5 Uncrowded Beaches in the Canary Islands
February 9, 2018
During a holiday in La Gomera, immerse yourself in the locals' favourite areas, weekly markets, outdoor stalls and family-run restaurants. It can be fascinating to browse the kinds of fresh produce and handmade crafts they make and sell regularly.
Whether you're looking for ingredients to conjure up your ideal lunch or grab a souvenir to take home, here are four markets we recommend visiting across the Canary Islands, on a day trip from La Gomera.
In the capital of La Palma, you'll uncover the Santa Cruz market hall along Avenida el Puente. Inside the green building labelled Plaza De Mercado, a wide-open space is filled with stands. Windows line the top of the four walls and let in natural light, brightening up the hall's interior.
The different stalls sell an exhaustive array of goods, including fruits, vegetables and freshly squeezed sugar cane juice. Sample a few local wines and cheeses before making a purchase or tuck into freshly made sweet or savoury pastries when taking a break.
Open Monday to Saturday between 6am and 2:30pm, this market allows locals to purchase their daily meats, fish and confectionery items. Flowers and plants are also for sale and help to make the hall appear colourful and smell fragrant.
The Tegueste market has earned a good reputation by selling excellent produce and is one of the highest quality markets in the Canary Islands. Only a 20-minute drive from the capital, it has 34 wooden huts with tiled roofs that sell fine foods and exquisite arts and crafts.
Both locals and tourists who visit the old town stumble across this market and delve deep into its narrow lanes, bursting with home-grown fruits and vegetables. Look out for wine stands selling local reds and whites and baking stalls where you can purchase cakes and pastries to nibble on while browsing.
Throughout each weekend, this place will be bustling with locals trying to find a good deal before getting something to eat in nearby cafes and restaurants. Why not join them?
Valle Gran Rey is a charming town, home to black sand beaches; dramatic cliff faces; and its all-important deep, green gorge. It comes as no surprise that this is one of La Gomera's most popular tourist spots.
During a trip around the town, stop by the market in Plaza Lomo de Riego to browse various second-hand goods. It's been around since 2007 and is open on the second Sunday of every month, from 9am until 3pm. Locals flood here to buy and sell anything they can find, like antiques, paintings, children's toys and books.
Those old films and CDs you've wanted to get your hands on may be lying around somewhere, so keep your eyes peeled. Spice up your wardrobe with handmade Canarian-style clothes, shoes and even watches.
Travel to the island's capital city to discover Mercado De Vegueta, the Canary Island's most ancient market. Las Palmas Cathedral forms a picturesque backdrop for the terracotta-coloured building selling tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, fish, cheese and even coffee beans.
The odd florist and tapas bar help to break up the food stands and allow shoppers to purchase beautiful bouquets or sit down and grab a quick bite to eat. Tables are also situated outside, so you can relax in the sun with a fresh fruit smoothie or authentic brew.
Mercado De Vegueta is open from 6:30am until 2:30pm, Monday to Saturday, and usually gets busy with locals doing their weekly shop on Fridays and Saturdays. Stop by midweek if you wish to experience fewer crowds.
If you'd like to book a holiday to La Gomera to visit these charming markets, why not stay at our beautiful Hotel Jardin Tecina? Call us or contact us via our website to book now.
