El Hierro island. Resorts of Spain. Hierro Island. What are functional cookies
El Hiero Island is a small piece of land located in the westernmost part of the Canary archipelago, until recently it was practically not visited by tourists. Due to its remoteness and poor development of tourism, it has managed to preserve its pristine nature, which attracts lovers of ecotourism here.
Flights to El Yero
Hotel booking El Hiero
El Hiero hotels on the map
El Hiero resorts
The hallmark of the resort villages of Timihirake and La Caleta are bays and coves basking in the sun, safely sheltered from the wind. The ringing silence perfectly emphasizes the beauty of the stunning landscapes. Tourists who settled in secluded corners are happy to explore the picturesque surroundings.
Town of Tamadoust included in the list of the most attractive areas of the island. The largest natural pool on the coast, the appearance of which the island owes to one of the latest volcanic eruptions, contributed to the growth in popularity. The water that fills the pool is considered healing.
Township of La Resting geared towards sports fans. There are several diving centers on its territory. The coastal strip has been given the status of a marine reserve. Transparent water and the absence of high waves are the key to successful diving. Ideal conditions attract both beginners and experienced divers. The harbor of La Restinga is ready to welcome fishing enthusiasts. The right equipment guarantees an excellent catch, striking in variety.
Do not get bored on the island and adherents of trips on mountain bikes and extreme skiers conquering the skies on paragliders.
Attractions El Hiero
El Hierro Island is a recognized leader in the number of volcanic craters. According to this indicator, he left behind all his brethren included in the Canary archipelago. In addition to volcanoes, you can explore natural galleries and caves here. There is no shortage of such formations on the island. All inquisitive tourists are shown an inspection of the largest cave-pipe made of solidified lava on the planet. The giant cavity was formed by molten magma flowing out, the outer layers of which cooled and solidified in a bizarre shape. Cumulative length of underground passages Don Khusto caves exceeds 6,000 m.
It is impossible not to get carried away and volcanic landscapes, strikingly similar to the moon. In the southern coastal part of the island of El Hierro, as well as on the surface of the nearest neighbor of the Earth, there is Sea of Tranquility. The split of the island and the sliding of one of the parts into the ocean was marked by the formation of El Golfo Bay. A “fragment” with a volume of approximately 300 km3 that disappeared in a few seconds caused the formation of a wave whose height exceeded 100 m. Today, the fault line is outlined by sheer cliffs rising 1200 m above the water surface.
Ancient symbols can be seen on the mountain slopes - mute evidence of the presence of a lost civilization. Scientists have been trying unsuccessfully to decipher these signs for many years. It has not yet been possible to find something similar in other places of the planet. In addition to petroglyphs, the found tools, household utensils and mummified remains buried in caves testify to the long-standing presence of the Bimbache tribe on the island.
Of the historical sights, a visit to the village is recommended Casas de Guinea, a stay in which will allow you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of the life of peaceful tribes who lived on the island until the landing of the conquistadors who sailed from Spain. In addition to the Norman settlement of the XV century. you can visit the ecological museum and Museum-Reserve Lagartario, specializing in the content of rare breeds of lizards that live only on El Hierro. In the area of Las Puntas is also located Roques de Salmor Natural Reserve- a haven for rare sea birds nesting on coastal rocks. Other attractions worth noting Punta Gradne Hotel is the smallest hotel in the world. It offers a small restaurant and 4 rooms.
For souvenirs it is better to go to village of El Pinar- a place of work and residence of skilled artisans. In this locality, you can buy drums, reed pipes, wickerwork and knitwear, as well as pottery. Here are located Pancillo Museum And Church of San Antonio. On the way to the village, you can climb one of the viewing platforms. From their height opens South part islands.
The list of attractions includes Forest of La Dehesa. The Canarian juniper does not leave indifferent, the trunk of which is bent in an eternal bow. This situation is explained by the constancy of the direction of the winds blowing around the island.
