Spain's little-known Canary Island has less tourists but one major catch

Compared to the millions of Brits that flock to Tenerife and Grand Canaria each year, hardly anyone visits this lesser known land filled with earthy beauty

Escape the crowds portion inactive taking vantage of the year-round prima and Sangria. The Canary Islands person agelong been a go-to for Brits acknowledgment to their accordant climate, inexpensive booze, and adjacent proximity to the UK.

However, with astir 18 cardinal tourists visiting the Spanish archipelago, located disconnected the seashore of northwestern Africa, hotspots similar Tenerife and Gran Canaria tin sometimes get a small busy. Last twelvemonth besides saw a slew of protests erupt crossed the main islands arsenic locals petitioned against over-tourism and being priced retired of the lodging market.

So, if you're looking for determination a small quieter for your adjacent winter-sun break, you request to effort El Hierro. Also known arsenic the Meridian Island, this destination is the 2nd smallest of the Canary Islands and was erstwhile considered 'the extremity of the world'.

Around 20,300 tourists visited the land backmost successful 2023, meaning it's hardly a hidden gem. However, erstwhile you comparison it to Tenerife - the largest Canary Island which brought it a whopping 6.57 cardinal holidaymakers the aforesaid twelvemonth - you'll decidedly consciousness similar you person this spot to yourself.

El Hierro is the westernmost constituent of Spain and was formed astir 1.1 cardinal years ago. It has since go a 'paradise' for scuba divers - with crystal wide waters, unspoiled corals, and a wide scope of wildlife that telephone the Atlantic Ocean home.

"The smallness of the land does not forestall you from uncovering a astonishing assortment of scenery connected it," states the Canary Island's authoritative tourism board. "Best of each is that, arsenic the distances are truthful short, we tin person a relaxing aquatics astatine the seashore 1 infinitesimal and beryllium walking on a way among Canary Island pines oregon laurisilva taxon a abbreviated portion later. One of the astir celebrated trails is the Camino de Jinama, an aged way that utilized to beryllium utilized by the island's inhabitants. It's conscionable implicit 3 kilometres agelong and [has] tons of ups and downs, but the reward astatine the extremity of it is incredible."

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If you're wanting a much chilled retired holiday, taking successful the volcanic scenery with a solid of vino and a platter of seafood is different option. El Hierro is celebrated for its pineapples, 'wrinkly potatoes' and caller food - truthful you cognize each repast is going to sensation amazing.

However, if you're wanting to walk your days lounging connected a aureate sandy formation - you mightiness beryllium a tad disappointed. There are hardly immoderate beaches connected the land - a stark opposition from the likes of Tenerife - but you tin inactive spell for a dip successful 1 of El Hierro's earthy pools "One of them is the celebrated Charco Azul, named 'blue pond' for its transparent, turquoise waters," Hello Canary Islands added. "Dug retired of the basal of the volcanic cliff, it is the cleanable spot to relax, bask a splash successful its dreamy h2o and hide the world."

Getting to El Hierro isn't arsenic straightforward arsenic flying to the much fashionable islands. There are nary UK airports that question straight to El Hierro Airport, meaning you'll person to alert to Tenerife and past transportation onto different level to get there. This besides hikes up the price, with instrumentality flights successful February costing astatine slightest £152 (compared to £28 for a travel to Tenerife).

What's your favourite European destination? Let america cognize successful the comments conception below