Around the popular island metropolis
The Laja
The village is picturesquely located at about 500 m altitude in the imposing Barranco de la Villa gorge near San Sebastian, on the edge of the Garajonay National Park. Many beautiful hiking trails lead from La Laja into the jungle and to the neighboring valleys. If you want to shop in the small town, you can combine this with a visit to the bar. Because in La Laja the bars are also small shops that are also open in the evening. The nearest beaches, the Playas of San Sebastian, are about ten kilometers from La Laja.
San Sebastian
The laid-back capital of La Gomera has the island's main port. Bright yachts and colorful boats rock in the marina of San Sebastian next to the wide pier for the ferries arriving from Tenerife. It is worth enjoying the atmosphere of the port city for a while. The Gomeros meet on the wide plazas of the small town of San Sebastian to exchange news or just watch the children play. In the small island metropolis, however, there is no trace of the hustle and bustle of the city. But the port city attracts with some cultural sights.
A small promenade leads from the port directly to the Plaza de las Americas. Numerous shops and bars line the popular meeting place by the sea. On the east side of the square is the town hall with its open arcade, a small tower clock and the typical Canarian wooden balconies. Right behind it is the Plaza de la Constitution with its pretty terrace café. In the shade of Indian laurel trees, you can watch the hustle and bustle here in peace and quiet.
The weekly market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays below the central bus stop in San Sebastian. Here you will find local products such as fruit and vegetables, palm honey, mojo sauces, sheep and goat cheese as well as wines and liqueurs. The former customs house on the market square is also worth seeing. It was built in the 17th century and can be recognized by the wooden island coat of arms. The goods intended for export were temporarily stored in these rooms at that time. However, it became famous for another reason: In the inner courtyard there is a well, from which Columbus had the water supplies for his overseas voyage replenished in 1492. From the customs house on the market, San Sebastian can easily be explored on foot.
Also worth seeing in San Sebastian are the small pedestrianized street Calle del Medio with numerous old buildings, the seat of the Island Council, the defense tower Torre del Conde and the Archaeological Museum of La Gomera very close to the parish church Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion.
