San Sebastian de la Gomera is the main port and capital town on La Gomera, a sun drenched Canary Island. It is an administrative district in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is referred to as ‘Isla Columbina’ due to its links with the discovery of America. The town emerged out around a natural bay and is mostly made up of farmlands.
There are huge grassy and forested mountains surrounding the town.
Due to its unique position on the Lomo de La Horca Hill, it has magnificent views over the ocean. The historic center of the town features shaded plazas and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The main industries in the town are agriculture and tourism. The port can be found on the east along the beach.
The View of San Sebastian de la Gomera
The town provides excellent tourist facilities and all kinds of water sports activities on the bay and the beaches. The best way to explore the mountains and the terrains are through the numerous inspiring hiking and cycling trails.
A Little Bit of History
San Sebastian was inhabited by the Guanches. It was founded in the fifteenth century by Hernan Peraza “el Viejo”. It developed into a town at the mouth of La Villa ravine.
It became a thriving port and Christopher Columbus continued his journey from this island in 1492 after loading supplies from here. He then sailed westward to explore the parts of the less known world.
Following Columbus’s journey, there was a boom in the transatlantic trade. The town sits in a sheltered harbor and is an important port in the Canary Islands.
This made it the port to visit for everyone and brought lots of fortunes to the town, but its population crossed 1000 only during the 19th century. There were regular pirate attacks on the port.
The attack by the English fleet in 1739 was repulsed by the locals. The town’s fortune boomed with the cochineal industry, but collapsed with the decline of that industry as well. Tourism has helped the town to regain its economical position.
El Dia de San Juan is a lively festival celebrated with bonfires on the Volcanic Beach.
Where is San Sebastian de la Gomera?
- 35.9 miles/ 57.8 km from Arona, Spain
- 44.5 miles/ 71.7 km from Granadilla de Abona, Spain
- 78.9 miles/ 127 km from San Cristobal de la Laguna, Spain
- 77 miles/ 124 km from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- 24.1 miles/ 38.9 km from La Gomera Airport, Spain
- 32 miles/ 64.3 km from Tenerife South Airport, Spain
- 79.5 miles/ 128 km from Tenerife North Airport, Spain
Things to See
- Torre del Conde
- Casa de la Aquada
- Casa de Colón
- Marqués de Oristano
- Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asunción
- Ermita de San Sebastian
- Majona Nature Reserve
- Valle del Gran Rey
Beaches
- Aguila
- Avalo
- La Cueva
- San Sebastian
- Other popular beaches in San Sabestian La Gomera are: Zamora, El Medio, El Guincho, El Cabrito, Suarez, Tapahuga and La Guancha
Excursions
- Garajonay National Park
- Dehesa de Majona
- Mirador de la Hila
San Sebastian de la Gomera is indeed a less visited town of this Atlantic archipelago.
However, its gorgeous beaches and natural trails running through mountains and misty rain forests provide a perfect escape from the crowds of a modern city.
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!