Introduction to El Hierro
El Hierro is one of the Canary Islands located in the Atlantic. It was considered the smallest and least populated island of the archipelago, until 2018, when La Graciosa was renamed the eighth island, with El Hierro becoming the eighth. the second smallest.
This small territory stands out for having become the first island in the world to be completely supplied by renewable energieswhich enabled it to be declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000.
El Hierro has also become the world's first smart island The island's wifi access is available in almost every corner of the island, making it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.
For all these reasons, if you are looking to get away from the tourist crowdsbut at the same time you want to benefit of the sun and the seaenjoy the best local gastronomyto know the seabed that surrounds us, strolling among natural landscapesand appreciate views like no other, el Hierro is the perfect destination that will only leave you wanting more.
In this article we will recommend our favourite places on the island so that you can get to know it in depth, no matter how many days you decide to stay.
However, it should be noted that one of the reasons why the island of El Hierro is known is due to the wonders found in its seabed, so if you are thinking of coming to El Hierro, you should consider coming to enjoy the diveswe recommend that you plan to be two or three more days so that you can get to know the rest of the island without any problems.
DISCLAIMERS
Connectivity & Transport
Now, before introducing you to these emblematic and characteristic places of our island, it is important to make a few small clarifications that may help you when booking your trip.
Among them, we would like to mention that one of the few disadvantages of this island is that it has poor connectivity.
There are no direct flights to El Hierro from the mainland.You have to go through the airports of Gran Canaria or Tenerife to get there. You have the option of travelling by boat or by plane, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The aircraft will allow you to reach Valverde, the island's capital, in just a few minutes. 43 minutes from Tenerife, and about 55 minutes from Gran Canaria.. The price of the flight will depend more on the airline you choose to travel with than on the date.
In this case, we recommend the low cost line, CanaryflyYou'll get flights for much less than half the price of other airlines.
Despite the speed of the flight, the disadvantage is that it deprives you of a car. El Hierro is a small island, but It will take you at least three days to walk the entire route.and the car is always the most convenient and fastest way.
While there is the option of renting one upon arrival, the island has BUS LINES that will allow you to move between the different municipalities, having access to them regardless of whether you dock at the port or land at the airport.
Bus departure times vary between 15-40 minutes.There are some lines that have different timetables depending on the months in which you choose to travel, for example, Route 4, which runs along the Circunvalación de la Frontera, has a different timetable during the summer months (July to September).
Even so, taking the bus is a fairly accessible option for everyone, and has a range of vouchers so that you can choose the best option according to your stay plans.
The other option to get to El Hierro is to go by boat from the port of Los Cristianos in the south of Tenerife, with the company Naviera Armas. It has 6 trips a day at different times with a duration of about 3 hours, and facilitates the option of travelling by car.
It is important to remember that although travelling by car is the most comfortable way to travel, public transport will always be the best way to reduce the impact of our ecological footprint on the destination.
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Now we're talking! Now that we've made our explanations clear, we'll go on to highlight our favourite spots in this beautiful corner of the Canary Islands. All of them have their own peculiarities that will make you feel how special this incredible island can be.
The Orchilla Lighthouse.
We start with the Orchilla Lighthouse because it deserves the first special mention. Everyone who visits it agrees that it is the best place on the island to contemplate the skythanks to the tranquillity of being in front of the Atlantic Ocean.
In addition, it has been considered officially as anot one of the 10 best places in Spain to watch the sunsetThis makes it an essential visit if you travel to this island.
Geographically, the lighthouse is located to the west of the island, but it is a common expression in the area to say that it is .To get there you have to cross a tiny road, which is no longer asphalted at the last stretch of the route.
It is easily accessible by car, but on the unpaved part you have to go slowly, which is something you should be thankful for, because this way you can enjoy the views more.
La Dehesa de Sabinosa.
To this place se enter through the Sanctuary of the Virgen de los ReyesThe route of the Faro de la Orchilla, patron saint of the island, as well as the route of the Faro de la Orchilla lighthouse, easy to reach by car.
However, it is worth noting that this route is preferably walk it on footIt is much more beautiful and you will enjoy the trails and views much more than you would by car.
El Sabinar is accessed from La Dehesa.The history of this place has made it one of the favourite places to visit. Here, you can find several junipers bent by the force of the wind that represent for this island the adaptation to adverse conditions.
It is important to bear in mind that are highly prized and cherished monuments because of the rarity of their composition.The treatment they received from tourists has led to the choice of protect their specimens.
