Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of La Palma, the north-westernmost of the main Canary Islands, on the island's east coast. More about Santa Cruz de la Palma →
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93% quieter than a typical day in Santa Cruz de la Palma. Busiest 12:00 – 19:00, when 1 ship is alongside.
Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Santa Cruz de la Palma day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Cruise ships dock alongside on the Dique del Este in the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma, right next to the town. Passengers walk out through the port's passenger terminal (Estacion Maritima) opposite the marina: Avenida Maritima is about 5 minutes on foot and the historic centre around Calle O'Daly and Plaza de Espana about 10 minutes. No shuttle is needed for town.
Cruise-line coaches use two meeting points by the terminal entrance and opposite the marina. Inland sights need a car, taxi or tour.
Estacion Maritima de Santa Cruz de La Palma has no map position yet.
~10 min by car
Walk out through the passenger terminal opposite the marina, then along Avenida Maritima and Calle O'Daly.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Taxi tariffs are regulated and apply island-wide. Example taxi fares by day: about EUR 16 from the airport (9 km) and about EUR 73 to the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.
1 terminal
The port's passenger terminal of about 1,700 m2, built from 1999 in converted port sheds and later enlarged, with ticket offices, waiting area and cafe. It is shared with inter-island ferries, and cruise passengers pass through it towards the town.
Prices are approximate, in EUR. Espresso about €1.20, cafe con leche €1.50–1.80; fresh orange juice about €3. Breakfast is an English breakfast with coffee; lunch is a menú del día. Tapas €5–7.50; dinner mains €10–14.
Seafront promenade by the balconies, a few minutes' walk from the ship, lined with bars and restaurants.
Main pedestrian street of the old town, one block inland, with cafes and shops.
Santa Cruz de La Palma is the capital of La Palma, the north-westernmost of the main Canary Islands, on the island's east coast. Founded in 1493, it grew rich as a port on the route between Europe and the Americas, and its old town is a protected historic ensemble: cobbled streets, the Renaissance Plaza de Espana with the Church of El Salvador, the Calle Real, and the carved wooden double balconies along Avenida Maritima. Beyond town, La Palma is a steep volcanic island and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, known for the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the observatory at Roque de los Muchachos (2,426 m) and some of the world's clearest night skies.
A walk from the ship takes in the Renaissance Plaza de Espana, the Church of El Salvador, the Calle Real, and the carved wooden balconies on Avenida Maritima, the best-preserved set in the Canaries.
A full-size replica of Columbus's caravel beside Plaza de la Alameda, housing a small naval museum; it is within walking distance of the port at the north end of the old town.
A natural balcony at 1,287 m looking into the pine-covered Caldera de Taburiente National Park; about 30 km and 40 minutes by car from the port, with a free parking reservation required in the daytime.
The island's highest point (2,426 m), with views over the Caldera rim and the sea of clouds, and the observatory, which can be visited by day on booked guided tours. About 45 km and 75 minutes each way by car from the port, so it suits long calls or organised tours.