A lesser-known Spanish island is a “secret” destination that doesn’t get the hordes of tourists seen in the likes of Tenerife, but is perfect for a winter getaway. El Hierro is the smallest and westernmost of the Canary Islands off the northwest coast of Africa.

Known for its dramatic, cliff-lined volcanic coast, the island is hailed by Travel and Tour World as a “secret winter escape” due to it seeing far fewer visitors than its well-known neighbours, and its temperate climate. Daytime temperatures in El Hierro usually reach 17C in Frontera, a municipality in the northwestern part of the island in January, and drop only as low as around 12C at night, as per Weather2Travel.com. 

Pronounced el YEH-ro, the island may not have the array of sandy sunspots found on the likes of Gran Canaria, but it does have a handful of popular beaches, red and black sand beaches, and picturesque coastal tourist spots from which to take in the azure waters of the North Atlantic. 

The top-rated among them include Playa de Tacoron, Playa La Caleta, Charco Manso (a natural pool), and Playa El Varodal, according to TripAdvisor reviewers.

La Caleta is home to swimming pools described as “spectacular” by one visitor. There are also a number of restaurants where you can sample the island’s superb seafood and quesadillas, a Canarian staple.

The top-rated eatery is Restaurante Casa Juan in the town of La Restinga, on the south of the island.

One traveller who visited this year called it their “favourite restaurant now after sailing around the world and also being to all the Canary Islands”.

“This restaurant has grace and knows the art of creating a culinary positive experience with simple means. Fish perfectly fried with potatoes and mojo verde,” the TripAdvisor reviewer wrote.

“Absolutely wonderful salads with marinated smoked fish. Delicious desserts. Etc. Local wine from El Hierro.”

El Hierro measures just 268.51 square kilometres with a population of around 11,000. 

But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in its wealth of dramatic natural beauty.

The whole island was designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 2000, in recognition of its pristine ecosystems and commitment to sustainability.

El Hierro is on a path to becoming powered entirely by renewable energy, with a wind-hydro plant completed in 2014 that already covers most of its electricity needs.

Its peaceful atmosphere and striking landscape is said to be a great option for anyone looking for some sun without the hordes of holidaymakers that neighbouring islands attract.

You can get to the island from the UK by flying to Gran Canaria or Tenerife before getting a ferry or connecting flight to El Hierro’s has a small airport (VDE).