Frontera, El Hierro, Canary Islands
The region of Frontera is best known for the Vina Frontera wines that are popular throughout the Canaries. It is located in the centre of El Hierro and incorporates the town of La Frontera, the El Golfo coastline, several villages, rugged countryside and steep volcanic slopes with impressive views.
Frontera
Frontera is all about natural landscapes and outdoor activities such as diving, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and boat trips. Or, maybe you just want a peaceful retreat to an island where the roads have very few cars and the village shops outnumber the supermarkets.
Read more about: Beaches | Things to Do | Out and About | Frontera Reviews
Beaches
Playa del Verodal is the largest beach on the island. It is backed by steep cliffs and there is an area for picnics and barbecues. The water can be calm but big waves and strong undercurrents often make it unsuitable for swimming.
Much of the coastline has steep cliffs making the shores pretty inaccessible but the El Golfo Bay has several spots where you can swim in the vivid blue-green waters. At La Maceta there is a small stony beach, 3 natural pools, a barbecue picnic area, a restaurant and a car park. At Charco Azul there are steps down to the rocky bay where you will find 2 natural swimming pools and sunbathing platforms. El Golfo Bay is also well known for the healing sulphur springs at the spa resort of Pozo de la Salud.
Things to Do
A visit to El Sabinar will give you an immediate visual understanding of the relentless intensity of the winds over the centuries. This fascinating forest of Juniper trees has been battered over time into surreal shapes and has literally bent over backwards to survive.
Faro de Orchilla lighthouse marks the most western point of the island and, indeed, the most western point of Europe. Perhaps more significant, the lighthouse marks the spot of the original Prime Meridian, before the Greenwich Observatory.
Out and About
In the town of La Frontera you can visit the Guinea Eco Museum which gives you an insight into the homes and lives of the villagers in centuries past. You can also visit the Giant Lizard Centre and learn about the works to protect the species, which is the nature symbol of the Canaries. The towns church, the Virgen de Candelaria, is also quite interesting in that it's belltower stands separately on a mountain of red volcanic ash.
Surrounded by agricultural lands, La Restinga is a quaint fishing village on the south of the island. There are a number of restaurants serving fresh fish dishes near the harbour and along the coast. It is also a popular spot for diving and there is a Marine Reserve and a number of PADI diving centres in the area. The beach is of dark sand and the waters are calm, protected by the cliffs surrounding the bay.
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