Los Llanos de Aridane & Tazacorte

Los Llanos de Aridane (approx. 20,000 inhabitants) is the unofficial capital of La Palma — larger than Santa Cruz, economically more significant, and the center of the west side. The city thrives on banana cultivation (the plantations stretch to the coast) and is the starting point for hikes into the Caldera de Taburiente.

The Plaza de España in Los Llanos is one of the most beautiful squares in the Canaries: surrounded by colonial houses, shaded by giant laurel trees (Ficus), and enlivened by street cafés. This is where everyday life takes place — retirees play dominoes, children romp, and in the evenings, the terraces fill up.

The associated coastal town Puerto de Tazacorte (10 minutes by car downhill) is the sunniest place in the Canaries — over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. The black lava beach is about 600 m long and suitable for swimming (calm water, no strong surf like on the east coast). Along the beach promenade, fish restaurants line up with terraces for sunset views.

From Tazacorte, boat tours start for dolphin watching and to the sea caves on the steep coast (approx. 35€/person, 2 hours). With a bit of luck, you can see bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales, and occasionally even sperm whales.