OVERVIEW

If you are craving an island paradise with immaculate beaches and breathtaking adventures, look no further than Lanzarote, one of the seven Canary Islands. 

The Canary Islands are a popular Spanish archipelago about 80 miles off the coast of northwest Africa. They’re frequented by European tourists and are renowned for their volcanic  scenery, charming towns, and idyllic beaches.

Lanzarote is one of the more unique and intriguing Canary Islands. It’s a barren island, formed from millions of years of volcanic activity. Visitors will be treated to an array of fascinating landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich cultural history. 

The island is well developed, containing numerous cities and beachside towns, an established wine scene, a multitude of unique museums, and of course the otherworldly terrain of Timanfaya National Park.

This Lanzarote itinerary will give you the opportunity to explore these amazing attractions while also experiencing some of the thrilling adventures that this island paradise has to offer. 

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Lanzarote was formed from volcanic activity that originated about 15 million years ago in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of northwest Africa. The lava hardened and eventually protruded through the ocean after this sequence of eruptions. These events provided the foundation for the island we see today.

In the 18th century, a nearly decade-long event known as the “Timanfaya Eruptions” forever altered the island’s landscape. Dramatic lava flows created the unique rock formations and a colorful terrain visible today. These eruptions are also what gave Lanzarote its fertile soil and incredibly unique appearance.

The Guanches are the earliest inhabitants of Lanzarote. They had a challenging existence, characterized by volcanic eruptions, droughts, and frequent attacks from pirates and other aggressors. Their resilience paid off however as their skills in agriculture and wine production led to a thriving economy and more stable lifestyle.

Lanzarote’s most famous resident was undoubtedly the artist, environmentalist, and visionary known as César Manrique. His inspiration shaped modern day Lanzarote and can still be recognized in the island’s architecture, artwork, and culture.

Lanzarote transformed in the 20th century largely because of Manrique’s influenza and as tourism flourished. The island’s beautiful beaches, elaborate wineries, and dramatic landscapes attracted Europeans seeking a special holiday experience. 

GETTING THERE

Lanzarote is the most northeast of all the Canary Islands. The main two ways of reaching the island are from air or by sea.

Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote and contains the island’s primary commercial airport, César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE). The airport receives flights from the other Canary Islands as well as from major cities in mainland Spain and Europe. Arrecife is a great starting point for any visit to Lanzarote, given its central location and proximity to many popular attractions.

The other way of getting to Lanzarote is by ferry. If coming from one of the two busiest Canary Islands, Tenerife or Gran Canaria, you can expect a travel time of 6-10 hours. The island of Fuerteventura is only about 10 miles from Lanzarote and a ferry ride only takes about 25 minutes. A day trip to Fuerteventura is a common activity when staying in Lanzarote.

WHERE TO STAY

There are three primary resort towns in Lanzarote. These are Playa del Carmen, Costa Teguise, and Playa Blanca. We stayed in a rental property in Playa del Carmen. 

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a centrally located resort town along Lanzarote’s southern shore and recognized as the nightlife capital of Lanzarote. The main shopping thoroughfare in the town is Avenida de las Playa. It runs along the waterfront and is lined with restaurants, clubs, souvenir shops, and a variety of other stores.

The beaches of Matagorda, Los Pocillos, and Grande Beach are easily accessible and local tour operators offer scuba diving, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing excursions from the town.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca can be found in southwest Lanzarote. This laid-back beach town features a stunning coastline, golden sandy beaches, a waterfront promenade and some of the most impressive sunsets on the island.

Playa Blanca is a popular location for its proximity to some spectacular beaches. These include Playa Papagayo, Playa Dorada, and Playa Flamingo. It’s also close to other stunning attractions such as Timanfaya National Park, Charco Verde, and the Janubio Salt Flats.

Costa Teguise

Not too far from Arrecife is Costa Teguise, another popular resort town on the western shore of Lanzarote. Playa de las Cucharas is renowned for its windsurfing while Playa Bastián and Playa del Jablilloare are family friendly beaches with calmer waters.

Golf enthusiasts will enjoy playing at the nearby 18 hole course, set amongst the iconic volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote. Kids, on the other hand, will love the exhilarating water slides of Aquapark Costa Teguise.

If you’re not looking for a bustling resort or beach town you could consider one of the charming villages such as Arrieta, San Bartolomé, or Órzola.

THREE DAY ITINERARY

This itinerary will attempt to maximize your time on Lanzarote. By organizing activities and attractions based on geography, you’ll spend less time in the car and more time exploring this magical island. 

