Last Minute Holidays to La Palma

La Palma - The Canary Island for hiking, stargazing and relaxation

The main draw of this fairly unknown island is its array of spectacular panoramas that stretch endlessly across mountain ranges, lava fields and plantations. Peaceful and relaxing, with over 600 kilometres of hiking trails, La Palma is a wonderful place to take it easy.

It takes just over four hours to reach La Palma from UK airports, with Fuencaliente and Puerto Naos an hour transfer from the airport. Los Cancajos is only 15 minutes away though, so you’ll be pushing your toes into the multiple Blue Flag beaches in no time.

If quiet, authentic Spanish towns are for you then visiting Los Cancajos is a must. Situated just south of the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, it’s a town bristling with history. The architecture is colonial by nature and has a Caribbean twist due to its trading past. You’ll also find bars selling fresh seafood and wine as well as offering some of the world’s best stargazing opportunities.

If daytime basking is more for you then the glorious sun is what Puerto Naos is all about. The shady palm trees that line the cove make it ideal for diving and afterwards you can relax on the prestigious Blue Flag, black sand beach that stretches over 500 metres. Within 15 minutes you could be windsurfing in Puerto Tazacorte by day or as the sun sets, relaxing on a boat watching the illuminating shimmer of Cueva Bonita – The Beautiful Cave.

Lastly, Fuencaliente‘s countryside and mountainous trails are some of the best in the country, which is why people continue to come back, year after year. It’s worth taking a trip on the popular trail Ruta de los Volcanoes and visiting Belmaco Cave to see how Fuencaliente was formed and the history behind the awe-inspiring views.

The best time of year to book your last minute holiday

La Palma has an exceptional year-round climate, with temperatures rarely dropping below 25°C in high season – UK wintertime, which is the ideal time for sunbathing in La Palma. In our summer it’s La Palma low season but temperatures stay around 20°C so it’s prime time for hiking.

La Palma is also particularly good for stargazing from August to April when you can see the constellation, Orion, in all its shining glory. If you book last minute, from eight weeks prior up until the last moment, you can find some incredible deals.

Other popular holidays in the Canary Islands

If you love the idea of booking a last minute deal to the Canaries but haven’t decided which one yet, take a look at our guides to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.

But if La Palma might be the one for you, read our travel guide for more information on how to plan your last minute holiday on this ever-warm island. In the meantime, here are the top last minute La Palma hotels for you to check out.

Sol La Palma Hotel

Just moments away from the resort centre of Puerto Naos and some of the most iconic black beaches in La Palma, Sol La Palma Hotel has one of the best locations on the island. There are two impressive swimming pools and rooms with a view come as standard. For active holidaymakers, the many on-site activities include a gym, tennis and volleyball. In the summer months, there’s live entertainment as well as themed evenings so you’ll never be short of things to do throughout your stay.

Hotasa Taburiente Playa

Hotel Taburiente Playa is purpose-built for a relaxing getaway with a spectacular ocean-view terrace and palm gardens. It’s remarkably peaceful and most people use this to their advantage by exploring the plentiful walking trails. Situated a three-minute walk from Los Cancajos beach and local bars it’s easy to make the most of the laid-back atmosphere. Evenings are often lively with New Year hosting a special gala dinner for guests so even visiting in winter is a second-to-none experience.

La Palma and Teneguia Princess

La Palma and Teneguia Princess has a jaw-dropping 11 pools. This includes a massive pool with a bridge, incredible sea views and a speciality restaurant, so this hotel is all about the water and food. If you want to get out and wander though, there’s a bus service outside that takes you to local areas hourly so you’ll never run out of places to visit during your stay.