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San Sebastián de La Gomera
Only a few tourists spend their holidays in the small island capital San Sebastián de La Gomera and accordingly it is quiet and relaxed here. With just over 9000 inhabitants, San Sebastian is the largest of the six municipalities on the island, both in terms of population and area.
San Sebastian is located in the east of La Gomera and the area of the capital is just 113 km². With almost 80 inhabitants per km², this part of the island is the most populated region on the island, but the streets are mostly empty and the restaurants are not overcrowded. For comparison: In Germany, the population density is just over 200 inhabitants per km².
The Gomeros affectionately call San Sebastian “La Villa”, i.e. “The City”.
The entire urban area consists of the following small and scattered villages in and around the town center:
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Center (La Lomada, El Calvario, Las Gallanas und La Gallarda)
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El Molinito und El Langrero
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El Barranco
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La Laja
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Barranco de Santiago, Tecina, Laguna de Santiago, Benchijigua, Vegaipala, Las Toscas, Ayamosna, Jerdune, Lo del Gato
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Enchereda
The directly adjacent communities are Hermigua in the northwest and Alajeró in the southwest of the second smallest Canary Island.
The port of San Sebastian
The port of San Sebastián de La Gomera is the hub of the entire island. All ferries from Tenerife (Los Cristianos) and the other Canary Islands arrive here and this is where most of the Gomera holidays start from. From here you can usually continue by bus, taxi or shuttle transfer to the hotel or apartment in the sunny holiday resorts in the south or east of the island.
The ferry companies Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas connect the neighboring islands with each other and these usually run reliably and now also regularly, but mostly only 3 times a day. Both ferries, the Olsen and the Naviera Armas, are car ferries, so you can easily cross over with your rental car from Tenerife. Both ferry companies have a ticket office at the port of San Sebastian, but you can also buy them online before your trip to La Gomera.
In addition to the ferry port, where cruise ships from the major tour operators stop at regular intervals, there is also a small marina for private boats. This offers space for a maximum of 335 boats/yachts. In addition, the berths for private boats have recently also been offering electricity and water - this was not always the case.
A small selection of restaurants in the island's capital
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La Salamandra
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El Pajar de la Gomera
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La Tasca
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Cuatro Caminos
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Pension Victor
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Caprichos de la Gomera
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Brenusca
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Los Laureles
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Restaurante Ambigu
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El Nilo
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Agando
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La Choza
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La Fortuna
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Restaurante el Pejin
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La Forastera
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La Botellita
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Restaurante el Tropico
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El Pincho Pincho
You can find reviews, opinions and contact details for the restaurants on the Tripadvisor website.
The old town of San Sebastian
The old town of San Sebastian is small and manageable, but still worth seeing. Many small shops, stores, cafés and restaurants make the city center a popular day trip destination for tourists on La Gomera. You will find most shopping facilities on Calle Real, also known as Calle del Medio.
The most popular sights in San Sebastian are the small town church (Iglesia De La Asunción), the Archaeological Museum, the Columbus House (Casa de Colón) and the Sebastián Chapel. Evergreen and idyllic, Torre del Conde Park is popular with tourists and locals alike. Here you can go for a walk when the weather is nice or just relax.
The lighthouse at the Faro de San Cristóbal is also worth mentioning, although this is a little outside of the city.
Beaches and bays
Anyone looking for an endlessly long sandy beach is wrong in San Sebastian - or in general on La Gomera. But there are a few small, idyllic and beautifully located (natural) beaches in and around San Sebastian. Even if the city beach "Playa de San Sebastian" near the harbor is not a highlight, it is always worth a visit.
The "Playa de la Cueva" beach, which is often covered with fine sand, is also near the port and from here you have a wonderful view of the open sea - small, but nice! The breakwater protects bathers from the strong surf.
The "Playa de la Guancha" is just outside the city. But if you take on the 1.5 hour hike, you will be rewarded with a beautiful panorama and a view as far as Tenerife.
And with a little luck you can also see dolphins from the shore. Or you can make a whale watching trip - La Gomera is one of the best whale watching spots in Europe and you should not miss this adventure.
Isla Columbiana - the last stop before America
Even today, the inhabitants of La Gomera are proud that Cristobal Colon (Christoph Columbus) started his adventurous journey to the new world from La Gomera. His fleet of boats was on August 12, 1492 for the last time off La Gomera's coasts to refuel water and replenish food. Then his long journey across the Atlantic began. To this day, the second smallest Canary Island is also called "Isla Columbiana" and in the island's capital a stately bronze statue was even erected in honor of Columbus.
How long Christopher Columbus stayed on La Gomera, or how often he was actually there before, is historically not clearly documented. It could only be proven that he stayed on La Gomera in 1492 and during later voyages of discovery, which took place between 1493 and 1498. But how long is also unclear.
There is also a persistent rumor that America was consecrated with the water from the well of the Customs House in San Sebastian. In addition, Columbus was said to have an affair with Beatriz de Bobadilla, the island's then ruler. But how it really was, we will never know….
