Valverde Airport (VDE)

Valverde Airport, also known as El Hierro Airport in Spanish Aeropuerto de Los Cangrejos (IATA: VDE), is 9km northeast of Valverde. It is the only existing airport in El Hierro. It was inaugurated in December 1972.

However, despite its size and limited timetable, the airport significantly boosted the number of passengers and merchandise in the Canary Islands in 2007.

Valverde airport has transformed life in its surroundings, especially on the island. Improving transmissions and communications with the rest of the archipelago paved the way for a new tourism class.

The island caters to domestic flights, with most origins coming from Tenerife North Airport and Gran Canaria Airport to a lesser extent.

In 2020, the landing field facility handled over 178,500 passengers with more than 4,180 flight operations and 58 tons of cargo.

Transfer Services at Valverde Airport

There are several modes of transport to get to and from Valverde Airport.

Taxis, buses, car hires, and shuttles are ready to serve the airport. These transportations are also the key to opening the island to other areas, bringing more enhancements and gradual growth.

Rental Car Services at Valverde Airport

Traveling is more enjoyable when you travel in a leisurely manner. Taking time to take in the beautiful sceneries that your eyes can see and places you can explore as you drive around with your friends or family in a comfortable car.

Valverde Airport has two car rental companies inside the terminal, offering a wide range of cars that suit your needs.

These car rental companies are inside the Passenger Terminal, Floor 0.

See and compare all rental car companies at Valverde Airport.

Taxi Services at Valverde Airport

Taxis are one of the most convenient transportation services in every country, place, or area; however, they can sometimes be costly.

Valverde Airport has taxis serving the airport. Always take a taxi from the signed taxi rank at the terminal and avoid taxi drivers offering services from other points. Demand a bill in the case of any complaint.

Taxi ranks are located right outside the passenger terminal.

See more information about taxis at Valverde Airport.

Train Services at Valverde Airport

Trains have been one of the greatest inventions ever made. It made traveling more bearable, comfortable, and quick. Unfortunately, no trains are currently connecting Valverde Airport to the town center.

More information about train services near Valverde Airport.

Bus Services at Valverde Airport

Buses are one of the most budget-friendly types of transportation you can use anywhere.

You can find the bus stops next to the roundabout offering access to the passenger terminal of Valverde Airport.

More information about buses to and from Valverde Airport.

Hotel Shuttle Service at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport has been a gateway for tourists visiting El Hierro.

Some hotels offer hotel shuttles for airport pick up and drop off for an additional charge when booking your hotels, and some offer free. However, it is best to check with your accommodation if they offer hotel shuttles.

El Hierro is the second smallest in the Canary Islands but a paradise island furthest in the west. Only a few people have discovered this hidden gem. Thus, hotel shuttles are rare on this island. However, car rental companies also offer shuttles to those who travel in big groups on the island.

For more information, visit our hotel page.

Rideshare Services at Valverde Airport

Rideshares are one of the most convenient types of transport anywhere you go. With the advancement of technology, you can have a car waiting for you or on its way to your location with just a few taps on your smartphone. However, there are still places worldwide where rideshares are not expected.

In El Hierro, you must rely primarily on buses, taxis, and car rentals to go around the island.

For more information, visit our Transfer Page.

Parking Services at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport offers parking services to its inbound and outbound guests.

The El Hierro Airport car park is just a few meters from the terminal. It is free and accessible for all passengers with reduced mobility.

The ideal option for your holidays or trips and for picking up or dropping off passengers.

It is free and just a few steps away from the terminal.

See more information about short and long term parking at Valverde Airport.

Other Services at Valverde Airport

Traveling can be more fun with other services and amenities provided for every traveler. The airport is for more than just purchasing airplane tickets and waiting for arriving loved ones or flights.

Valverde Airport also provides recreation and other facilities such as food hubs, retail shops, a children's play area, and free WiFi.

Disabled Passengers at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport is run by Aena airports. They assist passengers or persons with reduced mobility (PRM) and the disabled to make your stay before and after flying easier.

