EL HIERRO
ABOUT EL HIERRO
To those who aren’t familiar with it, the far-flung, 10,000-person El Hierro may seem too isolated or too small. But to those who have lived there, visited, or even talked to someone who has experienced la vida herreña, it is more like a hidden paradise nestled in the southwestern portion of the archipelago. From sacred trees to giant lizards to award-winning cheese, El Hierro has an entire world of things to discover and appreciate.
El Hierro is the smallest of the Canary Islands in both landmass and population, excluding La Graciosa. It is comprised of three municipalities: Frontera, El Pinar, and Valverde (capital).
Contrary to much of the rest of Spain, the most popular sport on El Hierro is la lucha canaria, which you can watch in arenas (terreros) such as the one in El Pinar. There are also a few fútbol teams on the island, such as Isora FC, which plays in La Interinsular Preferente de Tenerife.
Herreñ@s are incredibly proud of their island and their culture, consistently demonstrating that landmass and convenience aren’t necessary for survival or success. For example, El Hierro is the first 100% self-sufficient island, using only renewable energy and paving the way for the rest of the region. They’ve also brought their endemic species of giant lizard back from the brink of extinction. Perhaps the best part of all of this is that they have meticulously preserved and documented their efforts, creating museums and centers dedicated to public education. While they may get the fewest tourists of the Canary Islands, those that do make the trek are richly rewarded, as you will soon find out.
TRANSPORTATION
El Hierro has its own primary guagua service, known as TransHierro. There are 12 regular routes that connect the island, which can be found here. A former grantee notes that buses typically stop running after 6 pm, and also only run once every ~3 hours, so it’s important to arrive early to your stop and keep a schedule on hand – Google Maps does not have the timetables! You should obtain a bus abono at the station (open 10:00-13:00 on weekdays) once you have your empadronamiento for discounted fares. Remember also that buses (and ferries) run more infrequently/at different times on weekends, and especially on Sundays.
Taxis are present throughout the island, though not in large numbers. A taxi between Valverde and the airport will typically cost 15€. You can also find rental car agencies in Valverde and the airport. For specific information on arriving to the airport, click here.
For more information on arriving to El Hierro, check out the Canarias Travel Guide.
MARKETS/SUPERMARKETS
The only supermarket with multiple locations in El Hierro is the local chain Supermercados Terencio. Past grantees recommend going to both Unide and Terencio, as they always have good german snacks and other global foods. Most other options will be small and family-owned, and you may find yourself traveling between them in a fun quest to hunt down specific ingredients!
GYMS AND EXERCISE
Valverde’s gym is called El Centro Deportivo Valverde, but the Polideportivo de Valverde is also open for athletic activities and sometimes hosts classes. There is also a running group on Facebook.
For information and recommendations for hiking, beaches, and more, visit the Outdoor Activities section of the Ocio guide.
LANGUAGE CLASSES
The Escuela Oficial de Idiomas has a location in Valverde (Calle Trinista 2). If you are interested, you could also offer to do a language exchange with your co-teachers!
SHOPPING
El Hierro has no malls, but it does have some locally-owned boutiques, mainly on “La Calle”, which is the main street in Valverde. Casa de las Quinteras has many artesanías for sale, in a shop attached to its ethnographic center. Past grantees have recommended doing most of your clothes shopping on the larger islands, at centers such as El Corte Inglés.
Don’t miss the mercadillo de artesanías in La Plaza de Benito Padrón in El Golfo, La Frontera.
NIGHTLIFE
In keeping with El Hierro’s vibe, typical evenings on the island rather calm – that is, until a fiesta rolls around! In Valverde, head to Tasca El Chavelazo on Calle Gral. Rodríguez y Sánchez Espinosa, which is the HQ of herreño nightlife. They sometimes have DJs and live music, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for events!