Los Llanos de Aridane

Overview

Los Llanos de Aridane, the largest city in La Palma belongs to one of 14 municipalities in the Province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canarian Islands. It has become the district with the highest population over the years, outnumbering even the island’s capital, Santa Cruz. The breath taking beauty of this municipality can surely ignite your romantic side. Plaza de España can seem to warmly invite you for a relaxing stroll because of its strategic location in the heart of the municipality. Its well-maintained pedestrian zones, many tourists can enjoy and appreciate the beauty the Los Llanos has to offer. Local residences have been preserved, renovated and decorated with lovely paintings.

Culturally adorned with a combination of preserved historical sites and modern architecture, Los Llanos is a place worth visiting. Being one of the major cities in the area, it is bustling with activity wherein you can have your fill of shopping, dining and nightlife as well. Tourism has been vibrant and blooming therefore boosting economic progress in Los Llanos where you can come across Puerto Naos, one of the main tourist centres. Los Llanos has unsurprisingly been hailed as the business centre of the West Coast because of numerous restaurants, supermarkets, discos and bars are located in the inner city. Despite all the comfort it offers as a city, the culture and heritage has been preserved greatly to emphasise its authenticity.

Aside from the usual sightseeing, tourist can enjoy numerous activities such as biking/cycling, paragliding and hiking.

Geography

Situated in the west of the Canary Island of La Palma, Los Llanos is located 325 meters above the sea level. The National Park Caldera de Taburiente is easily accessible from there where a small road leads to the north of the city and ends in Caldera. Rainfall in Los Llanos is quite rare; however there is an ample supply of water to irrigate the banana plantations and other fields. The Caldera extends out to the Barranco de las Angustias which then stretches out to the shoreline. There is an appropriate are for hikers and bikers where they can start their tour along the outskirts of Barranco de las Angustias, which means “Valley of Fear”. The way to the canyon is extremely narrow and deep, hence the name. Intimidating as its name can be, the trekking experience will surely be memorable because the beautiful and scenic view is all worth it. For those who want to avail of tour packages, there are tour guides who can arrange and organize them for interested tourists. There are bus routes that pass through the area – lines 1, 2 and 3 to Santa Cruz, line 4 to Puerto Naos and line 21  after Tazacorte.

Economic

Aside from tourism, agriculture has long played a significant role in economic progress for Los Llanos. Though Banana plantations are abundant in the area, they only play a small part of economic income of the island. The cultivation of other fruits and vegetables such as avocados greatly contribute to the economic success of Los Llanos.

Culture

In the 1900s, Los Llanos only had a population of 6,638. But from then, the population has tripled with a little over 20,000 people. The boom of the population was due to the dramatic improvement of the economic situation in Los Llanos. It has also attracted workers from abroad to settle in the bustling city. Today, the number of foreigners residing in the city makes up 7% of the total population comprising mainly of the Dutch, Germans and Swiss.

Sights

Plaza de España

The Plaza de España is considered the social center of the beautiful old town of Los Llanos in La Palma. Locals and tourists regard this place as a shopping destination where they can also go for coffee or bocadillo. Abundant with a hundred year old Japanese laurel trees, it has already become a popular place for tourists and locals to rest and relax.

The Spain Square is surrounded with significant historical and monumental sites in Los Llanos like its town hall that is designed from an old Canarian architecture with beautiful traditional wooden balconies. The church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios can also be found within the vicinity. The square in front of the church is adorned with city lights and transforms into a stage for concerts and theatre plays/musicals during the summer.

Address: Casa de la Cultura La Calle Rúa 7, 38760 Los Llanos de Aridane

Casa Massieu-Van Dale

The Casa Massieu-Van Dale is the former estate of a sugar baron in Los Llanos. Today, it is used for exhibition purposes and possesses valuable woodwork. It has a courtyard and several galleries and within the same building, you can also find the Tourism Office.

Address: Casa Massieu-Van Dale, Avenida Doctor Fleming 38760 Los Llanos de Aridane
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8: 00h to 15:00 clock

Palmex Cactus Garden

A small daytrip can be arranged to the pretty cactus garden between the city and its neighboring municipality, El Paso. Cacti that can grow up to 16 meters tall and numerous succulent plants are beautifully arranged in a confined space. The Palmex Cactus Garden is located just off the road that runs from Los Llanos to El Paso.

Church of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios

The church of Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios which is 17th century monumental establishment can also be found in Plaza de España. A visit to the church is worthwhile for travelers to Los Llanos in any case. The local parish church boasts of a magnificent high altar with an illuminated sculpture of the Madonna. The architecture is very unique because of the church’s elaborate Mudejar coffered ceiling.