Day 1

Bodega La Geria

Your first day of Lanzarote will have you working through the central portion of the island. Begin at Bodega La Geria, the unique winery and vineyard located about 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.

We found it fascinating that the volcanic landscapes characterizing this region of Lanzarote could support such a vast and thriving vineyard. The plants are cultivated in a network of small crater-like pits or “hoyos”. 

The hoyos protect the plants from fierce tradewinds while capturing and retaining the rainwaters to create a moist environment to encourage growth of the grapevines. 

Volcán El Cuervo

Next head to Volcán El Cuervo, the easily recognizable volcanic cone located only five minutes east of Bodega La Geria. You’ll get a real appreciation for the unique appearance of the crater by hiking the 500 meter ascent to the summit of Montaña Negra. 

Alternatively, you could hike around Volcán El Cuervo and even inside the cauldron. While there, take note of the hardy plants that have adapted to tolerate the harsh climate of Lanzarote’s volcanic terrain.

Las Grietas Canyons and San Bartolomé

Drive over to Las Grietas Canyons, a slot canyon located about 10 minutes southeast of Volcán El Cuervo. The narrow corridor has been carved into the mountainside by years of water racing down from Montaña Blanca.

There’s a small parking lot across the street from the canyons. Walk under the bridge and head up through the slot canyons. Oliver and Maddie loved scrambling through the crevices while making their way up Montaña Blanca. 

After a busy morning head to San Bartolomé for lunch. This is a quaint mountain town featuring the characteristic whitewashed buildings of Lanzarote. You’ll find plenty of wonderful places to eat here. 

• Interesting Fact: The classic whitewashed buildings of Lanzarote are a common feature of traditional Canarian architecture. They help to reflect the hot midday sun, thus keeping the buildings cooler. The doors and windows are often highlighted by blue, green, or red accents. This is intended to represent the sky, sea, and natural landscapes found on the island. 

Playa de Famara

After a relaxing and rejuvenating lunch, drive further north to Playa de Famara for an afternoon of fun and sun. Possibly Lanzarote’s most iconic beach, Playa de Famara stretches for almost 4 miles along the northwest coast of the island.

A defining feature of the beach are its golden sand dunes that undulate along its course up the shoreline. The beach is nestled below the rugged cliffside which creates the perfect backdrop for a sensational sunset.

The beach receives strong winds and waves that make it an ideal setting for water sports such as kiteboarding and surfing. We even saw a surf school teaching several novice tourists the basics of surfing. 

Day 2

The second day of your Lanzarote itinerary will be spent on the west side of the island. You’ll visit a number of different landscapes throughout the day and finish with a relaxing day on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Canary Islands.

Timanfaya National Park

Today’s adventure begins in Timanfaya National Park, an otherworldly region of the island characterized by red and black landscapes sculpted from volcanic activity during a 6 year period in the 18th century. 

You’ll want to begin early today, as the park has limited parking and lines at the visitor’s center build quickly. The drive takes you through the small town of Yaiza and onto a long, straight road that cuts through what looks like extraterrestrial terrain. 

You’ll come upon a kiosk where you’ll pay the park entrance fee. The cost for adults is $12 and for children under 12 is $6. Continue on to the Islet Hilario Visitor Center where you’ll be directed to a parking spot. 

Fortunately, the entry ticket covers a complimentary bus tour, parking, and access to the visitor’s center and interpretation center. Route of the Volcanoes is the popular nine mile narrated bus tour through the volcanic landscapes of this mesmerizing park. The bus makes a few stops along its route as you’re sure to get spectacular vistas of Montaña Rajada, Nuevo del Fuego, and Corazoncillo Caldera.

You’re not allowed to independently explore the park by foot so much of it remains untouched by tourism, thereby preserving its natural beauty. However, you can reserve a spot on the guided and narrated Tremesana Hike, which runs 2 miles into some of the more remote and fascinating areas of the park.

After the bus tour, browse through the Islet Hilario Visitor Center. The park rangers put on small exhibits illustrating the powerful volcanic nature of the park. This includes pouring water into a pipe leading to the park’s thermal vents, thereby creating an immediate geyser.

Make sure to also visit Restaurante El Diablo, located at the visitor’s center, where you’ll see the chefs cooking food using the park’s geothermal vents.

Charco Verde, Salinas de Janubio, and Piscinas Naturales Charcones

After a morning spent at Timanfaya National Park you’ll make your way further west, toward El Golfo. Here you’ll find Charco Verde, more commonly known as the “green lake”.

The lake gets its unique emerald color from the algae and minerals contained in its water. You can see the lagoon from a viewpoint or get a closer look by accessing a short trail from the opposite side. Either way, the sight of this natural phenomenon is absolutely stunning.

