Valle Gran Rey is a municipality of about 4,500 people on the west coast of La Gomera, one of the smallest and wildest of the Canary Islands. The name refers to a deep valley running from the mountains to the sea, farmed in terraces with date palms, bananas and gardens. Since the 1970s it has drawn alternative travellers and hippies, especially Germans, and keeps a relaxed atmosphere.
Places
- The upper valley, with the villages of El Retamal, Los Granados and La Vizcaína, among palm groves and terraces.
- El Palmarejo viewpoint, designed by César Manrique, overlooking the whole valley.
- La Calera, the white village on the hill above the coast.
- La Playa, the main dark-sand beach, famous for its sunsets.
- Playa del Inglés, wilder, also used by naturists, with strong waves.
- Vueltas, the fishing harbour, starting point for boat trips.
- Charco del Conde, a natural pool sheltered from the waves.
Things to do
- Whale watching by boat from Vueltas: La Gomera's waters are among Europe's richest in dolphins and whales.
- Hiking: trails climb from the valley to the plateau and Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO site since 1986, with its laurel forest, a relic of the forests that covered Europe millions of years ago.
- Boat trips to Los Órganos, organ-pipe basalt cliffs on the north coast, visible only from the sea.
Silbo gomero
La Gomera is famous for silbo gomero, a whistled language used by shepherds to talk from one valley to another, recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage in 2009 and taught in the island's schools. You can hear it at some restaurants and demonstrations.
Getting there
La Gomera is reached by ferry from Los Cristianos, in Arona on Tenerife, to San Sebastián de La Gomera in about 50 minutes; from there buses or cars cross the island to Valle Gran Rey in about an hour. There is also a small airport with domestic flights.