The small Canary Island for nature lovers, hikers and anyone seeking peace and quiet
La Gomera is the second-smallest Canary Island and lies in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They say it has the best climate in the world: the subtropical weather keeps temperatures so pleasant all year round that you can both swim in the sea and hike in the mountains. Even in winter.
Around 30 km from Tenerife, the island of La Gomera can be reached by ferry or by plane. The evergreen north is watered by moist trade winds, while the south offers plenty of sunshine – it is not for nothing that La Gomera is called the green pearl of the Canaries.
La Gomera is a holiday for the eyes. Behind almost every bend there is a magnificent new view: a gorge, a picturesque village, the twin rocks Roques de San Pedro, banana plantations running down to the sea.
What makes so many people come back to La Gomera again and again? The island has a completely different rhythm of life. Here people work to live – not the other way round. Poco a poco…
Pleasant temperatures all year round. Soak up the sun in winter. Perfect for hiking and swimming.
More palm trees grow on La Gomera than on any other Canary Island. They are a landmark and are protected.
The highest mountain on the island. On a clear day you can see Tenerife, La Palma and El Hierro. The surrounding Garajonay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with the oldest laurel forest in Europe. A mystical cloud forest with moss-covered trees.
All year round, start early
Huge basalt columns on the north coast that look like organ pipes – hence the name Los Órganos. Only visible from the boat; tours start in Vueltas or Playa de Santiago and often meet whales and dolphins along the way.
The island’s whistled language – UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is taught in schools.
The island’s capital, San Sebastián, with the Torre del Conde tower, the Casa de Colón, the Iglesia de la Asunción and the harbour from which Columbus set sail.
Papas arrugadas with mojo, almogrote, palm honey and fresh fish at unbeatable prices.
Valle Gran Rey – the Valley of the Great King –, San Sebastián, Vallehermoso, Agulo and Hermigua: each village with its own character.
Mild and sunny on the south-west coast. The main travel season for everyone who finds it too uncomfortable at home.
Air 20–22 °C · Water 18–20 °C
Our favourite time: everything is in bloom and green. Ideal for hiking.
Air 22–24 °C · Water 18–19 °C
Warm, but thanks to the trade winds usually not oppressive. The odd hot day is possible. The best time for swimming.
Air 26–29 °C · Water 20–22 °C
Warm sea, fewer people. Very pleasant for longer stays.
Air 24–28 °C · Water 21–23 °C
Month by month: December, January and February are around 20 to 22 °C air and 18 to 20 °C water – mild, and sunniest on the south-west coast. March, April and May bring 22 to 24 °C, and the valley is greener than at any other time of year. June, July and August are the warmest months at 26 to 29 °C, but thanks to the trade wind rarely oppressive. September, October and November are around 24 to 28 °C and, at 21 to 23 °C, have the warmest sea of the year. These are averages: some spells are warmer, and in January and February it can sometimes be cooler. Compared with a German winter, it still stays mild.
Via Tenerife. You fly to Tenerife South (TFS), drive a good 20 minutes to the port of Los Cristianos and cross to San Sebastián de La Gomera in 50 to 60 minutes. The island has no international airport. How long your travel day turns out to be depends mainly on the wait for the ferry. All the steps with times and costs are on our page about getting here.
Mild and remarkably even over the year. The air temperature is between 20 and 29 °C, the sea between 18 and 23 °C. There are outliers in both directions: during calima – a warm wind carrying fine sand from the Sahara – it becomes noticeably warmer and hazy for a few days, while in January and February it can also be cooler. Compared with a German winter it still stays warm. The north is greener and damper, the south and Valle Gran Rey drier and sunnier.
Mild and mostly sunny. In February the daytime air temperature is 20 to 22 °C and the sea 18 to 20 °C – individual days can be warmer or cooler. The north of the island is greener and damper, Valle Gran Rey in the south-west much drier. For hiking it is one of the most pleasant months of the year.
Warm, with the warmest sea of the year. In November the air is 24 to 28 °C and the water 21 to 23 °C. At the same time it is much less busy than in summer. Our main season starts in October and runs until Easter.
From June to August. The air temperature is then 26 to 29 °C and the sea 20 to 22 °C – individual days can be considerably hotter. On the island, the south-west is the warmest and driest, and that is exactly where Valle Gran Rey lies. The north stays greener and damper.
Yes, many people do. Between October and Easter daytime temperatures are usually 20 to 24 °C – warm enough for hiking, without the summer heat. That is exactly our main season. If you are staying longer, you need a kitchen, a washing machine and reliable internet; we have all of that.
For the island, yes. There are buses, but then your day revolves around the timetable, and the mountain roads are the real attraction. In Valle Gran Rey itself you can get around on foot. In the main season from October to Easter you should reserve the car early.
The island is – the Charco del Conde in La Puntilla is a shallow, sheltered family beach, and many hiking trails are manageable with children. For safety reasons, however, our two apartments can only be booked for children aged 12 and over: the property is on a slope and is not childproof.
Seven to ten days is a good guide – enough for several hikes, a few beach days and a trip to the national park. If you want to see the whole island, better plan two weeks. Many of our guests stay two to three weeks or longer.
More than 600 km of hiking trails – the most beautiful routes from Valle Gran Rey.
Black volcanic sand, sheltered lagoons and wild coves – from the beach in La Playa to Playa del Inglés.
The districts from La Calera to Vueltas, shopping, restaurants and life in the valley.
Our holiday apartments in Valle Gran Rey are your base.
