From Gran Canaria to El Hierro / Island Hopping
Why visit El Hierro
El Hierro is not just the westernmost island of the Canary Archipelago, but until the discovery of the Americas, it was the westernmost spot of the Old World, as Europeans, at least, used to map the world as they new it. This conjuncture led to the naming of El Hierro as the Meridian Island, since time zones used to be counted west to east starting from El Hierro. Besides this interesting historic reference, tourists should also keep in mind El Hierro is one of the cleanest of all islands, given the authorities have implemented, at least in part, a project of turning El Hierro into a spot completely and exclusively fueled by renewable sources of energy. This project is paralleled, at the archipelago scale, only by the Bioclimatic Village in Tenerife.
How to get from Gran Canaria to El Hierro
By sea
The only sea line company linking Gran Canaria to El Hierro is Naviera Armas. Their boats leave from Las Palmas and haul ashore at Valverde.
By air
Binter is the only inter-island flights operator providing services for tourists interested in making a short trip to El Hierro.
Attractions in Gran Canaria
Leon y Castillo House Museum
Puerto de La Luz of Las Palmas materializes the work of Fernando Leon and Juan Castillo. The Leon y Castillo House Museum honors their contribution.
Maspalomas Sand Dunes Nature Reserve
The fame of the Maspalomas Sand Dunes Nature Reserve is enhanced due to the fact the site was absorbed in the gay tourism circuit of Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the capital of the island and the most important commercial port. It is also a source of considerable tourist opportunities.