La Palma may be known for its wild nature, but its towns are full of colour, history, and quiet character. Whether you’re wandering cobbled streets lined with wooden balconies or sipping a barraquito in a sleepy plaza, each spot has something unique to offer.

Colourful houses in a seaside town with a woman sitting on a bench, embodying vibrant travel destinations in Canary Islands, ideal for travel photography and exploring local culture.
Tazacorte, La Palma
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Hi, I’m Hazel, a travel writer with a love for wild landscapes, small towns, and hidden gems. I explored La Palma in 2025 and fell hard for its blend of volcano views, misty forests, and relaxed Canarian vibes.

In this guide to the best towns to visit in La Palma, you’ll find where to go for views, food, art, or simply a great base to explore the island.

Santa Cruz de La Palma: Balconies, Boats & Baroque Charm 🏢

The island’s capital is a colonial beauty packed with culture and colour.

Think cobbled lanes, Canarian wooden balconies draped in flowers, seafront strolls, and plenty of cafés to refuel with a barraquito or sweet treat.

Traditional red house with wooden balconies and bright flower boxes in Santa Cruz de La Palma’s historic centre.
Replica of Christopher Columbus’s ship Santa Maria in Santa Cruz de La Palma’s nautical museum under blue skies.
Santa Cruz de La Palma

Things to see in Santa Cruz:

  • The famous wooden balconies on Avenida Marítima.
  • Museo Naval (inside a replica of Columbus’s ship).
  • Calle O’Daly for local shopping.
Colourful pastel houses and palm trees along a sunny street in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands.
Colourful Mediterranean buildings decorated for Christmas in a charming street scene in a historic town in Tenerife, offering picturesque architecture and vibrant floral displays.
Santa Cruz de La Palma

Stay here if you love: heritage hotels, walkable streets, and sea views.

🏨 Try Hotel San Telmo for charm and views, or El Hotelito 27 for a modern base in the heart of town.

Los Llanos de Aridane: Art, Lava & Local Life 🌻

A vibrant town on the sunnier west side, Los Llanos is close to hiking trails and the 2021 lava flows. It’s also the artistic heart of the island, with colourful murals and a buzzy local scene.

Town square in Los LLanos in Palma with people walking near a large Christmas tree and colonial-style buildings.
Los Llanos de Aridane sign

Things to love about Los Llanos:

  • The urban art trail through the centre.
  • It’s close to Caldera de Taburiente hikes.
  • Easy access to Puerto Naos beach and the volcano zone.
Colourful street in Los Llanos in La Palma lined with pastel houses and potted plants under a bright blue sky.
Visitors gathered beneath the huge ancient drago tree in La Palma’s Plaza de la Glorieta.
Los Llanos de Aridane

Stay in Los Llanos if you want a central base with good weather, good food, and good access to nature.

🏨 Try Hotel Benahoare for boutique comfort or Apartamentos Adjovimar for a relaxed self-catering stay.

El Paso: Gateway to the Caldera 🌳

More village than town, El Paso is peaceful, authentic, and perfectly located for exploring the volcanic centre of the island. Great for walkers, artists, and slow travellers.

Lush valley and cliffs of Caldera de Taburiente seen through pine trees
Caldera de Taburiente

Great things about El Paso:

  • The visitor centre at the Parque Nacional de la Caldera.
  • Artisan shops and a weaving museum.
  • Awesome views over the lava fields.
Educational display map of La Palma’s topography at the Caldera de Taburiente visitor centre in El Paso, Canary Islands.
Information board for Caldera de Taburiente National Park in El Paso, La Palma, showing the official park sign and visitor details.
At the Caldera de Taburiente visitor centre in El Paso

Stay in El Paso if you love quiet mornings, mountain air, and easy access to the island’s core.

🏨 Try La Palma Jardin Resort for beautiful apartments with resort facilities.

Barlovento: Northern Green & Off-Grid Vibes ⛰️

Tucked into the lush north, Barlovento feels a world away from the more developed south. You’ll find misty hills, dramatic coastlines, and natural pools to soak in.

Aerial view of the natural pools at Barlovento, La Palma, Canary Islands. Volcanic rock with man made walking platforms aross the pools.
Piscinas de la Fajana. Photo credit: Visit La Palma.