From Cape Orchilla, a lighthouse is visible, located in the westernmost part of Spain. The ancient cartographers associated El Hierro with the edge of the world and the reference point of geographic longitude, which is why he was dubbed "island of the meridian".
Ethnographic Center settled in Valverde. The expositions presented within its walls acquaint visitors with the traditions of local residents. Samples of folk crafts are also presented here.
Frontera (second largest city) boasts a natural park Parque Rural de Frontera, on the territory of which more than a dozen rare representatives of the flora grow. Tastings of the best spirits are held in wine cellars. You can see the Altar made of gold at the Church of Candelaria, the construction of which was completed in 1818. The building was built on the crater of a volcano.
small village of Sabinos captivates with the beauty of narrow streets, immersed in greenery and flowers. In a village that has grown on a steep slope beats source of Poza del Salud, whose name means nothing more than "spring of health." In 1996, a sanatorium was opened here.
Restaurant Mirador de la Peña- one of the highlights of the northern part of the island. From the observation deck of this restaurant, you can enjoy local dishes and admire the surroundings of the tiniest of the Canary Islands.
Great view from the slopes Malpaso Peak, whose height reaches 1501 m. Climbing to the top is within the power of almost anyone. Plateaus covered with frozen lava are in harmony with dense forests, vineyards and cultivated fields. In 2000, UNESCO took El Hierro under its wing, honoring the island with the title of Biosphere Reserve.
El Hierro (ElHierro) or, as it is also called, "La isla Chiquita" is the smallest island of the Canary archipelago, with an area of only 278 sq. km. The population of the island is also very small - approximately 11 thousand people, a quarter of whom live in the capital of the island - the city of Valverde. Before the conquest of the island by the Spaniards under the leadership of Jean Betancourt in 1403, the island was inhabited by the Bimbache tribes, related to the Guanche tribes from Tenerife. These were peaceful tribes who lived in caves and were engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding and fishing. Betancourt promised Bimbache to keep their freedom, so the people of the island offered no resistance to the Spaniards. However, Betancourt did not keep his promise and most of the Bimbache tribe were sold into slavery, and their land was given to the Norman and Castilian settlers. In our time, only petroglyphs found in different parts of the island (still not deciphered), cave burials with mummified remains, numerous household items and tools testify to the Bimbache culture. According to scientific studies, the island was formed about 1.2 million years ago as a result of a series of volcanic eruptions. Rising from the bottom of the ocean, the island was a triangular basalt platform, in the center of which stood a volcanic cone, more than 2 thousand meters high. Today El Hierro is the "champion" in the number of volcanic craters among the islands of the Canary archipelago, there are about 800 of them. El Hierro there are about 70 caves and volcanic galleries, in particular the Don Justo cave (Cueva de Don Justo), the system of underground passages of which exceeds a length of 6 km. Volcanic origin El Hierro certainly left an imprint on its relief.
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The landscapes of the island are extremely diverse: zones covered with solidified lava and volcanic formations are located in the south and west of the island, in the north there are fertile fields and vineyards, and in the central part you can find various types of trees: pine, laurel, cherry. The coastline is unusually rocky, there are rocks up to 1 thousand meters high. In addition, along the coast there are several natural lagoons and pools, perfect for swimming. The last strong volcanic eruption, which lasted a whole month, occurred on the island in 1793. Also, on October 11, 2011, 547 residents were evacuated from the town of La Resting due to the eruption of an underwater volcano located off the coast El Hierro, since there was a possibility of a volcano awakening on the island itself. Currently, experts are carefully monitoring the activity of island volcanoes. In addition to geological features, El Hierro famous for others interesting facts. The island went down in history as the "zero meridian", which cartographers used as a reference point for geographic longitude, and the western part of the island was considered the end of the world for a long time. At Cape Orchilla today, everyone can see the westernmost lighthouse in Spain (Faro de Punta Orchilla), where supposedly the end of the world is located. There you can even purchase a colorful certificate certifying that you have crossed the prime meridian. Due to lack of sandy beaches El Hierro is an agricultural island. It is almost unaffected by the tourism industry. Today, the local population is mainly engaged in agriculture. Here they grow grapes, potatoes, pineapples, almonds, peaches, tomatoes and, of course, the main crop of the Canary Islands - bananas. In addition, another important element of the local economy is fishing, especially in the southern part of the island. On El Hierro there are no industrial productions, but folk crafts flourish here. Earthenware, woven and knitted products with El Hierro known throughout Spain. Wine made from local grapes deserves special attention, as it has received recognition not only in Spain, but also in other European countries.
