The Canaries' greenest island, with laurel forests, volcanoes, black-sand beaches and some of the darkest night skies in the world. Here's what La Palma is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
It's mild all year, which suits walking: winter is around 20°C and summer rarely tops 27°C. Spring and autumn are especially good for hiking, when the trails are green and clear. The east side is cloudier and the west sunnier, so the weather can change from one valley to the next. High trails can get snow in winter.
A huge volcanic crater and national park, with trails, waterfalls and a stream of orange rock.
The island's highest point, above the clouds, beside a cluster of world-class observatories.
La Palma protects its night skies by law, so the stars are spectacular.
A long ridge hike over volcanic cones in the south of the island.
The small capital, with wooden balconies and a replica of Columbus's ship.
See the lava fields left by the 2021 eruption on a guided visit.
Natural seawater pools by the rocks on the north-east coast.
Partly. There are a few black-sand beaches, like Puerto de Tazacorte and Puerto Naos, but most people come for hiking, stargazing and scenery. For more beach, choose Tenerife or Fuerteventura.
All year. It's around 20 to 27°C year-round, and spring and autumn are especially good for hiking.
Yes. The eruption ended in December 2021 and the island is fully open, with the new lava fields now part of what visitors come to see.
Some airlines fly direct from European cities, mostly in winter. Otherwise, fly to Tenerife and take a short flight or a ferry.
Yes. The island is steep and bus routes are limited, so hire a car. Many walks are one-way, so taxis or buses back to the car help.
Put La Palma on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.