Hotels in La Gomera

La Gomera

La Gomera is a small, round island of 370 square kilometres in the west of the Canary Islands, about 22 kilometres across and a short ferry ride from Tenerife. Deep ravines run from its central plateau down to the sea, and the highest point, the Alto de Garajonay, reaches 1,487 metres. The plateau is covered by Garajonay National Park, a laurel cloud forest that is often wrapped in mist and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. The island is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and its whistled language, Silbo Gomero, is taught in every school and recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Christopher Columbus made the capital San Sebastián de La Gomera his last port of call before crossing the Atlantic in 1492, and the house where he is said to have stayed can still be visited. Valle Gran Rey on the west coast is the main holiday area, a terraced valley of palm trees that ends in dark-sand beaches, a small harbour and famous sunsets. Playa de Santiago in the sunny south is a quiet seaside village near the island's small airport, while Hermigua, Agulo and Vallehermoso in the green north are surrounded by banana groves and hiking trails. Local specialities include almogrote cheese spread, palm syrup known as miel de palma and the island's own wines, often served with goat or pork. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife, a crossing of about 50 minutes to San Sebastián, and the airport is served mainly by flights from the other islands. With rural hotels, apartments and a few larger hotels, hotels in La Gomera suit hikers, nature lovers and travellers looking for a slow, quiet holiday.