La Palma by Rental Car: Routes, Day Trips, and Tips

Of the Canary Islands, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote are the most popular destinations. But that means those islands—especially during peak season—can get very crowded. It’s a completely different story on La Palma, which doesn’t have such beautiful sandy beaches as the other islands. Nevertheless, it’s known as La Isla Bonita (the beautiful island) because of its stunning, lush natural beauty. La Palma is very green, full of banana plantations and forests that cover a large part of the ancient volcanoes.

Rent a car at La Palma Airport, as that’s by far the best way to explore the island. A rental car is even indispensable if you’re renting a so-called “casita” on La Palma—a small cottage that’s often located in a very remote area and is impossible to reach without your own transportation.

A road trip on La Palma is the best way to discover the most diverse and unspoiled destination in the Canary Islands—from volcanic craters and cloud forests to dramatic cliffs and historic towns. With a rental car on La Palma, you can experience much more than you would on an organized tour or bus trip.

Below, we describe a route for a road trip on La Palma featuring must-see attractions and scenic routes. We also provide practical tips for renting a car on La Palma and driving on the island. Prepare well and familiarize yourself with Spanish traffic rules before you leave.

7-Day Road Trip Around La Palma

Day 1 – Arrival & Santa Cruz de La Palma

After your flight, you probably won’t feel like driving a long distance right away. That’s why we recommend exploring the island’s capital after picking up your reserved rental car. It takes about 15 minutes to drive from the airport to the center of Santa Cruz de La Palma.

The capital’s pastel-colored facades, lively squares, and colonial architecture make it well worth exploring the city on foot. Visit historic churches, local bakeries, and artisan shops.

Highlights:

• Stroll along Avenida Marítima with its colorful wooden balconies.

• Visit Plaza de España and the Iglesia de El Salvador.

• Drive to Mirador de la Concepción at sunset in your rental car.

Day 2 – Caldera de Taburiente National Park

Caldera de Taburiente is the green heart of La Palma and one of Spain’s most impressive national parks. The caldera of the ancient volcano is lush and green, offering breathtaking views. Steep crater walls surround deep ravines filled with pine forests, waterfalls, and native wildlife. From Santa Cruz, it takes about 45 minutes by rental car to reach the first lookout point.

Highlights of the National Park:

• Mirador de La Cumbrecita, spectacular views of the caldera.

• Mirador de Los Brecitos, a spacious free parking lot at the start of the Barranco de las Angustias; take a taxi to the viewpoint.

• Take a walk along the crater rim.

Day 3 – West Coast, banana plantations & Mirador El Time

This drive along winding but exceptionally well-maintained mountain roads clearly highlights the contrast between fertile valleys and the rugged Atlantic coastline. Take your time and enjoy the views. If you’ve rented a car, the drive from Santa Cruz to Los Llanos takes about an hour.

Highlights of La Palma’s west coast:

• Los Llanos de Aridane, a charming little town centered around a cozy main square with enormous ficus trees.

• El Puerto de Tazacorte, ideal for lunch by the sea or relaxing on the volcanic-sand beach.

• Enjoy the sunset at the iconic Mirador de El Time viewpoint, where steep cliffs meet the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 4 – Roque de los Muchachos and a drive through the high mountains

Roque de los Muchachos is the highest point on the island and also an important international astronomical research site with about ten observatories. As you climb higher, the landscape takes on an increasingly moon-like character. A must-see on any road trip on La Palma!

The most beautiful views of La Palma:

• Spectacular views as you drive up the LP-4 in a rental car, including Mirador de los Andenes.

• Highest point on La Palma: Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 m).

• Roque de los MuchachosVisitor Center: a fascinating museum about the observatories and space telescopes.

• Interested in prehistoric rock art in the middle of the woods? Drive on to Parque Cultural La Zarza.