Highlights of Barlovento:

  • The La Fajana natural pools.
  • Stunning viewpoints along the LP-1 road.
  • Local restaurants serving hearty northern fare.

Stay in Barlovento if you like tranquillity, greenery, and a remote escape.

🏨 Try Hotel La Palma Romántica for a forest hideaway with trails, spa, and Atlantic views.

Tazacorte: Sunshine & History by the Sea 🌊

Often claiming the sunniest weather on the island, this seaside town has a laid-back feel, colourful buildings, and a strong local identity. Its port was once the entry point for conquerors – today, it’s better for ice cream.

Colourful houses in a seaside town with a woman sitting on a bench, embodying vibrant travel destinations in Canary Islands, ideal for travel photography and exploring local culture.
Tazacorte

Best things about Tazacorte:

  • Colourful old town architecture and banana museum.
  • Black sand beach and marina with seafood restaurants.
  • Boat tours to see dolphins or the coast.
Traveller in a red dress standing beside a traditional blue-and-white house in La Palma’s old town.
Vineyard on the island of Tenerife with lush green grapevines, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and scenic mountainous landscape in the background.
Tazacorte, La Palma

Stay in Tazacorte for relaxed coastal vibes, sunshine, and seafood.

🏨 Try Hotel Hacienda de Abajo for boutique luxury in a historic manor in the centre of town.

Fuencaliente: Volcano Views & Salt Flats 🍌

In the far south, Fuencaliente is rugged, quiet, and seriously volcanic. It’s your launch point for the salt flats, volcano hikes, and wine tasting.

White FUENCALIENTE sign surrounded by palm trees under clear blue skies in southern La Palma.
Fuencaliente Sign

Best bits of Fuencaliente:

  • The photogenic Salinas de Fuencaliente and its lighthouse.
  • San Antonio and Teneguía volcanoes for hikes.
  • Local bodegas with Malvasía wine and tastings.
Salt flats with pink salt evaporation ponds on the rocky coast, scenic seaside landscape at sunset, Canary Islands.
Fuencaliente Salt Flats in southern La Palma, with shallow reflective salt ponds and a modern visitor centre under a blue sky with clouds.
Salt flats at Fuencaliente

Stay in Fuencaliente if you’re looking for peace, lava views, and sunsets over the Atlantic.

🏨 Try Casa Morera for a volcanic-view apartment or the nearby hotel Esencia de La Palma by Princess.

Map of Towns in La Palma

Here is a handy Google map showing where each town is.

FAQs about La Palma Towns ❓

Wondering which town suits your style? Here are some quick answers to common questions:

Which town is best to stay in La Palma?

It depends on your vibe! Santa Cruz is great for history lovers, Los Llanos is central for hiking, and Fuencaliente is perfect for volcano fans and sunsets.

Are La Palma’s towns walkable?

Most are small and easy to explore on foot, especially Santa Cruz, Tazacorte, and El Paso. Just be prepared for the occasional steep street!

Is there good food in La Palma towns?

Yes! Many towns have cosy tascas and cafés serving Canarian classics, plus farmers’ markets for fresh fruit, cheese, and mojo sauces.

Can I visit all these towns without a car?

You can reach a few by bus, but renting a car gives you much more freedom to explore the island’s smaller and more remote towns. Try Discover Cars for the best car comparisons.

Are there festivals in La Palma’s towns?

Definitely. Santa Cruz hosts colourful processions during Carnival, and many towns celebrate local saints with music, dancing, and traditional food.

Final Thoughts 🌍

Whether you’re road-tripping or looking for a base to slow down, these towns to visit in La Palma each bring something different to the table. From banana ports to misty hillside hideaways, La Palma’s towns are full of surprises – and well worth exploring between volcano hikes and coastal drives.

Related Reading 📚

🌋 Things to Do in La Palma: Volcanoes, viewpoints, and wild nature
🍷 La Palma Travel Guide: Where to eat, stay and explore
🗻 Cumbre Vieja: My Visit to the 2021 Eruption Zone: A personal story from the lava fields

Pin It for Later! 📌

Save this post to your travel board so you can plan your perfect route through La Palma’s towns – or send it to someone who needs a little volcanic getaway inspiration.

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Pinterest graphic featuring colourful seaside buildings in La Palma, Canary Islands, with a woman in a pink coat sitting on a green bench and text reading “6 Best Towns in La Palma” and “hazelstravels.co.uk”.

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