Guide of Valverde (El Hierro)

Valverde is the capital of El Hierro, in the Canary Islands. This town is not directly on the coast but is located a few kilometres inland in a raised position and so has an extraordinary landscape. The centre of the city is a maze of little streets where you can get lost and discover some beautiful hidden corners of the city.

A brief history of Valverde

In ancient times El Hierro was inhabited by the Bimbache or Bimbape. In the 1400s the island was invaded by the Normans, led by the condottiere Jean de Béthencourt, who did not begin with military action but instead used peaceful negotiations and agreements, but his promise to leave the indigenous population free was soon broken and many were sold as slaves.

Places to visit

In Valverde do not miss the beautiful Church of Our Lady of the Conception, it dates back to the XVIII century, inside there is an eighteenth-century statue of the Virgin Mary and Christ by Genoese sculptors.

The town is surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape that can be admired from the high points around the city. Why not take a pleasant stroll through the little streets of the ancient village, with all the steep alleyways lined with whitewashed houses and gardens full of flowers. Nearby you can visit the beautiful, ancient village of Pozo de las Calcosas, where the houses have thatched roofs and there are two large natural ponds.

Beaches around Valverde 

Valverde is the only Canarian capital that does not overlook the sea, but ten kilometres from the centre are the Charco Manso natural pools, that have an artificial beach with crystalline waters. They are a pleasant place to visit and are not too busy. Pozo de las Calcosas is another place with natural pools, surrounded by typical Canary Island houses, with volcanic stone walls and thatched roofs.