Day 5 – Los Tilos Forest & Natural Pools

Want to take a day trip in your rental car to explore La Palma’s natural beauty? Drive to the lush laurel forest of Los Tilos in the north of the island. The cool, green landscape is completely different from the volcanic south and west. Combine a hike through this forest with a dip in a beautiful natural pool. By rental car, it takes just under an hour to drive from Santa Cruz to the Los Tilos visitor center.

Natural Highlights of La Palma:

• The laurel forest with waterfalls, a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

• Drive your rental car over Spain’s highest arch bridge to the traditional coastal village of San Andrés.

• Charco Azul, one of La Palma’s most beautiful natural swimming pools.

Day 6 – Southern Volcano Route & Salt Flats

Each route across La Palma is more breathtaking than the last, but a trip along the volcanoes in the south is one of the most spectacular day trips on the island. Not least because you can see La Palma’s youngest volcano and the lava flow that wreaked havoc here in 2021. End the day at the Salinas de Fuencaliente, where sea salt is still harvested using traditional methods.

Volcanic Highlights of La Palma:

• Mirador Oficial Volcán Tajogaite, the site of the most recent eruption on La Palma.

• Volcán San Antonio, an easy crater hike with informational panels.

• Centro de interpretación Caños de Fuego—visit the tunnels formed by lava flows.

Day 7 – Beaches & Departure

La Palma’s coastline is rugged, and the island isn’t known for its beautiful sandy beaches. Still, there are a few beaches with black (volcanic) sand where you can relax and swim in the ocean. Isn’t that a wonderful way to spend your last day before returning your rental car at the airport?

La Palma beaches:

• Puerto de Naos and Charco Verde, easily accessible beaches in the southwest.

• Playa de Nogales, a steep staircase leads down to this small beach in the northeast.

• Los Cancajos Beach is easily accessible and is less than a ten-minute drive from the airport.

Renting a car on La Palma: our tips

Best time to take a road trip with a rental car

La Palma has a mild climate year-round, thanks to its subtropical location. Winters are cooler and slightly wetter at higher elevations, but still pleasant. Summer brings warm temperatures along the coast and clear skies—ideal for stargazing.

Because the island’s terrain creates microclimates, you can enjoy the sun on the coast while the mountains are shrouded in fog. Be sure to pack clothing that you can layer if you plan to explore the higher elevations.

Driving a Rental Car on La Palma

La Palma has an excellent road network, but due to its mountainous terrain, there are quite a few hairpin turns. Away from the main routes, the roads are often quite narrow. Although it’s very tempting to just pull over and enjoy a fabulous view, we strongly advise against doing so. Wait until you reach a pull-off; these are located at the most beautiful viewpoints. You can safely park your rental car at these miradors.

On all roads, you should be prepared for unexpected situations. Especially during and after heavy rainfall, rocks may be on the road surface. On smaller, local roads, people or animals may sometimes be on the road.

Why rent a car on La Palma?

La Palma may be compact, but its steep mountains, deep ravines, and remote villages make public transportation impractical for sightseeing. The most spectacular sights are tucked away along narrow, winding roads that are accessible only by car. For most visitors, renting a car on La Palma is therefore not just an option—it’s essential!

Renting a car on La Palma means:

• The freedom to drive at your own pace without having to rely on bus schedules.

• The ability to reach remote lookouts, beaches, and mountain passes.

• Access to scenic routes and hidden gems.

• Easier connections between towns, attractions, and accommodations.

Compare rental cars on La Palma

On our site, you can easily compare rental cars on La Palma. Of course, price is important, but also pay attention to the features and (trunk) space so you can rent a car that perfectly suits your travel plans. If you want to drive around La Palma completely worry-free, choose a rental car with our Worry-Free label. Then you’ll benefit from:

• Full coverage for any damage

• Unlimited mileage

• Favorable fuel policy

• A highly rated rental company

• No unnecessarily high deposit

During peak season, there is high demand for rental cars on La Palma. Be sure to book well in advance to secure better prices and a wider selection. Start looking forward to your trip and reserve a rental car at La Palma Airport now for an unforgettable vacation on La Isla Bonita!