Coast El Hierro mostly steep, but has small bays and natural pools with crystal clear water. It is believed that of all the islands of the Canary archipelago El Hierro- most better place for diving, because here is the most colorful and diverse underwater world. In general, tourism on the island is practically not developed, there is no tourist infrastructure and resort areas, as, for example, in Tenerife. However, there are still small hotels on the island where everyone can stay. As a rule, those tourists come here who prefer solitude and tranquility surrounded by pristine nature to noisy European resorts. Most of the island's hotels are located in the Paradores de Turismo area, in the city of Valverde.
Valverde is the capital and most Big City on an island with a population of 5,000. Here you can visit the ethnographic center La Casa de Las Quinteras, where expositions are presented that tell visitors about the traditions and crafts of local residents. In addition to the capital, visitors can also stay in the coastal villages of the La Caleta zone: Tamaduste and Timijiraque, where all conditions are also created for a relaxing holiday and enjoy the unique scenery. In the town of Tamaduste there is an interesting attraction - a natural pool with access to the sea. There are almost no sandy beaches on the island, but there are still small black beaches with volcanic sand. The most popular among tourists and locals are the beaches of Playa de Las Arenas and Playa de Veradal.
Frontera (frontera)- is the second largest city on the island. Here is the natural park Parque Rural de Frontera, where you can see many rare plants. Frontera is also famous for the fact that grapes are grown here and one of the best Canarian wines, Vina Frontera, is produced. In Frontera wine cellar you can taste and purchase the best El Hierro wines. Also in this town you can visit the Church of Candelaria (Iglesia de la Candelaria), built in 1818. The interior of the church is notable for the majestic Altar made of gold.
Las Puntas. In the area of Las Puntas, an interesting attraction is the preserved ancient Norman settlement of the 15th century, Casas de Guinea. This is an excellent example of the life of the natives and the first settlers. Here you can visit the Ecological Museum (Ecomuseo de Guinea), which tells its guests about the history of different eras. Also in this zone, the place of Lagartario deserves your attention. This is a museum and reserve where rare breeds of lizards that are found only on El Hierro are kept in natural habitats. Free access to the reserve is limited, but permission can be obtained from the Tigadai City Hall. Another local attraction is the Roques de Salmor Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Integral de Rodues de Salmor), which is a picturesque mountain formations towering above the ocean. Various species of rare seabirds find shelter on these rocks during the nesting period. Also in this zone, in the town of El Golfa, there is the Punta Gradne Hotel, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest in the world. This hotel has only four rooms and a small restaurant.
Sobinos. Perched on a high mole slope, the small village of Sabinosa will enchant you with picturesque narrow streets full of flowers. In this zone there is a well-known water source among the Canarians - the locals call it Poza del Salud, which means "spring of health". The water in this spring has healing properties and cures many diseases and contributes to the healing of the body as a whole. In 1996, a modern sanatorium was built here, the only one of its kind in the Canary Islands.
La Restinga. La Restinga is a small harbor located in the sunniest part of the island. Not far from the harbor is a black sand beach. This is a favorite place for tourists. There are hotels and a small promenade with restaurants, bars and shops. This area offers various programs for water sports, including swimming. Local waters have the status of a reserve and are notable for the unique wealth of flora and fauna of the underwater world. The scuba diving center is open all year round and offers various excursions depending on the wishes and experience of potential divers.
