Where to Stay in El Hierro: A Guide to the “Meridian Island”
El Hierro is one of the eight islands that make up the Canarian archipelago. This island is part of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2000. El Hierro is the westernmost and southernmost territory of the Canary Islands (and Spain). It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, rocky volcanic cliffs, and rich seabed. In this post, we will discover the best towns to stay on the island of El Hierro, Canary Islands.
Why you should visit El Hierro
Despite its variety of landscapes, El Hierro is one of the least visited Canarian islands. Away from the mass tourism found in other neighbouring islands, El Hierro boasts a calm atmosphere and many attractions waiting to be discovered. See accommodation in El Hierro.
Like the rest of the Canary Islands, El Hierro has a volcanic origin. It is the youngest island in the archipelago, with a geological history dating back “only” one million years. Its intense volcanic activity has shaped the different island landscapes: the plateau, the El Golfo Valley, the El Julan slopes and the Malpaso and Tenerife peaks.
The main natural attractions and protected areas on El Hierro include the Frontera rural park, the Mencáfete, Roques de Salmor and Tibataje natural reserves, and the protected landscapes of Timijiraque and Ventejís. Las Playas Natural Monument, located on the east coast of the island, includes a 6-kilometre strip of semi-virgin whitewater beaches surrounded by steep volcanic cliffs. See accommodation on the island of El Hierro.
Despite being an island, El Hierro cannot be considered a beach destination per se. Due to its geological youth and its great volcanic activity, its coast hasn’t eroded enough to create sandbanks. 95% of the coast of El Hierro is made up of cliffs, which are not suitable for swimming. On the other hand, this island offers numerous natural pools, and sea inlets converted into bathing areas. Some of the most spectacular natural pools in El Hierro include Charco Azul, La Maceta (La Frontera), Pozo de Las Calcosas (El Mocanal), and Tacorón (near La Restinga).
While it is not the most visited island, El Hierro has long been a top-rated destination among diving enthusiasts. With more than 40 dive sites scattered along its coast, this Atlantic island offers spectacular and diverse marine ecosystems and exceptionally clear waters allowing maximum visibility.
Its historical and cultural attractions also make El Hierro a destination worth visiting. The El Julan Cultural Park, located in the south of the island, preserves petroglyphs and ruins of the Bimbache civilization that help understand its history and aboriginal peoples. The island capital, Villa de Valverde, offers a traditional historic centre with attractions such as the church of Santa María de la Concepción, the town hall and the Casa de las Quinteras Ethnographic Centre. See accommodation in Valverde.
When to visit El Hierro
Due to its geographical position in the Atlantic Ocean and the influence of the trade winds and the Canarian current, El Hierro has a tropical savanna climate. Climatic conditions vary with altitude, but in general, the island enjoys warm temperatures and sunny days practically all year round and low rainfall. During the summer, the average temperatures usually range between 18 and 28 ºC. On the other hand, winters are mild and occasionally warm, with temperatures ranging between 15 and 22 ºC.
Thanks to its warm temperatures, El Hierro, like all the Canary Islands, can be considered a tourist destination all year round. However, the best time to visit El Hierro is during autumn (from October to early December) and spring (from March to early June). During these months, few tourists visit the islands, hotels still have low-season season rates, and the weather is nice enough to enjoy outdoor activities.
Unlike the mainland, winter in the Canary Islands is a high tourist season. Many travellers from continental Europe come to the archipelago between December and March to escape the low temperatures back home. For this reason, accommodations and flights can be quite expensive. As is to be expected, thousands of Spanish and European tourists travel to the Canary Islands for their summer holidays.
Getting there and around
To fly to El Hierro, the island is served by the Aeropuerto de El Hierro (VDE). Located 9 kilometres northeast of Valverde, this small airport offers only direct connections to Tenerife North and Gran Canaria through regional airlines Binter Canarias and CanaryFly.
You can also get to El Hierro by ferry. Its main port, La Estaca, located 8 km from Villa de Valverde, has daily connections to Tenerife (Los Cristianos). See ferry routes, schedules & fares in the Canary Islands.
