Santa Cruz de la Palma

Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of La Palma, the smallest of the main Canary Islands. The town has cobblestone streets, colourful colonial houses, and wooden balconies that are a signature of Canarian architecture. Calle Real (also called Calle O'Daly), the main pedestrian street, is lined with small shops, cafés, and historic buildings. Plaza de España is the town's central square, dominated by the El Salvador Church with its Mudéjar-style ceiling. The Barco de la Virgen, a stone replica of Columbus's Santa María, sits near the port and houses a small naval museum. Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a massive erosion crater in the island's interior, is the main excursion and has trails through pine forest and volcanic rock. La Palma is also one of the best stargazing locations in the world, with an observatory above the cloud line. Papas arrugadas with mojo sauce and fresh goat cheese are the local foods. The euro is the currency.