Up until two hundred years ago CHIPUDE , served by the bus between San Sebastián and Valle Gran Rey, was La Gomera's largest town. Today only the relatively large sixteenth-century Iglesia de la Virgen de la Candelaria , dominating the central plaza, hints at the former importance of the town.

This picturesque mountian village is thought to be the oldest village on La Gomera. It comes alive each summer for the annual fiesta when the villagers celebrate their patron saint on the 15th August, Chipude is the attraction of the whole island during the fiestas with street processions, parties and dancing to music palyed by the local groups and bands.

Beside it, a couple of bars serve basic food and provide accommodation Bar Pensión Sonia on the plaza offers excellent, hotel-quality en-suite rooms, sometimes playing host to large hiking parties.

Large dishes of gofio stand on tables in its restaurant, ready for the good, if basic, food, off a menu that's limited to one soup and one main course every night. Bar Navarro next door is not quite so good value, but still a friendly place to stay or eat tapas.