Last updated: July 23, 2023 at 11:07 am
The Canary Islands are located off the coast of north-western Africa and consist of eight unique islands with millions of visitors altogether every year.
While some people prefer to visit the most popular canary islands, others may prefer to visit the islands where they can enjoy peace and quiet, along with beautiful views.
In this article:
We’ll detail what the three quietest Canary Islands are, and what to expect on each one.
IN THIS ARTICLE
A Little Background on the Islands
The likes of Tenerife or Gran Canaria are typically busy with tourists throughout the year, but this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you’re looking to find out which islands are the quietest, we’ve got you covered.
La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera are the three most minor Canary Islands. The tourist industry on these islands is minuscule and they’re the least visited out of all the Canary Islands.
The fact that they are less known and thus, less visited, is not a testament to the state of these islands. Some would say they’re more enjoyable than the more popular and busy islands such as Tenerife or Lanzarote. One major reason why they’re less popular is the fact that no international flights go to any of these islands.
Visitors have to find alternative methods of travelling to the island such as a ferry (and they will only have a few operating times available). Along with this, the three small islands don’t have a wide variety of luxury hotels or places to stay. So, that’s a problem for a good portion of tourists.
Having said this:
There are numerous reasons why tourists or nomads would choose these three islands as opposed to the larger Canary Islands and one major reason is the serenity of the smaller islands.
These quiet islands have unique landscapes that are well-preserved and can be enjoyed in solitude. A large amount of all three islands is prohibited in order to further protect them. 35% of La Palma, 60% of El Hierro, and 33% of La Gomera are prohibited.
Each of the islands has its own distinct qualities but all of them share the main quality of tranquillity and calmness.
Top 3 Quietest Canary Island
1. La Palma
There is an airport that will take you directly into La Palma (remember, you can’t fly into La Palma internationally, but can, for example, fly from Tenerife). The island is known to be essentially crime-free, adding to the peaceful way of living on this island.
Santa Cruz de la Palma is a wonderful place to travel to if you want to enjoy a historic centre filled with Renaissance palaces and a beautiful seafront. Additionally, there won’t be an influx of tourists to clog up these areas, even during the typically busy summer months.
Nature is the most important thing about this island and extreme tourism would interrupt that.
But:
For those who do wish to visit the isolated island, it’s important to know that you will spend most of your time exploring the island on foot.
Many of the roads in La Palma have dedicated lanes that are specifically set aside for walkers. Cars cannot travel on these designated roads, so walking is encouraged. It’s a safe and easy way to get around the island.
Many landmarks and nature parks can only be reached by foot such as The Caldera de Taburiente National Park. The island of La Palma is often referred to as “La Isla Bonita” which translates to beautiful island, and for good reason!
2. El Hierro
El Hierro’s population is just 11,000 and it’s an extremely peaceful and nature-based island. It’s a small fishing village with gorgeous beaches that are almost always deserted. This means you won’t experience a tourist-filled busy beach, as you would in many of the other Canary Islands.
It is a place of calmness and tranquillity where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Those who do travel to El Hierro are often those who enjoy diving. There are more than 40 diving points in El Hierro and many divers consider the island to be one of the best places on the planet for scuba diving.
Water and Eco-Friendliness
One of the main reasons for this is due to the transparency of the water which allows visibility of up to 30 metres. El Hierro’s waters contain a huge variety of species and volcanic landscapes that can be seen far into the water. The island also offers classes for beginners who want to get into scuba diving. These classes will provide you with the equipment that you need to get started.
The government plan to make the island the first island in the entire world to be self-sufficient in several things including food and energy. They plan to achieve this through clean, renewable energies and they’re on the road to succeeding in this.
Also read: 7 Quietest Croatian Islands: Uncovered
Additionally, the island is known for its wines, as they produce some of the best wines in the Canary Islands. Along with producing wine, the island produces fresh products from the land and sea that is of wonderful quality and taste. An important thing to remember is that not many locals speak English on this laid-back island. So, it would be best to brush up on your Spanish if you plan to visit.
El Hierro is lacking in tourism which makes for quite a peaceful environment, especially compared to the other Canary Islands. There is a lack of beaches in El Hierro, which may be one of the reasons for its lack of tourism.
However:
Those who do visit the island can enjoy the island’s natural pools instead. For example, the Valle de El Golfo Coast has sunbathing and picnic areas that you can enjoy in almost complete solitude.
3. La Gomera
La Gomera is another quiet and isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean that is a part of the Canary Islands. La Palma and El Hierro tend to be much quieter than La Gomera in comparison. But, the island is extremely tranquil in comparison to the rest of the Canary Islands.
Here… you can find deep ravines, rugged mountains, earth valleys, and a prehistoric landscapes It’s important to remember that there is no airport on the island. The only way to get there is by ferry, which contributes to its level of isolation.
What La Gomera Is Known For
This island is well-known for hiking and walking due to its wonderful trails and nature parks. You can spend an entire day hiking on the trails of Garajonay National Park and not encounter many people there.
The national park is in the central highland of La Gomera and the highest point of is located there. From this high point, you can see the islands of El Hierro, Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria. Additionally, you’ll find a wide variety of species that are otherwise extinct in other destinations.
If you want to visit the most peaceful part of La Gomera, you must check out the north of the island. In particular, the area of Vallhermoso, which directly translates to Beautiful Valley is worth a visit. And that is exactly what this little town is. The town consists of banana plantations, vineyards, and valleys.
The south is relatively quiet with a picturesque view all around and a calming atmosphere. All areas enjoy hot weather throughout the year but the best time to visit would be during autumn and spring.
La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera are all hidden gems of the Canary Islands. While they aren’t as popular as the other islands surrounding them, this is often a positive element. You can enjoy picturesque views, beautiful food and drinks, and wonderful wildlife, without the hustle and bustle of a busy tourist environment.