For departing PRMs and disabled passengers, an assistant will pick them up from the meeting point of your choice and help with their baggage, will assist PRMs and disabled passengers in disembarking and embarking on the airplane, will accompany them to the check-in desk and help with the necessary check-in procedures, and will also accompany them to the departure area and through any security checks.

As for the arriving PRMs and disabled passengers, an assistant will meet them at their debarkation seats and help them with their hand luggage. If they have checked in baggage, the assistant will take them to the baggage reclaim area and, from there, will take them to the meeting point.

During connecting flights, An assistant will provide the necessary assistance to successfully carry out the transit or transfer, including boarding, debarkation, transfer through the terminal, etc.

Minors needing the service must be accompanied, as it is not a care and custody service.

It is advised that you request assistance at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time to guarantee the quality of the service when you book or purchase the ticket through a travel agency or airline. You can also request assistance through their website, the official Aena app, or by calling +34 91 321 10 00 (exclusively valid for Aena network airports).

Airlines can apply transport restrictions on your mobility equipment. If you travel with your wheelchair/electric motorcycle, you should check with your airline.

It would help if you arrived two and a half hours before your flight departs. Report your arrival at your airline's check-in desk or using the standing directory, where you will be picked up.

Be at the meeting point at least two hours before your flight departs. If your flight leaves early in the morning, please consult the terminal's opening times.

Wi-Fi at Valverde Airport

You can stay connected on your socials while waiting for your flight or once you arrive at Valverde Airport with their free WiFi access.

Look for your device's Airport Free WiFi Aena network, type freewifi.aena.es in your browser, and confirm. Once in the welcome portal, you can log in with your email, Facebook, or LinkedIn account. Complete your login information and read and accept the conditions.

You can access their free WiFi with your smartphones, tablets, or notebook.

Baggage Claim at Valverde Airport

You can claim your baggage once you arrive at the arrival hall on the ground floor at the baggage reclaim area.

After disembarking the aircraft, you will see signs leading you to the arrivals hall, where you will find baggage carousels containing your checked-in luggage.

Information Desk at Valverde Airport

Information and tourist information desks are available at Valverde Airport in the arrivals hall and departure area for passengers needing assistance.

Lost and Found Section at Valverde Airport

If you are at Valverde Airport and have lost your luggage, you may approach the handling agents at the lost and found luggage desk located at the airport's check-in area.

You may also contact the handling agents providing the airlines' baggage services.

For Binter Canarias, you may contact them at +34 902 391 392 or email them at atencionclientes@bintercanarias.com.

As for Canaryfly (Atlántica de Handling), you can contact them at +34 922 553 725 and email them at ttpasajero@canaryfly.es.

To claim or recover your lost properties at the airport, call +34 922 553 718.

Restrooms at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport has several toilets at the passenger terminal. One is customized for persons with disability and specific health conditions.

This adapted toilet has a particular sink with a removable tap, a flush button, an OSMO-adapted bathroom sign, a soap dispenser, another toilet paper, an adapted bathroom label, a mirror attached to the wall, a hanging hanger, and a toilet container.

Nursing Mother Stations at Valverde Airport

Traveling with an infant could be slightly stressful, especially for lactating mothers. Some airports offer lactating areas for mothers to comfortably and hygienically feed and nurse babies. However, some airports still lack this kind of amenity, so it is best to bring milk in a puree pouch, or you can pump your breastmilk in the accessible stall of the toilets or wear a nursing cover.

Unfortunately, there is no known Nursing Mother Station inside Valverde Airport. However, you can ask for assistance from the information desk on where you can nurse your babies.

ATMs at Valverde Airport

When traveling in a foreign country, our first concern is the currency we will use and if there are available automated teller machines nearby our hotels or when we arrive at the airport if we need more cash. Regrettably, Valverde

The airport needs a bank or ATM Machines around.

We advise you to consult your banks days before travel if they allow withdrawals in other countries. If not, you better have some cash and have your local currency exchanged.

