The Canary Islands have become popular with Brits year round thanks to their microclimate which means sunny, mild weather in the winter, and long hot days in the summer.
However, the popularity of islands such as Tenerife and Lanzarote has led to some holidaymakers looking for alternatives to the big resorts. From April, Jet2 is launching new routes to La Palma, the fifth-largest of the Canary Islands, which gets a fraction of the visitors of its neighbours. While Tenerife saw around seven million visitors in 2024, La Palma had less than 100,000 in the same year, making it the perfect way to experience the Canary Islands without the crowds.
The first Jet2 flights to La Palma depart from Manchester on April 3, with a service from London-Stansted starting on October 26, just in time for winter sun seekers. These routes will run year-round. There will also be a seasonal route from London-Gatwick, taking off on dates from October 24, with flights available to book until late-March 2027. Prices start from £69 one-way from Manchester and £87 one-way from Stansted in Jet2’s current sale.
In addition to flights, Jet2 will also offer package holidays to La Palma from all three airports. Accommodation options include the two-star Oasis San Antonio Apartments, which has a pool area surrounded by palm trees and is close to a stunning Canarian-style black sand beach. Or upgrade to the four-star Melia La Palma, which has a large freshwater swimming pool with sea views and offers an all-inclusive option.
The island’s capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is well worth a visit thanks to its colourful colonial architecture, cobbled streets, and old-world charm. At the heart of the city is the Plaza de España, a square with whitewashed buildings and statues, and around this area you’ll find lots of the capital’s bars and restaurants.
Just to the south of Santa Cruz is Los Cancajos, which is emerging as one of the island’s most popular tourist resorts, with about one-third of the island’s accommodation in this area. However, don’t expect a Benidorm-style town. The area has managed to keep its traditional Canarian style, and although it has a few shops, restaurants, and car hire places, it’s nowhere near as developed as neighbouring islands.
The natural beauty of volcanic La Palma is its biggest draw, and there are plenty of stunning locations to explore. One of its most iconic sites is Caldera de Taburiente, a massive volcanic crater that sits in the centre of national park land. It’s so big that there are several ways to see it from different viewpoints, from short hikes to longer treks to off-the-beaten-path spots,
The landscape of La Palma has also shaped many natural swimming pools, including volcanic rock pools with unique lava features. Charco Azul is one of the most popular, with rugged rock pools that have natural beauty, but have been upgraded with safety features such as rails and ladders so they’re safe to swim in.
La Palma doesn’t have the lively nightlife of islands like Tenerife, but there’s still plenty going on once the sun goes down. Santa Cruz has lots of late-night bars, and during peak season a couple of the clubs open until the small hours on Friday and Saturday nights. However, it’s more of a chilled night out vibe, much in keeping with the rest of this unspoilt island.
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