.png)
One of the first questions I found myself wondering after racing through La Palma? Where is La Palma filmed? Because wherever it is, I want to go there… minus the deadly volcano, of course.
The four-part Norwegian series is just as gripping as it is breathtaking. If you haven't already binged it all in one sitting, the show follows a family who head to the Canary Islands for a tropical Christmas. However, when a giant volcano on the island starts bubbling up, their sunny vacation threatens to turn into “the largest natural disaster humanity has ever seen." Yes, it is the holiday disaster series we never knew we needed. And yes, La Palma looks stunning… you know, before it's covered in ash and lava.
So, where is La Palma filmed? (And, follow up question, how safe is it to go there?)
Cumbre Vieja, La Palma
La Palma is set on the real island that sits off the west coast of Spain's mainland. Often referred to "Isla Bonita," La Palma is a popular holiday destination filled with beautiful sandy beaches, stunning hikes, and, yes, an active volcano ridge, known as Cumbre Vieja.
Netflix's new series did film at the real volcano that set off the chain reaction of disastrous events in the show — although, of course, it didn't actually erupt while they were filming.
However, the volcano did erupt in late 2021 — the eruption continued for months and wreaked havoc on the southern half of the island, destroying 3000 buildings and over 70kms of roads. Seven thousand people were evacuated and one person died as a result of inhaling gas. (No tsunamis though!)
Labranda Isla Bonita Hotel, Tenerife
The cast and crew spent much of their time on the island of La Palma itself, but for some scenes, they shot on the neighbouring island of Tenerife.
The island's Labranda Isla Bonita Hotel served as the set for the interior shots of the resort where the main family stay during their time on La Palma.
The luxurious resort has everything you'd expect from a Canary Islands hot spot — bars, pools, entertainment, terraces, and, of course, stunning views.
H10 Taburiente Playa, La Palma
If you fell in love with the outside of the beautiful resort (before it was turned into debris, of course) then you may want to check out H10 Taburiente Playa.
This hotel served as the exterior of the resort. With its three gorgeous pools overlooking the blue ocean and its impressive facade, it's easy to see when this hotel was the perfect setting for an idyllic island holiday.
Although we don't get to see inside the hotel in La Palma, rest assured that it's just as good on the inside as it is on the outside. The resort features chic, cosy interiors with ocean views, a buffet restaurant, and three bars. And yes, it's also a great spot to visit if you're interested in trying some scuba diving.
From Thailand to Tenerife.
Playa de la Arena, Tenerife
La Palma used this famous Tenerife beach for a scene in episode 1 when Alma Günther's Sara heads to the beach to find her brother, Tobias (Bernard Storm Lager).
At this point in the show, La Palma is still looking picturesque, and Playa de la Arena is the perfect sunny setting. The black sand beach in Tenerife has become a tourist destination thanks to its beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and calm waters for swimming. But be warned, this beach is one of the most popular spots on the island, so it does tend to get busy.
La Palma Airport
As things get more heated (pun intended) in La Palma, visitors flock to the La Palma airport in a desperate attempt to get off the volcanic island. In the series finale, the airport becomes a major plot point as it becomes clear that not everyone will be able to hitch a flight back to the mainland.
The cast and crew shot in the real airport, so, if you ever visit La Palma, you may recognise the runways and the terminal. (Hopefully it won't be quite so chaotic IRL.)
During the 2021 volcanic eruption on La Palma, the airport was actually shut down as a result of damage. Since then, it has fully reopened.