Currency Exchange at Valverde Airport

Having your currencies exchanged days before traveling abroad is much easier and better. However, currency exchange agencies are also everywhere, so exchanging money when traveling is relatively easy.

Some ATMs give more favorable currency exchange than currency exchange agencies when you withdraw. However, bringing cash is also ideal for avoiding problems. Sometimes, some ATMs would not accept a foreign ATM card, or your card is blocked in some countries.

Valverde Airport, unfortunately, has no currency exchange agency inside the terminal. Having your currency exchanged before flying or traveling to El Hierro is best. Bear in mind that restaurants and shops do not accept any other money.

Food and Beverages at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport has one bar cafeteria in case you get hungry while waiting for your flight to be called, when you arrive at the airport, or if you feel like getting some caffeine in your system. They also serve coffee and other beverages that will surely satisfy your thirst.

Shopping at Valverde Airport

Seeing the smiles on someone's face every time you give them something special and unique, especially from a beautiful place like El Hierro.

Suppose you want souvenirs, food, shoes, clothes, accessories, jewelry, and other traveling needs. In that case, Valverde Airport also houses some retail shops to buy your souvenirs from El Hierro.

Pet Relief at Valverde Airport

Valverde Airport has yet to discover pet relief areas. You can inquire with the airport's information desk, or as a precaution, bring your own pet-waste bags.

Traveling with your pet can sometimes be tricky. However, sharing these beautiful moments in a new place or country with your pets is all worth it. For some, pets also serve as their guide when traveling.

Before traveling with your pets, follow all the guidelines when traveling with pets, and prepare and comply with the necessary documents and equipment.

You should know several things before traveling with your pet: You must inform your airline with sufficient notice if you intend to travel with a pet or other animal. The airline may limit the number of animals permitted in the cabin.

In general, transporting animals involves an additional cost. Contact your airline for further details.

Failing to comply with the regulations endangers both you and your pet, and it may mean your pet cannot re-enter the EU or have to be quarantined or even put down.

Dogs can board with passengers for guide or assistance dogs, provided they have a muzzle, collar, and lead, at no additional cost. If the dog is traveling in the cabin, it will be placed next to the passenger in a place indicated by the crew.

We recommend you notify the airline a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

Your guide dog may have to travel in the hold if you travel from a country other than Spain.

Ticketing Services at Valverde Airport

There are a total of 3 airlines operating at the airport. Binter Canarias, Canarias Airlines (RSC), and Canaryfly.

If you need to book a ticket while you are at the airport, you will find the information and ticket sales on the ground floor.

You may also book your tickets online to skip the queues and for your convenience if you are booking before your travel.

History of Valverde Airport

The first aeronautical event on the island of El Hierro occurred on December 12, 1955, when a helicopter flew to the island in what was also the first search and rescue operation in the Canary Islands to airlift a sick person off the island.

Studies for the localization of an airport began in 1962. Due to the complicated relief of the island, the options were limited. In the end, an area on the coast was chosen, known as Llano de los Cangrejos, situated in the northeast of the island, close to its capital, Valverde.

By the end of 1968, construction was begun on runways 16-34, an aircraft platform, and a passenger terminal. In 1972, a transmitter station was built, following which the airport was inaugurated on December 12 of that same year. It was opened to national domestic passenger and cargo traffic and classified as the third category.

In 1975 the first radio-electric facilities were installed in the airport, and in 1977 the runway was extended. The airport's aeronautical limitations were published in 1986.

In 1990 a new control tower was built, and the passenger terminal was renovated. During 1991 and 1992, the runway was extended. Finally, the current passenger terminal was built.

About Valverde, El Hierro, Spain

Valverde, Spanish meaning "green valley," is a municipality in the Canary Islands in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is located in the northeast part of El Hierro. The town of the same name serves as the island's official capital. It is the smallest Canarian capital and the only one not located by the sea. The town's airport and seaport are several kilometers away on the island's east coast.

