Step outside in the morning and let the first rays of sunshine creeping over Roque de los Muchachos tickle your nose.
Take a few steps through the garden, pick some fresh herbs for your morning tea as you pass by, and then pause for a moment to take a few deep breaths and let your gaze wander over the breathtaking landscape to the sea, accompanied by the morning concert of birds, frogs and the buzzing of the first bees.
Sounds corny? It is. And it's also fantastically beautiful. You can't really buy dreams, but this finca in the north-west of La Palma is an exception.
If you've always dreamed of living in and with nature, this dream can now come true in a very special way...
On the outskirts of the municipality of Santo Domingo de Garafía, in the district of La Mata, lies this almost three-hectare (29.320 m²) finca, which has been lovingly and expertly restored, renovated and, in some cases, completely rebuilt by a German couple over the past few years.
It has a residential building (approx. 80 m² floor space) which is divided into a spacious and wonderfully cosy kitchen-diner, a bedroom and a bathroom. The complete renovation was carried out in 2021 in accordance with German standards:
o New foundations with protection against rising damp
o 30-50 cm thick, heat-insulating brick exterior walls
o Roof with rock wool thermal insulation
o High-quality, double-glazed wooden windows with insect screens
o A traditional masonry heater, built by an Allgäu stove builder, provides the living/dining area with kitchen and the adjoining bathroom with cosy warmth when needed
o Separate wood-burning stove in the bedroom
o Completely new water/sewage pipes
o Completely new electrical wiring and installations with high safety standards
o High-quality bathroom/kitchen fittings (from Hansgrohe and Axor)
o Stylishly furnished with custom-made solid wood furniture
o Kitchen and dining table made of tea wood (hardwood from La Palma)
o Kitchen with gas hob and electric oven (by Smeg), refrigerator and dishwasher
o Cold storage cabinet for food
o Built-in brick cupboards that match the interior design style
o Bedroom with fold-down desk and walk-in wardrobe
o Large windows offer views over the green hills to the sea.
o The ceiling height is 2.75 m, and a covered terrace with outdoor kitchen extends the living space.
o A utility room attached to the house contains a Bosch/Junkers hot water heat pump with a 250-litre hot water tank, a photovoltaic system with 4 kWp module output and 14 kWh lithium iron phosphate batteries, and a large fridge-freezer.
o A natural sewage system (grease separator and plant-based sewage treatment system) and separate composting toilet for environmentally friendly waste disposal, as well as separate black water pipes, are available.
In the immediate vicinity is a cosy guest apartment (approx. 38 m² floor space), which was completely rebuilt in 2022 from old Canarian-style farm buildings. It consists of a combined sleeping/living area and a large bathroom. In detail:
o New foundations with protection against rising damp
o Natural stone walls at least 50 cm thick
o New roof with cork insulation
o High-quality, double-glazed teak doors and windows with insect screens
o High-quality wood-burning stove
o Completely new water/sewage pipes
o Completely new electrical wiring and installations with high safety standards
o Stylishly furnished with custom-made solid wood furniture
o Kitchenette with stove, oven and refrigerator
o Covered outdoor terrace
o Large bathroom with shower and natural stone sink
o Electric boiler for hot water supply
o Washing machine
There is also an old Canarian building on the property with natural stone walls and a teak roof truss, which could be completely renovated. It is registered as a residential building.
There are other very useful buildings and facilities for running the finca as an agricultural business:
Workshop for repairs and craft work with adjoining tool shed and wood store
o Completely rebuilt in 2023
o Floor space approx. 10 m²
o With shelves and workbench
o Newly installed lighting and electricity
o Adjacent small tool shed for garden tools
o Covered storage area for drying approx. 16 m³ of firewood
Rainwater harvesting and rainwater management
o Rainwater from all sealed surfaces can be collected and used for garden irrigation during dry months
o Rainwater collection basin
Water tank
o Approx. 78,000 litre drinking water tank, approx. 50 m² floor space
o Connection to gallery water (high-quality drinking water), rented
o Tank can also be used as a rainwater storage tank
Ponds
o A large pond with approx. 50,000 litres and a smaller pond complement the water management system and are home to birds (canaries, mosquitoes, chaffinches...), dragonflies, butterflies, fish and frogs.
o The fish ensure that there are no problems with mosquitoes.
Carport 1 with caravan
o Carport (floor space approx. 52 m²) with outdoor kitchen
o Well-maintained, large caravan with 4 permanent sleeping places, bathroom, kitchen and dining area
o Electricity and water connections available
o Composting outdoor toilet
o Separate access road
Carport 2 for caravans
o Carport with outdoor kitchen and a floor space of approx. 37 m²
o Water connection available
o Separate access
Greenhouse
o For growing seedlings and year-round cultivation
o Approx. 13 m² floor space
o Adjacent to the south side of the water tank
o Electricity available
Chicken enclosure
o Large chicken enclosure (approx. 220 m²) with a small chicken coop and existing trees protects the chickens from birds of prey and provides sufficient shade
Goat/sheep shed
o Shed for keeping goats and/or sheep with adjacent pasture of approx. 1 hectare
o Animal feed is plentiful
Garden
o Large, productive chestnut trees, over 100 years old, provide an abundance of chestnuts in autumn
o Old, productive walnut tree
o Approximately 25 apple trees (various varieties) provide a delicious harvest.
o Landscaped edible ‘forest garden’.
o Banana circle with a so-called heat trap.
o Already planted trees/shrubs
o Kiwi, apple, pear, apricot, peach, sweet cherry, avocado, plum, fig, olive, mulberry, persimmon, mango, banana, papaya, passion fruit, guava, orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin, hazelnut, pecan, macadamia, prickly pear cactus...
o Kitchen herb garden directly next to the house
o Vegetable beds laid out next to the house with abundant vegetable yield
o Sufficient additional vegetable growing areas available
o Very good location for growing berries
o Raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants already planted
o Many native and supporting trees
Sufficient firewood available.
