La Palma – not to be confused with Las Palmas, capital of Gran Canaria and the biggest city in the Canaries – is one of the smallest of the 7 Canary Islands. The greenest of the Canary Islands, La Palma is the perfect destination to embark on a road trip, as the island itself is only 1.5hr from end to end and there so many sightseeing opportunities along the way.

You’ll find our friendly Avis team on hand to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip at the island’s only airport, La Palma Airport. La Palma Airport is a short distance from the island’s capital Santa Cruz de la Palma and you’ll find the Avis counter on the ground floor of the La Palma Airport terminal building.

La Palma's vibrant capital city, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is home to old churches and grand mansions tucked away from the bustling streets.

Visit the Avenida Maritima promenade for some traditional Spanish cuisine, and venture to the end of the boulevard to get a photo with the famous Dragon Tree, a subtropical tree-like plant, native to the Canaries. The Casas de los Balcones, a row of old-world Spanish houses famous for their overhanging balconies, can also be found here.

For a spot of relaxation head to Los Cancajos beach. Restaurants are perched along the coastline and the local food served is among the best on the island. Fresh fish is caught daily, so be sure to order it when you’re there.

With your Avis rental car, you’ll be able to take in the splendour of every corner of this subtropical island. La Palma is a volcanic island and the most recent eruption on the island was declared over in December 2021.

Roque De Los Muchachos

La Palma’s tallest peak, Roque De Los Muchachos, lies 1.5hr north of Santa Cruz de la Palma by car. This impressive sight is located in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, which boasts pine forests, freshwater springs, waterfalls and rock formations. The Caldera, a crater-shaped valley in the middle of the mountains, is a sight to behold. You can follow the mountainside paths up to the astronomical observatory here for a striking view of the area.

Villa de Mazo

Drive 13km south of Santa Cruz de la Palma and you’ll reach this quaint, sleepy village, which is famous for its handicrafts and cigars.

Parque Cultural La Zarza

Before the Spanish colonised this island over 500 years ago, there were inhabitants on La Palma known as the Guanches. At the Centre of Interpretation at this national park, you can discover their cultural practices. Two ancient rock drawings are Parque Cultural La Zarza’s main attraction.

Hiring a car is a popular and easy way to explore the Canary Islands. If you have not driven in this part of the world before, the road rules for the Canary Islands are the same as for Spain and mainland Europe and we’d advise catching up with the latest road rules for driving in Spain before you travel.

Be aware you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road on the islands. On La Palma, known as La Isla Bonita (the pretty island), you’ll find many of the roads narrow, steep and winding with hairpin bends making for an unforgettable driving experience rewarded with incredible views from the island’s peaks.