Resume your drive southwest and stop at the sea cliffs of Los Hervideros, where you’ll find a network of cliffside caverns visible from the parking lot. Drive a bit further south and stop at the viewpoint for Salinas de Janubio. The microorganisms that make their home in the vibrant salt pans is what creates the brilliant red, green, and blue colors.

Continue down the highway and veer onto a dirt road until you reach Hotel Atlántico, an abandoned building standing along the cliff’s edge. The dilapidated “ghost hotel” is covered in imaginative grafiti and is a popular tourist attraction and a great place to explore.

Behind the hotel are the Piscinas Naturales Charcones, a series of natural swimming pools created by seawater collecting within the cavernous rock formations. Consider a relaxing swim in the crystal clear tranquil water or just walk around the maze of volcanic rock.

Playa Papagayo 

If you’re not up for a swim at the Piscinas Naturales Charcones, you’ll likely reconsider at the final stop of the day…Playa Papagayo. The beach is located on the southernmost point of Lanzarote, not far from Playa Blanca.

You’ll need to take another dirt road to Playa Papagayo, but it’ll be well worth the bumpy ride. Park in the massive lot and walk over to the cliffside restaurant Be Papagayo – Chiringuito. Down below are two stunning beaches, Playa Papagayo to your left and Playa Cera to your right.

Lounge around on the golden sand of this mesmerizing cove or take a swim in its pristine waters. Playa Papagayo was our favorite beach on the island. In fact, we visited here twice.

Day 3

The final day of this Lanzarote itinerary will have you exploring the eastern portion of the island. You’ll get a deeper understanding of the influence that César Manrique had on the development of Lanzarote and again finish the day relaxing on the beach.

Teguise and Antigua Rofera

Hit the road early and head toward the historic former capital of Lanzarote, Teguise, where you’ll have breakfast at one of the many cafes. Grab some pastries and coffees and walk along the cobblestone streets, browsing the various shops selling local crafts, souvenirs, and artwork. 

Make sure to see the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and its picturesque courtyard. The amazingly well preserved whitewashed buildings of Teguise highlight its colonial heritage and true elegance.

Next you’ll head to Antigua Rofera de Teseguite, otherwise known as the “Stratified City”. At this attraction, there are several rock pillars in a gravel quarry that have been sculpted over time into unique formations by the strong winds and rain of Lanzarote. Oliver and Maddie found countless tunnels and caves to explore throughout the maze of striated rocks.

Jardín de Cactus and Playa del Caletón Blanco 

Head up the eastern coast to Jardín de Cactus, or Cactus Garden. César Manrique inspired this cactus themed botanical garden, which is near the town of Guatiza. The garden houses a collection of over 1,400 different species of cacti, from regions all over the world.

Walk the network of paths and terraces throughout the garden. You’ll find cacti of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Make sure to try the variety of cactus based drinks and snack items at the cafe, we found them intriguing and surprisingly delicious.

From Jardín de Cactus you’ll drive 15 minutes further north to Playa del Caletón Blanco, a beautiful volcanic beach nestled along the northern shore of Lanzarote. Place your belongings in one of the circular shelters built from lava rocks (zocos), and then go for a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters of the cove.

Playa del Caletón Blanco has shallow and clear waters, making it a fabulous spot for families with young children and those interested in snorkeling. During low tide the beach will reveal several natural pools formed from hardened lava that are ripe for exploration.

Mirador del Río

The final item on your Lanzarote itinerary is a stop at the island’s most renowned viewpoint, Mirador del Río. You’ll spend 15 minutes driving up the steep mountainside ascentr to the parking lot of Mirador del Río.

You’ll be gifted with a wide panorama of Famara Beach, the island of La Graciosa, and some smaller islets of Montaña Clara and Alegranza. There’s actually a café, souvenir shop, and cultural center at the viewpoint complex, which was another design of César Manrique. Watching the sunset from here is priceless.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Lanzarote doesn’t boast the lush forests of La Palma or the bustling cities of Tenerife, but it’s appealing in its own way and this itinerary is a great introduction into the island.

The lunar-like landscapes of the island are largely barren and devoid of much life. But the vivid blue, red, and green colors of its volcanic terrain will have you thinking you’re visiting a different planet.

There’s no shortage of incredible sights and activities on Lanzarote. From touring the spectacular landscapes of Timanfaya National Park to relaxing on the golden beaches of Playa Papagayo, everyone can find something to suit his or her preferences on this island paradise.

By using this travel guide and itinerary, you’ll also have a fantastic time exploring the volcanic terrain, historic architecture, and pristine beaches of Lanzarote.