La Gomera: a natural and magical paradise
If you’re looking for a place that feels truly different, La Gomera is where nature and tradition come together in a unique way. As one of the smallest Canary Islands, it offers an authentic and peaceful atmosphere, perfect to explore during your work placements in Spain.
Despite its size, the island is incredibly diverse. You’ll find lush forests, deep valleys, dramatic cliffs, and hidden beaches, all within short distances. This makes it ideal for short trips after work or weekend getaways, allowing you to experience a lot without needing to travel far. The climate is mild all year round, making it an ideal destination whenever you want to take a break from your daily routine and reconnect with nature. 🌱 Sounds like the kind of break you need after a busy workday, right?
Getting around the island is quite simple. Renting a car is the most flexible option if you want to explore different areas in a short time, but local buses are also available and connect the main villages. This makes La Gomera an accessible destination even if you are travelling on a budget.
One of the island’s highlights is Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers a large part of the island. Walking through its ancient laurel forests feels almost surreal, with misty paths and a magical atmosphere that makes every hike unforgettable. Another must-see is Los Órganos, spectacular cliffs that look like giant organ pipes rising from the ocean — a view you won’t easily forget. These natural formations are best seen from the sea, adding an extra sense of adventure to your experience on the island. ⛵
Discover the unique culture of La Gomera
La Gomera is not only about landscapes — it also has one of the most fascinating cultural traditions in the Canary Islands. The island is famous for the Silbo Gomero, a unique whistled language that was traditionally used to communicate across valleys. Developed by the island’s early inhabitants and later adapted by locals, this system allowed people to send messages over long distances, especially in areas where the terrain made normal communication difficult. Can you imagine communicating just by whistling across a valley? Even today, it remains an important part of the island’s identity and is taught in schools to preserve this unique heritage. 🙏
Hearing it in real life is a truly unforgettable experience and offers a deeper insight into the island’s culture — something that makes your work placements in Spain even more authentic and meaningful.
But La Gomera’s culture is not only something to learn — it’s something you experience during your day trip. It may start on a quiet Saturday afternoon in Valle Gran Rey, when you realise you’ve been sitting at the same bar for two hours and somehow that feels completely normal. Nobody’s rushing off anywhere. You start to let go. 😎
Then you lace up your boots and follow a trail into the forest of El Cedro, where the trees rise around you and the outside world seems to vanish. When you finally reach Chorros de Epina, the only sound is water. The place is famous for its seven wooden water spouts, and you stand there for a while, not really thinking about anything, just listening to nature.
On the way back, you stop at Degollada de Peraza and look out over the island — valleys, ocean, silence. And suddenly it hits you: this is exactly what you needed. A reminder that not everything has to be optimised. It’s the kind of perspective that’s hard to find and even harder to forget.
Outdoor activities in La Gomera during your work placements in Spain
La Gomera is a paradise for outdoor lovers. Hiking is by far the most popular activity, with trails that take you through forests, valleys, and along dramatic cliffs with incredible views. You can find routes for every level, making it easy to enjoy the island at your own pace, so that whether you prefer a relaxed walk or something more challenging, there’s always a trail waiting for you. ☀️🌴
If you’re looking for something different, you can also explore the island by bike, go horseback riding, go diving or explore the coastline by kayak, discovering hidden caves and cliffs from a completely different perspective. One of the most unforgettable experiences is whale and dolphin watching 🐬, as the waters around the island are home to a rich variety of species.
To plan your adventures and discover hidden spots around La Gomera, you can check the official tourism website: https://www.lagomera.travel/en/
Including La Gomera in your journey will make your work placements in Spain more exciting, combining professional growth with moments of adventure, discovery, and pure connection with nature.
Our S-W-E-P interns explore the neighbour island! A real experience in La Gomera
During our work placements in Spain, we had the opportunity to explore the nearby island of La Gomera, travelling there directly from Tenerife. The journey was incredibly easy — just a 30-minute ferry ride across the ocean. With frequent ferry connections between the two islands, even a spontaneous day trip is completely possible. It felt amazing to discover such a peaceful and beautiful place so close by.
