La Gomera

I’ve been twice crossing from Los Cristianos to La Gomera on a coach tour and enjoyed both times. The island is much greener than the South of Tenerife due to weather differences. It’s not nearly as warm as Tenerife however the coach took us to a little taverna where we had a tipple or two. (That warmed us up) After a precarious drive up the mountain overlooking wonderful views of the landscape we arrived at a restaurant where staff demonstrated how local inhabitants used to whistle as a form of communication. This art of communication is now mandatory in the local schools. I would visit La Gomera again given the opportunity.

Thanks all. That is very helpful and informative.Gransnet is wonderful!

are not

We've only been for a day, on the ferry from Los Cristianos, and did a tour of the island so we didn't see much of the coast. The port we went into didn't look very picturesque, but the rest of the island is lovely.

The scenery was spectacular with mountainous terrain and very deep valleys - hence the tradition of 'whistling' as a means of communication between villages on opposite sides of the ravines, which is still demonstrated today for the benefit of tourists!
I did say to DH that it would be a very peaceful holiday destination (perhaps when Mrs Merkel and her entourage is not on holiday there!).

Not sure if it is a recommendation but Angela Merkel had her sixth holiday there at easter. "Gomerablogspot1" is a useful source of information.

I agree with Pernilla vanilla above. We had two holidays on Gomera and loved it. It's not to everyone's taste: the beaches are mainly small, with black sand. No big shops, no paid "attractions". But the scenery is wild, green and scenic, with wonderful walking. Public transport is not great, a car is useful (hire from Autoreisen for a good rate and no hidden costs). Most of the tourists are German, of a hippy persuasion. The north coast is stunning but the south is sunnier, and Valle Gran Rey a good base. I've never been anywhere like it.

La Gomera is my favourite holiday destination, we have been there three times. A little bit difficult to get to as you need to fly to Teneriffe South, get a taxi to Los Christianos and catch the ferry from there. I think the new ferry goes right round the Island now but previously we have had to get off and collect our hire car from the capital and drive across the island. Having explored the whole island now we think Valle gran Rey is the best place to stay as there are pleasant beaches, nice quiet bars and restaurants, quirky shops and a general hippy/vegan vibe - if your actually are veggie or vegan it is heaven.

Our usual outings are a walk in the forest, a walk up Garajonay, and we also visit ~Vallehermossa and Agulo. There is very good walking and you can rent mountain bikes too.

Not much by way of hotels but lots of lovely fincas and nice flats to let, lovely to be in the middle of a banana plantation and mangoes and papaya grow in the gardens there by the coast, inland lots of apple trees as it is cooler.

The one place we found very disappointing was Playa Santiago, a dull place with one big modern hotel and a lot of new villas, not very pretty.

The terraced fields are beautiful. The roads are a bit scary, especially if you are scared of heights but the ring road around the island is new and well made. It is the sort of place where you collect your hire car from the harbour with the keys left behind the sun visor, find the rep to pay the next day and then leave it with its keys in the harbour when you leave. A very lovely and special place.

Thanks very much tartlet

Yes, I’ve been to La Gomera twice but only for a day each time as part of a cruise. We hired a car each time and explored, mainly inland. It’s very hilly and mountainous and parts are densely forested and I remember there being plenty of hiking trails mentioned in the tourist information stuff we had. There is a fabulous viewpoint looking over to Tenerife which we enjoyed very much.

I haven’t mastered the art of listing photos here yet but here’s a link to it. There’s also one at the other end of the island.

www.hellocanaryislands.com/nature-areas/la-gomera/abrante-viewpoint/

If you like history, there’s a modest Columbus museum in San Sebastián and some interesting old buildings.

From what I can remember, it’s not a place to go if you want beaches.

El Hierro is a smaller island still and very interesting.

Thanks Oldbatty and Oldwoman for your input

I remember visiting it many years ago as a day trip from Tenerife. As I recall it is very quiet with not much in the way of commercialisation (at least that was the case 20 years ago!) we didn't venture inland so really can't say very much about it. I do recall being given a demonstration of the "whistling" language.

sorry I dont know too much...its rather small maybe for any length of time?

Yes it is a small island (14 miles long) off Tenerife . I will check Trip Advisor. Thanks folks! Anyone with a more positive experience?

I would look on the Trip Advisor forums they are usually quite helpful.

Is it La Gomera the island which is off the coast of Tenerife? If so we spent a miserable, misty day there while Tenerife basked in sunshine.

Bump!
Has no-one been to La Gomera?