Pastureland and smallholdings dominate the central plateau area, with pine and cloud forests at progressively higher elevations. The coastal areas and lower slopes are arid, mainly left to unimproved scrub and sparse grassland. Volcanism is prominent, with several cinder cones and areas of lava flow to be seen.

Valverde sits on a mountain situated 600-700 meters above sea level.

This town comprises a network of steep little streets, whitewashed houses, and extensive gardens. Three neighborhoods form the capital: Tesine, La Calle, and El Cabo.

The Santa Maria de la Concepcion church was built in the 18th century and is known to be one of the most essential attractions in the city. As well as an 18th-century carving of the Virgin contains a Cristo de la Columna, a Genoese sculpture of great artistic interest. Facing the church is the city hall, a fine example of traditional Canary Islands architecture.

The capital of El Hierro is the gateway to the lush countryside around it. Mocanal, in the north of the island, has abundant vegetation and an old settlement of stone straw-thatched houses called Pozo de las Calcosas, the site of two large natural swimming pools. One of the most important festivals on the island is the Bajada de la Virgen de los Reyes. In this traditional festival, held every four years, the islanders carry their Virgin from her sanctuary to Valverde.

Weather in Valverde, El Hierro

The city has a tropical desert climate with mild temperatures year-round.

Winters are soft and warm, with a January mean of 18.8 °C. Temperatures rarely go below 10 °C (50.0 °F), with the record low being 8.0 °C on January 16, 1981. Frosts are non-existent. Most of the precipitation falls during the winter months.

Summers are warm, with the warmest month, September averaging 24.1 °C, indicating a seasonal lag. Precipitation is scarce, averaging 0 millimeters to 2 millimeters. Due to its proximity to the sea, extreme temperatures are rare, with the highest temperature recorded being 34.2 °C on October 16, 1983.

Useful Contact Details

El Hierro, also called Isla del Meridiano, which means the "Meridian Island," is the second-smallest and farthest-south and -west of the Canary Islands. It is one of the independent communities of Spain, with a population of about 10,968 documented in 2019. Its capital is Valverde, at 268.51 square kilometers.

El Hierro is well-known to divers all over the world. Many international divers have been to El Hierro. Thus the island is considered one of the best places on the planet for scuba diving.

The island is remarkably untouched, unlike other islands. It is said to have a zero crime rate as police presence on the island is scarce, and there are no reported cases of crimes in the area.

Spain National Emergency Number

In Spain, 112 is the general number for contacting emergency services. There are other specific numbers, with national coverage, for particular kinds of emergencies, but using 112 has some advantages: It covers all types of emergencies (health, accidents, situations of risk, etc.).

When calling for an emergency in Spain, you should follow these tips:

• State your name, telephone number, the location of help, the situation and if it is still happening, the number of people requiring assistance, and whether weapons or dangerous substances are involved.
• Remember the code for your parking lot or apartment building (if there is one).
• Only hang the call once you are told to do so.
• If you have current medical issues or regularly take prescription drugs, make sure you at least know how to pronounce or speak their brands in Spanish to the operator.
• If you have children, mention their ages and how much they weigh in kilograms if you need to call an anti-poison center or administer medication.
• When dealing with intoxication, inform them of what was consumed.

Hospital

Insular Hospital Nuestra Señora de los Reyes

Address: C. los Barriales, 1, 38900 Villa de Valverde, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Phone: +34 922 55 35 00

Police Station

Policia Local

Address: C. el Congreso, 3, 38911 Frontera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

Phone: +34 922 55 59 91

Valverde Airport Contact

Address: Cam. Cangrejo, s/n, 38910 Villa de Valverde, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

General Phone: +34 913 21 10 00

Lost and Found Phone: +34 922 553 718

Information Desk: +34 913 211 000

Official website: https://www.aena.es/es/el-hierro

Local Information

Drive on: Right

Electricity: 230V/50Hz

Plug: C and F

Currency: Euro, €

WiFi at Airport: WiFi connection is available at Valverde Airport.