3 islands in Spain with fewer British tourists than Tenerife or Lanzar | Travel News | Travel
El Hierro is well-known to diving enthusiasts (Image: Getty)
The Canary Islands have remained a beloved holiday hotspot for British travellers for decades. However, campaigners are now staging demonstrations to highlight the dangers of excessive tourism on the sun-drenched Spanish archipelago.
They argue that local residents face acute housing shortages and environmental damage stemming from the thriving tourism sector on the most frequented islands of Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Yet amongst the eight islands, several remain relatively undiscovered, where tourism hasn’t taken such a grip whilst offering comparable natural splendour. These islands are La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma.
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La Gomera
La Gomera ranks as the third-smallest amongst the archipelago’s eight principal islands, home to 22,361 residents. San Sebastián de La Gomera serves as its capital.
One travel writer, The World on my Necklace, reveals what attracted her to the diminutive island.
Katie said: “I read about La Gomera, one of the smallest islands in the archipelago. While Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote have areas that are awash with generic package hotels and Irish bars — although even Tenerife has a lot of beauty away from the touristy stuff if you know where to look — La Gomera sounded like a more relaxed and authentic experience and the more I read, the more excited I was to visit.
The little island of La Gomera is a great choice for those looking for less tourists (Image: Getty)
“I was sold on this idyllic island paradise still untouched by the commercial tourism that steered me away from the larger islands.”
The compact volcanic isle offers abundant walking and cycling trails for visitors seeking an energetic getaway. The 100-km shoreline also showcases magnificent beaches with dramatic black sands.
El Hierro
Known as Isla del Meridiano – the Meridian Island – El Hierro ranks as the second-smallest and most southwesterly of the Canary Islands. It supports a modest population of 11,659 across 103.67 sq mi.
It’s particularly celebrated amongst diving aficionados and is progressing towards complete energy independence through sustainable, renewable sources.
El Hierro is nicknamed Isla del Meridiano, the Meridian Island (Image: Getty)
La Palma is also known as La Isla Bonita — “The Beautiful Island” (Image: Getty)
Travel blogger Silvia wrote about the island on her website, noting:”Let me start with a clear message: el Hierro is the best hidden gem you will find in the Canary Islands. Given that it is the smallest island of them all, I figured there wasn’t that much to see… boy, was I wrong!”
Visitors who venture there can anticipate hiking, diving and a culinary journey featuring numerous distinguished eateries.
La Palma
La Palma carries the nickname La Isla Bonita, meaning “The Beautiful Island”. Spanning 273.48 square miles, it ranks as the fifth largest amongst the eight principal Canary Islands, home to 84,338 residents.
The petite island actively encourages tourists to discover its attractions – with its dedicated tourism website providing further details. The statement reads: “Home to incredible landscapes, imposing volcanoes, dense forests, unique beaches, and star scattered skies, the island of La Palma is rightfully named ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the Pretty Island).
“A safe destination, whose main attribute is its environmental quality, an unmistakable sign of healthy surroundings.”
