El Hierro
The smallest and westernmost volcanic island of the Canaries: a World Biosphere Reserve with top diving at La Restinga and clifftop viewpoints.
El Hierro is the westernmost and smallest (about 268 km²) of the main Canary Islands in Spain, with around 11,000 inhabitants. The entire island was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2000 and is also a Global Geopark, and it is known for running almost entirely on wind power and pumped-storage hydro. Before the Greenwich meridian was established, Europe long regarded it as the site of the "zero meridian" at the western edge of the Old World. The island is a three-pronged volcano: on the north side, the vast El Golfo valley was formed by a massive landslide and is enclosed by 1,000-metre cliffs — it's the main hub for lodging and sightseeing. The capital, Valverde, sits in the northeastern hills; La Restinga at the southern tip faces a calm marine reserve and is one of Europe's top dive sites; the west has the wind-bent junipers of El Sabinar, the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes and the Orchilla Lighthouse; and on the east side are the Las Playas bay and the Roque de Bonanza. Sandy beaches are scarce, so most swimming happens in natural lava pools such as Charco Azul, Charco Manso and Tamaduste — never go in when the sea is rough. The climate is mild year-round, around 18–20°C in winter and about 25°C in summer, with the warmest sea in Sep–Nov. Getting there: take the ferry from Los Cristianos on Tenerife to La Estaca port (about 2.5 hours), or fly from Tenerife North or Gran Canaria (about 40–50 minutes). Buses on the island are infrequent, so renting a car is strongly recommended; mountain roads are winding and often foggy. Plan on 3–4 days, longer for keen divers; life on the island is slow-paced and hotels and restaurants are limited, so book ahead in high season.
Top sights
- El Golfo Valley – A vast semicircular volcanic collapse valley, with kilometre-high cliffs embracing a bay. The valley floor has banana plantations, villages…
- Mirador de la Peña – A cliffside viewpoint and restaurant designed by architect César Manrique, 700 metres up, overlooking El Golfo Valley and the Salmor rock.
- Charco Azul – A natural seawater pool beneath a lava arch, with crystal-clear turquoise water. It is the island's most photogenic swimming spot.
- La Restinga & Marine Reserve – One of Europe's top dive sites. The calm marine reserve is home to groupers, manta rays and underwater volcanic landscapes.
- El Sabinar – An ancient juniper forest whose trees are bent and twisted by the trade winds. It is El Hierro's iconic sight, and the Bascos viewpoint is…
- Roque de la Bonanza – A volcanic rock pillar rising from the sea in Las Playas Bay, shaped like a ship. It is a postcard icon of El Hierro.
- Las Playas & Mirador de Isora – Cliffs up to a kilometer high embrace the bay, which can be viewed from the Mirador de Isora at the clifftop or explored along the coastal…
- Faro de Orchilla – The 'end of the old world' in Europe, once the site of the Prime Meridian. A white lighthouse stands in a barren volcanic landscape.
- Valverde – The only capital in the Canary Islands not on the coast, with whitewashed lanes and the Concepción Church, the island's supply hub.
- Árbol Garoé – The Indigenous 'rain tree', which harvests water from the mist and was once the source of life for the island's people. There is now an int…
- Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de los Reyes – A white sanctuary on the western plateau of the island, dedicated to El Hierro's patron saint. The Virgin's procession held once every four…
- Pozo de la Salud – A mineral spring well and spa hotel at the western end of El Golfo valley, with a natural lava-rock pool by the sea for swimming.
- Playa del Verodal – A rare red-sand beach on the island, backed by volcanic cliffs with spectacular sunsets, though the surf is too strong for swimming.
- Charco Manso – A natural seawater pool on the north coast of the island, surrounded by lava caves. When waves surge into the caves, the scene is spectacul…
- Tamaduste – A small seaside village on the northeast coast, with a calm natural lagoon sheltered by lava, ideal for swimming and diving.
- Cala de Tacorón – A lava cove beside the Mar de las Calmas marine reserve, with caves, platforms and clear water. It is a snorkeling paradise.
- Ecomuseo de Guinea & Lagartario – A museum of an ancient village and lava caves in El Golfo valley, next to a breeding centre for the endangered giant lizard of El Hierro.
- Mirador de Jinama – A cliff-top viewpoint on the southern rim of El Golfo valley, and the classic starting point of the Camino de Jinama hike.
- Roques de Salmor – Two volcanic rock islets in the sea off the northeast end of El Golfo valley, a seabird reserve and the site where the El Hierro giant liza…
- Parque Cultural El Julan – An Indigenous archaeological site on the island’s southern slope, with the enigmatic “Los Letreros” rock carvings and ritual grounds. Visit…
Where to eat
- La Tafena – The island's top-rated restaurant in the capital, Valverde. It serves home-style El Hierro dishes with local ingredient…
- Mirador de La Peña – A cliffside viewpoint restaurant designed by César Manrique, overlooking El Golfo bay. It is ideal for sunset dining or…
- El Refugio La Restinga – A family seafood restaurant in the southern fishing village of La Restinga. Its own boats bring in fresh fish and limpe…
- Casa Goyo – A home-cooking restaurant in an old house in the highland village of San Andrés, famous for its chickpea stew and offer…
Itineraries
- El Hierro Slow Travel: Cliffs, Junipers, and Coastline – A loop tour of the small island: viewpoints, natural pools, wind-bent juniper forests, and a southern diving fishing po…