Project description
The finca is a forward-looking self-sufficient project (based on permaculture principles) in the municipality of Garafía in the northern part of La Palma. Nestled in the island's green landscape, surrounded by lush laurel forests and steep, breathtaking mountain slopes, this project aims to achieve a sustainable and self-sufficient way of life. It stands for a harmonious interplay between nature, people and technology – a place of regenerative agriculture, ecological living and innovative environmental practices.
The finca provides a home for many creatures. Creatures that nourish and support each other. A place where everyone can experience themselves as a valuable part of the whole.
The almost 3-hectare site consists partly of terraces and steeper sections. Much of it is covered with native trees (laurel forest), and part of it is used as pasture land.
The property is also ideal for communities. In addition to the existing residential building and guest apartment, there is a small ‘casita’ that can be officially renovated and officially inhabited without a major building permit (‘obra menor’ is sufficient). There are two carports, one of which includes a well-maintained caravan (sleeps 4) with an outdoor kitchen for accommodating guests, volunteers (‘Woofern’) ...
The various buildings are spread across the property and have their own access roads, which provides sufficient privacy.
Holiday homes can be built on the entire property.
The project's priorities are water conservation, erosion control, soil improvement/conditioning, and shifting the land towards ecologically balanced systems and self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables for the residents. Surplus harvests can be used to produce value-added products such as jams, tinctures and sun-dried fruit for exchange and sharing.
Sustainability and ecological orientation
The project focuses on a regenerative agricultural concept that not only produces food but also protects and improves natural resources. Biodiversity is promoted through the targeted use of permaculture techniques such as mulching, composting, soil improvement with microorganisms, manure, ‘worm tea’ and natural irrigation systems. Closed cycles have been created in which food, energy and water are used sustainably and in a resource-efficient manner.
Location description
La Palma, also known as ‘Isla Bonita’, is one of the most unspoilt islands in the Canaries. The north of La Palma is characterised by its lush vegetation and Mediterranean climate.
This green region of the island is ideal for self-sufficient living: it has a flat topography for La Palma and sufficient rainfall. A small rural oasis in one of the most extensive and sparsely populated regions of La Palma. Known for its unique laurel forests and remarkable biodiversity. Here, nature shows itself in all its splendour.
The finca is located in the municipality of Garafía, near the village of La Mata, at an altitude of 1,080 metres with fantastic views of the green surroundings and fertile pastures. The view of the sea on the horizon is unobstructed.
Water supply and water management
Water is life! In this project, great importance was attached to collecting water on the property and feeding it into the soil.
Currently, precipitation in the winter months is collected from the roofs of the houses and fed into a large pond via a network of pipes.
Rainwater – which would otherwise run off – is diverted from the adjacent neighbouring property into a large pond (approx. 50,000 litres) via so-called ‘spillways’.
The grey water used in the house is also filtered through a plant-based purification system and returned to nature after being recycled.
A large, covered tank (approx. 78,000 litres) serves as a water reservoir and is currently supplied with rented gallery water of the highest drinking water quality.
The system can be converted with little effort (pipes are already in place) so that rainwater is stored in the large tank and the finca's drinking water supply is provided by a small water tank (still to be built).
Energy supply
The energy supply is 100% self-sufficient thanks to a modern photovoltaic system for generating electricity and is absolutely reliable and sufficient (there is enough sun). The finca is not connected to the public electricity grid.
Various basic stoves and wood-burning stoves provide the residential buildings with pleasant warmth even in the cooler months. There is sufficient space for drying and storing firewood.
Agricultural use
o Large areas for growing fruit and various types of vegetables
o Berry production (raspberries, blueberries, currants, etc.)
o Herb gardens for growing medicinal herbs and spices
o Mushroom cultivation
o Small animal husbandry (chickens for manure, soil cultivation and eggs)
o Sufficient stables and pasture land for keeping goats/sheep
o Biological composting and mulching methods for soil remediation and improvement
Despite this heavenly seclusion, everything is within easy reach...
The location is easily accessible from Santa Cruz de La Palma, Los Llanos and other important places, yet at the same time offers peace and seclusion.
o Sabores Market: In addition to fruit, vegetables and goat's cheese from the region, on Sundays you can also find freshly baked bread, cakes and other delicacies here. The market is also a meeting place and a place to socialise, approx. 3 km away.
o Petrol station with bar and small DIY store, approx. 3 km away.
o Llano Negro with small supermarket and car repair shop, approx. 4 km away.
o Playa de Callejoncito: Beautiful, very clean and uncrowded small bathing bay with crystal clear water. Ideal place for swimming and sunbathing approx. 12 km
o Puertito Santo Domingo: Another natural beach with swimming facilities and a magnificent view approx. 15 km
o Puntagorda with organic shops, supermarkets, restaurants (including vegetarian/vegan cuisine), DIY stores and all school facilities approx. 15 km
o To the natural swimming pools of La Fajana, which can be used almost all year round approx. 30 km
o To the sandy beach with marina in Tazacorte approx. 39 km
o To the secret island capital of Los Llanos de Aridane approx. 42 km
o To the international airport approx. 67 km
Who is the finca suitable for?
o People who live in harmony WITH and IN nature and want to consciously shape their living environment and live independently
o Self-sufficient people, nature lovers, those seeking peace and quiet, permaculturists...
o People who are interested in sustainable living and organic farming and want to realise their potential
Communities: It is possible to build a community with like-minded people – with your own private living areas and communal spaces. Living and working together in a healthy natural environment with opportunities for retreat.
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