San Sebastian, Valle Gray Rey and Vallehermoso

SAN SEBASTIAN on the East coast is the island's largest town, capital, port, administrative centre and home to a quarter of the native population.  There are many beautiful 15th century Spanish colonial buildings including the Torre del Conde and the well where Christopher Columbus took on fresh water at his last port of call on his trip to discover the Americas.  The well is situated in the tourist office in the town centre. Also worth visited is The Parador, once the home of the Count of La Gomera and now a hotel which has been beautifully restored and has stunning views across the channel to Tenerife.

VALLE GRAN REY on the West coast is the closest thing to a proper resort mainly because it has the island's longest and best beach. Comprising 4 little hamlets spread over 1½ miles it is backed by spectacular soaring mountains. Although directly accessible by hydrofoil from Playa de Santiago the approach by road down the massive steep-sided valley makes the trip by road well worthwhile. Apartment developments are rapidly popping up along the beach and the infrastructure to support tourism developing in a similar pace.  The majority of tourists in Valle Gran Rey are German although English is spoken in most shops and restaurants.

VALLEHERMOSO is located on the southwestern and northwestern coasts of the island. Its capital, the town of Vallehermoso on the north coast, is linked with a main highway encircling every part of the island and is located WNW of the island capital, San Sebastián de la Gomera. Vallehermoso is the second largest municipality in the area. Farmlands are in the valley areas and the mountains and the hills dominate the inland areas. Part of the area is made up of farmlands, while the mountainous areas are forested or grassy. The  main industries are agriculture and tourism.  The area is also famous for its miel de palma (palm honey), as well as tomato, potato and banana production. The municipality features a rock-formed mountain Los Organos which is made up of basalt rocks. Mountaintops include El Cercado and La Fortaleza or Chipude. The natural beauty of the mountain area forms a part of the Garajonay Park. Directly on the coast of Vallehermoso is an interesting feature, a cultural centre named El Castillo del Mar, located in an old banana factory which was used until 1950 as a centre for concerts, cinema and folklore music. Due to severe gales the road to El Castillo is currently impassable.