Isora Isora is an area in the eastern part of the island, known for producing excellent cheeses. The uniqueness of this area lies also in the fact that it is here that the famous competitions in the national Canary wrestling Lucha Canaria are held. 6 km. from Isora is the El Pinar zone, which consists of two small settlements: Las Casas and Taibique. In El Pinar, the Ceramics Center deserves special attention, where you can buy unique ceramics and jewelry. In addition, there you can visit the small church of San Antonio (Iglesia de San Antonio) and the Panchillo Museum (Musea Panchillo), where you can see collections of ancient objects from El Hierro. The central part of the island is a diverse mountain landscape, completely covered with magnificent pine forests. Such island relief is characterized by volcanic rocks. In the center is a mountain range, about a kilometer high.
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The highest peak of the island is Malpaso (El Pica de Malpaso), which is 1.500 m high and offers a fantastic panorama of the entire island. This area is distinguished by the most beautiful and interesting landscapes of the forest, combined with numerous volcanic craters. Another attraction of the island is the incredible surreal El Sabinar juniper forest. There, on the mountain plain of La Dehesa, the Canary junipers Sabinal grow. These are unusual plants, with a dark green dense crown and a powerful twisted trunk. Constant strong winds bend the trunks of the trees, and they continue to grow in such a bizarre curved shape. Sabinal is a very valuable tree. Its wood has been used for centuries in the manufacture of tools, weapons and jewelry. In addition, the wood of this plant has antiseptic properties, so it is also used for medical purposes. In addition to the Sabinal plant, the sacred Garoe tree (Arbol Garoe) is a kind of symbol of El Hierro, which, according to legend, evaporated moisture from its leaves, which fell in the form of precipitation, thus supplying the indigenous population of the island with the necessary amount of drinking water.
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Hierro Island located in the western part of the territory, and is the smallest of its seven main islands. It has amazingly beautiful natural landscapes and, perhaps, is the least visited by tourists due to the apparent lack of sandy beaches. Unlike other resorts in the Canary Islands, Hierro best preserved the ancient traditions and culture of their ancestors, and its remoteness and not crowded are an excellent opportunity to relax away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, enjoying unity with nature.
Peculiarities
The relief of the island is extremely rich and varied. The rocky shores that rise along the coast are adjacent to grottoes, small bays and natural pools, protected from the cool winds of the Atlantic, picturesque fields and pastures spread on the Nisdafe plateau, and numerous date palms and almonds grow in a place called El Pinar. The local laurel and pine forests are densely vegetated, and the curved branches of the Canarian juniper trees blend perfectly with the surrounding green groves and blue Atlantic Ocean. The main areas of activity of local residents are fishing, farming and the production of souvenirs. There are few foreign guests here, so among the vacationers on the local beaches, the islanders themselves and the Canarians who come here from different parts of the archipelago predominate.
general information
The area of \u200b\u200bthe island of Hierro is a little over 268 thousand square meters. km, with a population of about 10.5 thousand people. Local time behind Moscow by 2 hours in summer and 3 in winter. Timezone UTC+0 and UTC+1 in summer. Telephone code (+34) 22.
A brief excursion into history
Before the colonization of the island by the Spaniards, wild tribes of Bimbache lived here, who lived in agriculture and cattle breeding. When Spanish ships under the leadership of the Frenchman Jean de Betancourt anchored off the local coast in 1405, their leader agreed with the local population on mutual respect and peaceful coexistence without the use of force. However, after the aliens settled on the hospitable shores, they treacherously violated the agreement and conquered the island with little or no serious resistance, and then sold the indigenous islanders into slavery. After some time, immigrants from Spain and France began to actively come here. In the second half of the last century, when the Canaries were in the grip of a tourist boom, Hierro also did not stand aside, joining this process.
Climate
The weather conditions in the resort, as in the rest of the Canary Islands, are very comfortable. Even in winter, the air temperature rarely drops below +20 degrees here, and in the summer months it regularly rises above +26. There is little precipitation, but strong winds and cyclones from the Atlantic sometimes cause severe storms, which are more typical for the autumn-winter period. You can come here at any time, although officially, the beach season lasts here from May to October.
