Playa de Santiago
Playa de Santiago is an important tourist centre, which belongs to the village of Alajeró, located in the south of the island of La Gomera. In the sunniest region of the island, Playa de Santiago, you find one of the most important tourist developments of the islands.
Originally Playa Santiago was a little fishermen’s village with a small tuna fish factory with some installations for the resident employees and a boatyard. Since then Playa de Santiago is a well-known and often recommended place, if you like to eat fresh fish. In Alajeró you find the parish church “Salvador del Mundo” with a magnificent old entrance door and inside a Christ figure of the XVII century, and in the municipality the little chapel San Lorenzo.
Playa de Santiago Beaches
Playa de Santiago Beach
Easy access with the lift to Club Laurel and than a short walk to Playa Santiago. With its wide beach in an attractive surrounding, quiet waters and a moderate quantity of visitors.
Tapahuga Beach
1 km. from the hotel. Quiet beach, accessible by car.
En Medio Beach
On a distance of 2.5 km from the hotel, a wonderful bay, tranquil area, but no services, also accessible by car.
Chinguarime Beach
A distance of 3.5 km from the hotel, in a wonderful bay, next to En Medio Beach, also tranquil area, but no services at all. Accessible only by boat or walking.
San Sebastián
This is the capital of the island and main port entrance, which has the biggest commercial harbor. It is here that Christopher Columbus made a stop with his three caravels, while sailing across the ocean in search of the New World, on various journeys.
The site where the admiral stayed overnight is today the Columbus Museum. Other places historically worth a visit are The House of La Aguada, The Assumption Church and the Earl’s Tower, the oldest military fortress of the Canaries, which dates back to 1450. The Archaeological Museum and Historical Archive complete the cultural offer of this beautiful town.
La Gomera’s capital has peaceful beaches with black sand, and natural spots that are worth a visit. There are places of interest such as the Natural Park of Majona, Chejelipes Canyon and Puntallana, where the hermitage hosting the island’s patron, the Virgin of Guadalupe, may be found.
Valle Gran Rey
This valley is protected by the Tegerguenche and Mérica cliffs, the latter being the habitat of the Giant Lizard of La Gomera. A higher area, known as Guadá, is situated on slopes just before some of the most luxuriant palm trees on the island. An incredibly unique spot which is possible to admire from the Viewpoint “El Palmarejo”, a masterpiece of the famous artist from Lanzarote, César Manrique.
Tourism has appreciated the singular beauty of Valle Gran Rey which has become the engine of local economic growth, without losing the charm of being the ideal destination for peaceful holidays surrounded by nature. In the interior of the region we can discover small villages and very beautiful hamlets such as Arure, Taguluche and Las Hayas.
Valle Gran Rey is a good place for trekking, walks through canyons and mountain biking. Maritime excursions are designed to explore the coasts and cliffs of Los Órganos.
Garajonay National Park
Gomera Island is blessed with the forest of Laurisilva, which survived the Tertiary Era. This luscious intense greenery inhabits a variety of trees and plants, which grow there because of the high percentage of humidity and the fog produced, together with a constant temperature all year round. We are talking about the Garajonay National Park, an ecological treasure (extraordinary in biodiversity), declared to be World Natural Heritage by UNESCO in 1986.
In the National Park we can find La Laguna Grande the most practical starting point for different circurlar hikes through the laurel woods. Located more to the east is El Cedro hamlet, the starting point of routes passing along a small stream at a constant level.
We recommend visiting the Juego de Bolas Visitors Centre, located on the high part of the National Park. There you get free information about history, geology, culture, flora and fauna of La Gomera, including gardens, which have the endemic species you will see later in this wildness jewel.
Tie up your boots and enjoy it!
