This is a comprehensive article about vacationing on La Gomera Island in the Canary Archipelago. You’ll learn everything a tourist needs to know before traveling: which resort on the island is best to stay at, what special features the island has, and how to get there from other islands. Essentially, it’s a detailed guide to navigating La Gomera Island in the Canary Archipelago.

La Gomera Island: General Information for Tourists

One of the smallest, greenest, and most underrated islands in the Canary Archipelago. It’s located near Tenerife Island, but unfortunately, many tourists who come to vacation on Tenerife don’t even consider visiting La Gomera, which is a missed opportunity.

la gomera island canary islands
An arrow marked the location of La Gomera on the map of the Canary Islands

Here are a few facts about the island:

  • La Gomera is of volcanic origin. However, unlike other islands with active volcanoes, the last volcanic activity on this island was 2 million years ago. As a result, the island has become lush and green, devoid of lava fields, somewhat resembling a “Lost World.”
  • The island covers an area of 369 square kilometers, making it the second smallest island. Only El Hierro is smaller.
  • The population of La Gomera is only 23 thousand people, compared to the total population of 2.1 million across all the Canary Islands. On the neighboring Tenerife, there are 1 million inhabitants.
  • The capital of La Gomera Island is the city of San Sebastián, or its full name, San Sebastián de la Gomera. It’s a local custom that the name of the city indicates which island it belongs to. For example, in the Canary Islands, there are two cities named Santa Cruz, both serving as capitals of their respective islands, hence we have Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Santa Cruz de La Palma.
  • The population of San Sebastián is only 9 thousand people.
how to get to La Gomera from Tenerife
La Gomera Island is essentially one large extinct volcano. There are hardly any flat plains; all villages and towns are situated on the slopes of hills.

Regarding the name “Gomera” or “La Gomera”:

In the Spanish language, “La” is the definite article for a feminine singular noun, roughly equivalent to “The” in English. Therefore, it’s correct to refer to the island simply as “Gomera” without the article. However, according to rules and conventions, “La Gomera” is the correct form.

Getting to La Gomera Island from Tenerife or Gran Canaria

The question is quite simple if you understand how transportation between the islands works. You can learn all the details from two articles mentioned, including links to carriers, schedules, prices, and where to buy tickets:

But here’s a summary of what you need to know:

  • There are two ferry companies. Direct ferry routes are available only from Tenerife, departing from the southern port of Los Cristianos. Here are the coordinates from where ferries to La Gomera depart – 28.046073666417964, -16.717247533000144). Approximately 4-5 ferries operate daily, with a travel time of 2 hours. The one-way ticket price is around 40-50 euros. The ferry arrives at the island’s capital, San Sebastián.
  • Also, there are two local airlines operating between the islands. There are direct flights to La Gomera from various islands, but not from all. The flight duration is between 20-50 minutes, depending on the departure island. Pricing is dynamic; you can often buy tickets cheaper than the ferry, usually around 30 euros if purchased in advance. The price increases to 100+ euros two days before departure.
La Gomera Canary
We fly from La Gomera Airport to Tenerife Island. It’s a 20-minute flight, making it very convenient.

Personally, I prefer airplanes. They’re faster, often cheaper, don’t cause seasickness like ferries, and flying in propeller planes is quite an experience!

Important:

Always plan the transportation between the islands in your trip first. For example, there are no direct flights or ferries from La Gomera to neighboring islands like La Palma or El Hierro; you have to go through Tenerife or Gran Canaria. This is an excellent article for those who want to explore different islands in the archipelago instead of staying on one for the entire vacation: Routes across the Canary Islands.

Another piece of advice for those wanting to fly from Tenerife to La Gomera: Tenerife has two airports in different parts of the island. Most flights from Europe arrive at Tenerife South (TFS), while inter-island flights operate through Tenerife North (TFN). Pay close attention to the airports for arrival and departure; a mix-up could lead to wasting time and money.

Special Features of La Gomera Island

The island has several characteristics that set it apart from Tenerife, and some of these are significant advantages. Let me explain:

  • La Gomera Island is approximately 22 kilometers in diameter and has a circular shape. It’s as if it’s one mountain formed after a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. The highest point on the island is 1488 meters.
  • If you look at the map, there’s no ring road around the island. If you want to go from one point to another, you have to travel through the center of the island. This means navigating through serpentine roads, gaining elevation, descending, enjoying panoramic views, and stopping at scenic viewpoints.
everything about the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands
There are many beautiful roads and viewpoints on the island. You’ll constantly want to stop and admire the scenery. In the photo is a typical non-resort town in the mountains of La Gomera. And don’t forget, the Canaries are Spain, where football (soccer) is like a religion. The best and most even terrain will always be occupied by a stadium, while hospitals or schools can be built on a mountainside.
  • Because the island is small, with a population smaller than that of a major city’s residential district, there are no shopping malls and supermarkets here, no brand stores. Also, food prices and gasoline are on average 10-15% higher than on Gran Canaria and Tenerife, due to expensive logistics.
  • La Gomera Island has its unique means of communication – Silbo Gomero, or Gomeran Whistling, invented by shepherds over 500 years ago. It has been preserved, and today Silbo Gomero is actively promoted among the youth. You can often hear Silbo Gomero even on the radio and TV. You can learn more about this language, which is included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in the article: Population of the Canaries, where you’ll also learn about the Guanches and how they differ from the Canarians.

Who Would Enjoy Vacationing on La Gomera Island:

Tourists who not only enjoy lounging on the beach – although there are beaches here, but they’re few – but especially those who love mountains and nature, hiking, and trekking. Those who are willing to rent a car and drive around the entire island, as there’s not much to do here without a car.