How to get there
Hierro island airport serves only domestic flights, therefore, in order to reach its shores, you must first land at the airport, and then, also by plane or by ferry, go to your destination.
Transport
Public transport directly on the island is very poorly developed, so it is best to use a taxi or rent a car from a rental service.
Main resorts
The island of Hierro belongs to the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and the city of Valverde, which is home to half of the entire island population, acts as the administrative center here. The leading resort is La Restinha, home to a roomy hotel, residential complex and the Avenida Maritima promenade, full of shops, cafes and restaurants. In the central part of the village there is a good black sand beach, perfect for fans of water sports. There is also a local scuba diving base that organizes appropriate tours for divers. Nearby are the waters of the marine natural reserve.
Just 10 km from Valverde lies a quiet secluded cove, where locals mostly relax. About 2 km from it are the cozy backwaters of Pozo de las Calcosas, with a whole scattering of charming black stone bungalows. The most beautiful beach of the island is Playa de Verodal, which has volcanic sand with a reddish tinge, lying at the foot of a high cliff. Another popular one is sand beach- Playa de Arenas.
Attractions and entertainment
Given the very limited number settlements within the island, there are very few historical buildings or cultural monuments. In Valverde, the old church of Santa Maria de la Concepcion, dated 1767, stands out, and nearby is Casas de Guinea, a Norman settlement of the 15th century, where an ecological museum is open for visitors, symbolizing the life of local residents in different eras. Lovers of natural beauties and wildlife are certainly recommended to visit the Lagartario Reserve, which is inhabited by rare one and a half meter lizards that live only in these places.
Kitchen
In the culinary establishments of the resort, visitors have the opportunity to try a wide variety of dishes, from exquisite seafood to fresh salads and exotic fruits. Great Spanish wines and all kinds of sweets deserve special attention.
shopping
The shops and shops of local resort villages offer a wide selection of ceramics and fabrics, as well as works of local craftsmen specializing in woodcarving. Prices are very reasonable and you can choose the product to your taste quite easily.
Hierro Island is perfect for those who prefer outdoor recreation away from noisy tourist crowds. This is how this picturesque green island appears, which is the westernmost piece of land on the island and never ceases to amaze even the most spoiled travelers with its amazing beauties.
At first glance, the island may seem inhospitable and unwilling to receive crowds of noisy tourists. The predominantly steep coast looks harsh and impregnable. And if you look closely, you find small bays, magnificent natural pools, over a dozen places for diving into the depths of the ocean. No wonder it is considered that Hierro is the best place in the Canary Islands for diving!
7 useless facts about the island of Hierro
Despite the lack of mass interest from tourists, holidays on this island are not considered something inaccessible and “elite”. No, it’s just that there really isn’t much entertainment here to attract restless youth, not so many sights to keep adults busy. What the hell are you doing here? Rest your body and soul, because Hierro is, first of all, a separate little world at the end of the world. Well, besides all these mental things, here you can do the following ...
What is there to do on Hierro Island?
- Dive into the depths of the ocean
- Walk along one of the hiking trails
- Fly on a paraglider
What is remarkable about paragliding on the island of Hierro? And the fact that here you will have the opportunity to simultaneously (!) Enjoy the sound of the ocean, the view of the mountains - and all this against the backdrop of a cloudless sky.
Very convenient: you can drive to any starting point by car.
| Name of the starting point | Height, m | Height delta, m |
|---|---|---|
| Malpaso | 1501 | 1200 |
| Dos Hermanas | 1267 | 1000 |
| 1100 m | 1100 | 878 |
| Pino Verde | 900 | 870 |
| 800 m | 867 | 650 |
| La Peca | 800 | 750 |
| Las Prendas | 650 | 100 |
| 600 m | 624 | 410 |
| Carraskan | 600 | 75 |
| Charco Manzo | 200 | 180 |
| Las Lapillas | 120 | 100 |
| Tacoron | 60 | 40 |
The island itself is relatively small (like an equilateral triangle with sides of 25 km), but this does not make hiking any less exciting. There really is something to see here: diverse flora, magnificent landscapes, the ancient settlement of Bimbache, an ethnographic museum, etc. and so on. Below is a somewhat boring table with route options for every taste.
