Breña Alta Holidays: La Palma Viewpoints, Beach and Climate
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 7,092 residents · on the coast
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Breña Alta is a small town of around 7,100 people on the eastern side of La Palma, set at about 329 metres above sea level yet still close enough to the coast to reach the sand in minutes. For British travellers its great advantage is access: La Palma airport, which has direct flights from the United Kingdom, lies roughly 2.5 miles away, a drive of about three minutes. Within a mile and a half you have two viewpoints, Mirador del Risco Alto and the Airport Viewpoint, plus the family-friendly Playa Los Cancajos. Summers are close to rainless, winters stay mild at around 20°C, and the island's capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, is only 2.5 miles down the road.
Why go
- La Palma airport is about three minutes away by car, with direct flights from the United Kingdom.
- Playa Los Cancajos, a family-friendly beach, sits roughly 1.5 miles from town.
- July and August see barely any rain, with daytime highs of 28 to 29°C.
Top sights in Breña Alta
Viewpoints and a Beach Close By
The sights around Breña Alta are few but very close. Mirador del Risco Alto, a viewpoint about 1.5 miles from town, is the one to start with, looking out over the island's green eastern flank. A little further, at around 1.7 miles, the Airport Viewpoint gives you a view across the runway and coast, which makes a pleasant quick stop on arrival or before a flight home.
For time by the sea, Playa Los Cancajos lies about 1.5 miles away and is the nearest beach, well suited to families. Tours and tickets for activities around the area can be booked directly on this page.
Tours & tickets in Breña Alta
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Breña Alta can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Breña Alta
Hillside Town or Coastal Base
Breña Alta itself is a quiet, small hillside town at around 329 metres, so staying here means calm evenings and a short drive down to the coast. If you would rather wake up near the water, the area around Playa Los Cancajos, about 1.5 miles away, is the natural coastal option.
For more life in the evenings, Santa Cruz de la Palma, the island capital with roughly 15,700 residents, is only 2.5 miles away. This page shows live hotel prices for Breña Alta and the surrounding area, so you can compare a hillside stay with a base nearer the sea.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Breña Alta and the villages around it is a hire car from La Palma (SPC), about 3 min away.
Best time to visit Breña Alta
When to Visit Breña Alta
- 20°CJan88 mm
- 20°CFeb43 mm
- 22°CMar45 mm
- 23°CApr30 mm
- 23°CMay50 mm
- 24°CJun82 mm
- 28°CJul1 mm
- 29°CAug2 mm
- 25°CSept49 mm
- 26°COct45 mm
- 24°CNov50 mm
- 20°CDec70 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are April, May, July and August. April and May bring highs of around 23°C with only seven rainy days each, while July and August are the warmest and driest of the year, with highs of 28 to 29°C and roughly one day of rain apiece.
August is the hottest month, with nights still around 21°C. The wettest period is winter, January especially, with about 88 mm of rain over 13 days, though daytime temperatures hold at around 20°C. June is worth noting too: despite being early summer it averages 82 mm of rain across 12 days, so it is less reliable than the months either side of it. Autumn stays warm, with October highs of about 26°C.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20°C | 14°C | 88 mm | 9 h |
| Feb | 20°C | 13°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 22°C | 14°C | 45 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 23°C | 15°C | 30 mm | 12 h |
| May | 23°C | 15°C | 50 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 24°C | 17°C | 82 mm | 12 h |
| Jul | 28°C | 19°C | 1 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 21°C | 2 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 25°C | 18°C | 49 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 26°C | 19°C | 45 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 24°C | 17°C | 50 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 20°C | 14°C | 70 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Ferries and Arrival
La Palma airport (SPC) is the obvious gateway, around 2.5 miles from Breña Alta, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive from the terminal takes roughly three minutes, which makes this one of the quickest transfers you will find anywhere in Spain.
If you are combining islands, ferries from Los Cristianos on Tenerife sail to La Palma, as well as to San Sebastián de la Gomera and El Hierro. Los Cristianos is about 77 miles from Breña Alta as the facts measure it, so think of it as an inter-island link rather than a way in from the UK; there is no drive from Calais to an island holiday, of course.
By air
- La Palma (SPC)2 miles, about 3 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (77 miles).
Breña Alta is good for
Around Breña Alta
Exploring La Palma from Here
Neighbouring Breña Baja is barely a mile away, and Santa Cruz de la Palma, the island's largest nearby town at around 15,700 people, is 2.5 miles off. Puntallana, a small place of about 2,400 residents, lies roughly 6 miles to the north.
Crossing to the west of the island, El Paso is about 6 miles away and Los Llanos de Aridane, the biggest town on the list with around 20,200 people, roughly 8 miles. Beyond it, Puerto Naos sits about 9 miles away, Tazacorte around 9 miles and Tijarafe some 11 miles, giving you a good spread of options for a day out.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
At around 329 metres, Breña Alta sits above the coast, so evenings can feel fresher than down by the beach, with winter lows of 13 to 14°C. Pack a light layer even in a warm month.
With only about 7,100 residents, this is a quiet town rather than a resort; for a wider choice of evening options, head to Santa Cruz de la Palma, 2.5 miles away. And because the nearby towns are spread across both sides of the island, car hire from the airport, just three minutes away, will make day trips far easier.
Questions people ask
How far is Breña Alta from La Palma airport?
La Palma airport (SPC) is roughly 2.5 miles from Breña Alta, and the drive takes about three minutes. That makes the transfer almost instant, which is a real advantage on short breaks or when arriving late in the day.
Can I fly direct from the UK to La Palma?
Yes. La Palma airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, and it lies only around 2.5 miles from Breña Alta. Once you land, you can be at your accommodation within minutes rather than facing a long transfer.
What is the best month to visit Breña Alta?
April, May, July and August are the most pleasant. Spring brings highs of around 23°C, while July and August are almost dry, with about one rainy day each and highs of 28 to 29°C. January is the wettest month, though still mild.
Is there a beach near Breña Alta?
Playa Los Cancajos is the nearest beach, about 1.5 miles from town, and is considered family-friendly. Breña Alta itself sits at around 329 metres on the hillside, so you will need a short drive down to reach the sand.
Is Breña Alta warm in winter?
Winters are mild rather than hot. From December to February daytime highs sit around 20°C, with nights of 13 to 14°C. Expect more rain than in summer, with January averaging about 88 mm over 13 days.
Can I take a ferry to La Palma from Tenerife?
Yes. Ferries from Los Cristianos on Tenerife sail to La Palma, as well as to San Sebastián de la Gomera and El Hierro. It is a useful option if you want to combine La Palma with a stay on another Canary Island.