Long excursion around Santa Cruz de La Palma

An historic city

Santa Cruz de la Palma is a city with important architectural and artistic heritage. Located to the east of the island, it was one of the main ports in the Canaries, where merchants came to trade from all over the world: Holland, Italy, England, Ireland... This means that it has an interesting collection of works of art that have come from different parts of the world (including America). We also recommend that you enjoy the colonial architecture, the craftwork and the gastronomy.

Shopping in the city

Once we reach Calle O'Daly, we'll find countless shops selling craftwork from the island. As soon as we enter this street, coming from the port, we come across some of them. Here you can buy produce from La Palma cuisine, including its cakes and pastries. La Palma is the sweetest island on the archipelago (rapaduras, almendrados, etc.). You can also buy souvenirs of the island in Santa Cruz without leaving this street.

The Renaissance square

Once in Calle O'Daly (also known as Calle Real), it doesn't take long to get to Plaza de España. This area contains the best example of Renaissance architecture in the Canaries: the town hall façade (from the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V), the Renaissance fountain (the only one on the archipelago) and the entrance to the Church of El Salvador. We will also see the statue to Manuel Díaz (local character) and some of the main stately homes in the city.

Church of El Salvador

It has an interesting collection of works of art (Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–8.30 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 6 p.m.–8.30 p.m.; Sun 8.30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 7 p.m.–8.30 p.m.). There are important Flemish carvings (Saint Louis, King of France, etc.) and works by the Canarian painter of religious images Fernando Estévez (Cristo del Perdón, etc.). Of interest are the main altarpiece (Antonio María Esquivel), the Carrara marble font (the oldest of this kind in the Canaries) and the in Mudejar style ceiling – the most beautiful on the archipelago.

Plaza de Santo Domingo

We go up the steps beside the Church of El Salvador, turn left, go up one and turn left again until we see a square. This is the old Dominican Convent of San Miguel de las Victorias. The old convent is currently being used as a secondary school. It's difficult to get into the church but it's worth it if you can (Mon–Sun 5 p.m.): Inside there are Flemish works and the most complete collection of Baroque altarpieces in the Canary Islands.

Map of Long excursion around Santa Cruz de La Palma

Sustainability

- Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
- Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
- Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
- Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
- Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
- In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
- Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.