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To make mass tourism problematic, you need to know that a place exists!
It goes without saying at this point that Spain’s main cities and islands aren’t exactly keeping their doors open to tourists pouring in.
In some cases it has reached the point of total unrest with marches and protests in the streets where locals simply want their beloved cities back.
Well, that’s where the Canary Islands come into play… or at least one of them.
For those of us who can’t shake the idea of not visiting Spain, the lesser known island El Hierro is the perfect middle ground for both travelers looking for a Spanish paradise and locals who embrace us.
If you’re dismayed by the fact that you might be rolling your eyes at Spain’s top destinations, don’t overlook this lesser-known island just waiting to be explored!
Spain’s Lone Island, a bright spot for tourism
The Canary Islands welcome more than 6.5 million visitors every year, but El Hierro’s Canarian counterparts are not nearly as warm and hospitable as they are.
Only about 20,000 people come to El Hierro, while the neighboring islands are busy, and rightly so.
El Hierro has not yet built up a well-known name, because it is the youngest Canary Island.
On the plus side, this means that locals can embrace tourists more than anywhere else in Spain, as their quality of life and incredible locations can be easily shared, and tourism levels are still far from breaking the point of the country’s concerns about the ‘ mass tourism’.
For example, if you’ve been to Barcelona or Ibiza, you’re bound to know more often than not that you’re just a face in the crowd.
El Hierro couldn’t be more the opposite. You can easily enjoy otherworldly landscapes and vibrant blue waters without anyone else around on this rural island.
Tip: To get here, take the ferry from Los Cristianos, Tenerife, or fly from Gran Canaria or Tenerife North.
Move over America! El Hierro is home to red, white and blue
Red sand beaches, white sand beaches and dazzling blue water flowing onto land are just some of the natural beauties you will discover in El Hierro.
This island may be one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, but don’t let that fool you: it’s impressive!
El Hierro is rugged and rural yet easy to explore. It is even protected by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.
With over 160 miles of scenic hiking trailsthis is one of the most popular ways to traverse the island for epic views and surprising discoveries.
One of those attractions is El Hierro Charcoswhich are essentially swimmable natural pools formed by volcanic rock.
Even though you can’t come to El Hierro without going to the beach, so here’s a quick overview:
- Playa del Verodal – a hidden bay with red sand
- Playa de Arenas Blancas – widely considered the most photo-worthy white sand beach on the island
- Playa del Tacorón – secluded beach with crystal clear waters and volcanic views
Please note that the weather can be changeable all year round as El Hierro has multiple microclimates, so you never know what to expect, ranging from the warm Spanish sun, unprecedented strong winds and the unique ‘horizontal rain’ of the island.
Charming culture and hospitable locals
El Hierro is undoubtedly a paradise for nature lovers, where you can explore the vast scenic landscape and the many aquatic animals.
Even though the largest city has only 5,000 inhabitants, the culture and history of El Hierro should not be pushed aside.
The best way to fill your cup is by purchasing the Tourist passport of El Hierro (only $19) to gain access to several museums, natural wonders and the headquarters of the Biosphere Reserve, housed in a former casino.
What’s more is the endless charm that can be seen everywhere in each beautiful town, where you can’t help but notice the traditional houses made of volcanic rock.
Better yet, you can stay in it on Airbnb! Hotels and B&Bs are few and far between, but you’ll feel like a king when you’re embraced by the locals, as outsiders are few and far between.
Best of all, accommodations are super affordable, ranging from $30 to $70. If it were me, I’d opt for a volcanic stone house on Airbnb or Parador de El Hierro with an elevated pool overlooking the ocean.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
