The Canary Island off the beaten path: How La Palma avoided mass tourism
El Hierro, the wildest and most westerly of the Canary Islands, has chosen a different approach to tourism compared to its neighboring islands. With a population of around 11,000, El Hierro’s stunning landscapes and limited infrastructure have kept mass tourism at bay. The island only received approximately 20,300 visitors in 2023, in contrast to Tenerife’s 6.57 million.
El Hierro has been focused on sustainable development since 1997, gradually increasing visitor numbers while preserving its culture and natural resources. The island boasts a unique topography with fertile valleys, evergreen forests, sky-high cliffs, volcanic cones, and lunar-like badlands. It is home to over 100 endemic species of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered El Hierro giant lizard.
Visitors to El Hierro can explore ancient hiking trails, world-class diving spots, and natural volcanic rock pools. The island’s commitment to sustainability is evident in projects like the Gorona del Viento wind-pumped hydropower station, which aims to meet all of the island’s energy needs from renewables.
El Hierro’s long-term goal is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with plans to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. The island has received recognition for its environmental policies and is a role model for renewable energy projects worldwide. As the sun sets over the vast ocean from the Faro de Orchilla lighthouse, El Hierro maintains its wild, edge-of-the-world charm that sets it apart from other destinations.
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Laura Johnson is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied Environmental Science, Policy, and Management with a concentration in sustainable agriculture. Her research focuses on climate-smart agriculture and resilience strategies for farming communities. Laura works as a sustainability strategist, helping farms in the US transition to practices that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.