For those looking for a peaceful retreat away from the tourist crowds that flock to the Canary Islands, La Gomera is the perfect choice.
Unlike its larger counterparts in the archipelago, 143-square-mile island boasts a more relaxed atmosphere, making it the perfect getaway for those craving breathtaking landscapes and pleasant winter temperatures of as high as 19C.
Getting there is relatively simple, despite no direct flights from London. One can fly to Tenerife South Airport (TFS), a major hub in the Canary Islands and then take a 40-minute ferry ride from Los Cristianos port to San Sebastian de La Gomera, the island’s capital.
The island is famous for its dramatic landscapes and lush greenery, with Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986, an absolute must-visit for holidaymakers.
It features ancient laurel forests that date back to prehistoric times, offering a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels.
Visitors can explore the park’s diverse flora and fauna and gaze at the stunning views on offer.
The island is known for its rugged terrain, featuring steep cliffs, deep ravines and lush valleys thanks to its volcanic origin. A roughly circular island, it rises to 1,487 metres at its highest peak – Alto de Garajonay.
While not as renowned for its beaches as some of its other island neighbours, La Gomera boasts several secluded beaches with black sand and clear waters, including Playa de Santiago and Valle Gran Rey.
The waters around La Gomera are teeming with various species of whales and dolphins. Several tour operators offer whale-watching excursions, providing an opportunity to see these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
The capital city, San Sebastián de La Gomera, has a rich history.
Key sites include the Church of the Assumption, which is said to be where Christopher Columbus prayed before his journey to the Americas, as well as the local markets which have a variety of traditional Canary Island crafts and foods.
When comparing La Gomera’s tourist figures with the likes of Tenerife and Lanzarote, there really is no comparison when choosing a quieter holiday destination. In 2022, around 69,000 people visited both La Gomera and another underrated island, El Hierro.
That year, a total of over 16 million tourists descended on the archipelago, but over 5.8 million of those headed for Tenerife instead. The second-most popular island was Gran canaria, with around 3.8 million.
Put simply, just 0.4% of those who visited the archipelago in 2022 chose either La Gomera or El Hierro.
With its average of nine hours of sunshine even during the winter months, you must visit La Gomera before the rest of the world does.
Indeed, with 75% of Brits planning to chase the winter sun between November and February, travel experts at Discount Cruises scoured Instagram hashtags to reveal the most picture-perfect islands to visit this winter, revealing that La Gomera ranked among the top 15 with 608,200 hashtags.