Once we arrived, we rented a car to make the most of our time and explore the island freely. Our journey began in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the island’s charming capital, before continuing towards Hermigua. Along the way, we stopped for a walk surrounded by banana plantations, avocado trees, and vineyards — a simple but authentic introduction to the island’s natural beauty. 🍌🥑🍇
We then continued towards Agulo, a small village known for its incredible views. Not far from there, we reached the black sand beach of Playa de la Caleta, where we took a break, enjoyed fresh local food, and just relaxed by the ocean — one of those moments where you genuinely don’t want to leave. ☺️
Our next stop was Las Rosas, where we visited the Centro de Visitantes Juego de Bolas and learned more about Garajonay National Park. Driving through the park was one of the highlights of the day: misty forests, quiet roads, and viewpoints opening up to breathtaking landscapes, with views stretching all the way to La Palma and Tenerife.
Back on our way to San Sebastian we walked up to the huge statue of Jesus which seems to watch over the city. From this hill we enjoyed fantastic views to San Sebastián de La Gomera and to Tenerife with its huge volcano Teide. 🌋 Before catching the ferry, we spent some time wandering through the town, picking up souvenirs and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. The day ended back in Los Cristianos, with a calm evening by the sea, still thinking about everything we had seen.
We would definitely recommend visiting La Gomera during your work placements in Spain — it’s an easy way to add something different, spontaneous, and truly memorable to your experience abroad. ✨🥰
If you’re planning your trip, you can check ferry schedules and prices here:
https://www.directferries.com/
⚠️ Have in mind: many car rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old or even older.
La Palma: a hidden gem to explore during your work placements in Spain
La Palma is the fifth biggest and the most north-westerly of the Canary Islands. On this island there are no big resorts, no crowded beaches, no queues. What La Palma has instead is forests that go on for longer than you’d expect, volcanic landscapes that make you feel genuinely small, and a pace of life that slows you down whether you want it to or not. For anyone doing their work placements in Spain, it’s the kind of weekend trip that reminds you there’s a whole island — actually, several — right on your doorstep.
Often called “La Isla Bonita,” the island lives up to its name with lush forests, volcanic landscapes, and a peaceful atmosphere that instantly makes you slow down and enjoy the moment. 🌿 It’s the perfect place to balance your professional experience with relaxation and exploration in nature.
Nature lovers will find some of the island’s greatest treasures in Caldera de Taburiente National Park. This impressive natural area is known for its dramatic landscapes, deep ravines, and extensive network of hiking trails. Spending time here allows you to fully disconnect from routine and immerse yourself in one of the most unique natural environments in Spain.
And let’s not forget the food. 😋 During your work placements in Spain, La Palma gives you the chance to discover local flavours in small, authentic restaurants. From traditional dishes made with simple ingredients like potatoes, chickpeas, and garlic, to delicious almond-based desserts, every meal becomes part of the experience.
Discover local life and traditions in La Palma
Life in La Palma is deeply connected to nature, and one of the best ways to experience it is simply by exploring. Beyond the main highlights, the island is full of hidden trails and lesser-known spots that make every free day feel like a small adventure.
One of the most rewarding experiences is hiking to the Cascada de Colores, a unique waterfall coloured by minerals that create red and orange tones — a place that feels almost unreal when you see it in person. You can also explore coastal paths with stunning ocean views, walk through volcanic landscapes, or reach natural viewpoints that are often completely uncrowded. Even a short hike can turn into one of the highlights of your trip. 🥾
At the same time, these experiences naturally connect with local life — passing through small villages, stopping for traditional food, or simply enjoying the slower rhythm of the island. This balance between exploration and everyday life makes your work placements in Spain more immersive, helping you experience La Palma in a more genuine and memorable way.
Sporting activities in La Palma during your work placements in Spain
Exploring La Palma also means making the most of its natural environment. The island offers a wide variety of outdoor activities that suit different interests and levels of experience, but if you like hiking, La Palma will keep you busy for as many weekends as you have. The trails here are serious — routes like the Ruta de los Volcanes take you across ancient lava fields with views that stretch all the way to the ocean, and the paths through the northern forests feel like walking through somewhere completely untouched. You’ll often go hours without seeing another person, which after a busy week at work feels like exactly what you needed.
But it’s not all about hiking. The waters around La Palma are clean and calm enough for swimming or diving, and if you’d rather slow things down completely, an afternoon of fishing by the coast does the job just as well. 🎣
If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, paragliding on La Palma is a great way to see the island from a different perspective. 🪂 You glide over volcanic landscapes, deep ravines, and the ocean, getting a real sense of how diverse the island is. It’s a calm but special experience that lets you simply enjoy the island from above.
The point is that La Palma gives you options — and whichever one you choose, you’ll come back to work on Monday feeling like you actually used your weekend. Including these activities in your internship can make your work placements in Spain even more enriching, combining professional development with unforgettable travel experiences.
