Remo Beach
Black sand, ghost hotel, and crystal-clear Atlantic solitude
About
Playa del Remo sits on La Palma's west coast, a compact sheltered cove where volcanic black sand meets crystal-clear Atlantic water. The beach is framed by a vegetation-reclaimed cliff on one side and the dramatic skeleton of an abandoned hotel on the other — a ruin that nature is slowly swallowing back into the rock. It's quiet here, genuinely so, with few visitors even in peak season. The atmosphere is atmospheric and a little melancholy, the kind of place that stops you mid-step. Romantic, raw, and unlike any postcard version of a Spanish beach.
How to get there
From Tazacorte, the drive takes around 10 minutes; from Los Llanos de Aridane, allow about 20 minutes. A road descends to the cove, and there's a small informal free parking area near the beach. Ferry connections via Naviera Armas also serve the area, with crossings ranging from 110 to 330 minutes depending on your route. There is no entry fee.
Who it's for
For couples
The sheltered cove, quiet atmosphere, and the eerie beauty of the ruins make this one of La Palma's most genuinely romantic spots — bring a picnic, stay for sunset, and you'll likely have the black sand almost to yourselves.
For families
The lack of lifeguards, absence of facilities, and variable sea conditions mean families with young children should approach with caution — check conditions carefully before letting kids near the water, and treat this more as a scenic stop than a full beach day.
Our take
Feet in the sand, eyes on the screen
Playa del Remo is not a beach you visit for sunbeds and chiringuitos. It's a place you visit because La Palma still has corners that feel genuinely undiscovered, and this is one of them. The abandoned hotel is the hook — visually arresting, historically loaded, and a reminder that the island's west coast has its own complicated story. Stay out of the structure; that's non-negotiable and the building makes that clear the moment you see it. Swim with care and only when conditions allow — no lifeguard means you're on your own out there. But if you come on a calm June afternoon with a camera and nowhere to be, the black sand, clear water, and cathedral silence of this cove will do something to you that busier beaches simply can't.
What to do
Just 2.5km away, Los Baños del Charco Verde offers a natural coastal bathing experience worth combining with your visit. The Mirador El Charco, 3km out, gives you elevated views over this stretch of La Palma's west coast. Further afield, the Tajogaite Volcano — site of the dramatic 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption — is 10km away and now open for guided visits to the lava fields, while the vast Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 18.8km inland, rewards anyone willing to venture deeper into the island.
The crumbling hotel facade half-consumed by cliff vegetation is the standout frame — shoot from the sand looking up for maximum drama.
The contrast of jet-black volcanic sand against crystal-clear water at the shoreline makes for a striking low-angle composition. At golden hour, the west-facing aspect floods the entire cove in warm light that makes both the ruins and the water glow.
Where to eat
Kiosco La Charca is the closest option, just 0.1km from the beach — ideal for a quick bite before or after your swim. For a sit-down meal, Cape Nao Pool Bar and the Cape Nao restaurant, both around 3.8–3.9km away, offer Mediterranean menus with west-coast atmosphere. Mosaico and La Hacienda, also within 4km, round out the local dining options if you want Mexican or more Mediterranean fare.
Where to stay
The nearest accommodation options are a cluster of apartment-style stays in the Tazacorte area, starting with Apartments La Palma at 3.8km. Apartments Martin, Apartments Atlantico Playa, Apartments Playa Delphin, and Apartments Roque are all within 4.5km, making self-catering the natural choice for a stay on this quiet stretch of coast.
Photography
The abandoned hotel ruins against the vegetation-reclaimed cliff are the defining shot — come in the golden hour before sunset when the west-facing cove catches warm directional light. For wide compositions, position yourself at the waterline with the dark volcanic sand in the foreground and the ruined structure rising behind.
Good to know
Do not enter the abandoned hotel structure under any circumstances — it is structurally unsafe. There are no lifeguards and no facilities on the beach, so come self-sufficient with water, sun protection, and a first-aid kit. Always check sea conditions before swimming, and avoid the beach entirely in December, January, and February when west coast winter swells make the water unsafe. The informal parking area is small, so arrive early during summer months if you want a spot.
Map
Nearby places
Kiosco La Charca
Cape Nao Pool Bar
Mosaico
Cape Nao
La Hacienda
Apartments La Palma
Apartments Martin
Apartments Atlantico Playa
Apartments Playa Delphin
Apartments Roque
Playa de Tazacorte
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
Tajogaite Volcano (2021 eruption site)
Things to see around Tazacorte
Playa de Tazacorte
Main black-sand beach of Tazacorte with chiringuitos and local atmosphere.
Caldera de Taburiente National Park
Massive volcanic caldera and national park with dramatic gorges and laurel forest.
Tajogaite Volcano (2021 eruption site)
Site of the 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption; guided visits to the lava fields now available.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Reinhard Kraasch · source · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo 2 — Kurt-Georg · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 3 — Kurt-Georg · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 4 — Kurt-Georg · source · CC BY-ND 2.0