Caldera de Bandama Volcanic Crater

The Caldera de Bandama is a volcanic crater just outside Las Palmas, about twenty minutes from the city centre. The basin is roughly 200 metres deep and more than a kilometre across, and hiking paths run around it and down into it, so you can see the crater as a landscape rather than just a view. From the rim the scale becomes clear, with the green floor of the bowl far below and the city and sea in the distance on a clear day. Visiting is free, and it is an easy add-on to a day in the capital. The best approach is to take the viewpoint stop first for the panorama and then decide whether you want a longer walk around the rim or down the slope.

The rim walk takes less time and gives the best views. Bring sturdy shoes, as the surface can be stony and uneven.\n\nWhen to go: morning and late afternoon bring softer light and cooler temperatures, which matters because there is little shade on the slopes.

The viewpoint can be windy, so bring a light layer even in warm weather. On clear days the views reach toward the sea and the city, while cloud and haze can limit the outlook, so check the sky before you drive up.\n\nHow to combine it: Bandama sits on the way between Las Palmas and the interior, so it fits naturally into a day that includes Vegueta and the nearby botanical gardens, or into a road trip toward the central peaks.

If you are driving, plan the stop as a short break of an hour or so, and if you want to walk the crater, give yourself two.

Several day tours of the interior include a Bandama viewpoint stop, but the site itself is free to visit on your own.\n\nPractical tips: carry water, a hat and sun cream, wear closed shoes with grip, and keep children and pets close to the edge areas. There are few facilities on the rim, so take snacks with you.

As with any volcanic landscape, stay on marked paths and respect any signs, and check for current access information from the tourism board before you go.\n\nWhy it works: Bandama gives you a sense of the island's volcanic origins in an hour or two, close to the capital and free to visit.

The view from the rim and the paths into the crater make it a good first walk for people who are not ready for the longer mountain hikes. Compare it with the Roque Nublo hike for a high-altitude challenge, or use it as a warm-up on a day that continues to the interior. Allow time for photographs from the rim, where the shape of the bowl is clearest, and consider walking just a short section of the path if the heat is strong.

Anyone with a hire car can combine the crater with the botanical garden area and a coffee stop on the way back to the city, which makes a neat half-day loop.