Lanzarote: Land of Fire

Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands, captivates everyone with its beautiful beaches, black lava fields, and active volcanoes, which offer magical views.

• If you enjoy good weather and love beautiful beaches, Lanzarote is the place for you.
• If you're looking for a magical place where the very soil radiates peace, warmth, and inspiration—a place with room to grow and create—Lanzarote is the place for you.
• If you enjoy art and nature coming together as one, Lanzarote is the place for you.
• If you love hiking, you'll enjoy these unique, almost Martian-like landscapes.

This is the place for you.

Do you have a few days off? Don't miss out on this wonderful island.

Just a heads-up: your first visit will never be your last. Once you’ve been there, you’ll be dreaming of going back.

How to get to Lanzarote

The easiest way to get to Lanzarote is by plane.

Several airlines (includingVueling, Ryanair, AirEuropa, Iberia, and Binter) offer direct flights to Arrecife Airport from various destinations across Europe, the Iberian Peninsula (Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Asturias, Bilbao, and Santiago), and even from other islands in the Canary Islands, such as Fuerteventura, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Tenerife.

Haven't booked your flights yet? I recommend booking them 3 to 4 months in advance (for domestic flights) or 6 to 8 months in advance for international flights.

I always start my search on Trabberbecause the price it shows is the final price (it includes credit card fees and other charges). That said, I always compare the results with eDreams and Momondo.

You never know who'll have the best deals. 😉

If you're in Fuerteventura, it might be a good idea to take a boat that connects the two islands in about 30 minutes between Corralejo and Playa Blanca. You can also easily reach it from other islands in the archipelago, although the journey is longer and will depend on which island you're on.

How to get around the island

Lanzarote boasts spectacular scenery that is well worth exploring, whether on foot, by car, or by moped.

I don't know if you remember that car commercial where they asked… Do you like driving?

Well, on this island, you can proudly answer that question, no matter what brand of car you drive. There are more affordable local car rental agencies (in my experience), such as Cabrera-Medina, Cicar, or AutoReisen, all of which have counters at the airport.

When to go

Lanzarote has a mild climate, with very little rainfall—which occurs mainly during the winter months—and pleasant temperatures year-round, with highs of 29°C in the summer and 21°C in the winter.

Winter lows at night do not drop below 13°C, while in summer they hover around 21°C.

The wind is usually strong, and there are two distinct climate zones on the island: the north is generally cloudier than the south.

We have visited this island three times: in 2008, 2012, and 2013, but always during the months of December or January.

Even though it's winter, we've always been able to enjoy some nice days at the beach. That said, the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Lanzarote is pretty cold at that time of year.

Beaches

On this island, you'll find beaches to suit every taste: wild, secluded, with white or black sand, windy…

Here are my favorites.

Famara

This is by far my favorite beach in Lanzarote—the most beautiful one on the island.

This is a windy stretch of coastline in the northwest of the island that is a favorite among surfers, windsurfers, and kiteboarders.

It’s located at the foot of a beautiful cliff. If you climb up to Risco de Famara (marked on the map at the end of this post), you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of it.

Even if it’s cold or windy, taking off your shoes and enjoying the gentle massage provided by the sand along Famara’s nearly 6-kilometer stretch is a real treat.

If you want to sunbathe, you can shelter from the wind behind a dune or inside a terrace or a hollow dug into the sand. In these structures, which are completely sheltered from both the wind and prying eyes (unless you lean over the edge), many people take the opportunity to sunbathe naked.

Papagayo Coast

Due to its location at the southern tip of Lanzarote, this coastline enjoys the best climate on the island.

What’s more, thanks to the many coves—some facing east and others west—you can always find a spot where you can enjoy a sunny day without being bothered by strong winds.

Among its coves, which stretch along 2 km of coastline, you'll find Mujeres Beach, Caleta del Congrio, and Papagayo Beach.

Thanks to their size and seclusion, crowds are rare, so you can enjoy them at your own leisure.

You can reach the area on foot from a nearby residential development east of Playa Blanca, or drive in by paying a fee of about 3 euros. Once inside, you can park your car at one of the two parking lots near Playa Mujeres: the one close to Papagayo or the one at Caleta del Congrio.

I recommend bringing some food and drinks with you.

La Graciosa

La Graciosa is a small island north of Lanzarote where motorized vehicles are not allowed.

You can get there in just over 30 minutes by taking a boat from Orzola(see the map at the end of this post). You can find the schedule here, and the round-trip fare is €20.

The main town on La Graciosa is called Caleta del Sebo. This is where the boat will drop you off.

Once you're there, you can explore it on foot or rent a bike.

You'll see how the deep blue of the sea contrasts with the nearly deserted golden beaches, against a backdrop dominated by red, yellow, and green volcanic rock formations.

Pack your backpack with water and some snacks, and… enjoy the day!

Places of interest

Part of Lanzarote’s immense beauty—almost as significant as its volcanic landscape—is the work of the Lanzarote-born artist César Manrique.

With his commitment to integrating works of art into their surroundings, he succeeded in creating true marvels throughout the island that are well worth visiting.

Admission to some of these attractions is included in passes that you can purchase at the ticket office of the first tourist center you visit. If you plan to visit all the centers covered by one of these passes, I recommend buying it, as you’ll save quite a bit of money. You can find more information about them here.

El Mirador del Río (€4.50)

This property is situated in a prime location, at the highest point of the Famara Massif. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.

It's worth it.

Los Jameos del Agua (€9)

It is the first arts and tourism center created by César Manrique, and a clear example of the integration of nature and art.

It is located in a volcanic tube formed by an eruption of the La Corona volcano.

“Jameo” means “opening in the ground,” and “del agua” refers to the freshwater lake inside, which is home to a protected species of white blind crab endemic to Lanzarote.

