Hotels in San Sebastián de La Gomera

San Sebastián de La Gomera

San Sebastián de La Gomera is the capital of La Gomera and its main harbour, a town of about 9,600 people on the east coast of the island, at the mouth of a ravine facing Tenerife. Most visitors arrive here by ferry from Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife, a crossing of about 50 minutes, and the port also links the island with La Palma and El Hierro. The town is closely tied to Christopher Columbus, who made his last stop here in 1492 before sailing on to discover America. The house where he is said to have stayed, the Casa de Colón, is one of the most visited places on the island, and the Casa de la Aguada keeps the well whose water, legend says, baptised the New World. In a park facing the sea stands the Torre del Conde, a fifteenth-century tower and the oldest building preserved on La Gomera. Calle Real, the pedestrian main street, runs past the church of the Asunción, colourful houses and small shops, cafés and restaurants. Next to the port lies the black-sand beach of San Sebastián, with services and a play area, and through a tunnel beside the pier lies Playa de la Cueva, with views of Mount Teide. The palm-fringed cove of Ávalo lies a little to the north, quiet and without services. From the bus station on Avenida del Quinto Centenario, buses run to every corner of the island, including Valle Gran Rey and the Garajonay National Park. San Sebastián suits travellers who want a lively base with shops and restaurants, close to the ferry, from which to explore all of La Gomera.