Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
We have 16 El Hierro holidays. The most remote and unspoilt of the Canary Islands, El Hierro enjoys a quiet and authentic charm, untouched by mass tourism. Until the discovery of the America’s, El Hierro was the last outpost of the known world, and you can still feel its remote and unspoilt charm today, from its green farmland to it’s timeless capital Valverde. Our El Hierro holidays are all about unwinding, relaxing and discovering the most authentic of the Canary Islands.
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These full and frank independent El Hierro holidays reviews are from travellers who have booked directly through responsibletravel.com. They are not edited by us or any of the companies we work with. Find the real story, from real travellers below.
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Not to missPozo de las Calcosas - Two large natural pools by a settlement which has been preserved as it was originally.Mirador de La Peña - Designed by famous Lanzarote born artist César Manrique, is unquestionably a must for all visitors as it provides a magnificent view over the Golfo Valley, Salmor Rocks and the peak. It is an intelligent combination of traditional construction and modern architecture, largely using local materials. Its restaurant has a menu focusing on local products. Arbol Garoé - The tree which guaranteed a suplly of water to the Bimbaches in ancient times. Charco Azul - A place to have a bath under a natural volcanic arch forming a kind of cave in the sea. Ecomuseo de Guinea - Old houses have been restored and form the first eco-museum in Spain, with numerous visitors. A series of giant lizard terrariums have been built, where visitors can see some of these rare and timid reptiles without disturbing their natural surroundings. El Sabinar - It is well worth visiting this area to see the savin junipers wich the strong an nearly constant north-easterly winds have moulded into incredible shapes. Orchilla Lighthouse - The westernmost point in Spain. Tacorón - To the south of El Pinar and in the sea “mar de las Calmas” is the small Tacorón bay. It has barbecue facilities and you can bathe in its crystal-clear waters all year around. It is reached by a winding path wich follows the coastline. |
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DivingYou won’t find a better place for scuba diving than El Hierro. The almost transparent waters around the island are an underwater paradise. The waters to the south of the island have been declared a marine reserve “Mar de las Calmas.” Local fishermen have cooperated in the establishment of the marine reserve and are helping to protect marine biodiversity and though sustainable fishing practices.The best diving is found off the southern coast of the island around La Restinga where high water temperatures and excellent visibility allow for a very special experience – look out for stingrays, groupers, zebra bream and the elusive hawksbill turtle, as well as fascinating rock formations, including towers, platforms, walls and shelves. There is an abundance of dive centres on the island, which offer both beginners and the experienced the chance to get out into the water and experience this dazzling seascape for themselves. Snorkellers can also expect to see plenty of marine life, thanks to the clarity of the water. FloraThe forests of El Hierro are home to a number of plant species which are endemic to the Canaries or even exclusive to the island itself, making this area an ideal spot for nature-lovers. Bosque de Laurisilva (Wild Laurel Forest) can be found up in the highlands with magnificent laurel trees, ferns and mosses being the main attraction.The extensive forests of conifers are said to be the most spectacular and beautiful in the archipelago where the stately Canary pine stands over a dense carpet of needles, preventing the growth of other plant species. In the north-east of the island, what is left of another forest, El Sabinar, can be found. This forest of savin junipers has been moulded for centuries by violent winds and weather, making for an interesting and unique landscape of twisted trees. FaunaEl Hierro has the largest variety of reptiles in the Canary Islands as well as a wide range of butterflies, spiders and birds. Keep your eyes trained on that bright blue sky and you could see kestrels, ravens, owls and even the beautiful wild canary.The island’s main attraction when it comes to fauna however is the giant lizard which lives exclusively on El Hierro. The Galliotia Simonyi, or Giant Lizard of El Hierro, is brown black in colour, measures up to 70cm and weighs in at more than 400 grams. It was long thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 1975 and now lives in La Fuga de Gorreta and is protected by law. They can also be seen in the Recovery Centre in the village of Guinea, where they are bred to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of this endemic species.  Read El Hierro's mission statement
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Getting thereEl Hierro cannot be reached directly from the UK. Instead, travellers must fly to Tenerife or Gran Canaria and then take a connecting flight to El Hierro. Direct flights to Tenerife are available from most major UK airports including London Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, East Midlands, Doncaster Sheffield, Durham, Norwich, Bournemouth, Exeter, Blackpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Derry. Ryanair, EasyJet, Monarch, flythomascook, Thomson Flights and Jet2 are the main flight providers.Direct flights to Gran Canaria are also available from most major UK airports including London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Leeds Bradford, Doncaster Sheffield, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. Ryanair, EasyJet, Monarch, flythomascook, flythomascook charter, Thomson Flights and Jet2 all fly this route. Binter Canarias is the main airline for inter-island flights within the Canaries, with frequent daily flights between Tenerife and El Hierro and one flight a day between Gran Canaria and La Gomera. The average flight time between Tenerife and El Hierro is 40 minutes; from Gran Canaria the flight time is 50 minutes. El Hierro can also be reached with Islas Airways company, Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas. The average ferry duration is 2 hours from Tenerife. Getting aroundA rental car offers the best way of exploring the island individually, while taxis can offer a similarly tailormade experience. Travelling by bus allows visitors time to enjoy the beautiful views and the regular bus services allow easy access to all of the island’s villages. |
