Playa Blanca (‘White Beach’, though ‘Black Beach with a few white specks’ is a better name) is a small beach of shiny black volcanic sand, backing on to a tiny hamlet with a few summer homes; it's a tranquil spot and there's a rocky coast perfect for fishing or crabbing. The road down to the beach from the LP-2 highway is signposted to 'La Salemera' and the turning is around 1.3km north along the highway from the Parque Ecológico de Belmaco.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves
8.57 MILES
For splendid views down the valley to Santa Cruz, put aside time to tackle the 4km uphill hike north of town to La Palma’s main object of pilgrimage, the…
Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente
12.5 MILES
Declared a national park in 1954, this beautiful park is at the heart of La Palma, both geographically and symbolically. Extending across 46.9 sq km, the…
Volcán San Antonio Visitor Centre & Volcán San Antonio
7.76 MILES
The visitor centre is your first stop if you want to explore the volcanoes. Displays are well-captioned and informative, but the layout is not very…
11 MILES
At 1854m, clambering up to this peak offers glorious views over the pines, valleys and ridges of the Caldera de Taburiente. The peak marks the conclusion…
21.56 MILES
Wind your way down the lovely, sinuous LP-112 to the settlement of Santo Domingo and then turn left in the village and follow the signs to the Puerto de…
Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos
14.97 MILES
The huge telescopes on the peak of Roque de los Muchachos belong to the island’s astronomical observatory, one of the world’s best places to study the…
16.44 MILES
Creatively designed Charco Azul is a blending of moulded concrete with natural volcanic rocks. The effect is stunning, especially when the waves are…
2.83 MILES
This handsome ochre-red mansion (built in 1911), located down one of the steep streets from the main road, has downstairs exhibits on Corpus Christi – a…
Nearby La Palma attractions
1. Parque Ecológico de Belmaco
1.07 MILES
The first ancient petroglyphs found on the archipelago were discovered at this site in 1752. A 300m trail that winds around various cave dwellings …
2.71 MILES
Down a steep hill from the centre of town is this lovely whitewashed church dating from 1512, dedicated to St Blaise and overlooking the ocean. Inside the…
4. Escuela Insular de Artesanía
2.71 MILES
This former handicrafts school still has a weaving studio (which you can peek into), but otherwise has been transformed into a museum focusing on crafts…
2.83 MILES
This handsome ochre-red mansion (built in 1911), located down one of the steep streets from the main road, has downstairs exhibits on Corpus Christi – a…
2.88 MILES
Well signposted from the town is this meticulously restored mill that houses a ceramics museum (including a short film) and workshop where artisans make…
7.02 MILES
This black-sand beach to the south of town actually belongs to Breña Baja, but it's commonly associated with the capital. There's a lifeguard on duty in…
7.42 MILES
Fuencaliente is famous for the wines made from the grapes that flourish in its volcanic soil. Founded in 1947, Bodegas Teneguía is well known for its…