“Each museum is a gateway to the soul of this island”
In La Palma, every museum is an open door to the island’s past, science, art, and deep-rooted traditions. You don’t need rain to step inside, these places don’t just inform, they move you. From ancient aboriginal carvings to volcano simulators and astronomical viewpoints, each visit will let you see the island through new eyes.
→ Want to explore where the main museums and visitor centres are? Use our interactive map.
Museums and Visitor Centres of La Palma
What can you find in La Palma’s museums?
Much more than display cases and information panels. The museums and visitor centres of La Palma are living spaces that connect you with the island’s essence: its volcanic history, aboriginal culture, traditional crafts, biodiversity, astronomy, and the everyday lives of past generations.
Here, you can see petroglyphs carved by the Benahoarites, feel the memory of recent eruptions, discover how bananas are cultivated, or learn how traditional La Palma cigars are made.
Some museums are housed in charming old manor houses, others in modern buildings nestled in nature or near volcanoes. All of them have something to teach and they do it in a close, visual, and interactive way that turns every visit into an unforgettable experience.
Volcanoes: Understanding the island’s fire
- San Antonio Volcano Visitor Centre (Fuencaliente)
Interactive panels, access to the crater and unique panoramic views. - Caños de Fuego Interpretation Centre (El Paso)
Walkable lava tubes and an impressive audiovisual exhibition.
Living Nature: Forests, stars and sustainability
- Caldera de Taburiente Visitor Centre (El Paso). The perfect starting point to explore the National Park. Learn about the Caldera’s geological history, its hiking trails and unique biodiversity before stepping into this natural paradise.
- Los Tilos Forest Interpretation Centre (San Andrés y Sauces). Dive into the heart of the laurel forest. This centre provides information on endemic flora, forest trails, and its importance within the Biosphere Reserve.
- Roque de los Muchachos Visitor Centre (Garafía). At over 2,400 metres above sea level, this centre blends nature and science. Learn about the origins of the universe, the observatory’s telescopes and the astronomical phenomena visible from La Palma.
- Science and Cosmos Museum (San Antonio, Breña Baja). An interactive space for all ages where you can explore astronomy, physics, and the environment through experiments, games, and exhibitions that awaken your curiosity.
- Marine Reserve Interpretation Centre (Fuencaliente Lighthouse). A window into the underwater world. Discover the species that live in La Palma’s waters and how their unique marine ecosystems are protected.
Museums to understand La Palma’s traditions
- Insular Museum of La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma). Located in the heart of the capital, this multidisciplinary museum is housed in a former Franciscan convent. It brings together natural history, archaeology, art and ethnography under one soulful roof.
- Palmero Cigar Museum (Breña Alta). A must-see to understand La Palma’s tobacco tradition. From growing the plant to the handcrafted production of cigars, this museum honours a craft deeply rooted in the island’s cultural identity.
- Banana Museum (Tazacorte). Everything you need to know about the cultivation, history and export of La Palma’s star product: bananas. An educational and visual experience in the heart of the banana-growing region.
- Las Hilanderas Museum (El Paso). Keeps the silk-working tradition alive. In this small museum, the women of El Paso proudly demonstrate their textile art and operate ancient looms still in use. A warm and genuine experience.
- Gofio Museum (Las Tricias, Garafía). Set in a rural environment, this museum shows how gofio, the ancestral food of the Canary Islands, is made and still produced today.
- Naval Museum (Santa Cruz de La Palma). Housed inside a replica of the historic Santa María ship, this museum tells the story of La Palma’s connection to the sea: its port history, Atlantic trade routes, and the era of corsairs. A true gem for lovers of the ocean and maritime history.
- Ron Aldea Distillery (San Andrés y Sauces). One of the few artisanal rum distilleries in the Canary Islands still using traditional methods. It produces rum from sugarcane grown on the island. Visiting the distillery means stepping into a living part of La Palma’s industrial and gastronomic heritage.
Deep Roots: The Legacy of the Benahoarites
Long before the arrival of European conquerors, La Palma was already inhabited by a people with a rich and unique culture: the Benahoarites. Today, several museums and archaeological sites allow us to discover their world, their beliefs, and their deep relationship with nature.
- Benahoarite Archaeological Museum (Los Llanos de Aridane). The main centre for understanding La Palma’s pre-Hispanic history. This modern museum showcases unique artefacts such as ceramics, idols, tools, and bones, and features audiovisuals that explain the lifestyle of the island’s first inhabitants.
- Belmaco Cave (Villa de Mazo). The first archaeological site ever excavated in the Canary Islands. The visit includes the original cave where the Benahoarites lived, petroglyphs, signposted trails, and an interpretation centre offering an immersive experience.
- El Tendal Visitor Centre (San Andrés y Sauces). Set in a breathtaking natural environment, this centre offers interactive exhibitions and direct access to a real archaeological site. It’s one of the best places to learn how the island’s ancient inhabitants lived in caves and communal spaces.