Hotels in San Sebastián de la Gomera

San Sebastián de la Gomera is the capital of La Gomera, the second-smallest of Spain's seven Canary Islands, sitting 32 km west of Tenerife across the La Gomera Channel. The town of roughly 8,000 residents wraps around a natural harbour backed by steep ravines — barrancas — that define the island's dramatic interior. Its most significant structure is the Torre del Conde, a 15th-century defensive tower built around 1447 and one of the oldest surviving military buildings in the Canary archipelago.

The town holds a firm place in Atlantic history: Christopher Columbus anchored here in August 1492 during his first voyage west, taking on fresh water and supplies before departing into the unknown ocean. A small church, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, dates from that era and reportedly hosted Columbus himself. This historical thread draws visitors with an interest in Age of Exploration routes, alongside hikers who use San Sebastián as the gateway to Garajonay National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage laurisilva forest covering 10% of the island's surface.

Ferry connections to Tenerife's Los Cristianos port run multiple times daily, making the town a practical base for island-hopping across the western Canaries. The local cuisine centres on almogrote, a sharp aged-cheese paste spread unique to La Gomera, served in virtually every restaurant along Calle del Medio.