San Sebastián de la Gomera

La Gomera's capital in every way – economically, bureaucratically and historically – seaside San Sebastián centres on a delightful historic core with shaded plazas, sun-bleached pastel-painted buildings and pedestrian-friendly streets sprinkled with shops, cafes and restaurants. Its main claim to fame is that Christopher Columbus stayed here on his way to the New World, and the explorer's every footstep (real or imagined) in the town has been well documented for visitors. If you’ve just hopped off the boat from Tenerife's Los Cristianos, shift down a gear or two: slow-paced San Sebastián feels a world away from its neighbour across the water.