable even for inexperienced hikers and works really well if you’re visiting La Palma with kids.
Kayak Tour to Poris de Candelaria
What can you expect? The Poris de Candelaria bay is one of the standout highlights of La Palma. You can combine your visit with a kayak tour that takes you to the Cueva Bonita cave — a spot that’s only accessible by sea.
Is it worth it? A kayak tour makes your visit to Poris de Candelaria even more memorable. It’s genuinely a special experience that you won’t get any other way.
Dolphin and Whale Watching
What can you expect? On a three-hour boat tour, you’ll see dolphins and — with a bit of luck — whales too, while learning all about the marine life off the coast of La Palma. The tour also makes a detour to the pirate bay of Poris de Candelaria.
Is it worth it? A boat trip is always a great way to spend an afternoon. There’s no guarantee you’ll spot a whale, but honestly, the outing is a wonderful experience even without one.
Book the Boat Tour with Whale Watching
Paragliding
What can you expect? La Palma is a true mecca for paragliding and is well known for it across Europe. The best spots are in Puntallana, Campanario, and Gallo — though you should definitely be an experienced pilot before flying solo here.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. Paragliding over La Palma is an experience you’ll never forget.
Our tip: If you’re a beginner or planning your very first paragliding flight, we recommend the flight school Palmaclub Aventura. They offer tandem flights for beginners and are very welcoming to first-timers.
Visit a Farm
What can you expect? On a two-hour guided tour of Ecofinca Tacande, you’ll learn all about the plants, fruits, and herbs that grow on La Palma — straight from the people who tend them.
Is it worth it? The tour with Eva from the Ecofinca is genuinely fascinating. But the real highlight is the excellent lunch she serves up for guests — that alone makes it 100% worth it!
