La Gomera

If you want the Canary Island experience but in a more relaxed, easy paced way, La Gomera is for you. There are nice beaches, historic buildings, and top-notch restaurants for delicious dining.

Playa San Sebastian is the main beach of the capital of the same name. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a day of sand and sun. It’s often the venue of various festivals which can liven things up a few notches. For a different beach experience there’s the delightful Playa de la Cueva. Just beyond the port you’ll find a small tunnel. Climb through here to find Playa de la Cueva. It’s not deserted, but it still feels like a joyous little secret.

Torre del Conde is an old fort built just above the town and is considered to be the first main building to be built on the island. Wonderfully preserved – which is no mean feat considering it was built in 1447 – it houses interesting displays of La Gomera’s history. Perhaps just as great as the fort, though, is the subtropical park in which it stands. The park is a lovely shaded area to spend some time.

The Mercado Municipal central market is a hive of activity that is a great place to browse and to pick up some local delicacies.