Experience the best of San Sebastián de La Gomera

San Sebastián is the capital and port of La Gomera, set in a sheltered bay on the island's east coast. Christopher Columbus stopped here in 1492 to take on water and supplies before sailing west, and the town keeps the church of the Assumption where he is said to have heard Mass and the well, the Pozo de la Aguada, from which his ships were supplied. The Torre del Conde, a fifteenth-century stone tower, stands on the edge of the old centre.

The streets behind the harbour are narrow, with balconied houses and a long main street. A small beach of dark sand lies beside the port, and ferries leave from the harbour for Tenerife. The Garajonay National Park forest, with its mist and mossy trees, rises in the island's centre, and the north-coast valleys of Hermigua and Agulo are close.

In the town's cafés and bars, almogrote, a spicy cheese spread, goat stew and fresh fish are common, and palm honey is poured over desserts. The climate is mild and fairly dry on this side of the island. The pace of life is slow, and the sheltered bay keeps the harbour calm.