Although El Hierro has a bus system (locally known as guaguas) connecting the main towns on the island, the best way to get around El Hierro and get to all its towns and natural areas is by car. You can rent a cheap car for your trip here. Another excellent option to get around the island is to book tours including transportation.
Where to stay in El Hierro
The best area to stay in El Hierro is La Restinga. This coastal town in the south of the island offers an excellent combination of beaches, natural pools, nightlife and restaurants. La Restinga is also home to a large number of accommodations with stunning sea views. See accommodation in La Restinga.
Other excellent options to keep in mind when choosing the best location for tourists on the island of El Hierro include Villa de Valverde, Frontera and the picturesque town of Sabinosa.
Keep on reading to learn more about the best areas to stay on the island of El Hierro, Canary Islands.
This secluded hotel is located between the sea and the mountains, in Roque de Bonanza, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, on the tiny tropical island of El Hierro. It is surrounded by a lush garden and has a large pool, perfect for cooling off as the sun shines in the Canaries all year round.
The Best Areas to Stay on the Island of El Hierro, Spain
1. Recommended area: La Restinga
The town of La Restinga is located in the municipality of El Pinar, on the south end of the island of El Hierro and about 20 kilometres from Valverde.
This coastal area constitutes the southernmost settlement in Spain and the European Union.
La Restinga is the closest thing to a resort town on the island of El Hierro.
This town originated in the 1960s as a fishing village and has experienced remarkable growth in recent years thanks to its booming tourist industry.
La Restinga’s main tourist draw is scuba diving tourism.
Several scuba diving tours leave daily from the town’s port.
El Hierro’s seabed offers crystalline waters and a great diversity of aquatic landscapes and ecosystems ranging from caves and gorges to reefs and sandy bottoms.
The Avenida Marítima, located next to La Restinga marina, offers several cafes, restaurants and bars, making La Restinga the best area to stay in El Hierro for nightlife and food.
La Restinga is also an excellent area to stay in to explore the south of the island. From here, it is easy to drive to beaches, rocky coves and natural pools such as Tacorón, La Herradura or Las Playas natural area.
Line 8 of the local bus system connects La Restinga and the municipal capital of El Pinar, from where you can also catch line 2 to San Andrés and Villa de Valverde.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in El Hierro, Canary Islands:
- Best area to stay for scuba diving
- Wide variety of accommodation
- Best area for nightlife
- Easy access to beaches and natural pools
Accommodation in this area
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V.V. Arenas Azules
The V.V. Arenas Azules I offers accommodation in La Restinga, El Hierro. The property has city views and is 20 km from Valverde. The kitchen is equipped with a microwave, toaster and coffee maker. This self-catering accommodation provides towels and bed linen.
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Budget
Apartamentos Los Saltos
Apartamentos Los Saltos offer self-catering accommodation in La Restinga. Some apartments have a balcony with sea views. The apartments are located on the south coast of the island. Each has a TV, a seating area and a kitchen with a hob, coffee maker and fridge. The bathroom includes a shower and towels.
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Luxury
ABLANCAS – La Restinga
Situated in La Restinga, 34 km from Valverde, ABLANCAS – La Restinga features a terrace and free WiFi. The units come with a kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, a flat-screen satellite TV, ironing facilities, a wardrobe and a seating area with a sofa.
2. Villa de Valverde
Valverde is El Hierro’s most populated municipality and home to its capital, Villa de Santa María de Valverde.
Commonly known simply as “Villa de Valverde” or “La Villa”, Valverde is the oldest settlement on the island and the only Canary Island capital located on the coast.
Founded in the 15th century on the Bimbache settlement of Amoco, the town centre of the island capital consists of a maze-like network of narrow and steep streets.
Although most of La Villa’s architectural legacy was destroyed in a fire in 1899, this town has a handful of historical attractions such as the 18th-century Santa María de la Concepción church and the town hall, built in typical Canarian style.
