Hi guys! Thanks for checking out my article on El Hierro. I’m Ineke and I moved to the Canary Islands three years ago, specifically to Tenerife. I have always loved to discover new things, and wanted to travel the world to learn about new cultures and myself. Being permanently based in Tenerife means that I’m close to many beautiful islands in the Canaries archipelago.
My boyfriend and I decided to visit El Hierro – the smallest and farthest west of all seven. We traveled from Tenerife on the ferry and brought our van onboard. It took approximately three hours to get there and we arrived late at night (10/11pm). La Caleta was our first port of call, a charming coastal town known for its direct ocean access and sea water pools.
While at home, we researched places to stay and came up with a plan. Starting from the harbor to La Caleta, we went on to Villa de Valverde to walk through the town. Since we are beach bums, we ended up going to Tamaduste. Here we went swimming and enjoyed the sun – the weather was fantastic (at first we thought it would be cold but we had good luck).
After a wonderful time in Tamaduste, we ventured to Charco Manso. This spot is full of bathing areas by the ocean, caves and arches. Unfortunately, we only had the opportunity for a brief visit because there was no Internet there and I needed to find strong WiFi for my work. We found the Internet in Pozo de Las Calcosas, home to these incredible natural pools, and stayed overnight. The fishing village in Pozo de Las Calcosas was very cute.
Next, we explored Arbol Garoe and paid a visit to Hotel Puntagrande which is regarded as the world’s smallest hotel. It has five rooms, and the surroundings are rugged and wild. That night we stayed by the natural pools of La Maceta and the following day bathed in its waters. Later in the afternoon, my boyfriend and I traveled to Charco Azul. The nature of Charco Azul is amazing – if you visit El Hierro then don’t skip this location.
The final half of our trip included Playa del Verodal where we just chilled for a period, La Restinga where we stayed the night and roamed the village, Playa de Tacoron where we relaxed for the day, and Tamaduste where we spent the night and next day before having to return home. In total, our trip in El Hierro lasted five days – it was a fast-paced and thrilling adventure.
Why Visit El Hierro on your Canaries Trip
Hardly anyone visits El Hierro on their travels to the Canary Islands and it’s a shame because this little volcanic island is bursting with unique nature. You have abundant greenery, roads that lead through volcanic black landscapes, jaw-dropping cliff faces, superb views and a series of inviting natural pools to bathe in. The island is so clean and the vibe is super chill.
The villages and people are great too. Everyone seems to know each other and the locals always greet you when you drive by in your car. There are no motorways in El Hierro. The only way to get around is to drive the normal roads. I loved this aspect of the island. I managed to see quite a lot in five days and some of my best memories were from cruising the little roads.
3 Best Places to Visit in El Hierro
The three places that stole my heart in El Hierro were Tamaduste, La Maceta and Charco Azul. Tamaduste was just a phenomenal spot to swim at and unwind – it’s like a bay with a tiny beach when the tide goes out, but you also have stairs to enter the water. There are also restaurants and a supermarket. All in all, it’s a super cute village. La Maceta was a favorite of mine due to the natural pools – some are big and there is even a BBQ area.
Charco Azul probably tops them all. This natural pool is about as natural as it gets. Almost like an open cave with a pool, you simply have to visit Charco Azul. Areas composed of wood allow you to roll your towel out and sit down while listening to the ocean. On the left side you have a massive “piscina natural” and on the right a cave with views. What more could you ask for? Other places worth mentioning are Mirador de Las Playas and Arbol Garoe.
Need to Know Before you Go
We stayed in El Hierro for five days and I believe this is the minimum time you need to travel around the island. Three days might be enough for a quick sightseeing trip, but four or five days gives you the chance to relax a bit at each destination and soak in the atmosphere. Of course, if you have more time (a week) then this will make your journey even better.
Arriving by ferry is straightforward if you are coming from Tenerife. It took us three hours and being able to take our van along was a bonus. The other option is to fly. However, I suggest going by ferry and bringing a vehicle. We slept in our van at night and this helped us to save on costs along the way. One night at the smallest hotel would be an absolute dream though.
Finally, know that there are no freeways in El Hierro but the roads are in good condition. Getting from place to place takes time. Some roads to the beaches take you down stony and sandy paths. This has its charm. Other roads only have one way in and out, which means you have to go back the same way you came. No stress though, it’s all part of the experience here. I’m 100% sure you will love El Hierro as much as my boyfriend and I did.