The most famous of these is already protected by ropes to prevent us from approaching and damaging it.
On the other hand, it is very interesting to note how this Sabina herreña, just mentioned, was cover on the album by the former Queen guitaristBrian May, who also expressed his frustration at the treatment he was receiving from tourists.
The Garoé tree.
The Garoé tree is also known as the sacred tree of El Hierro. In El Hierro, there are no fountains, springs or rivers, which makes the history of this emblematic tree even more special.
It was worshipped by the Bimbache, the ancient inhabitants of the island, because of its leaves.The water supply is based on the use of water from the reservoirs, which are capable of collecting enough water to supply the entire population.
Sadly, in the 17th century it was demolished It was not until 1949 that it was replaced by the one we can see today.
This place has a interpretation centre in which we can find all the information related to its historical and archaeological importance.
If you like hikingThis place is the right place to enjoy a journey through time, travelling through the marvellous history of this sacred site, the Herreños were so fond of him that they created a 16-kilometre trail in his honour, called La Ruta del Agua and which begins and ends in San Andrés, with the aim of informing the population and tourists about the history of water on the island.
El Mirador de La Peña.
The La Peña viewpoint is the most visited viewpoint on the island for the spectacular views they offer us at any time of the day, but above all, for the spectacular views they offer us at any time of the day, but above all, for the sunset so unique that it lets us seeThe island's most famous landmark, which cannot be seen in the same way from almost any other point on the island.
Your 700 metres above sea level The views overlooking the valley of The Gulfas well as the Roques de Salmor, and the vineyards and orchards that extend all the way to the coast.
This viewpoint is located to the north of El Hierro, in a locality called Guarazoca. It comes hand in hand with a restaurant called "Mirador de César Manrique Restaurant".Both were built by the same architect.
Thanks to its construction based on natural materials such as stone and woodand its location surrounded by gardens, this place has a special charm which, if you have already travelled to Lanzarote, you will notice immediately, as it is the island where this architect was born.
In addition, it is uniquely designed to those who visit the viewpoint of La Peña, can taste the best local food.as well as the most diverse cocktails on the island.
El Mirador de Jinama.
The Jinama viewpoint is another incredible work left to us by César Manrique, which, from the outset, gives us to understand how its location is completely integrated into nature.
Like the La Peña viewpoint, this one also offers a marvellous view of the El Golfo area, but the most special thing about this viewpoint is that it is located at the top of the hill.us 1230 metres above sea level, gives us a view of La Palma like nowhere else on the island..
It is located in the centre-east of the islandand begins one of the oldest trails on El Hierro, the Jinama Roadwhose paths lead us to La Frontera.
El Mirador de Las Playas.
Located at north of the island and a 20-minute drive from Valverde.This viewpoint provides views of the sea from the seafront. more than 1000 metres above sea level.
From here, you can make out some of the most important scarce beaches that make up the island of El Hierro. In the distance, you can also see the Parador de Turismo of El Hierroas well as the incredible Roque de La Bonanza.
The special thing about this viewpoint is that, if we are lucky and catch a day without fog, We can also catch a glimpse of the marvellous curves of Tenerife and La Gomera, which will leave you speechless.
Which plan to follow on your holidays?
Don't miss the Experience Hiking along the Volcanoes Route
Enjoy a special route through the volcanic lava of the island of El Hierro that will allow us to admire a unique landscape of the Canary Islands.
If you want to live a unique and environmentally friendly experience, and also get to know with a guide one of the most significant natural landscapes of the youngest island of the archipelago, reserve your place for a guided tour.
Tacorón Cove.
The puddles with crystal clear water are one of the best things that El Hierro has to offer, but a calm sea to relax on this beautiful island like the Tacorón is also worth a visit.
El Hierro is the island with the fewest beaches compared to the rest of the Canary archipelago, but The Cala de Tacorón is, without a doubt, one of the best.
It is located in the south-west of the islandIts charm lies in the fact that it has the calmest sea all year round.
It is a small beach that will dazzle you with its colour contrast, thanks to the blue of the sea that blends with the black of the sand.
This beach is easy access via the roadThe route is so long that you can plan a route that starts or ends in this place.
La Restinga.
Having mentioned the Tacorón, it is essential that we also name the village of La Restinga.
Here, you can enjoy the fresher fish You can also enjoy a day of relaxation on the beaches and in the nearby natural pools.
La Restinga is the southernmost point, not only of El Hierro, but also of the whole of Spain.. It is the perfect place if you are looking to immerse yourself in the fondo marino around us, because here there will be numerous DIVE CLUBS that will allow you to explore the famous Sea of Las Calmas.
