Volcano Tajogaite (Eruption 2021)★★★
On September 19, 2021, a new volcano erupted on the Cumbre Vieja in the west of La Palma — the Tajogaite (named after the old Guanche field name). It was the first volcanic eruption on La Palma since the Teneguía in 1971 and the longest eruption in the recorded history of the Canaries: 85 days, until December 13, 2021.
The lava flows destroyed over 2,900 buildings, buried around 1,200 hectares of land (including valuable banana plantations) under up to 70 m of lava, and created two new lava deltas in the sea, forever changing La Palma's coastline. Around 7,000 people had to be evacuated. Fortunately, there were no direct fatalities.
Today, the eruption area is a surreal lunar landscape — and at the same time, a place of deep concern for the island's inhabitants. The lava fields can now be visited in several places:
The Mirador del Time (594 m) on the LP-1 offers the best overview of the entire destruction area from above — the lava flow is clearly visible as a black band between the green banana plantations. From the LP-212 (road to Las Manchas), you can drive directly to the edge of the lava field. Guided tours (from about 25€) explain the volcanology and tell the stories of the affected families.
The Centro de Interpretación del Volcán in El Paso (opening 2024) documents the eruption with films, seismograms, and personal accounts.
💡 Tipp
Treat the eruption area with respect — for many Palmeros, it is a place of loss. Do not photograph inhabited ruins up close. Guided tours (e.g., via La Palma Natural Tours) are significantly more informative than a self-visit and support local guides.
Achtung
Entering the lava fields off marked paths is strictly prohibited. The surface is extremely unstable (lava tunnels can collapse), partially still hot, and the sharp-edged lava causes severe cuts. There are regular rescue operations due to careless tourists.
