Tijarafe, La Palma: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Canary Islands · Spain · 2,648 residents · on the coast
Tijarafe is a small municipality on La Palma, in the Canary Islands, home to around 2,648 people. The village sits 623 metres above sea level, yet the municipality reaches down to the coast, where the sea cave beach of Cueva de Candelaria lies about a mile and a half away. Getting here from Britain is simple: La Palma airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom and is roughly an 18-minute drive away. The climate is mild all year, with summer highs in the low twenties Celsius and almost no rain in July. It suits travellers who want a quiet base rather than a resort strip.
Why go
- Cueva de Candelaria, a family-friendly beach set in a sea cave, lies about 1.4 miles away.
- July brings 0 mm of rain and highs around 22°C, ideal for settled summer weather.
- La Palma airport, with direct UK flights, is only around 18 minutes away by car.
Top sights in Tijarafe
Sea Caves and Island Walks
The headline sight is Cueva de Candelaria, a beach about 1.4 miles from the village and tagged as suitable for families. It is the one point of interest the facts single out for Tijarafe, and it makes a natural first outing on any stay.
Beyond that, the appeal lies in the island around you. Guided tours and activity tickets for this part of La Palma can be booked directly on this page, so you can line up excursions before you travel.
1beachCueva de Candelaria
1 mile from the centre · Photo
Tours & tickets in Tijarafe
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Tijarafe can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Tijarafe
A Quiet Base Above the Coast
With a population of around 2,648, Tijarafe is a quiet place to stay rather than a lively one. The village itself sits at 623 metres, so expect an upland feel, with the coast and Cueva de Candelaria a short drive below.
If you prefer more shops and restaurants close at hand, Los Llanos de Aridane, the largest nearby town at about 4 miles away, is an alternative base, while Puerto Naos, roughly 8 miles away, is a small coastal settlement. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Tijarafe and the villages around it is a hire car from La Palma (SPC), about 18 min away.
Best time to visit Tijarafe
When to Visit Tijarafe
- 18°CJan43 mm
- 17°CFeb21 mm
- 19°CMar31 mm
- 21°CApr3 mm
- 20°CMay15 mm
- 21°CJun23 mm
- 22°CJul0 mm
- 24°CAug1 mm
- 21°CSept10 mm
- 22°COct31 mm
- 20°CNov55 mm
- 18°CDec59 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are July, August and October. July is the driest of the year with no recorded rainfall and highs around 22°C, while August is the warmest, reaching about 24°C by day and staying near 21°C at night. October holds on to 22°C highs, though showers begin to return.
The wettest stretch runs from November to January, with December the dampest at around 59 mm of rain and January seeing about 8 rainy days. Winter remains mild, with daytime highs of 17°C to 18°C, which makes the island an option for winter sun, if not guaranteed dry weather. Sea temperatures are not recorded in our data.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 14°C | 43 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 17°C | 13°C | 21 mm | 11 h |
| Mar | 19°C | 14°C | 31 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 21°C | 15°C | 3 mm | 12 h |
| May | 20°C | 15°C | 15 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 21°C | 17°C | 23 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 22°C | 19°C | 0 mm | 13 h |
| Aug | 24°C | 21°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 21°C | 18°C | 10 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 22°C | 19°C | 31 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 18°C | 55 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 18°C | 15°C | 59 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and Ferries From the UK
The nearest airport is La Palma (SPC), about 13 miles from Tijarafe, and it has direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive from the terminal takes roughly 18 minutes, so car hire on arrival is the simplest way to reach the village.
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 around 87 miles from Tijarafe.
By air
- La Palma (SPC)13 miles, about 18 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Los Cristianos (87 miles).
Tijarafe is good for
Around Tijarafe
Day Trips Around La Palma
Los Llanos de Aridane, about 4 miles away and home to some 20,000 people, is the nearest sizeable town, with Tazacorte around 4 miles off and El Paso about 6 miles away. To the north, the small municipality of Garafía is around 8 miles away, as is the coastal village of Puerto Naos.
The island capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, lies about 11 miles away, with Breña Alta and Breña Baja at a similar distance, making a full day on the far side of the island an easy drive.
Tips from Robin
Practical Tips for Your Stay
At 623 metres, the village sits well above the shore, so allow time to drive down to Cueva de Candelaria and back. Pack a light layer for winter evenings, when lows fall to around 13°C or 14°C.
Tijarafe is a small community, so for wider shopping and dining you will likely head to Los Llanos de Aridane. A hire car makes the most sense here, given the airport transfer and the spread of nearby towns.
Questions people ask
What is the nearest airport to Tijarafe?
La Palma airport (SPC) is the nearest, about 13 miles from Tijarafe. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, and the drive to the village takes roughly 18 minutes, so it is a straightforward transfer once you have collected a hire car.
Is there a beach near Tijarafe?
Yes. Cueva de Candelaria is a beach set in a sea cave, around 1.4 miles from the village, and it is noted as suitable for families. Bear in mind that Tijarafe itself sits 623 metres up, so you will drive down to the coast.
What is the weather like in Tijarafe in winter?
Winters are mild, with daytime highs of about 17°C to 18°C and lows near 13°C to 15°C. It is also the wettest time of year, with December the rainiest month at around 59 mm and January seeing roughly 8 rainy days.
When is the best time to visit Tijarafe?
July, August and October offer the most pleasant conditions. July is completely dry on average, August is the warmest month at about 24°C, and October stays around 22°C before the wetter months from November set in.
Can I reach La Palma by ferry from Tenerife?
Yes. Ferries from Los Cristianos on Tenerife run to La Palma, as well as to La Gomera and El Hierro. Los Cristianos is about 87 miles from Tijarafe, so it suits travellers combining several Canary Islands in one holiday.