Moreover, not only get away from the big tourist centresThe harbour breakwater makes this area the ideal place to enjoy a day at the beach with the family.
The blue puddle.
It must be said that the blue puddle, is one of the island's bathing areas that can hardly be described in words..
Its name gives away the wonders it has to offer and it is NECESSARY to travel here and admire the beauty of this place, considered one of the most spectacular in the whole archipelago.
Located in El Golforepresents one of the multiple forms left by the lavagiving the island the gift of their turquoise waters and protected by a rocky outcrop sculpted by the sea itself.
It is of easy access on footThe disadvantage, however, is that it is the best known puddle on the island, it is difficult to find peace of mind in it.
However, it is absolutely essential that you take a dip in its crystalline waters, as a place like this born of nature itselfyou won't find it in many places.
La Maceta.
Next to Charco Azul, La Maceta is likely to be the most popular natural pool on the island. Located to the northThe space is made up of a large natural pool which is the ideal place to enjoy a day out alone, with friends or with the family, as it also has a smaller puddle for the little ones to enjoy and do not be aware of the intimacy of the ocean.
Unlike Charco Azul, where comfort for sunbathing is not one of its qualities, La Maceta It has a picnic area and barbecue facilities, as well as an easily accessible car park.
They have been adapted with stairs and railings to allow greater access, as well as to ensure the safety of visitors.
In short, it is a corner sculpted by nature that not only satisfies the greatest of whims for a sunny day, but is also the best plan to disconnect thanks to the relaxing sound of the waves, as well as the emblematic landscape that surrounds it.
El Roque de La Bonanza.
The Roque de la Bonanza, another essential place to visit and which is known for being one of the most important natural icons of El Hierro.
It is a rock formation 200 metres above sea level which has been eroded and shaped by water and wind.
It is obvious that it does not have an easily interpretable figure, which is why it has become tradition that anyone passing by can spend some time playing at making sense of it.
It is located at southwest of the islandThe island, in the bay known as the Natural Monument of Las Playas, and its peculiar birth as a result of the eruptive activity of the Tiñor volcano, began to form part of the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Spaces in 2000.
Los Roques del Salmor.
Once again, if what we are looking for is an appreciation of the small peculiarities that this volcanic island has left us, The Roques del Salmor are one of your guaranteed stops..
The location of its rocks makes you think that they look like basins detached from a necklace on the edge of the cliff, which has turned this area into a natural treasure that serves as protection for seabirds and the famous giant lizard of El Hierro..
You can visit located between the municipalities of Frontera and Valverde, and has been listed as Special Protection Area for birdsThe endangered species that use these small rocks to nest.
La Caleta.
La Caleta is a small town located on the east coastwhich provides the opportunity to spend the day in its three artificial pools of different depths so that everyone can enjoy the one that suits them best..
It also has access to the open sea for those people who diving enthusiasts can dive into the depths of a little-known corner of the Atlantic Oceanand for the fishing enthusiasts enjoy a sunny day in the best herreño style.
That's right, the tide plays an important roleEven if the pools are artificial, they are filled with seawater. Moreover, if the tide is too high, it will not be possible to dive to the seabed.
Despite this, is in a good location surrounded by archaeological sites that make the visit much more interesting.
El Tamaduste.
The Tamaduste is a small Herreño village located in Valverdewhich has another natural pool which once again makes us fall in love with the island's endearing beauty.
It is one of the most attractive bathing areas that El Hierro has to offerThe beach is protected from the sea and has small sandy areas that are key to enjoying a day of relaxation.
It is a village beautiful, cosy and quietand in which we will meet surrounded by a natural environment untouched by technology and machines..
In addition, we also highlight the Route with the same nameThe route starts at the Mirador de la Peña viewpoint and ends in this marvellous place, where you will not be deprived of the incredible sea views that only this path can offer.
El Charco Manso.
El Hierro is an island that stands out for the charm of its puddles, and it certainly does, thanks to the volcanic arc that forms the Charco Mansoas well as its various bathing areas, this is likely to be one of the must-sees of the visit.
This puddle is little frequentedThis gives us the advantage of enjoying it in its entirety and with peace of mind.
We can choose to swim in one of the larger pools. if we are in the family, or even in a more private pool for one or two persons.
It is one of the places that it will cast a spell on you as soon as you see itas their crystal-clear waters and an ever-calm seaThe spa will provide us with a moment of peace and relaxation that we will hardly find anywhere else.
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