The Casa de Las Quinteras Ethnographic Centre, located south of the historic centre, offers typical handicrafts, including ceramics, jewels and textiles.
Villa de Valverde is an excellent area to stay in El Hierro to explore the island’s north.
The island capital is close to other points of interest, such as San Andrés, Mocanal, La Caleta and the Tamaduste natural pool. It offers several bus lines for those travelling without a car.
Both the ferry terminal and the El Hierro Airport are located in the municipality of Valverde, about 7 km away from the town.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in El Hierro, Spain:
- Capital of the island
- Excellent transport connections
- Historical attractions
- Airport and ferry terminal
Accommodation in this area
3. La Frontera & Valle del Golfo
La Frontera is the westernmost municipality of the island of El Hierro and the entire Spanish territory.
This large, scarcely populated area is known for its natural landscapes. Much of its territory is made up of protected lands.
La Frontera is home to the Frontera rural park and the Mencáfete and Tibataje nature reserves.
The northern area is dominated by the Valle de Golfo, the most populated region of the municipality. This is where the towns of Frontera (the municipal capital) Sabinosa, Los Llanillos, Merese, Toscas and Tigaday are located.
North of Los Llanitos lies the spectacular Charco Azul, an impressive natural pool inside a volcanic cave known for its crystalline waters. Charco Azul is one of the most important natural attractions on the island.
Further east you’ll find the rocky beach of La Maceta and the Charco Los Sargos.
Valle del Golfo is the main wine-growing region of El Hierro. Here you can find several vineyards and the Tananjara and Uwe Urbach wineries.
La Frontera and Valle del Golfo is an excellent area to stay in El Hierro to explore the entire island. Its central location allows easy travel to all the attractions, especially if you travel by car.
For those who may choose to travel to El Hierro without a car, the municipality of La Frontera has a circular bus line (line 4) connecting its main towns, and an additional route between Frontera, Sabinosa and Pozo de la Salud.
Why is this a recommended area to stay on the island of El Hierro, Spain:
- Most central location on the island
- Charco Azul
- Nature reserves and protected areas
- Vineyards and wine cellars
Accommodation in this area
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Apartamentos la Palmera
Apartamentos la Palmera are located in La Frontera, just 0.6 mi from the city center and a 7-minute drive from the beach. They have a communal outdoor pool, equipped with sun loungers.
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Budget
Hotel Ida Inés
Ida Inés is located in the Gulf Valley, in the northeast area of El Hierro, in the Canary Islands. It offers rooms with great views of the sea and mountains and free Wi-Fi in public areas.
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Luxury
Hotel Puntagrande
The Hotel Puntagrande is located in Frontera, on a tongue of lava rocks, surrounded by the ocean and with spectacular views from all rooms and from the panoramic terrace. It houses a naval museum. Free WiFi is available in public areas and free private parking is available.
4. Sabinosa
Sabinosa is a town located in the western area of the island of El Hierro.
This small town is part of the municipality of La Frontera, but we have decided to distinguish it as one of the best areas to stay in El Hierro because it is home to some of the most iconic attractions on the island.
The name of Sabinosa comes from the abundance of Canarian junipers, or “sabinas” in the area.
This El Hierro settlement has a population of under 400 people. This includes the town proper and its coastal areas.
The Sabinosa coastline is home to the Pozo de La Salud spa and the beaches of Los Gorames and Los Palos.
Perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in this area, and the entire island, is El Sabinar, a natural reserve famous for its twisted junipers sculpted by the wind. The juniper is the symbol of the island and is included on its coat of arms. The nearby Mirador de Bascos offers spectacular views of the Gulf Valley.
Following the winding road to the south of the island, you can also find attractions such as the red sand Verodal Beach, the Lomo Negro viewpoint, the Orchilla Lighthouse, and the Monument to the Zero Meridian.
Why is this a recommended area to stay in El Hierro, Canary Islands:
- Quiet area
- El Sabinar
- Beaches and pools
Accommodation in this area
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|ES| Las mejores zonas donde alojarse en El Hierro, Islas Canarias.
