If you are planning a route around the island but you are stuck in the decision of where to stay in El Hierro, we invite you to read on. We know that this is one of the most important decisions of a trip and, although the island is small, it has many accommodation options depending on the plan or route you want to do.
That is why we wanted to publish this guide to give you all the options available where to sleep in El Hierro, as well as the best accommodation alternatives in each of the places to make your decision as easy as possible.
Based on our visit to the island, thanks to which we have been able to write guides such as places to see in El Hierro or this route through El Hierro in 3, 5 and 7 days, here you have all the tips and information about where to stay in El Hierro. Let’s get started!
Places to stay in El Hierro
El Hierro is the smallest (after La Graciosa) and westernmost island of the Canary archipelago and as we imagine you know, it is known for its natural beauty and tranquil character.
It offers a variety of stunning landscapes ranging from rocky coasts to dense pine forests but if there is one thing that characterizes El Hierro is that it is a sustainable island, with an ambitious plan to achieve energy self-sufficiency through renewable sources such as wind and hydroelectric power. Here you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, diving and even bird watching.
When choosing a hotel in El Hierro it is important to keep in mind that the island has no highway or freeway connecting some places with others, so all journeys will be made by mountain road. This makes the trips a little longer than you might think at first and means that the choice of accommodation will involve more or less time in the car.
That said, we recommend you to move around the island by rental car, as public transport would limit you a bit on the route and private transport would raise the budget quite a bit. We always compare the offers available at AutoEurope and Rentalcars and we are very happy with them.
After this brief introduction, you are probably wondering which are the best places to stay in El Hierro to start organizing your trip, so here we go!
- North of the island: it is one of the most chosen areas since it is where both the port and the airport are located and has places like Tamaduste or Valverde.
- Center of the island: in our opinion, it is the best option to look for lodging in the island since being in the center, you will have everything closer. In this case, you have the option of staying in places like San Andres or Frontera.
- South of the island: if you are looking to enjoy diving or the beach, this is your option, especially if you decide to stay in La Restinga.
Do you want a summary and our opinion? If it is your first time on the island and you are going to stay for a short time, the ideal is to look for accommodation in the center of the island, such as Isora, San Andres or Frontera and from there move to all the places you have on your route. If you are going to stay a week or more, perhaps we would value the option of changing accommodation and look for one in the north and another in the south.
You are not convinced yet. Don’t worry, because now we are going to give you all the information about each of the places to make it easier for you to choose where to stay in El Hierro.
1. Where to stay in El Hierro North
The north of the island of El Hierro offers a mix of coastal landscapes and charming villages that reflect the rich history and natural beauty of the region. Tamaduste, a charming coastal village, enchants with its harbor and crystal clear waters ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Valverde, the capital of El Hierro located in the northern hills, is a historic enclave of the island. Its cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses showcase traditional Canarian architecture, while its Plaza de la Constitución is the heart of local life, surrounded by cafes and stores.
Here you can explore historic sites such as the 18th-century church of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the island from nearby lookout points. Very close to Valverde is Mocanal, with the same charm and very well located for touring the island.
La Caleta, a small fishing village located on the north coast of El Hierro, offers an authentic and relaxed atmosphere. With its characteristic pier and traditional fishing boats, La Caleta is a charming place to stroll and enjoy the authenticity of island life.
The choice of one of these places will depend on whether you want to be near the sea or not. In case you want to stay in the north of the island, we would recommend Valverde, for the variety of accommodations and its geographical location.
2. Where to sleep in El Hierro center
As we said before, the center of the island is, for us, the best option to find where to sleep in El Hierro.
The center is a mountainous region that offers an authentic experience of rural Canarian life. San Andrés, a charming village nestled on the slopes of the mountains, is known for its cobblestone streets and tranquil atmosphere. Here you can visit the church of San Andrés Apóstol, which dates back to the 16th century, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the volcanic landscapes. In addition, San Andrés is an ideal starting point for hiking the nature trails through the forests of the area.
Isora, another characteristic village in the center of El Hierro, offers a rural and traditional atmosphere that invites you to immerse yourself in the daily life of the island. With its whitewashed houses and agricultural terraces on the hills, Isora is a place to explore on foot and enjoy the serenity of the countryside. Here you can visit the Church of San Miguel Arcangel, which dominates the village’s skyline, and discover the rich culture and history of the region.
Finally you have the option of Frontera, located in the valley of the same name, surrounded by an impressive mountainous landscape and its staggered agricultural terraces. Frontera is the place of the island that has more variety and availability of accommodation in El Hierro, so it is always a very good choice.
3. Where to stay in El Hierro south
The south of the island of El Hierro, home to towns such as La Restinga and Taibique, offers a unique environment that combines the serenity of its landscapes, the sea and the local culture.
La Restinga, the southernmost village of the island, is famous for its harbor and its rich marine life, being one of the best known places in the world for diving. Here you can enjoy water activities such as diving and snorkeling, whale and dolphin watching excursions in its natural environment or hiking.
Taibique, located in the municipality of El Pinar, is a quiet rural village nestled in the southern hills of the island. With its impressive mountain scenery and agricultural terraces, Taibique offers a quiet getaway for those looking to connect with nature. In addition to hiking, the municipality is also known for its rich agricultural tradition, with vineyards and crops spread out in the surrounding area.
Which one to choose? As in previous cases, the determining factor is the route you want to do. If you want to visit the whole island, perhaps the best is Taibique or the area of El Pinar in general, while if you are going to dive or enjoy the coast, La Restinga is the ideal place.
Our recommendations for accommodation in El Hierro
To summarize, if you still do not know where to look for your accommodation in El Hierro, we recommend you to start by defining the days you are going to be on the island and what places you want to see. Here you have our proposals for El Hierro route in 3, 5 and 7 days so you can get an idea.
In case of doing a complete route around the island, it would be ideal to look for accommodation in the center of the island, such as in San Andres or Frontera, which give you easy and quick access to the rest of the island. If you want to do a more relaxed route and enjoy water sports such as scuba diving, La Restinga is the perfect place.
As for the type of accommodation, El Hierro does not have a wide range of hotels, but it does have holiday apartments. This helps to have privacy, but above all to be able to save on meals, especially for hiking trails or nature excursions, as you will have a kitchen in the accommodation.
If we talk about price, in El Hierro you will find accommodations for almost every budget, from 40€ a night to 80-100€, depending on the amenities you are looking for and the season in which you go.
Tips to get cheap accommodation in El Hierro
In addition to all the recommendations on where to stay in El Hierro that we have been giving in this guide, here is a compilation of tips for finding the best accommodation on the island.
- Although El Hierro is not a very touristy or crowded island, it is best to look for your accommodation in advance to get the best price, especially if you are going in high season.
- If you are looking to save on accommodation, you should avoid the most touristy places and look for a rural house or apartment in a remote part of the island.
- Before looking for accommodation, always put the places you want to visit on the map so that you can choose the best place for you.
For more recommendations about the island you can consult this list of tips for traveling to El Hierro.