Address: Nuestra Señora de Los Fernandez Remedios Calle Taño 38760, Los Llanos de Aridane
Located in the downtown of Los Llanos, on the way to Puerto Naos is the Parque Antonio Gómez Felipe -a small garden that is currently being redesigned by a local artist – Luis Morera.

Parque Pueblo

What makes the Parque Pueblo interesting is that it is not a usual park, it is cultural park and an integrated zoo as well. It showcases not only the botany and history of La Palma but also the economy as well. Definitely something different from usual parks – a haven for culture vultures who would like to learn and know more about La Palma’s rich cultural heritage. The park was conceptualized by Uwe Glazer and Gerhard Goder.

Museum 

The Archaeological Museum of Benahoarita opened its door to tourists in May of the year 2007. It presents exhibits from the time of the Benahoarita, the nativs of La Palma, providing in depth and extensive information on the climate and history of the island. The museum is located on the Camino de Las Adelfas. For those who truly appreciate architecture, the fancy and modern interior of the museum is worth witnessing.

Address: Calle de Las Adelfas 138760 Los Llanos de Palma AridaneLa
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 bis 14:00 clock clock, 17:00 bis 20:00 clock clock

Beaches

The town of Los Llanos de Aridane itself does not possess a beach. However there are several good beaches within the municipal.

Playas de los Llanos de Aridane

The municipality of Puerto Naos, also located in Los Llanos, has one of the most beautiful beaches of La Palma. The 600 meters long and up to 30 meters wide beach extends between beautiful rock formations and banana plantations. Beach lovers will enjoy this place that has a very relaxed atmosphere with apartments lining the area. You can enjoy paragliding activities in the area as well.

Playa El Remo

Playa El Remo is located at the end of the road south of Los Llanos. The beach itself is not well known, but within the area are three rustic local fish restaurants located right on the water. There, you can enjoy a great atmosphere while overlooking the sea while dining on freshly caught fish and a variety of seafood.

Playa de la Bombilla

Take a right turn from Puerto Naos and you will find the beach village of Playa de la bombilla. You can also find restaurants there as well.

Playa de las Monjas

Tourists who are familiar with Spanish can find the name of this beach quite contradicting to its ways, the Nuns beach is the only nudist beach found in La Palma. To get there, travel on the road that leads to El Remo and come off right.

Playa Nueva

This beach is only especially popular in the summer. During winter, the sand is mostly covered with stones and because of the strong currents, it is hardly possible to swim at all.

Festivals

Carnival is popular here after the largest celebration of "white" Carnival in Santa Cruz de Las Palmas. In July, the festival of La Patrona takes place in Los Llanos and during the summer months, other fiestas and concerts take place. This is where the Plaza de España transforms into a large stage.

La Patrona

This festival takes place on July 2 in honour of the Virgin of Los Remedios and which has long been a tradition in Los Llanos. Since 1678, La Patrona is celebrated, consisting of a very long procession and pilgrimage which passes from town to town.

Nightlife

With Los Llanos becoming the main metropolis of La Palma bustling with activities and tourists, the nightlife is also worth enjoying while you’re here. There are a string of bars, discos and café that can be found for your dose of a good time.

La Luna

La Luna is a popular music café with live performances in Los Llanos. But it is not limited to live performances alone, readings both literature and poetry and art exhibitions are also organized adding variety to activities tourists can participate in.

Address: La Luna Calle Fernández Tano 2638760 Los Llanos de Aridane

Basilica El Convento

The Basilica El Convento is one of the trendiest nightclubs in Los Llanos. It is open during  Fridays and Saturdays only.
Address: Calle Pasión 138760 Los Llanos de Aridane

Shopping

Mercado (market)

The market hall is beautifully renovated and readily offers a wide range of exotic fruits. Vegetables, salad, fish, meat and local specialties are also found here. In the spring months, beautiful flowering Callas are available in the market. Turning right from the main road that runs from Los Llanos after Tazacorte (at the Cespa Petrol Station) will get you there.

Opening times: Monday to Friday 6:00 am to 2:00pm, Saturday 6:00 am to 4:00 pm 

A Farmer's Market takes place on Sundays at Parco Conrado Hernandez in Los Lllanos. This provides fresh food and is open from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. The market is located right at the bend in the path of Avenieda Carlos Navarro Fransico to El Paso.

Plaza Chica

At the Plaza Chica, there are plenty of boutiques where you can get good bargains from. With a wide array of clothes, shoes, jewelry, and everything else you might like. It is not only a place where you can shop but also rest within the benches in the shade of palm trees, in front of a lovely fountain.

Glass Studio Artefuego

This is the workshop of the German glass artist Dominic Kessler. You can watch him at work and of course, purchase your own glass art exclusively designed and made by him.

Address: glass Artefuego Plaza Sotomayor 2938760 Los Llanos de Aridane
Opening times: from 10:00 am 2:00 pm daily except Thursday