El Hierro in the Canary Islands

El Hierro is 269 sq km in size and has 3 municipalities:

1. Valverde (northeast)
2. La Frontera (northwest)
3. El Pinar (south)

Each municipality has charming towns and traditional villages featuring well-preserved architecture, all set against a rugged natural backdrop of lush meadows or rugged volcanic hillsides. Each part of the island is unique. El Hierro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – most accommodations here are eco-hotels.

Valverde (“green valley” in the local tongue) is home to the namesake capital, Villa de Valverde. This quaint town features traditional houses that aren't more than 2 storeys tall and with Atlantic Ocean views from its hillside position. El Hierro’s airport, Aeropuerto de El Hierro (VDE), lies just east of the town of Villa de Valverde, on the island’s easternmost coast.

Traffic is close to non-existent in Villa de Valverde – it’s the best place to stay if you’re not planning to travel as much. Most of the island’s action as well as accommodation, dining, and shopping spots are here. Top sights include the 18^th-century Nuestra Señora de La Concepción church and the Ethnographic Centre of Casa de las Quinteras.

Just north of Villa de Valverde is Tamaduste, a village known for its sea panoramas and fresh seafood. South, the tranquil hamlet of Isora features scenic coastal hikes to great viewpoints. It’s a popular stop for those travelling by local bus from Villa de Valverde to La Restinga in El Pinar.

La Restinga is the southernmost town on the island, popular among divers and snorkellers. Fresh catches arrive daily at its seaport and great seafood restaurants offer dining with calming bay views. Pretty villages worth visiting in La Frontera include Sabinosa. Remote and set on a volcanic slope, it is known for its local arts and culture as well as superb traditional wines.

Despite its size, El Hierro is home to some of the most exotic beaches in the Canaries. Arenas Blancas has the only yellow sand on the island, while Playa del Verodal is El Hierro’s largest beach with red-black volcanic sand. The quiet cove of Playa de Tacoron got its nickname, “sea of calm” (Mar de las Calmas) for good reason. Its smooth deep-blue waters are surrounded by black volcanic rocks. A sea cave reveals during low tide.

On the southeast coast, Las Playas is a picturesque beach covered in tiny black rocks and backed by cliffs. The soothingly calm, crystal-clear water is a delight to swim in. The coast stretches northwards until it meets Playa de las Almorranas, from where you can find a viewpoint overlooking the Bonanza Rock (Roque de la Bonanza) sea stack landmark.

Tamaduste with its small and tranquil shell-shaped cove is the most visited seaside village and beach closest to Valverde. Its dreamy setting is backed by the quaint village houses and tall, rugged hills. The calm and clear waters are great for all ages to swim in.

There’s a wooden path that leads to the shore of Tamaduste. Hikers, however, will have the best views of the cove and El Golfo from above, taking the route in the northwest from La Peña viewpoint in Guarazoca towards Tamaduste.

Ecomuseum of Guinea is an outdoor museum and pre-Hispanic town at the foot of El Hierro’s Risco de Tavetai cliff. It features among the oldest settlements in the Canaries, with an array of historical stone houses that show their architectural evolution between the 17^th and 20^th centuries.

Besides admiring their architecture, you can also get a glimpse of how life was there centuries ago through old tools and various other archaeological remains on display. Nearby, you can learn about the island’s endemic reptile at the El Hierro Giant Lizard Recovery Center as well as the island’s fascinating geology at the Guinea Volcanic Tube.

Charco Azul is a magnificent natural pool that’s hidden under a cliff in El Hierro’s El Golfo valley. The island is known for its wealth of natural pools, but Charco Azul stands out with its stunning features, particularly its impressive natural arch and dozens of tide pools formed by lava. These combined with the turquoise waters make it fairy-tale-like.

It’s a sight to behold, but unlike the island’s many other swimmable natural pools, Charco Azul directly opens to the waters of the Atlantic and Bahia de los Plozos, which can get rough at times and not ideal for a dip. Note that access to the pool is over a few boulders after the hundred-or-so steps. Wear water shoes for exploring the rocky beach.

El Hierro is known for its rugged beauty and there are dozens of hiking trails that lead you to the island’s breathtaking viewpoints and unique sites. The year-round hike to Pozo de las Calcosas near Valverde rewards you with scenic views of the tiny and historical hamlet, along with its traditional stone houses and magnificent natural pool.

El Hierro Sabinar, a biosphere reserve known for its gorgeous coastal scenery, has trails lined with twisted juniper trees sculpted by the high Atlantic winds. The hike to Arco de La Tosca near Sabinosa leads to more mesmerising geological features, particularly the namesake lava rock sea arch. Ruta de La Llania is the route to hike if you have only 2 hours to spare. It showcases El Herrio’s contrasting landscape colours – the green of the El Brezal forest, barren black calderas, and the deep blue of the El Golfo.

El Hierro’s dining scene comprises local restaurants, cafes, and steakhouses that put Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine to the fore. There’s also the island’s own traditional herreño cuisine – organic meats and the island’s rich, flavourful cheeses feature heavily, as do bounties of the sea. And with the island’s natural beauty, it’s also worth heading to a spot where you can take in the views as you enjoy your escaldón (consommé).

Local

Most dining spots in the coastal villages have menus dominantly featuring fresh seafood dishes and you’ll want to sit at a local guachinche, a typical establishment serving homemade traditional Canarian food with local wines. Guachinche Aguadara in Valverde is a great option with its rustic setting, views, and laidback vibe. Its steaks and grilled fish are served in generous portions.

Luxury

Restaurante Puntagrande in Frontera is a spot for fine dining in El Hierro. It’s part of the casual, adults-only Hotel Puntagrande, perched on a lava rock edge and with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Their rotating menu features traditional  Mediterranean, Spanish, and international dishes. Romantics should book a table for 2 on the large ocean terrace where sunsets are magical.

Iconic

Mirador de La Peña seems to check the boxes for local and heritage herreño cuisine, Canarian wines, and superb views – overlooking the El Golfo in particular. Designed by famous Canarian architect César Manrique, the restaurant and viewpoint is also a frequent stopover for coffee or wine for those on a road trip through the scenic Guarazoca countryside.

The best place for shopping in El Hierro is Valverde, the island’s capital. Here, you’ll find Mercadillo de Valverde, a weekly farmers’ market in the town’s northern end featuring fresh locally sourced produce, as well as a variety of gift shops, fashion boutiques, and hardware stores lining the town’s streets.

The town of Tigaday in the municipality of Frontera on the west coast also has the municipal market Mercadillo La Frontera, with its stalls selling fresh local produce and a wide range of local crafts. Electronics shops, supermarkets, and sporting goods stores line the town’s main streets.

With over half of the island designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, El Hierro doesn’t offer anything for late-night clubbers and partygoers. What it does offer are magical sunsets and starlit skies – with low light pollution in most areas.

Stargazing aside, El Hierro’s nightlife scene is pretty much laidback. No nightclubs, only bars and cafes that close before midnight. They’re great spots where you can relax and enjoy a drink with good company. Bars and grills in Frontera such as Bar Restaurante Joapira and Restaurante Volcán del Hierro are good bets for hearty food, great local wines and cocktails, with fun, friendly, and casual vibes to match.