Charco Azul

Top choice in La Palma


Creatively designed Charco Azul is a blending of moulded concrete with natural volcanic rocks. The effect is stunning, especially when the waves are whipping up: a series of natural-looking saltwater pools with sunbathing platforms and a walkway between them. Bus 100 (€2.40) regularly runs from Santa Cruz de la Palma to Los Sauces where you can change to bus 104 from Los Sauces to Charco Azul (€1.50, 10 minutes, three daily).

If going by car, Charco Azul is located 6km northwest of San Andrés on the LP-104 highway. You can walk between Charco Azul and San Andrés along the coastal path; from San Andrés walk down the steep slope of Calle Abajo to the cove, cross the bridge and keep heading north. Bus 4 runs from Los Sauces to Charco Azul via San Andrés.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby La Palma attractions

1. Iglesia de San Andrés

0.58 MILES

Sitting at the quiet heart of San Andrés, this church has its origins in 1515 and was one of the first churches the Spanish conquerors built on the island…

2. Parque Arqueológico de El Tendal

1.48 MILES

With a new and very informative exhibition centre with touchscreen displays, this museum and cave complex at the side of the LP-1 road to Los Sauces was…

3. Piscinas de la Fajana

2.96 MILES

At these calm – and calming – saltwater pools, frothy sea waves pound just beyond the concrete barriers. About 5km east of Barlovento, on the LP-1 highway…

4. Iglesia de la Encarnación

8.16 MILES

This lovely church dates to around the 15th century and was the first to be built in Santa Cruz after the Spanish conquest. One way to reach it is to…

5. Castillo de la Virgen

8.17 MILES

This modest 17th-century castle is more like a simple fortress that was built as a defence against piracy. The castle looks out over lovely views of the…

6. Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves

8.24 MILES

For splendid views down the valley to Santa Cruz, put aside time to tackle the 4km uphill hike north of town to La Palma’s main object of pilgrimage, the…

7. Museo Naval

8.25 MILES

Gaze north across leafy Plaza de la Alameda and you may think Christopher Columbus’ ship, the Santa María, became stranded here. This is actually the city…

8. Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos

8.27 MILES

The huge telescopes on the peak of Roque de los Muchachos belong to the island’s astronomical observatory, one of the world’s best places to study the…