| Route name | Height difference, m | Trip duration, h | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Pinar-Tacoron | – | 2,5 | Easy route with no elevation change. Covers some areas of Frontera Rural Park |
| El Pinar – El Golfo | 1150 | 3,5 | The Taibique-Tigaday route, or, as it is also called, the wine route. The end point is in the El Golfo Valley, famous for its vineyards and wines. |
| Camino de Los Llanillos | 1155 | 3 | The Taibique - Charco Azul route allows you to admire the beautiful backwaters of natural origin |
| El Pinar-La Dehesa | 240 | 6,5 | The complexity of the route is medium. Acquaintance with the ethnography of the island of Hierro - the way of life of the natives. Again, you will have to walk around Frontera Rural Park |
| Camino de la Virgen | 1500 | 12 | Ascent from the coast to the peak of Malpaso. Walking route passes through the Frontera Rural Park and the territory of the Ventehis Nature Reserve |
| La Restinga – Pozo de la Salud | 1100 | 9,5 | Along the way, you can enjoy the view of volcanoes and traces of their former activity. In the fishing village of La Restinga you can taste dishes local cuisine. The path itself passes through the territories of the Frontera Rural Park and the Mencafete Nature Reserve |
| Camino del Norte | 300 | 3,5 | Valverde – La Pena route |
| Cruz de Calvario – Charco Manso | 555 | 2,5 | The complexity of the route is medium. At the end you can admire the beautiful natural backwaters |
| Isora-Las Playas-Isora | 1100 | 7 | The complexity of the route is high. Suitable for experienced hikers |
| Tinor - Puerto de la Estaca - Tinor | 940 | 3,5 | -//- |
| Valverde - Puerto de Estaca - Valverde | 650 | 2,5 | -//- |
Diving
If you want your first scuba diving experience to be like a fairy tale, then we advise you to spend your time on a trip to the island of Hierro. Do not despair if you are not a beginner in diving - here everyone can find a worthy dive site. Most of them are located off the southern coast of the island, but the small village of La Restinga is considered a true Mecca for divers. Below we have presented some of the best places to dive in the calm waters of the Sea of Tranquility Reserve.
| Place to dive | a brief description of |
|---|---|
| El Puerto | Option for beginners. The water is clear, suitable for night diving |
| Punta las Canas | Another option for beginners. Depth does not exceed 12 m |
| El Rincon | An easy dive option. Depth varies between 10-20 m, there are small caves |
| El Lajial | Similar to Punta las Cañas, only deeper |
| La Herradura | Dive of medium difficulty. Depth 8-35 m |
| Cueva del Diablo | Dive for beginners in a place with an intimidating name. Diving in a shallow cave |
| El Bajon | Option for experienced divers. The dive site is located three hundred meters from the shore in the south of the island of Hierro. Strong currents complicate diving, as well as significant depth (50-80 m). rich underwater world |
| El Desierto | An easy dive option. Among the local inhabitants you can see garden eels, dark groupers, flute fish |
| El Tacoron | Option for beginners, familiarization with various types of marine life |
| El Roque de Tacoron | The peculiarity of this dive site is that here you can meet a large-headed sea turtle |
| Baja Rosario | There is virtually no current, making this place a good choice for beginners. |
| Los Saltos | 3 grottoes, several caves and arches, about 40 m deep |
Resort Pozo de la Salud
| About the resort | Short description |
|---|---|
| Location | Near the town of Sabinosa in the La Frontera area |
| Hotel facilities | 18 rooms (2x), picturesque mountain or sea view, restaurant, sauna, Turkish bath, jacuzzi, swimming pool with solarium, hydromassage showers, fitness and relaxation rooms |
| Service staff | highly qualified |
| Direction | Treatment mineral waters(skin, rheumatic, diseases of the digestive tract, bronchitis, herpes, etc.) - external and internal |
| Mineralogical composition of waters | SiO2, SO42-, HCO3–, NO2, Cl–, Fe3+, Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Li+, NH4+, traces of PO43-, NaNO2, NH4Cl, KCl, Ca3(PO4)2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, NaCl , MgCl2, MgSO4, Ca(HCO3)2, Mg(HCO3)2 |
| Organoleptic indicators | Odorless, barely perceptible saltiness |
| Cosmetic effect | Softens the skin, promotes rejuvenation |
| Souvenirs | There is a specialized craft shop |
El Golfo Bay
The island is divided by sheer cliffs into two parts: on the northern coast is the El Golfo valley, as if pressed by the finger of some crazy giant. It is believed that once upon a time there was an earthquake (islands of volcanic origin), as a result of which part of the island broke off and fell victim to the treacherous ocean. You can pay tribute to the beauty of the valley from observation platforms, for example, from Mirador de la Pena, which we will discuss below. Grapes are actively grown in the valley, which means that in any village you can taste good white wine.
