El Hierro
Spain · Canary Islands · 30 m
Description
El Hierro is the smallest and most remote of the Canary Islands, a tilted volcanic shield whose western cape marked the end of the known world on old charts. Half the island collapsed into the sea in prehistory and left the great curved escarpment above the El Golfo valley. The southern coast drops into the Mar de las Calmas, a marine reserve so sheltered and clear that it is among the best dive sites in the Atlantic. Wind-flattened junipers stand at El Sabinar, and the island now generates much of its own electricity from wind and water.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: March – May
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Diving in the Mar de las Calmas marine reserve
- El Sabinar wind-bent junipers
- Mirador de la Peña by César Manrique
- La Restinga diving village
- El Golfo valley and its escarpment
- Charco Azul natural pool at La Frontera
- Pozo de las Calcosas bathing pools
- Valverde, the island capital
- Roque de la Bonanza
- Faro de Orchilla and the old prime meridian
- Gorona del Viento wind and water power station
- Snorkelling in La Restinga bay
- Camino de la Virgen across the island
- Jinama and Sabinosa descent trails
- Tamaduste swimming coves
- El Hierro bodegas and volcanic wines
- Stargazing over the open Atlantic
- UNESCO Geopark lava landscapes
Getting there
- Airports:
- VDE
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry