El HierroCanary Islands · Spain

All About El Hierro

As the smallest and farthest west of the Canary Islands, El Hierro is for intrepid travelers up for an adventure. The volcanic island remained separated from the outside world for generations and faintly resembles the Spanish mainland or Northwest Africa. El Hierro clings to its days of isolation and receives far fewer visitors than its neighbors. For the hardy souls who venture to the self-sufficient island, a sense of tranquility overtakes your spirit.

With a sparse population of 11,000 over 103 square miles, the island helps you disconnect from modern civilization. Its diverse landscapes of black-sand beaches, crystal-clear pools, volcanic cliffs, lush forests, and tropical flora inspire you around every turn. When you book ferry tickets to El Hierro, gear up for one of the most epic seabound journeys in Spain. The Ferryscanner website helps you find ferries to this isolated destination, so you can experience this soulful island.
 

Routes and Ferries to El Hierro

If you’re searching for modern luxuries, El Hierro won’t be at the top of your list. The simple life flourishes in El Hierro, and its awe-inspiring landscapes foster intimate connections with Mother Nature. Volcanic cones and lava fields imitate distant planets, while lonely lighthouses cling to Earth’s edge. The lack of foot traffic and glitzy resorts offers a refuge for intrepid explorers wishing to escape reality. Booking ferry tickets to El Hierro takes you on a voyage to what was once thought to be the world’s edge.

Using Ferryscanner, you can search for timetables and routes that let you book ferry tickets to El Hierro. If you’re vacationing in the Canary Islands, you can springboard from Tenerife to El Hierro. Tenerife is the largest Canary Island, and Naviera Armas offers 1-2 daily routes from Los Cristianos to El Hierro (Valverde). Scheduled ferries take on average 2.5 hours to cover the 77 nautical miles (143 km).
 

Ports of El Hierro

Located on El Hierro’s northeastern coast, Puerto de la Estaca (Valverde) greets all of the arriving ferries. Valverde is the largest settlement and capital of El Hierro, with a population of around 5,000. Volcanic mountains form the backdrop, and white-washed buildings contrast against the black-rock cliffs. There’s not much infrastructure around Puerto de la Estaca, but you can easily transit from here to other locations around El Hierro.
 

Best Beaches

While El Hierro’s beach selection is slim, the shores on this volcanic island enchant visitors with their scenic beauty. The small island boasts an impressive coastline that includes rocky, black, red, and white-sand beaches. Volcanic landscapes encircle the coast across El Hierro and make you feel like you’ve crash-landed on a distant planet. And the lack of mass tourism has left the El Hierro beaches the most unspoiled in the Canary Islands.

Arenas Blancas Beach

The volcanic features of El Hierro come to life at this La Frontera beach. Trudge through volcanic rock and lava fields to find the only shore dotted with white sands in El Hierro. Rocky cliffs and towering mountains surround the unspoiled beach as turquoise waves crash against the volcanic coast. It’s a magical location that rarely sees any visitors compared to other beaches across the Canary Islands.

El Verodal Beach

Near the Orchilla Lighthouse, El Verodal Beach stands out for its reddish sand that mimics the surface of Mars. Aquamarine waves lap against the shores, while red and black-rock cliffs form the backdrop. The currents can get dangerous, so wander the beach with caution. The unreal setting makes it a must-visit destination for beachgoers searching for a unique tanning spot.

La Maceta Natural Pool

Instead of lounging on red or black volcanic shores, take a dip in soothing natural pools. Located in La Frontera, the La Maceta Natural Pool makes a relaxing place to swim in the safety of a walled pool. Protected from the crashing waves, the crystal-clear swimming holes overlook the ocean and volcanic cliffs. If you bring the family, it’s the best place in El Hierro for everyone to enjoy the refreshing water and dramatic landscapes.
 

Things to Do

El Hierro’s otherworldly scenery entices nature enthusiasts and daredevils. Whether you explore El Hierro by land, sea, or air, there are activities to get your blood pumping. For visitors seeking a more relaxed vacation, El Hierro boasts an exquisite gastronomic and wine selection. With its volcanic soils and fishing culture, El Hierro intrigues the palates of foodies and wine connoisseurs.

Hiking

From the moment your ferry arrives, El Hierro bewilders you with its contrasting landscapes. The island is a World Biosphere Reserve, and its hiking routes reward explorers with spectacular views. One moment you’ll wander through Canary Island pines, and suddenly striking volcanic formations take over. Head towards the rocky coast to watch the Atlantic waves crash against the sea cliffs. A legendary El Hierro trail to tackle is Camino de Jinama, with its fierce 1,000-meter elevation gain in under 4 kilometers. At the highest point, the path offers sweeping views of Valle de El Golfo.

Scuba Diving

El Hierro boasts around 40 dive sites and has a famous reputation amongst scuba divers around the world. The coral reefs, marine species, and volcanic landscapes beneath the surface astonish divers with their bright colors. Also, the water clarity gives you a lasting impression of the underwater universe. If you’ve never explored the ocean depths, scuba diving schools will show you the ropes. Their PADI diving courses open your eyes to a beautiful world of stingrays, sharks, dolphins, turtles, and more.

Paragliding

Take to the skies and get a bird’s eye view over the volcanic cones, lava fields, and sea cliffs. Thanks to trade winds and high elevation points, El Hierro is one of Spain’s best paragliding destinations. Flying above the contrasting landscapes gives you a unique perspective you won’t see from the ferry. Paragliding is possible any time of year in El Hierro, and takeoff points place you amongst the clouds.

Sample Local Delicacies

The diverse topography, tropical climate, and Atlantic waters create a perfect recipe for El Hierro’s delectable cuisine. Fish is a staple, and chefs prepare local catches in every way imaginable. The fertile soil and ideal climate enable El Hierro to produce a variety of tropical fruits. Taste mangoes, bananas, pawpaws, and some of the finest pineapples in the world. Don’t leave El Hierro without pairing their homemade cheeses and wines. If you’re craving dessert, Quesadilla is a traditional El Hierro cheese-and-aniseed sweet.
 

Transportation Around El Hierro

While booking ferry tickets to El Hierro, consider bringing a vehicle from Tenerife. Whether it’s your vehicle or a rental, self-driving offers the most flexibility to explore the island’s dramatic landscapes. Naviera Armas ferries permit vehicles to transport your car from Tenerife.

Although public transport is available, it won’t take you to the more remote locations on El Hierro. The bus system will only take you around villages on the eastern side of the island. Taxis are available, but they can be expensive. Cycling is possible on some parts of the coast, although you must bring your own bike on the ferry.