The Valley of the Great King, or Valle Gran Rey, is La Gomera’s main tourist area. In line with the island’s policy to develop a more discrete, sustainable tourism that on the other islands, however, the town is a small collection of hotels and houses next to the dock. Relaxation is obligatory in this resort, located at the mouth of one of La Gomera’s spectacular gullies.

The valley owes its name to the fact that these were the lands of the most powerful King on the island before the Spanish arrived. The name is now extended to a whole borough of the island centred on this valley.

The borough as a whole is made up of steep slopes, sharp gullies and long, winding roads. The land has been systematically stepped over the years, showing the hardiness of the islanders in their quest to grow crops. Thanks to these steps there the borough is a paradise for walkers.

Man made sites worth seeing, in the meantime, include the San Nicolás de Tolentino chapel in Arure and the La Adoración de los Reyes chapel. Both chapels date back to the 16th century.

Also worth visiting in the area is the “César Manrique” restaurant, located in a spectacular viewpoint at the head of the Gran Rey Valley. It’s worth visiting just to have a look at the building itself and to see the view of the whole of the Great King’s Valley.

A visit to the Valley of the Great King, combined with a trip to La Gomera’s national park and a morning in the capital of the island, San Sebastián de La Gomera, is an excellent way to get to know this mysterious island off the south coast of Tenerife.

Extr: The valley owes its name to the fact that these were the lands of the most powerful King on the island before the Spanish arrive.

La Gaceta Hotel