Discover the best ways to travel to La Palma, from direct flights to ferry routes.
Find out how to reach this Canarian paradise easily and plan your next adventure on the beautiful island.
Flying to La Palma: Easy, Direct Connections All Year Round
Travelling to La Palma is easier than it seems.
The island is well connected by air with the rest of the Canary Islands, mainland Spain, and several European cities.
Whether you’re coming for a few days or a longer stay, you’ll find frequent, comfortable flights with flexible schedules all year round.
From the Canary Islands
La Palma is perfectly connected to the other islands in the archipelago.
Binter Canarias and Canaryfly operate daily flights between Tenerife North (Los Rodeos) and La Palma, taking about 30 minutes.
There are also regular connections with Tenerife South, Gran Canaria, and in summer with Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.
These short flights are ideal for travellers who want to combine several islands in one trip.
Travel tip: Flights from Tenerife North are usually the most frequent and affordable.
From Mainland Spain
Reaching La Palma from mainland Spain is quick and straightforward.
From Madrid, Iberia Express operates daily direct flights all year long.
From Barcelona, you can also fly directly with Vueling or Iberia.
If you’re travelling from other Spanish cities, a short connection via Madrid, Barcelona, Tenerife, or Gran Canaria is all you need.
Direct flights from the mainland take around 3 hours, with several weekly options depending on the season.
Tip: Book early to get the best prices and flight times.
From Abroad
La Palma also welcomes international flights, especially in winter, when the island’s mild climate attracts thousands of European visitors.
Airlines such as TUI, Condor, Transavia, EasyJet, Edelweiss Air, and Luxair offer direct flights from various European cities.
Main winter routes:
- Germany: Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart
- United Kingdom: London, Manchester
- Netherlands: Amsterdam
- Denmark: Billund, Copenhagen
- Luxembourg: Luxembourg City
- Switzerland: Zurich
- Poland: Katowice
- Czech Republic: Prague
These routes make the “Isla Bonita” easily accessible from much of Europe, a perfect destination for nature lovers seeking peace, beauty, and authenticity.
La Palma Airport (SPC)
La Palma Airport is located in the municipality of Villa de Mazo, just a few minutes from the capital.
It’s small, modern, and efficient, making arrivals and departures smooth and stress-free.
Inside the terminal, you’ll find cafés, shops, a pharmacy, a bookstore, car rental services, free Wi-Fi, and parking next to the building.
Its size and efficiency make it one of the most convenient airports in the Canary Islands.
All the Municipalities of La Palma
La Palma has 14 municipalities, each with its own characteristics. Discover them and choose the one that best suits your vacation on the beautiful island.
Distances from the Airport to Main Towns
| Town / Municipality | Distance from Airport |
|---|---|
| Villa de Mazo (village) | 9 km |
| Santa Cruz de La Palma | 8.2 km |
| Breña Baja (Los Cancajos) | 2.9 km |
| Breña Baja (village) | 7 km |
| Breña Alta | 7.5 km |
| Puntallana | 16 km |
| San Andrés y Sauces | 29 km |
| Barlovento | 40 km |
| El Paso | 26 km |
| Los Llanos de Aridane | 26 km |
| Puerto Naos | 39 km |
| Tazacorte | 34 km |
| Fuencaliente | 23 km |
| Tijarafe | 49 km |
| Puntagorda | 58 km |
| Garafía | 76 km |
Arriving in La Palma by Ferry
Travelling by sea is a peaceful and charming way to reach the island.
Naviera Armas Transmediterránea and Fred. Olsen Express offer regular ferry routes connecting La Palma with the Spanish mainland and the other Canary Islands.
From Mainland Spain (Cádiz)
The Cádiz–Santa Cruz de La Palma ferry is the only direct maritime route linking the island with mainland Spain.
The journey takes about 2 days and 10 hours, with intermediate stops in Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.
Although long, it’s a unique Atlantic experience, perfect for those travelling with a car or seeking a slower, scenic journey.
The service runs once a week, carrying both passengers and cargo
From the Canary Islands
Reaching La Palma from other islands is quick and easy.
Ferries connect Tenerife, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria with Santa Cruz de La Palma throughout the year.
From Los Cristianos (Tenerife South), there are several daily departures, taking around 2 hours and 30 minutes on fast ferries.
From Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the route is longer — about 6–7 hours — and operates once a week.
The companies Fred. Olsen Express, Naviera Armas, and Trasmediterránea offer comfortable inter-island routes with onboard services.
Travel tip: Ferries are great for travellers with a car and often cheaper than flights, especially during high season.
Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma
The port is just steps away from the historic centre and the Avenida Marítima.
It offers ticket offices, cafés, restaurants, car rentals, and a small marina next to Bajamar Beach.
It’s a key hub for freight traffic, ferries, and cruise ships.
During winter and spring, it welcomes numerous cruise liners that fill the city with life.
Arriving in La Palma by Cruise
Arriving on a cruise ship is a comfortable and charming way to discover La Palma, even if it’s just for a day.
Between October and April, ships from AIDA, Costa, Mein Schiff, MSC, TUI Cruises, and Ventura regularly call at the port.
Once you disembark, the city centre is just a short walk away, filled with cobbled streets, wooden balconies, and lively plazas.
Don’t miss the Avenida Marítima or the famous Wooden Balconies of La Palma, one of the island’s most photographed landmarks.
One-day bus tour to La Palma from Tenerife
Book a one-day bus tour to La Palma from Tenerife and enjoy the island’s major attractions!
If you want to explore more, there are guided excursions to:
You can also share a taxi with other passengers or book a private tour for more flexibility and value.
Practical Tips for Your Trip to La Palma
- Book inter-island flights in advance, especially in high season.
- Tenerife South is ideal for travellers arriving from abroad.
- From mainland Spain, it’s easiest to connect via Tenerife North, where flights to La Palma run hourly.
- Car rentals, taxis, and shuttle buses are available at the airport and port.
- If travelling by ferry, bring motion sickness tablets: the sea can be rough on some days.
- Cruise visitors. Avoid visiting the Roque de Los Muchachos: the round trip takes over three hours. Choose nearby scenic routes instead.
Arriving in La Palma: The Beginning of an Unforgettable Journey
Arriving in La Palma is only the beginning.
The real adventure starts when you breathe in the pure air and feel the calm of its volcanic landscapes.
Here, every road leads to the sea or the mountains, and everything is close by.
The island invites you to slow down, enjoy every curve, every village, and every sunset.
Whether you arrive by plane, ferry, or cruise, you’ll soon understand
why La Palma is called “La Isla Bonita.”
Its nature, people, and peaceful rhythm will make you never want to leave.
