Experience the best of La Palma

La Palma rises steeply from the Atlantic at the north-western edge of the Canary Islands, with a ridge of volcanoes down its length. In the north, the Caldera de Taburiente, a huge crater eroded into a national park, is ringed by ridges and pine forests, and the Roque de los Muchachos, at about 2,400 metres, is the highest point and the site of an observatory. Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital, has colonial balconies and a replica of Columbus's ship.

Laurel forests cloak the slopes of the Los Tilos biosphere reserve, and the south of the island has black cones and lava fields along the Ruta de los Volcanes, with the lighthouse and salt pans of Fuencaliente at its tip. Banana plantations cover the west coast, where Tazacorte has a black sand beach below the cliffs. The island is compact, and its winding roads link the coasts and the mountains.

Papas arrugadas with red and green mojo sauces, queso palmero, a smoked cheese, and bienmesabe, an almond cream dessert, are staples, along with Malvasía wine from the volcanic slopes. The weather is mild all year, springlike on the coast, with cool mountain nights.