Sustainable Destinations

1: EL HIERRO (CANARY ISLANDS)

The smallest of the Canary Islands is a haven of sustainability thanks to the revolutionary implementation of renewable energies, innovative recycling programmes and the promotion of electric vehicles.

The extraordinary contrast between the volcanic landscapes, lush forests and wonderful seabeds led to the island of El Hierro being declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2000. Since then, visitors have been invited to discover the natural delights whilst respecting and preserving the environment.
The flagship for their efforts to become a global benchmark is the Gorona del Viento wind/hydro-electric power station, which is a combination of energy generated by wind turbines and that produced by a waterfall between two artificial reservoirs. This innovative plant has already been able to satisfy the island's total demand for electricity during prolonged periods of time. Come and visit it, you'll be really surprised.
Their zero waste policy, harvesting and producing "bio" products and a transport plan based on replacing fossil-fuel vehicles with electric vehicles have made it a true pioneer. El Hierro is an true laboratory for clean energy and ecological awareness campaigns.

This commitment to self-sufficiency and searching for innovative solutions is a part of the history of the island's inhabitants, who since time immemorial have worshipped the Garoé tree, which collects water from the mists which frequently settle over the island. At the San Andrés Visitor Centre, you can learn all about the phenomenon of horizontal rain and all the mysteries surrounding this amazing place.

2: VITORIA-GASTEIZ (ALAVA)

The clean air and the abundance of green spaces in the capital of the Basque Country/ Euskadi provide a good example for other cities.

And it also boasts other attractions, such as a rich medieval past and zero-mile food and wine culture.
Don’t miss its magnificent historical old town, which has preserved its medieval layout, and is home to one of best examples of restoration of Spain’s historical heritage - the Cathedral of Santa Maria, where you can see the restoration work in progress. In 2012 it was declared the Green Capital of Europe, the result of over 30 years promoting sustainable development initiatives.
Take a stroll around the Anillo Verde, or Green Ring, which surrounds the city with a series of large parks, featuring over 79 km of paths and tracks, in addition to rivers and streams, meadows and islands of forest. One of the jewels in the Green Ring is the Salburua Wetlands, a breeding ground for numerous species of birds. Learn about the area's biodiversity in Ataria, a highly original visitor centre located in a unique wooden and glass.

Vitoria is the first urban destination to feature in the Ecotourism Club in Spain, with the Salburua Wetlands and various companies recognised under the Red Natura 2000 Sustainable Nature Tourism Recognition System.

3: LA GARROTXA (GIRONA)

In the interior of the province of Girona (Catalonia) you'll find this unique place: a nature reserve full of volcanoes, craters and basalt lava flows covered by dense vegetation. In the north, in the area called Alta Garrotxa, the landscape is steeper and more rugged.

Delightful medieval towns like Olot are the access points to this surprising countryside which abounds with wonderful hiking routes. Climbing up to the peaks of the Santa Margarida and Montsacopa volcanoes, peering into the crater of the Croscat volcano, and walking through oak and beech forests are unforgettable experiences for any nature lover.

There is a voluntary commitment by the individuals and companies responsible for protected natural areas to adopt the principles of sustainable tourism. Those places are so designated not only because of their extraordinary environmental value, but also because they provide excellent, sustainable services and facilities.
La Garrotxa is also one of the first destinations to join the Ecotourism Club in Spain.

4: LA PALMA (CANARY ISLANDS)

Atmospheric conditions on the island of La Palma make it one of the best places in the world for watching the stars.

This distinction means you can spend whole nights observing the celestial vault like never before. Climb up to the El Roque de los Muchachos Observatory to enjoy an incredible experience. As the sun goes down, a blanket of clouds surrounds the island below the mountain peaks which gives you an amazing feeling of walking in the sky.

More than a third of the island is made up of protected natural areas. Much of the landscape is dominated by shades of black and red, presided over by an enormous 8 kilometre glacial depression, the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The ancient pine forests make for surprising trails on foot or on horseback. Look out to a horizon which looks like a different planet: a huge sea of solidified lava that reaches right to the seashore. This Canary Island treasure is part of Spain's Ecotourism Club, a pioneering initiative providing travellers with experiences that care about the environment and local development.

5: URDAIBAI BIOSPHERE RESERVE (VIZCAYA)

The Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve is part of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism and a member of Spain’s Ecotourism Club. It is a wetland with numerous ecosystems which is home to species of animals and vegetation which are very important for the area's ecological balance, like the osprey, the spoonbill and the bittern.

Make a tour of the reserve and get a closer look at the region's four basic ecosystems, surrounded by fishing villages and the green Basque countryside: Cantabrian oak forest, Atlantic prairies and woods, marshland and open sea. The route has information panels along the way, through really beautiful countryside, with amazing features like the Urdaibai Bird Centre (in the district of Gautegiz-Arteaga), where you'll find all the information you could possibly need on the numerous bird species, you'll be able to see.

Another interesting place to visit is the Euskadi Biodiversity Centre, located in the Madariaga Tower. Apart from learning all about the indigenous flora and fauna, you can also climb up to the lookout point and get a fantastic view of the Isla de Izaro, the Playa de Laida and the marshland.

6: FORMENTERA (BALEARIC ISLANDS)

There is a secret treasure hidden under the turquoise-blue waters around the Balearic Islands: the fields of Posidonia oceanica seagrass, declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. This indigenous Mediterranean plant (said to be the oldest living being on earth, around 100,000 years old) covers 7,650 hectares around the Island of Formentera.

Posidonia is responsible for the transparency and colour of the water, and it is a key factor in oxygenating and maintaining the quality of the marine ecosystem. In this habitat, in the Ibiza and Formentera Ses Salines Nature Reserve, 400 species of plants and 1,000 species of marine animals feed and reproduce. If you come in October you can join in the Save Posidonia Project festival, a meeting point for new projects to defend and promote sustainability and respect for the environment which includes sports competitions, musical performances, yoga, photography, film, workshops...

As dropping anchor here is severely restricted, the best way of enjoying this incredible underwater forest is snorkelling from one of the island's idyllic beaches, like Ses Illetes and Llevant. A truly unforgettable experience.

7: SOMIEDO AND FUENTES DEL NARCEA (ASTURIAS)

The Somiedo Natural Park features high peaks, lakes, forests, mountain pastures and meadows and is an ideal habitat for species in danger of extinction like the brown bear, the wolf and the Cantabrian grouse.

This beautiful part of Asturias is a Biosphere Reserve. it is a member of Spain’s Ecotourism Club, and is certified under the Red Natura 2000 Sustainable Nature Tourism Recognition System. See how the countryside changes with the seasons and discover the actions being taken to conserve it. This paradise for hikers has interesting features like the park's Visitor Centre, located in Pola de Somiedo, an educational and leisure area displaying the region's natural and ethnographic resources. The Brown Bear Foundation also has a Visitor Centre dedicated to this important refuge for the north of Spain's most significant plantigrade mammal. Neighbouring Somiedo is the Fuentes del Narcea Nature Reserve, which is another ideal place for bear watching in Asturias. Both areas have authorised companies that are members of Spain’s Ecotourism Club that offer guided tours to see bears in the wild, contributing to their conservation.

Another protected area is the Muniellos Biosphere Reserve, a member of the Ecotourism Club located in the in the Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Nature Reserve. They show an exemplary commitment to the environment, as can be seen in places where human beings live in harmony with the flora and fauna, like the Muniellos Forest and the Hermo beech forest.