Santa Cruz de La Palma: Old Town, Festivals and Beach

The old town of Santa Cruz de La Palma is a cultural asset of cultural interest and part of Spain’s historical heritage. On 10 April 1975, it was declared accordingly under code RI-53-0000187.

Cityscape and History

The historic quarter preserves colonial-style mansions along partially paved streets. Calle Real is the city’s main street and brings together numerous shops, squares, mansions and noteworthy buildings.

Critics consider Plaza de España the finest Renaissance complex in the Canary Islands. It comprises a square, a fountain and the town hall opposite. At Avenida Marítima, Castillo de Santa Catalina can be visited; it was declared a historical-artistic monument in the 1950s.

Barco de la Virgen is an exact replica of a caravel made in 1940 for the Bajada de la Virgen during the Fiestas Lustrales. The Museo Naval is located inside Barco de la Virgen on Plaza de La Alameda. It displays navigational instruments, models and historically valuable graphic documents. The Museo Insular has a remarkable collection of art and paintings, while the Santo Domingo church preserves important works of Flemish art.

Festivals and City Life

Cruces de Mayo are celebrated every spring on 3 May, including in Santa Cruz de La Palma. During the celebrations, neighbourhoods decorate their crosses with flowers, coloured paper, seeds, fabrics and jewellery. Alongside the crosses, and sometimes on balconies or roof terraces, are grotesque figures depicting scenes from traditional life and current issues.

Los Indianos is celebrated on the first Monday of the Carnival season in Santa Cruz de La Palma. Every year, the event fills the city’s main streets with thousands of participants.

Holy Week in Santa Cruz de La Palma received the distinction of a Festival of Tourist Interest of the Canary Islands in 2014. As part of these celebrations, multicultural sculptural, textile and goldsmithing heritage, as well as religious statues, are displayed in the streets. During Día del Corsario, the historical event in question is re-enacted in Santa Cruz de La Palma; the event usually takes place in August.

Coast and Nature Trails

Santa Cruz de La Palma beach has water quality rated as excellent in all measurements. It is adapted for people with reduced mobility and has carried the Blue Flag since 2021.

During the summer months, activities such as a beach library, spinning, exercise classes, aquagym, Pilates and yoga take place on the beach. Short hiking trails lead from the centre of Santa Cruz de La Palma into nature, including the Barranco de la Madera and Molinos de Bellido routes.

In Santa Cruz de La Palma, you can discover representative island cuisine, including papas arrugás with red or green mojo. For your planning, you can compare the different dates, activity types and cultural offerings by season and daily rhythm.

Geographical Location

Santa Cruz de La Palma can be reached from the south via the LP-2 and from the north via the LP-1.

More destination pages: Quinta Zoca, Villa De Mazo, Los Canarios, Puntagorda, Garafía, Barlovento, Tazacorte, Hoya Grande

To the overarching travel overview: La Palma.