La Gomera by Ferry

La Gomera is what Tenerife used to look like before the hotels arrived. The ferry crossing is short, and you arrive in San Sebastián — a small port town with a decent market, good fish, and easy access into the interior.

What to do

San Sebastián is walkable in an hour. The Torre del Conde (a 15th-century watchtower) is worth a quick look. For lunch, the restaurants along the harbour serve fresh fish at honest prices.

If you have a car on the ferry, the Garajonay National Park in the island’s centre is extraordinary — ancient laurel forest, misty paths, and almost no one around.

Practical tips

• Book the ferry return crossing in the morning — afternoon sailings fill up in summer
• Los Cristianos to San Sebastián with Naviera Armas is usually cheaper than Fred Olsen
• San Sebastián is hilly — comfortable shoes matter
• The island has almost no English menus outside the port; a little Spanish goes a long way