Want to leave enough time to discover this unspoilt Canary Island?
Here’s our advice on how many days to spend in El Hierro, based on your expectations.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
How many days to El Hierro: quick answers
- Minimum to get an overview of the island: 3 days
- Number of days to see all the most famous sites: 4 to 5 days
- In our opinion, the ideal number of days is 6 to 10.
- Please note: allow an extra day if your flight or ferry connections don’t run smoothly.
- If you simply want to disconnect and enjoy nature… El Hierro is ideal, even for a longer stay.
There is no universal answer to this question. It depends on a number of criteria. We give you more details in the article to help you make your decision.
Number of days to see the highlights
In our opinion, the must-see places are..:
- Roque de la Bonanza and Las Playas Bay
- The Mirador de la Peña, designed by Canary Islands artist César Manrique (1919-1992), overlooks the El Golfo valley and the ocean.
- La Charco Azul and the natural pools of La Maceta, volcanic basins by the sea
- The village of La Frontera and the El Golfo valley
- La Restinga marine reserve and its lava field, one of the best diving spots in the Canaries
- The Mirador de la Llania and its paths through the laurel forest
We think that in 4 to 5 days, you can comfortably cover the best-known places. El Hierro is small in area, but its winding roads and varied landscapes merit a slower pace than on the other Canary Islands.
Find out more in our article on El Hierro’s top attractions.
Our 3 favorite places to stay in El Hierro:
- Las Puntas, for the scenery
- Tamaduste, for the scenery and pools
- Restinga, for the scenery and the diving
See the best-rated accommodations on the island
See our detailed comparison of the best places to stay on the island (with map and photos).
Size and travel time
El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands. It measures around 27km from north to south and 15km from east to west. You can cross it in less than 45 minutes on the main road.
However, the roads are often narrow, winding and steep. Actual journey times are therefore longer than distance would suggest. We advise you to allow for margins, especially if you’re exploring the west coast or south of the island.
Here’s a map with the main driving times to give you an idea:
There’s so much to discover: be sure to rent a car.
It’s not a very touristy island, so book early for the best choice.
Travelling to El Hierro: allow an extra day
Unlike the larger Canary Islands, El Hierro has no direct international flights. You first need to get to Tenerife (or Gran Canaria), then take an inter-island flight or ferry to El Hierro. This connection can cost you a whole day if the timetables don’t mesh well. Frequencies are limited.
- Binter, the Canary Islands’ regional airline, operates flights between Tenerife North (Los Rodeos) and El Hierro (note that there are two airports in Tenerife).
- The ferry departs from Los Cristianos (south of Tenerife) and reaches the port of La Estaca in El Hierro. The crossing takes around 2h30.
See our article: How to get to El Hierro.
It’s time to book your ferry crossings!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
3, 4, 5 or 7-day itineraries
To get an even better idea of what you can see, take a look at our itinerary suggestions:
- 3-day itinerary in El Hierro (coming soon)
- 4-day itineraries (coming soon)
- 5-day itineraries (coming soon)
- 7-day itineraries (coming soon)
Criteria for deciding how long to spend in El Hierro
Budget
Estimate how much you can afford in total, so you know how many days you can stay.
El Hierro is an island where mass tourism has not taken hold. The accommodation on offer is more limited than on the larger Canary Islands, consisting mainly of rural houses, apartments and a few small hotels. Prices are generally moderate, but availability may be limited in high season. We recommend booking in advance.
See our article: where to stay in El Hierro.
In terms of transport, a rental car is essential for exploring the island. Public transport options are very limited. Don’t forget to factor the cost of inter-island flights or ferries into your overall budget.
Your desires, interests and goals
Spending time in natural pools? Diving? Explore volcanic landscapes? Hiking in the laurel forest?
Your desires have an impact on the time you need to enjoy your destination.
For example, if scuba diving is your priority, you can easily devote 3 days to La Restinga alone.
In El Hierro, the focus is on nature and tranquillity. We found that the island lends itself more to a contemplative stay than an activity-filled program.
- Number of beautiful beaches: low (few sandy beaches, but many natural volcanic pools)
- Number of different landscapes: high for the size of the island (laurel forests, volcanic landscapes, cliffs, high-altitude meadows, rocky coasts).
- Number of cultural sites: low (a few local museums, sites related to Bimbache history)
- Number of villages to visit: few, but each has its own character (Valverde, La Frontera, El Pinar, Pozo de las Calcosas).
- Number of hikes: moderate, including Camino de Jinama and Camino de la Virgen
- Number of diving spots: high, La Restinga marine reserve is renowned for its biodiversity and the clarity of its waters.
Visa
If your passport is outside the Schengen area, the traditional tourist visa authorizes you to travel within the area, including Spain, and therefore El Hierro, for a maximum of 90 continuous days.
Personal circumstances
Take into account your own schedule, including work commitments and personal responsibilities. This will help you realistically assess how much time you can devote to the trip.
Weather, conditions, events
El Hierro enjoys a mild climate all year round. However, the island has marked microclimates: the north and higher elevations are often cloudy and cooler, while the south remains generally sunny. In winter, the sea can be rough, which can affect ferry crossings and limit certain swimming activities in exposed natural pools.
Frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough in El Hierro?
With 3 days, you can see the island’s highlights: the miradors, some natural pools and the Sabinar. It’s a condensed overview, but you’ll have to make your own choices. If diving is one of your priorities, 3 days won’t be enough to combine land exploration and underwater activities.
Is 5 days enough in El Hierro?
With 5 days, we think you can see all El Hierro’s best-known sights at a leisurely pace. It’s also enough to integrate a day’s diving at La Restinga or a longer hike like the Camino de Jinama.
7 days is too long in El Hierro?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. If you like hiking, diving and slow-paced holidays, 7 days is just what you need. On the other hand, if you prefer a dense program of varied activities, you’ll have covered all the main sites in 5 days. El Hierro lends itself particularly well to travelers who appreciate peace and quiet.
Do I need a car in El Hierro?
Yes. Public transport is very limited and does not serve most natural sites. We recommend that you rent a car as soon as you arrive. Roads are in good condition, but often narrow and winding, especially on the west coast.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO El Hierro
- Best of
Why visit El Hierro
Best attractions in El Hierro
Hiking (coming soon)
Arches (coming soon)
Natural pools (coming soon)
- Practical advice
How to get to El Hierro
Getting around (coming soon)
Rent a car and drive (coming soon)
When to visit (coming soon)
How long
