Parador de El Hierro
Las Casas - Las Playas, 15
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El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands. Measuring less than 50 kilometres from end to end, it is a peaceful paradise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The island has been awarded the title of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and is home to natural pools and crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming and diving, as well as huge areas of protected forests inland.
El Hierro is exceptional for its diversity: it has almost 100 kilometres of lush coastline, as well as bays and lagoons such as Charco Manso in the north and Charco Azul in the north-west.
The climate in the Canaries is beautiful all year round. However, if you want to fully enjoy the beauty of the highlands, with their meadows covered in wild flowers, the best time to visit El Hierro is undoubtedly March.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in a seaside holiday, the entire summer is considered high season. The autumn days, always mild, are the right season to get in touch with the local culture and traditions, as there are many popular festivals held during this period.
The volcanic origin of the island has heavily influenced its landscape, which has been shaped by the activities of its volcano.
Admiring unique natural formations is something you cannot miss. Consider that the entire island has been declared a UNESCO Nature Reserve; hence, the main sites to see are the landscapes. Also, don’t forget to get in touch with the local culture by participating in the folk festivals and discovering the handicrafts.
Among the most interesting sights in El Hierro are the Camino de Janama, the island’s most famous footpath, the Charco Azul, a natural swimming pool protected from the waves in a volcanic setting, the Mirador de la Peña, which offers a great view of the north coast and is famous for its restaurant of the same name, and the Valle del Golfo, a fertile valley that is the island’s main agricultural area on the north coast.
Then give a chance to the small villages and towns you will encounter during your holiday, from Valverde, the capital of El Hierro, to tiny Tamaduste, via La Restinga and Puerto de la Estaca.
Although El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands, it has some of the best beaches in the archipelago. Its waters are particularly clean and crystal clear.
The best beaches in El Hierro are in the south of the island, in the Tamaduste area. Don’t forget, if you love snorkelling, to dive into these waters to discover the wonderful sea bed.
These are mostly pebble beaches, with white or dark sand. Among the best is Arenas Blancas beach in the municipality of La Frontera, an uncrowded beach, perfect for those in search of tranquillity. Swimming is not a problem, as its waters are calm and currents are weak. However, this beach is not very well equipped; on the contrary, it is almost untouched. The Bay of Tacoron in the south of the island is also beautiful, a real feast for the eyes and definitely worth a visit. Here the waters of the Atlantic are so calm that they have been given the nickname Mar de las Calmas.
Due to the rocky conformity of the coastline, there are many natural pools in El Hierro, unique places in the world. Among them, the natural pool of La Maceta is located in the north of El Hierro, immersed in a nature reserve, and combines sun, volcanic landscape and ocean, giving new meaning to the word ‘pleasure’. These pools of different sizes are protected from the waves and have become a landmark throughout the island. It is easy to reach the site by car and there is ample parking available.
Find out more about the island’s beaches and natural pools.
El Hierro should be regarded as one of the most unspoilt islands in the Canaries. There are traditional villages, typical festivals and a constant concern for finding the best ways to produce and exploit its resources in a renewable way. One should not be surprised to discover that most activities are related to nature.
El Hierro’s network of trails makes it safe and easy to explore the entire island. The traditional routes are marked and safe, and depending on your level of fitness, you can choose the ones that suit you best.
Among the best is the path from Tamaduste to Roque Las Gaviotas. This is a local path of about 1.8 kilometres that winds along the coast of Tamaduste, offering a relaxing view of the sea as you walk.
Another path is the one from the Punta Grande pier to La Maceta. This is also a path along the coast, overlooking the cliffs.
Although it is the smallest island, El Hierro has many diving spots that will satisfy the highest expectations of any seabed enthusiast. Among the recommended diving spots are the waters of the Mar de las Calmas, where many of the world’s rare species can be seen. If you are a beginner, don’t worry: diving tours are organised even for the most inexperienced.
El Hierro offers perfect conditions for practising this sport, which, besides being loved by locals, is admired by foreigners who come to the island for this very reason. The best place to practice paragliding is in the Valle de El Golfo, where, among other things, official paragliding events are organised annually.
Most of the accommodation in El Hierro is located on the north and east coast of the island, especially around the towns of Frontera, Isora and Valverde. Forget the big hotels and international chain establishments, in El Hierro you will almost exclusively find small flats, residences and rural houses. In fact, there are only four hotels on the entire island.
The supply of beds is commensurate with the number of tourists that come to El Hierro during the year. It is not excessive and we therefore advise you to book well in advance online, especially if you have already fixed your flight or have clear dates when you plan to be on the island. You’ll never be too far from either the coast or the hinterland, but bear in mind that you might prefer accommodation close to the airport if your flight schedule is inconvenient, or seafront accommodation if you plan to relax as much as possible.
You can get to El Hierro by plane from the neighbouring islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Flights and ferries regularly take you to the island at cheap prices. The local Canary Islands company, Binter, operates precisely on these routes.
The advice for getting to El Hierro is therefore to take a direct flight to Tenerife or Gran Canaria with Ryanair or any other low-cost airline and from there travel to El Hierro.
Once in Tenerife you could also opt to reach the island by ferry. The Naviera Armas ferry company reaches El Hierro six times a week from the port of Los Cristianos. The same company connects El Hierro with the island of La Gomera.
What's the weather at El Hierro? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at El Hierro for the next few days.
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