Whereas Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria undergo underneath the load of too many vacationers, this Canary Island stays largely untouched.
This Canary Island stays largely untouched by overtourism (Picture: Getty)
A number of islands of the Canary archipelago have develop into victims of their very own successes in the previous couple of years, a lot in order that they’ve been branded victims of runaway overtourism after being named on Fodor’s Journey’s ‘No Checklist’ for 2026. The influential information has warned that hovering customer numbers are placing intense pressure on fragile landscapes and the day-to-day lives of residents.
“For a lot of Canarians, tourism is each a lifeline and a burden,” Fodor stated. “The islands rely closely on customer spending, but locals usually see little of it.” Nonetheless, one of many smaller islands, El Hierro, could also be much less of a priority, because it receives far fewer vacationers than its Spanish neighbours. In 2025, studies recommended that Lanzarote had exceeded two million vacationers within the first half of the yr, whereas Tenerife continued to steer in arrivals, with estimates of over 670,000 vacationers in March alone. El Hierro, by comparability, receives solely round 20,000 to 30,000 vacationers per yr – a fraction of the general Canary tourism market.
El Hierro is the wildest and most westerly island within the archipelago, in addition to being the youngest (Picture: Getty)
El Hierro is the wildest and most westerly island within the archipelago, in addition to being the youngest. The island emerged from the Atlantic round 1.2 million years in the past after millennia of undersea volcanic eruptions, making a wild panorama of forests, cliffs, volcanoes and even badlands.
One main issue that helps El Hierro hold its hidden gem standing is the truth that its airport has no direct worldwide providers. All flights are home inside Spain, primarily linking El Hierro to Tenerife North (TFN) and Gran Canaria (LPA).
In response to BBC Journey, El Hierro’s tourism authorities goal to progressively enhance customer numbers and are dedicated to sustainable improvement.
“We wish to enhance tourism and proceed to enhance the island’s lifestyle, however to not the detriment of the residents’ high quality of life or the island’s pure sources,” stated Davinia Suárez Armas, island director of tourism and transport. “We want to keep up our tradition and share our quiet lifestyle with guests.”
The whole island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Geopark. It options the Sabinar, well-known historical juniper timber twisted into unimaginable shapes by the fixed wind and is residence to the El Hierro Big Lizard, a species as soon as regarded as extinct however rediscovered within the Seventies.
Due to its volcanic origin, El Hierro has only a few sandy seashores, so individuals swim in stunning “Charcos”, pure swimming pools fashioned by lava.
The island can be a hiker’s paradise, with landscapes starting from misty forests to lunar volcanic landscapes. One difficult however rewarding path is the Camino de Jinama, which climbs over 2,600 toes up a large cliff face, providing the perfect views of the El Golfo valley.
El Hierro is likely one of the warmest locations in Europe throughout February, with daytime highs of between 17 and 19C. Guests can count on round seven hours of sunshine per day and little or no rain – usually solely 4 days all the month.
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