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The Canary Islands are consistently very popular with tourists, so much so that they have been included in Fodor’s Travel ‘No List’ for 2026, created “to highlight destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities”.
Fodor suggests that: “For many Canarians, tourism is both a lifeline and a burden. The islands rely heavily on visitor spending, yet locals often see little of it.”
However, La Gomera, one of the smaller islands, could be less of a cause for concern, as it sees fewer than one percent of the tourists that its neighbour, Tenerife, attracts, according to Scottish YouTuber Ronnie, who documented a trip to the pretty destination for his channel, allout.travel.
In a video debating whether tourists should skip Tenerife and opt for La Gomera instead, Ronnie described the island, which boasts 21C temperatures in January, as having “a unique character all of its own”, complete with “a few welcome surprises”.
After spending a week there, Ronnie said the volcanic island had “made a real impression” on him, due to its “authentic, chilled-out character” and “super lush, green interior”.
In comparison to the tourist resort of Los Cristianos on the southwest coast of Tenerife, where you can board a ferry to travel just one hour to La Gomera, the island is tranquil and full of locals, rather than being inundated by fellow Brits searching for winter sun.
While walking through a quiet sunsoaked town on the island, Ronnie sounded surprised as he remarked: “There’s no one here!”
The YouTuber then added: “It really does feel a world away from the bustling resorts that you’ll find elsewhere in the Canaries.”
Ronnie advised that a car is “essential” to make the most of your time in La Gomera, pointing out that you can enjoy “stunning” views while on the roads.
With a car, you can explore the charming fishing village of Playa de Santiago, which offers warm weather, water sports, and delicious local seafood restaurants, or Alto de Garajonay, featuring the island’s highest peak within Garajonay National Park.
San Sebastian, the capital of La Gomera, has also been named one of Spain’s most underrated towns.
Ronnie concluded that La Gomera will provide the perfect holiday for those who are “looking for something a bit different” within the Canary Islands.