Transportation on La Gomera

Let me tell you about transportation on the island and provide some useful links.

  • Statistics show that 75% of tourists who come to La Gomera are day-trippers who purchase excursions on Tenerife. They are brought to San Sebastián by ferry in the morning, taken on a tour bus around the island’s attractions all day, and then sail back to Tenerife in the evening. This leaves very little time for exploring La Gomera, and about 80% of the island’s beauty remains unseen by these tourists. But it’s better than nothing.
    • Below you can find such tours, prices. They also offer day trips to La Gomera. The price for such an excursion per person is around 90-100 euros.

If you have only one day and want to see the island of La Gomera, such a tour is an excellent option. It’s cheaper than going on a regular ferry and renting a car. For those 100 euros, you already get a round trip ferry to La Gomera, a bus tour around the island, and sometimes even lunch.

transport La Gomera how to get around
Mirador de Abrante is a very cool viewpoint on the island of La Gomera (free entry). Later in the article, there will be a link to the TOP attractions of the island, where you’ll find the coordinates of this location.

I recommend allocating 4-5 days on the island. Then you’ll have enough time to see all of La Gomera’s attractions and travel around the entire island. In fact, for those who come to the island for several days, there are two options for getting around: renting a car and using regular buses.

  • La Gomera is tailor-made for car rentals: beautiful roads and views, affordable prices, low deposits or even no deposit, free parking all over the island, and very low traffic intensity. Since there are relatively few people living on the island, it’s like one big village. All about car rental on La Gomera: tips, traffic regulations, local driving habits, rental companies. On average, the price of renting a car per day is around 30-50 euros depending on the season.
  • Buses. It’s important to know: the island is small, there are few routes, they run infrequently, and to remote villages on the island, they only go twice a day, in the morning and evening. But between the main resorts of the island, you can easily get by bus. La Gomera has its own bus company called GuaGuaGomera. There are only 8 routes on La Gomera.
overview La Gomera Canary Islands
We’ve been to La Gomera many times, once we didn’t have the car we booked, they upgraded our car class for free to this beauty 🙂 If finances allow, La Gomera’s roads are made for driving with a convertible.

Tip:

Almost all tourists who come to La Gomera for more than a day rent a car. There are many cool locations that you won’t see by bus. Plus, in terms of time: by bus, you’ll see 1-2 attractions a day. But with a car, your mobility skyrockets. The only reason to refuse a car rental is if you don’t have a driver’s license.

Where to stay: resorts on La Gomera

Where to book accommodation on the island, you’ll find links at the end of this article. Below is a list of resorts on the island of La Gomera where there are beaches and all the tourist infrastructure.

Since the island is small, it doesn’t make sense to choose accommodation close to any particular attractions; within an hour’s drive, almost any point on the island is accessible. Choose the resort that suits you best.

It’s important to know:

La Gomera is one big mountain. The ascent begins immediately from the beach. If you’re traveling with children or don’t like hills and stairs, carefully choose accommodation at the resort. Often you can book an apartment 500 meters from the beach, seemingly close, but it’s located 200 meters above sea level. Almost all the towns on the island are situated on the slopes of mountains.
beaches La Gomera
This is the town of Playa de Santiago nestled in the gorge between cliffs. You can book an apartment and only find out on the spot that it’s at such a height, and you need to climb a long steep staircase to and from the beach.

So, the best resorts on La Gomera, photos, a brief description of the beach, coordinates:

where to stay on La Gomera
The main beach of the island’s capital – San Sebastián Beach
  • Valle Gran Rey – the most popular resort among tourists. A lovely town, sheltered from the wind by cliffs. This is the hottest and sunniest part of the island, with the least wind.
    • Coordinates: 28.08493720197824, -17.333941708950924
    • 3 beaches with black volcanic sand, there is a waveless beach for children, as well as a long promenade along the ocean. The best resort on La Gomera.
la gomera resorts
Valle Gran Rey is the most popular beach resort among tourists. In the upper photo, a piece of the main beach of the resort. Playa de la Calera is located about 1.5 kilometers from Valle Gran Rey; it’s another beautiful Spanish village. The lower photo shows the road along the ocean, and in the background is this village, and behind the photographer is Valle Gran Rey.
  • Playa de Santiago is a small resort town in a mountainous gorge (or simply Santiago). Its great advantage is its proximity to the airport; you can walk there, just 2.5 km, and fly to Tenerife or Gran Canaria
la gomera canaries
And this is the main city beach of Santiago. One downside is that it’s entirely pebbly. There are no sandy beaches here.

These were the three main resort towns of La Gomera with beaches, promenades, and all the infrastructure: shops, restaurants, and so on. There are also beautiful villages on the island in the Spanish medieval style, but they are not located on the coast. You’ll visit these villages for a walk when you go on a sightseeing tour of the island

Travel Tips

Some general tips that will help you get to know the island better:

  • Agriculture is well developed on La Gomera. Local palm honey is made here, there is a farm where aloe vera is grown and various cosmetics are made from it. They also make La Gomera goat cheese. All of this can be bought in almost any store. And it’s a great idea to bring home as a gift.
  • The best resort for beach holidays and family vacations on the island is Valle Gran Rey. The sunniest, windless resort with the best beaches of fine volcanic sand.
  • Stores on the island are relatively small and close early; there are no large supermarkets here. And some of them don’t even work on Sundays. Just keep that in mind.

In conclusion: La Gomera is a beautiful island where nature, mountains, and small Spanish villages in mountain gorges come first. There are no traffic jams on the roads, no metropolises, no crowds of tourists. It’s a wonderful place, and I recommend everyone to come here for 3-5 days. Personally, for me, La Gomera is much more interesting than Tenerife.