Wonderful forest of La Dehesa in El Sabinar (El Sabinar)
Want to see the most unfortunate plant? Then you should go to the forest of La Dehesa. The famous Canarian juniper grows in this place - the tree looks like it survived all the hurricanes and miraculously kept its roots.
Tamaduste pools (El Tamaduste)
An unforgettable experience can be a visit to the small village of Tamaduste. It is notable for being located on the coast of the ocean, which is formed by intricately frozen lava. Over the years, water has given the material the appearance of pools, which determined the fate of this place. By the way, they are found in several places along the northern coast of the island.
Restaurant Mirador de la Pena
If you happen to visit the northern part of the island of Hierro, be sure to check out the restaurant Mirador de la Peña (Guarazoca), which can be safely called a local attraction. This institution is a real observation deck, which, coupled with the original architecture and the opportunity to taste local dishes, looks very good. The restaurant is located on the second floor of the building, has its own garden and terrace, which offers a picturesque view of the surroundings of the smallest of the Canary Islands.
Tourists note the following features of this place:
- great views from the terrace. And to enjoy them, you can order regular coffee;
- cozy atmosphere in the institution;
- the opportunity to taste both local dishes and those familiar to foreign tourists;
- polite and tactful staff;
- high prices
How to get to the island?
There are ferry and air transport links between Tenerife and Hierro. The ferry can be reached within 4-4.5 hours, including from the island of La Gomera. Water transport is not only cheaper, but also opens up new opportunities in exploring the coast. On the other hand, a half-hour journey by plane departing from northern airport Tenerife, allows you to capture the island from the air. The port is located in the town of La Restinga, the airport is not far from Valverde.
Where to settle?
There are not so many places where you can stay - in general, there are 2 thousand hotel beds on the island. Many offers at very affordable prices can be found in Valverde. If you have to choose among inexpensive hotels, then you should pay attention to the cluster of hotels in the Parador del Turismo area. There are many hotels in the capital of the island and the coast adjacent to it. Want an exclusive? Then we go to the chic El Hierro hotel-parador, located in the eastern part, or check into the smallest hotel in the world - the Punta Grande Club, which is located in the El Golfo area.
To navigate a little in prices, then for renting a two-room apartment:
- bedroom + living room;
- fully equipped bathroom and kitchen;
- must have a balcony or terrace
– you will have to pay approximately €50±10 per day (it doesn’t matter how many people will live).
What to eat?
Obviously, on an island surrounded by the ocean, they mainly offer seafood dishes - a standard set typical for the cuisines of all the islands of the Canary archipelago. It is worth trying the fish soup, besides, they make good smoked cheese here, the restaurant can offer a signature dish - roast rabbit. Be sure to order a bottle or two of local wine, the grapes for which are grown in the El Golfo valley.
The average price for lunch or dinner is around €10-15.
