El Hierro, the wild little island of the Canaries

The viewpoints of El Hierro

To get a good idea of El Hierro and the diversity of the island's landscapes, there's nothing like getting up high. The roads of El Hierro are dotted with numerous viewpoints, each more beautiful than the last. At an altitude of almost 650 metres in the north of the island, the La Peña viewpoint, designed by César Manrique, is a must-see. It offers an impressive panorama of the El Golfo valley (a huge crater that has collapsed in on itself) and the ocean. You can also admire the view from the Mirador del Golfo, the Mirador de Jinama, the Mirador de Bascos or the Mirador de la Montaña Colorada.

On the east coast, you can admire the wooded cliffs plunging into the ocean from the Isora and Las Playas viewpoints. In the distance, the silhouette of Tenerife and La Gomera can be seen. In the south, the viewpoints at El Julán and Tanajara are well worth a visit. To admire the sunset, head for the Punta Orchilla lighthouse. The Pico de Malpaso is the island's highest viewpoint, perched at an altitude of 1,550 metres.

El Hierro's beaches and natural pools

We don't go to El Hierro to enjoy the beaches, although we do manage to find a few nice coves where you can relax in the sun, such as La Restinga and Las Playas. The small beach of Tacorón is one of the most popular with the locals. Between the rocks, it is caressed by a gentle breeze and the sea is almost always calm. Near the cove is the famous Cueva del Diablo, an impressive cave enclosing a beach. Be careful though, as when the water reaches its highest level, it covers the entrance, preventing any access.

The best way to swim in El Hierro is in the natural pools, known as "charco" in Spanish. They offer calm waters, sheltered from the waves and currents of the Atlantic, with a view of the horizon. The best known are the Charco Azul, the Charco de Los Sargos and the Charco de La Maceta.

The Garoé tree site

The island of El Hierro was once inhabited by a people known as the Bimbaches. They considered the Garoé tree to be sacred, as the leaves of this lime tree held the water from horizontal rainfall and providedwater for the entire population of the island. The phenomenon of water rising from the ocean to higher altitudes via the trade winds is known as "horizontal rain". The tree was used until the 15th century, when the colonists arrived, and became the symbol of El Hierro. Unfortunately, the original tree was uprooted by a hurricane in the 17thcentury, but replaced by another in 1949.

Today the site houses an interpretation centre that informs visitors about the importance of the Garoé tree and the horizontal rain phenomenon that can still be observed on foggy days. You can learn about the aboriginal culture of the Bimbaches at the El Julán Cultural Park.

The traditional villages of El Hierro

El Hierro has a population of just over 10,000, so there are no real towns but rather a multitude of small traditional villages. Its capital, Valverde, is the only one of the Canary Islands not to be by the sea, and it boasts some lovely monuments.

Many fishing villages are well worth a visit, such as El Pinar, La Estaca and La Restinga. Tiny hamlets such as Llanillos, Pozo de las Calcosas and Tiñor, the island's smallest village, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. El Monacal is the oldest village on El Hierro, and its typically Canarian architecture is sure to charm. To the west, the village of Sabinosa is very isolated and has managed to preserve its traditions. Guinea is a village museum where you can discover ancient dwellings.

A tour of the villages will allow you to discover El Hierro's handicrafts and sample the local cuisine based on fresh fish and quesadillas. Try the herreño cheese soup, a local speciality. The wines of El Hierro are also highly reputed, benefiting from the volcanic soil, steep slopes and sunny, humid climate. There are numerous bodegas throughout the island.

The best walks in El Hierro

El Hierro will capture the hearts of hiking enthusiasts with its 250 kilometres of trails through varied, wild landscapes ranging from juniper forests to lush green plains and steep cliffs offering breathtaking views of the sea. From easy strolls to more challenging routes for experienced hikers, there's something for everyone. If you're looking for something quiet, we've got just what you're looking for. At Punta Grande, a two-and-a-half kilometre walk follows the coastline through volcanic rock: simply magnificent!

A hike in the Mencafete Nature Reserve will allow you to discover the Sabinar. Here, in a silence interrupted only by the sound of the wind, juniper trees several metres tall have resisted the gusts of wind for centuries. This hostile environment has given them a very special appearance...

Scuba diving in El Hierro

The marine fauna of the Canaries includes more thana thousand species, including 500 species of fish, 80 species of marine mammals and five types of marine reptiles. In 2011, an underwater eruption completely remodelled the seabed at El Hierro, creating new faults and caves and even underwater mountains, attracting a new, dense and varied fauna, making itone of the best scuba diving spots in the archipelago.

Divers of all levels can enjoy the calm, warm waters of the La Restinga Marine Reserve, with visibility of almost 30 metres! On the shore, you can spot crustaceans, sole and moray eels. At greater depths, you can spot rays and barracudas. If you're lucky, you may spot schools of dolphins, tuna,swordfish and even turtles or sharks.

✈️ How do I get to El Hierro?

El Hierro airport is a 10-minute drive from Valverde. The airstrip is too small for charter flights from abroad and is therefore only used for local air traffic from the other Canary Islands.

There are also ferries to El Hierro from Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Los Cristianos in Tenerife and San Sebastián de La Gomera. The ferry companies serving El Hierro are Naviera Armas and Fred Olsen. It is advisable to book in advance, especially in high season, as timetables and availability may vary.

🚌 How do you get around El Hierro?

Although there are a few buses on the island of El Hierro, getting around by public transport is complicated. The easiest way to get around El Hierro is to hire a car (check a car hire comparator to find the best prices).

👉 When should you go to El Hierro?

El Hierro's climate is mild all year round, with temperatures fluctuating between 19 and 24 degrees and very little rain. If you're coming to go scuba diving, the fauna may vary according to the season, but you'll find plenty of fish in the waters all year round.