La Gomera from Tenerife: Itinerary for one or two days
Lush valleys, villages clinging to the mountains, forest drowned in the mists and cliffs plunging into the ocean... About 50 minutes by ferry from Tenerife, La Gomera invites you to discover an unspoilt island, away from the main tourist routes.
If you want to discover it in one or two days, here is a suggested itinerary to fully enjoy it.
This excursion is ideal if...
• you are staying or plan to stay in Tenerife for at least a week;
• Do you like natural landscapes and hiking?
• You are looking for a quieter and more authentic island.
How to get there?
Several daily sea connections connect Los Cristianos (south of Tenerife) to San Sebastian, the capital of La Gomera. (fredolsen.es and baleariacanarias.com)
Although there is a network of buses, it is strongly advised to have a car to explore La Gomera as soon as you arrive and move freely throughout the island.
One-day itinerary proposal
Set course for the heart of the island and Garajonay National Park, home to many hiking trails. The Laguna Grande Visitor Centre is a good place to start exploring the laurisilva, the subtropical rainforest. You can also climb to the Alto de Garajonay, highest point of the island and enjoy, on a clear day, a sumptuous panoramic view up to the neighboring islands.
To learn more about the hiking trails within the park:
After Garajonay, choose your atmosphere for the afternoon: the south and its coastal landscapes or the more rural north.
In the south, the coastal destinations of Valle Gran Rey or Playa Santiago will offer you a wide choice of restaurants, their maritime promenades and their beaches.
In the north, in a more rural atmosphere, you can go to discover the villages of Hermigua or Vallehermoso.
It will then be time to start the return to the capital, while making a stop on one of the many viewpoints (miradors) which will offer you spectacular views of the relief and vegetation of the island.
La Gomera in two days (with one night on site)
If you have two days, that’s even better!
Day 1 Explore Garajonay National Park and the north of the island
On arrival, you can start with a short walk through the peaceful streets of San Sebastian, following in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, who in 1492 made his last stop there before crossing the ocean.
Then head to the Garajonay National Park, in the center of the island, for a hike in the heart of the laurisilva forest drowned by mists. To fully enjoy nature, a very wide variety of trails is available to you (areas of La Laguna grande, El Cedro, Alto de Garajonay...)
After a picnic at the Laguna Grande Visitor Centre or lunch at the restaurant (villages of Hermigua, Vallehermoso), why not explore the northern part of La Gomera, a green and rural area.
Do not miss strolling through the picturesque streets of the village of Agulo and enjoy the breathtaking panorama from the viewpoint of Abrante (suspended walkway).
In the late afternoon, head quietly south to Valle Gran Rey where you can enjoy a drink on the terrace or have dinner facing the sunset over the ocean.
Day 2 Slow down and enjoy the south of the island
You can start the day with a walk along the promenade or a swim on one of the beaches of the city... then head to the port for a whale and dolphin watching tour.
Come back for a fish lunch, then treat yourself to a nap on the beach ... before continuing towards San Sebastian for the return to Tenerife.
My tips
Beware of significant weather changes from one area to another in La Gomera! Between the humidity of the laurisylve, the sunny beaches of the south and the relative freshness of the north of the island, the temperature differences can be significant... Plan accordingly for several outfits.
Also be careful with the often misleading distances ... Although La Gomera is one of the smallest islands in the archipelago, its steep terrain and road network (star from the center) significantly lengthen travel times from one area to another... and some secondary roads, particularly in the center, may be temporarily closed for maintenance or at risk of collapses.
So in a day or even two, don’t try to "see everything" on the island. Take your time to soak up the enchanting atmosphere of this wild island and make you want to come back soon to explore it in more depth!
I had the opportunity to stay twice in La Gomera and I particularly appreciate its tranquility and preserved environment.
And you, have you ever visited it? Don’t hesitate to let me know your experience in the comments!
Practical information
🚢 Departure - Arrival : Los Cristianos (Tenerife south) - San Sebastian (La Gomera south-east)
⛴️ Ferry: about 50 minutes
🚗 Car : highly recommended
🥾 Activities : hiking, exploring villages, beaches, sea excursions
🌿 Best duration: two days (if possible) but also interesting in one day.
More information on : lagomera.travel/en
Staying in the north of Tenerife
If you also want to explore the northwest of Tenerife, our Un Jardin al Mar guest rooms
located near Garachico offer an ideal starting point to discover authentic villages and unspoilt landscapes, before or after a getaway in La Gomera 😉
Parc national de Garajonay
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