LA PALMA: Known in Spanish as "the green island" or "the beautiful island".
Come here for the mountains and nature - less so the beaches. More like a Caribbean island blown off course, with green-clad mountains soaring above oceans of sweet bananas and vineyards.
La Palma has the greatest altitudes in the world relative to its perimeter. You can stay in one of the beautiful La Palma Hotels if you are planning to visit the island.
In the centre is the largest known crater: Caldera de Taburiente (National Park), almost 17 miles around the rim, 3,500 feet deep and mainly covered with immense pine forests: the place for serious walkers!
Most famous site is the European Observatory, perched high in the mountains above cloud level (only the grounds are open to visitors, by appointment).
For lazy days by the coast try Puerto Naos on the west coast or Playa de Los Cancajos, just south of Santa Cruz de la Palma.
La Palma boasts the world's largest volcanic crater La Caldera del Taburiente. The island's mountains rise to over 2,400 metres and there are good beaches and clear waters. La Palma is also known as La Isla Bonita, because of its natural beauty. It is only 706 square kilometres and has a population of only c.80,000 people.
