The Canarian seaside city with colonial architecture and picturesque balconies

If you're looking for reasons to get away and enjoy the best of our Canary Islands and don't know where to go, you should know that in a small area, La Palma packs a wealth of treasures, including volcanic beaches, banana plantations, gigantic waterfalls, and also magnificent colonial cities, such as Santa Cruz de La Palma , its capital. A walk through its beautiful historic center will help you understand why this centuries-old and historic city is well worth a trip.

What to see in the capital of La Palma

It may not be the most touristy of the Canary Islands, but it does offer the widest variety of landscapes, despite its small size. We delve into La Palma to discover its more urban side through its capital. We begin with its historic center, with its picturesque cobblestone streets, easily explored on foot.

Among the many attractions, magnificent stately homes await you, such as the Casa Sotomayor or the Casa Palacio Salazar (17th century), which boasts a beautiful central courtyard. Their facades also feature coats of arms and shields depicting the periods of abundance this region enjoyed when the port of Santa Cruz was one of the most important in Europe on the route to the New World.

Canarian Renaissance architecture

Located in the heart of Santa Cruz de la Palma, Plaza de España is the city's main square and home to some of the finest examples of Canarian Renaissance architecture. In addition to the Town Hall (dating back to the second half of the 16th century), the square also features the Church of El Salvador , a church with wooden roofs built in the early 16th century. Its exterior features a Renaissance portico and an adjoining tower constructed from volcanic stone ashlars. Another church we recommend visiting is the San Francisco church , declared a Site of Cultural Interest and built in the Renaissance style.

The Maritime Avenue

The route takes us to Avenida Marítima, the city's main pier. We'll take the opportunity to stroll along the promenade and stop at one of the many museums in the area. The most notable is the Naval Museum , which houses a replica of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa María.

You'll also find colorful houses with carved wooden balconies dating back to the 16th century, which have become iconic features of the city. You're also in the perfect place to enjoy island cuisine . Among the flavors of La Palma, we recommend trying chicharrones (pork rinds) with a touch of gofio (a type of gofio sauce) or a plate of vieja guisada (a type of stewed fish), a local fish cooked with vegetables and spices, usually served with wrinkled potatoes and mojo picón (a type of mojo sauce).

And if you want the best panoramic view, just 100 meters from the Naval Museum is the Castillo de la Virgen . It was built in the 17th century to defend against pirate raids and today offers one of the best views of the city with the ocean in the background.