El Hierro: a peaceful escape during your work placements in Spain
Most people doing their work placements in the Canary Islands have never heard of El Hierro. It doesn’t come up in the usual conversations about where to go on a weekend, and that’s exactly what makes it worth going. It’s the smallest of the islands, the quietest, and in many ways the most surprising — the kind of place that makes you wonder why you didn’t go sooner.
The island’s landscape is incredibly diverse despite its small size. In the centre, a lush plateau is covered with pine forests, almond groves, and other native vegetation, while the coastline is shaped by steep cliffs and volcanic formations. The northern areas are characterised by fertile land used for wine and fruit cultivation, whereas the south reveals a more rugged scenery dominated by lava fields and small volcanoes. This contrast makes El Hierro a fascinating place to explore in your free time. Every part of the island feels different, and that’s exactly what makes it worth exploring. ✨🌿
One of the things that stands out most is how seriously El Hierro takes sustainability. 🌍🌺 The island has become a global reference for renewable energy thanks to the innovative Gorona del Viento hydro-wind power plant, a system that combines wind and hydro power to cover a large part of the island’s electricity needs. At times, El Hierro is able to run entirely on renewable energy, significantly reducing its environmental impact. You can feel it when you’re there. The air is clean, the natural spaces are protected, and it’s genuinely inspiring to see what a small community can do when it decides to do things differently. 🩵
This commitment goes even beyond energy. El Hierro promotes responsible tourism, limits overdevelopment, and protects its natural spaces, which are part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve network. The island also encourages sustainable mobility, local agriculture, and the preservation of traditional lifestyles, creating a balance between human activity and nature. 🌿
Spending a weekend on El Hierro during your internship is the kind of experience that stays with you, because you will come back to work on Monday with a clearer head and a fresh perspective.
What to see and experience in El Hierro
There are a few places in El Hierro that are hard to forget. Faro de Orchilla, at the south-western tip of the island, was once considered the end of the world — and standing there at sunset, 🌅 with no light pollution and the Atlantic stretching out in every direction, it’s not hard to see why. It’s one of those spots where you genuinely lose track of time.
El Sabinar is something else entirely. It’s a forest of juniper trees that have been twisted and bent by decades of wind into shapes that look almost sculptural. You walk through it and it feels like nothing you’ve seen before. And then there’s El Garoe — a single tree that, according to local history, once provided water to the entire island by capturing moisture from the air. It sounds like a myth until you’re standing in front of it.
Beyond these highlights, El Hierro is all about raw and untouched nature. From volcanic landscapes and natural swimming pools formed by lava to quiet coastal paths, the island offers countless opportunities to explore at your own pace. On clear days, you can even enjoy sweeping green landscapes with views stretching all the way to Mount Teide in the distance, a reminder of how connected and diverse the Canary Islands really are. It’s the kind of place where even a simple walk can turn into a memorable experience, especially during your work placements in Spain.
Outdoor activities in El Hierro during your work placements in Spain
El Hierro is a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The island’s unspoilt nature creates the ideal setting for activities such as hiking, which allows you to explore its volcanic landscapes, forests, and coastal paths at your own pace. Whether you choose a short walk or a full-day hike, you’ll often find yourself completely surrounded by silence and nature, far from crowded tourist routes.
The island is also considered one of the best diving destinations in Europe. Thanks to its crystal-clear waters and protected marine areas, places like La Restinga offer incredible underwater visibility and a rich variety of marine life, including colourful fish, rays, and even occasional sea turtles. For beginners, snorkeling is just as rewarding, especially in natural pools and calm coastal spots where you can easily explore the underwater world close to shore. 🤿
Above the water, the island offers just as much. Paragliding here means launching off dramatic cliffs and gliding over volcanic landscapes with the Atlantic stretching out below you — one of those experiences that puts everything into perspective. If you prefer something more grounded, you can spend an afternoon fishing with locals or discover Lucha Canaria, the traditional Canarian wrestling that has been part of island culture for centuries. These aren’t tourist attractions — they’re genuine ways to connect with a place and the people who live there.
If you’re interested in combining travel and professional experience, you can explore opportunities with our hotel internships in the Canary Islands, maybe you can find the right internship position here:
https://www.s-w-e-p.com/en/hotel-internship-vacancies/
Including a destination like El Hierro in your journey can make your work placements in Spain more meaningful, combining professional development with authentic and less conventional travel experiences.
