The tiny Spanish island where it’s hitting 21C next week with £1.04 beers and it costs £24 to get there
WHEN YOU think of the Canary Islands, you probably imagine Tenerife or Lanzarote – but one smaller island that’s a hidden gem is the ideal winter sun spot.
La Gomera, Spain, is known for its natural beauty thanks to being home to the Garajonay National Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In addition to the National Park, the island is defined by volcanic landscapes that are a treat for keen hikers.
And next week, the island is set to hit a high of 21C.
If you prefer a beach day, there are plenty of pretty spots including black-sand beaches.
When it comes to life on the island, visitors can explore a number of traditional villages.
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In San Sebastian, the capital of the island, you will find several Columbus-linked spots, as La Gomera was the famous explorer’s final stop to resupply and depart from Europe for his 1492 journey to the Americas.
For example, you could visit Torre del Conde, a 15th-century fortress.
There is also Casa Colon, which was Christopher Columbus‘ home and boasts pieces of pre-Columbian art and information about his voyages.
Playa de San Sebastian is one of the beaches on the island that features black sand, and can be found in the capital.
A recent visitor said: “A pretty promenade with plenty of seating runs along the beach.”
“The beach itself makes a positive impression. The water is calm and clean as it is protected from the port by a large breakwater wall.
“The nature of the beach varies between fine black sand and larger pebbles.”
If you want to spot a bit of local wildlife, you can hop on a boat tour from the harbour to see whales and dolphins.
Once back on dry land, there are plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat.
For example, you could head to El Roquillo Las Galanas where you can pick up empanadas for just €2.70 (£2.35) each and Heineken beer for just €1.20 (£1.04).
In fact, food and drink across the whole island is affordable, with the average beer price being around €2.00 (£1.55) and the average meal costing around €12.00 (£9.32).
There are plenty more things outside of San Sebastian to see and do as well.
One must-see spot is the Abrante Viewpoint, which sits high up on the ravine in the north of the island.
Instead of being a normal viewpoint, visitors ‘float’ in the air thanks to a seven-metre glass floor that overhangs the edge of the ravine.
The viewpoint offers great views of the island, as well as the Canary Islands more widely.
Los Órganos is another breathtaking spot on the island.
The unique rock formation has vertical pillars that look somewhat like the pipes of a traditional church organ.
In total, it measures 87 metres tall and 191 metres wide, with each pillar thought to be over one metre thick.
The formation was formed by a volcano and to see it, you have to head out on a boat trip where you will most likely see whales and dolphins as well.
To get to La Gomera, you will need to fly to Tenerife before getting a ferry to the island.
If you wanted to catch the warm weather next week, then you could catch a flight from London Stansted on January 14 for just £16.
Or head off on January 11 and return on January 15 for £38 return from London Stansted.
For the ferry, the more in advance you book it the cheaper it is, with tickets costing as low as £8 per way.
However, fares usually cost on average £33 per way, per foot passenger.
There are a number of places to stay on the island and you can expect to pay between £80 and £120 per night.
For more inspiration on Spanish holidays, one of the country’s most underrated cities is in the ‘Garden of Europe’ – with £17 flights.
Plus, from sea pools to hidden caves: Spain’s cheapest beach destinations this summer.