Santa Cruz de la Palma
The capital and port of La Palma, a compact town of colonial streets with carved wooden balconies, and a base for stargazing and walks in the island's interior.
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Santa Cruz de la Palma is the capital of La Palma, the north-westernmost island of the Canary Islands. Go for the old town: streets of colonial-era houses, many with carved wooden balconies, along with churches, small squares and a seafront promenade. The center is compact enough to cover the old town and waterfront on foot in a day, so the town works well as a first stop on the island.
The interior is the reason to stay longer. La Palma is known for stargazing, with observatories on high ground, and Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a large volcanic crater with walking trails, lies a drive inland. Public transport is limited outside town, so a car makes the park and the high viewpoints much easier to reach. Spring and autumn suit walking best. Plan three to four nights in town, with one or two day trips into the interior.
Santa Cruz de la Palma in five
- Walk the old town and the Avenida MarítimaBalconied houses along the seafront and the main square give a short, scenic stroll. Early morning and evening are calmer.
- Hire a car; the best of La Palma is outside townTrails, viewpoints and observatories sit well above the capital on winding roads. A car gives you flexibility; check the weather before you drive high.
- Book a stargazing visit ahead of timeThe island is known for dark skies and its mountaintop observatories. Check the official sites for guided visits, and allow for cloud and wind.
- Check access rules for the Caldera de TaburienteSome trails and car parks in the national park may need a reservation or have limits. Check the park's official page for the current rules before you set out.
- Add the island from Tenerife by plane or ferryLa Palma is a separate island with its own airport and a quieter pace, and is easy to add to a Tenerife trip.Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Things to do in Santa Cruz de la Palma
See all attractions in Santa Cruz de la Palma
Need to know
- Airport
- La Palma (SPC), about 10 min by road
- Getting there
- Flights from Tenerife and mainland Spain; ferries from Tenerife
- Getting around
- Walk in town; car or limited buses for the island
- Best base
- The old town for sights, or the west for trails
- Time needed
- 3–6 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°MildJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°MildFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 40 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°MildMarchClear
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilClear9 rainy daysHigh21°Low17°SpringAprilClear
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh22°Low18°Warm, calmMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°WarmJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Warm, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low22°Hot, dryAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°WarmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°MildNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low17°Mild, rainDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
Average daily high and low in Santa Cruz de la Palma, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Santa Cruz de la Palma
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 30%
Santa Cruz de la Palma
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°15°30%Monday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Tue19°15°65%Tuesday: Rain. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Wed18°13°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu21°14°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri23°17°12%Friday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sat24°18°49%Saturday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun20°19°78%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 78%.
Updated 08:24 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Caldera de Taburienteabout 1 hour by carA huge volcanic crater with forest trails; check access rules.
- Roque de los Muchachosabout 1–1.5 hours by carThe island's high point, with observatories and big views.
- Fuencaliente and the southabout 45–60 min by carLava fields and vineyards in the south.
Before you go to Santa Cruz de la Palma
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Rules for Santa Cruz de la Palma, checked
- The Canary Islands are in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Spanish Foreign Ministry site before you fly.Source
- Non-EU travelers may be fingerprinted and photographed at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the EU's EES rules before you travel.
- The Canary Islands sit outside the EU VAT area and customs union, so tax and duty-free rules differ from mainland Spain. Check the Spanish tax agency site.
- Caldera de Taburiente National Park has access rules for some routes. Check the park's current rules before you set out on a walk.
- Fresh plants, fruit, meat and dairy from outside the EU are restricted. Declare them at the border and check Spain's agriculture ministry rules first.
Plan around Santa Cruz de la Palma
Regions, trains, entry rules and money for the whole country
Read the guideCanary IslandsHow La Palma compares with the other islands
Read the guideSanta Cruz de TenerifeThe Tenerife capital, one hop away by plane or ferry
Read the guideLa GomeraA quieter island with forest trails, near Tenerife
Read the guideGetting around SpainPlanes, ferries and cars around the islands
Read the guideSanta Cruz de la Palma FAQ
Is Santa Cruz de la Palma worth visiting?
Yes, for a small colonial capital with a calm seafront and good access to the island's trails. It is not a beach resort, so it suits walkers, stargazers and travelers who like quiet.
Do you need a car on La Palma?
Almost always. Buses run on main routes, but trails and viewpoints are far from town. A car, or a guided day, gives you the best of the island.
Can you see the stars on La Palma?
Yes, on clear nights the island is among the best places in Europe for it. Check the weather and book a guided visit or stay near a viewing point.
How do you get to La Palma?
Fly to La Palma from Tenerife or mainland Spain, or take a ferry from Tenerife. Check the airlines' and ferry operators' schedules, as services change by season.
What is the best time to visit La Palma?
April to June and September to October balance mild weather and good trail conditions. July and August are drier and busier, and winter has more cloud and rain on the heights.