The island, like the entire Canary archipelago, after being visited by the Phoenicians and the Romans, was forgotten during most of the medieval period.

It was rediscovered after some expeditions carried out by the Genoese, Portuguese and Spanish; the latter settled there after the 15th century, during the spread of Catholicism.

Initially, a peaceful conduct, of tolerance and respect for tribal autonomy was adopted on the island, but the cruel governorship of Hernan Peraza triggered a local revolt which was repressed with blood, and which effectively marked the end of the independence of the tribes.

The island later became a fundamental stop for Christopher Columbus, who stocked up on water and food here before attempting to reach the East via the West, which led to his discovery of America in 1492. After Columbus' voyages, the city of San Sebastian de La Gomera, thanks to the sheltered position of its bay, became an important stopover for merchant ships that needed to reach the new world.

During the following centuries the island repelled some pirate incursions; starting from the 19th century it developed an intense agricultural activity based on the cultivation of the "platano canario" banana, which reached its peak during the first decades of the 20th century.

Unlike the other Canary Islands, La Gomera did not experience the invasive building boom of the 70s and 80s, which is why the authenticity, the magic of the primordial forests and the originality of the residential areas have remained those of the past.