Holidays
The Spaniards are religious people, as evidenced by their traditions of mass celebration of the appearance of various saints. The smallest of the Canary Islands is no exception. Once every 4 years, on September 24, on Hierro, along the route from the chapel in the forest of La Deesa to the capital of the island, a statue of the Virgin Mary is carried - in honor of her appearance in Los Reyes. The action has a carnival tone, accompanied by dances and songs. The tradition is quite old - it began in 1643. The last holiday took place in 2011, the next one will be in 2015.
For souvenirs in El Pinar
But first, let's look at viewing platforms El Mirador de Tanajara and El Mirador de las Playas - they allow you to fully appreciate the beauty of the southern part of the island. Moreover, this is on the way to the village of El Pinar, which is famous for its artisans. Here you can buy a beautiful wicker basket, buy a drum or a reed pipe. It is from here that these musical instruments get to the other 6 islands.
P.S.
Be prudent. You should not count on the fact that in a couple of days you will be able to get to know Hierro from all sides. You need to fly here for at least a week. Only then will you be able to slightly open the veil of mystery of this small but cozy island. See you on Hierro! ;)
Hierro (El Hierro) is the westernmost and smallest island of the Canary archipelago, better known among the locals as "Isla Chiquita" - a small island. Due to the lack of sandy beaches, Hierro is almost unaffected by the tourism industry.
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How to get to Hierro
The island has air links with the islands of Tenerife, Gran Canaria and La Palma. A regular ferry service links Puerto de la Estaca with Tenerife and Gomera.
Search for flights to Tenerife (nearest airport to Hierro)
Transport
The island is practically undeveloped public transport, so it is better to rent a car to travel around Hierro. The roads are generally good, with few difficult sections.
The beaches of Hierro
10 km from the capital is Tamaduste - a quiet cove with a pleasant beach, a favorite vacation spot for the islanders. 8 km from Valverde - Pozo de las Calcosas: comfortable pools for swimming and many black stone bungalows, which can be reached by steep steps.
Playa de Arenas is a sandy beach popular with tourists and locals.
Most beautiful beach on the island - Playa de Verodal. Small, with reddish volcanic sand, lying at the foot of a high cliff, this beach, despite its picturesqueness, is not very popular - and all because of a bad road.
Feast in honor of the apparition of the Virgin Mary on the island of Hierro
La Restinha is also one of the most popular resorts on Hierro. There is a large hotel, a residential complex and the Avenida Maritima promenade, which is famous for its large number of shops, bars and restaurants. In the center of the resort is a small black sand beach. On the beach - rich opportunities for water sports, including diving. The surrounding waters have the status of a nature reserve, and the local scuba diving base is open all year round and offers excursions and night expeditions.
The marine nature reserve, located in the south of the island, is a paradise for diving enthusiasts.
Hierro Hotels
The island has only 800 beds for tourists, most of whom are residents of the Canary Islands, vacationing here in July and August.
Shopping: shops
On the island, like hundreds of years ago, handicrafts flourish: ceramics, weaving and woodcarving. All this splendor can be bought in shops, as well as in village markets.
Attractions and attractions Hierro
The main attractions of Hierro are natural.
The capital of the island - Valverde (full name La Villa de Santa Maria de Valverde) - is a small town located on the slope of an evergreen valley. The only one cultural monument here is the church of Santa Maria de la Concepción, built in 1767.
Casas de Guinea is an old Norman settlement of the 15th century, considered one of the oldest on the island. An ecological museum is open here - a complex of shepherd's huts, reconstructed and furnished with furniture from different eras.
Lagartario is a reserve where natural habitats are provided for rare breeds of lizards (one and a half meters!), found only on Hierro.
- Where to stay: On the largest, most diverse and hospitable island of the Canary archipelago - the picturesque Gran Canaria, a variety of hotels in the main resort of which - Maspalomas - can satisfy every taste. We recommend Lanzarote to nature lovers - there are as many as 300 extinct volcanoes. Tenerife has a rich nightlife, but the coast is steep and rocky. On