La Gomera
A ferry of about 50 minutes from Tenerife reaches La Gomera, a mountainous Canary Island of laurel forest, deep ravines and marked trails in Garajonay National Park.
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La Gomera is a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa, and one of Spain's Canary Islands in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital, is where the island council is based. The island is roughly circular and very mountainous, with steep slopes and deep ravines called barrancos running down between its ridges. Most visitors reach it by ferry from Los Cristianos in southern Tenerife, a crossing of about 50 minutes with Naviera Armas.
Garajonay National Park, in the center of the island, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. Its highest point, Alto de Garajonay, reaches 1,487 m. The park's laurel forest is often wrapped in cloud and mist, and many marked trails of varying difficulty cross it. Hiking, walking, fishing and mountain biking are the activities visitors practice most. The lower coast has a desert-like climate, while the higher mountains are Mediterranean and wetter. Old houses have been restored into small rural hotels, since the island lacks large resort developments.
La Gomera in five
- Take the ferry from Los CristianosFerries run from Los Cristianos on Tenerife to San Sebastián de la Gomera in about 50–60 minutes. Book a car space ahead if you bring a rental, and check the last return sailing.Los Cristianos and Costa Adeje
- Hire a car for a day, walk the restRoads are winding and bus links between valleys are infrequent. A rental car or taxi covers the viewpoints, and a guided or self-led hike covers the forest.
- Walk Garajonay in the morningCloud often settles over the forest by midday. Go early, wear layers and bring a waterproof, and check the national park's official site for trail and access notices.
- Listen for Silbo GomeroThe island's whistled language is on UNESCO's heritage list and taught in local schools. Ask at your base about a demonstration, or listen in village restaurants.
- Choose a valley, not the whole islandValle Gran Rey has beaches and sunsets, Hermigua and Agulo have green terraces, and San Sebastián has the ferry. Pick one or two bases instead of crossing the island daily.
Things to do in La Gomera
See all attractions in La Gomera
Need to know
- Airport
- La Gomera (GMZ) has limited flights; most visitors arrive via Tenerife
- Getting there
- Ferry from Los Cristianos, Tenerife, about 50–60 minutes
- Getting around
- Hire car or taxi; buses between valleys are infrequent
- Best base
- Valle Gran Rey for beaches; Hermigua or Agulo for green valleys
- Time needed
- A day trip from Tenerife, or 3–4 nights for walks
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild, cloudy hillsJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cloudy hills
- FebruaryClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Mild, wet hillsFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 19 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet hills
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°Green, hikingMarchClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Green, hikingAprilClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, hiking
- MayClear2 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Warm, hikingMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Dry, sunnyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Hot coastJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot coast
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low23°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Warm, quieterSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- OctoberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low20°WetterNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Mild, wetterDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wetter
Average daily high and low in San Sebastián de La Gomera, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in La Gomera
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 35%
La Gomera
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°14°35%Monday: Rain. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 35%.
- Tue18°13°45%Tuesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed18°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu19°13°0%Thursday: Fog. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri20°16°5%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat21°15°26%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sun19°17°60%Sunday: Rain. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 04:59 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Garajonay National Parkabout 30–45 minutes by car from San SebastiánLaurel forest, viewpoints and short walks in the cloud.
- Valle Gran Reyabout 1–1.25 hours by road from San SebastiánTerraced valley, black-sand beaches and sunsets.
- Tenerifeabout 50–60 minutes by ferryTeide, beaches and the resort towns across the channel.Read the guide
Before you go to La Gomera
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Rules for La Gomera, checked
- Spain is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on exteriores.gob.es before you fly to Tenerife.Source
- Check current entry requirements for Spain before you travel, since they can change.
- Inter-island ferry routes restarted in 2017 and 2018, so confirm current routes with Naviera Armas or Fred Olsen Express before you travel.
- Stay on marked trails in Garajonay National Park, where the laurel forest is often wrapped in cloud and mist.
- The giant lizard is critically endangered. Do not handle it or disturb its cliff habitat near Valle Gran Rey.
Plan around La Gomera
Cities, islands and trains across the country
Read the guideTenerifeThe gateway island and ferry hub for La Gomera
Read the guideLos CristianosThe port where the La Gomera ferry leaves
Read the guideCanary IslandsSeven islands compared by landscape and season
Read the guideGetting around SpainFerries, buses and rental cars
Read the guideLa Gomera FAQ
Is La Gomera worth visiting?
Yes for walking and quiet. The island has dense laurel forest, steep green valleys and few crowds, but few beaches and nightlife. It is a poor choice if you want a resort holiday.
Can you visit La Gomera as a day trip from Tenerife?
Yes. Ferries from Los Cristianos take about 50–60 minutes, which leaves time for a rental-car loop of Garajonay and a valley. Check the last sailing back and book a car space if you bring your own.
How do you get to La Gomera from Tenerife?
By ferry from Los Cristianos to San Sebastián de la Gomera, or by a short flight from Tenerife North. Ferries are cheaper and more frequent for most travelers. Check current schedules and book ahead in summer.
Do you need a car on La Gomera?
For most trips, yes, at least for a day. Buses between valleys are infrequent. If you stay in Valle Gran Rey or San Sebastián, taxis and guided tours can fill the gaps.
What is the best time to visit La Gomera?
March to May and October for good hiking weather and green slopes. Summer is hot on the coast, and winter can be wet and cloudy in the hills, though the beaches stay mild.