The Canary Islands have a place close to Tenerife, but arguably better than their famous neighbours for tourists looking for something a little more authentic and peaceful. Tenerife is a very popular tourist island, with many British people flying there and each year to enjoy the weather and the many resorts dotted around the island. But it is a rather crowded island, and like other parts of Spain, anti-tourism sentiment is rising among the locals.
Today's island will see demonstrations to protest on the island. So, if you want to dodge Tenerife, you might be looking for an alternative to your holiday this summer. Just 84 miles away, La Palma is a small, less crowded island that many tourists say prefer Tenerife, thanks to its more peaceful atmosphere and scenery. All tourists are different and people travel to the Canary Islands for several reasons, but La Palma may switch Tenerif as a better option for this summer vacation.
The La Palma measures just over 273 square miles, much smaller than the 785 square miles of Tenerife. Taking that into consideration, it is not surprising that La Palma is not explored much by tourists.
La Palma is famous for its rugged coastline and forested areas. In addition to the spectacular volcano, there is the island's capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma. This rock features quaint narrow streets and lovely seaside bars and restaurants.
For nature lovers, La Palma is a dream escape. There is the Rock de los Muchachos, the best spot on the island, which is often walking on clouds. Another highlight is Charco Azul, a stunning natural pool where you can enjoy a peaceful swimming experience.
Other top-rated attractions on the island include the Salt Flats of Fuencaliente, the Cultural Park of Lazal Zaila Zialita, the hiking route to the volcano summits, and beaches such as Playa No Gares, Playa de los Cancos, Puerto Naos and Chaco Verde.
Tourists shared La Palma's experience and compared it to Tenerife. One TripAdvisor described Tenerife as “crowded” than La Palma.
One Reddit user raves to La Palma, saying, “I was in La Palma last October. It's one of the best holidays! A lovely little island like this! And Santa Cruz is such a lovely city! I would totally recommend it!”
“We simply worship Lapalma. I can't recommend it enough,” another said. Another from Quora said La Palma was definitely a “favorite” of the Canary Islands.
A common sentiment among tourists is that La Palma is better than Tenerife when it comes to islands that are less crowded than tourists and beach holidays somewhere. Tenerife, on the other hand, is a better destination if you're looking for more nightlife and experiences designed for tourists.
However, holiday makers feel increasingly unwelcome amid protests from locals tired of the masses of tourists. So, La Palma could be a better option for 2025.
British people can fly to La Palma from British airports such as London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Birmingham.
