The COMPACT travel guide La Palma ...in a different way! 2020 takes you to all the highlights in a photo-free and understandable way with numerous detailed maps and exact information. La Palma, the small Isla Bonita is the greenest and most versatile Canary Island of the archipelago.Start with a detailed described city tour through the capital Santa Cruz de La Palma and let your discoverer heart beat faster. The main shopping street O'Daly leads you along magnificent buildings to the Plaza de España with the towering Iglesia de Salvador. Learn all about the important capital festival at the Bajada de La Virgen Interpretation Centre, which is held in honour of the island's patron saint. Visit the old market hall La Recova and the large island museum Museo Insular. Admire the wooden balconies Balcones Tipicos, which are the symbol of the capital, and take a breath of discovery on Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria in the Museo Barco de la Virgen. In Breña Alta, shop with nuns at the Monasterio El Cister and see how hand-rolled cigars are made at the Museo del Puro Palmero and Puros Artesanos. Bathe on the beautiful lava beaches of the popular town of Los Cancajos and smile at the legendary history of the twin dragon trees of San Isidro. In Villa de Mazo, visit the Corpus Christi Museum Museo Casa Roja, watch ancient Canarian pottery being made at Ceramica El Molino and visit the aboriginal caves Cuevas del Belmaco. At the southern tip you can enjoy fabulous views during a crater hike in the centre of Volcán de San Antonio and meet salt workers in the Salinas de Fuencaliente. Visit the new Centro Reserva Marina next to the Faro de Fuencaliente lighthouse and taste the excellent wines at Bodegas Teneguia. Be sure to visit the Casa Museo del Vino wine museum in Las Manchas, where you can taste and buy all the island wines. The newly opened Caña del Fuego explains the earliest volcanic eruptions on La Palma. Do not miss to book a guided tour through the dark volcanic cave. A guided tour will tell you the history of Tazacorte. Go to a banana plantation next to the Museo del Plátano or spot dolphins and whales on a boat trip from Puerto de Tazacorte. In El Paso, visit the silk museum Museo de la Seda and see the petroglyphs El Verde and La Fayana. From the Centro de Visitantes de El Paso you start to the world's largest erosion crater Caldera de Taburiente. After a shopping trip in Los Llanos de Aridane you will dive into the history of the natives in the archaeology museum Benahoarita. From the sleepy Tijarafe with its restored mansions, you will set off for the popular weekend market Mercadillo de Puntagorda. In the hippy village Las Tricias you will expand your knowledge in the vivid gofio museum MIGO and you will be impressed by the dragon trees and the cave Cueva de Buracas. Discover the secret rock carvings of La Zarza and La Zarcita and look out over the neighbouring islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hiero from the highest point of the island at Roque de Los Muchachos. A visit to the astrophysical observatory La Palma should also be on your schedule. In San Andrés y Sauces you can splash around in the beautiful natural swimming pools of Piscina's Naturales Charco Azul, or visit the Aldea rum factory. Walk through the primeval laurel forests of Los Tilos and explore the nature trail through the Cubo de La Galga. The new El Tandal Archaeological Park completes your knowledge of the indigenous people. In the small village of Puntallana, the ethnographic museum Casa Luján with its lovingly designed rag dolls is one of the highlights and, like the Fuentes de Puntallana springs, is well worth seeing. Finally, let the day end with a glass of wine against the fantastic backdrop of the spectacular sunsets in Puerto Naos.