The Verdes Cave (€9)

Like the Jameos del Agua, this cave is located inside the volcanic tube formed by an eruption of the La Corona volcano, which stretches more than 6 km from the volcano toward the sea.

The tour is conducted in small groups led by a guide. This natural wonder, combined with all the information and interesting facts provided by the guide, makes for one of the most beautiful tours on the island.

The Cactus Garden (€5.50)

Here you'll find more than 1,000 different species of cacti native to various parts of the world.

César Manrique Foundation (€8)

This foundation, located in Taro de Tahíche, is housed in what was once César Manrique’s own home.

It is a beautiful structure built atop a sea of lava and several volcanic craters.

It is a magnificent example of how to use the beauty of the surroundings to enhance the artistic value of a work. Well worth seeing.

El Charco de los Clicos (free)

This green pond or lake is located in an old crater that opens onto the sea, known as El Golfo.

It features a beautiful black-sand beach and, inland, a green lake caused by the large amount of suspended organisms and algae.

Swimming isn't allowed here, but it's a pleasure to visit. The contrasting colors look like they've come straight from an artist's palette.

In the town of El Golfo, you'll find plenty of restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood. If you're in the area, be sure to check them out!

Los Hervideros (free)

This cliff-lined stretch of coastline, south of the Clicos Lagoon, is characterized by caves and sinkholes formed by volcanic eruptions.

Thanks to the area’s strong waves, strolling along the well-maintained paths and peering into the rock crevices to watch the sea battling to gain ground on the mainland is a truly spectacular sight.

Don't miss it on windy days.

Volcanoes and Hiking

In general, keep in mind that when you go hiking on your own through the volcanoes of Lanzarote, you won’t find any places to stock up on water or food along the way, so be sure to come prepared.

Also, the wind is usually stronger and colder at the summit of volcanoes , so be sure to bring a windbreaker.

There’s also nowhere to find shade, so wearing sunglasses and some kind of cap or hat will be a big help.

Most importantly, make sure you have good walking shoes for exploring these areas. Because of the abrasive nature of this volcanic terrain, if you go on several hikes, you’ll end up wearing out the soles of your sneakers. Personally, I recommend wearing hiking boots, which have a slightly sturdier and more durable sole.

You might find it helpful to download hiking trails through the volcanoes of Lanzarote on Wikiloc. There you’ll find the ones I’ve listed below and many more.

Timanfaya National Park (€9)

Its entrance is marked by the Devil of the Fire Mountains, designed by César Manrique.

When you arrive at the nature park, follow the path to Islote Hilario and park your car in the parking lot there (you can't miss it).

After purchasing your ticket, take one of the buses on the “Volcano Route,” which is included in the ticket price.

The trail, which is about 14 kilometers long, passes by several of the park’s most important volcanic formations and points of interest, while the guide provides information on the history of the various formations, volcanic bombs, and the area’s flora and fauna.

When we visited last, in 2008, the bus windows weren't as clean as we would have liked for taking pictures. Still, the scenery is breathtaking and well worth seeing.

On Islote Hilario is the restaurant El Diablo, which features a natural oven where food is cooked using the heat that rises from the depths of these volcanic mountains.

The food itself isn't anything to write home about, but the setting is wonderful.

You cannot visit Timanfaya National Park on your own, but if you’re interested in hiking trails there, you can book a guided tour of the park at the Mancha Blanca Visitor and Interpretation Center by phone or by scheduling an appointment via email.

You can choose between two options: the Termesana Trail, which takes about 2 hours to complete, is 3.5 km long, and is rated as easy; and the Litoral Trail, which is rated as the most difficult and is about 10 km long. You can find more information in this brochure.

Update, September 2017: My sister took both guided tours through the park without having made a reservation in advance (it was an impromptu trip). According to her, the trick is to show up at the Visitor Center entrance an hour before the tour departs. If someone with a reservation doesn’t show up, they assign spots on a first-come, first-served basis that morning. Apparently, it’s quite common for one or two spots to open up at the last minute.

So, if you don't get a reply by email, don't give up hope! By the way, she loved both experiences.

Corona Volcano

You can park your car in Ye, right next to the trailhead, or anywhere else in town where you can find a parking spot.

It is a 1.5-kilometer hike to the crater rim.

Most of the route is on flat ground, winding through fields of fig trees and vineyards along a clearly marked path. At the end, you’ll come to the climb up the volcano’s slopes, which isn’t too steep.

If you make your way to the cliff I've marked on the map, you'll be treated to a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area.

You can hike around the volcano (an additional 1.5 km), although this is considerably more challenging than simply climbing to the top, as the trail is more dangerous and steep.

You can also hike down to the volcano, but I should warn you that the climb back up isn't easy. You'll need to use your hands for most of the ascent.

El Cuervo Volcano

A very easy hike. You can park on the road, next to the entrance shown on the map.

It's 1.2 km to the crater, which you can enter.

Although there are some trails carved out by visitors that circle the summit, in principle, you should not climb it.

Caldera Blanca Volcano

Park your car in the parking lot you'll find just outside the village of Mancha Blanca (point A on the map, at the end of this post).

An easy, flat trail leads to the base of the Caldera Blanca volcano in 3.5 km.

Halfway along the trail, you’ll pass another smaller volcano with an opening you can easily walk through. All around you, a spectacular sea of black lava stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s a truly unique experience.

Once you reach the base of Caldera Blanca, you’ll climb the 300-meter slope to the summit of the volcano, where you can choose to hike the entire circumference (3.5 km) or just part of it.

We took the shortest route to another trailhead (1 km), as you can see on the map. However, the entire loop is walkable, and the views along the way are breathtaking—don't miss them.

Update April 2016: My parents hiked the entire loop and told me that this trek had been the most spectacular experience of their stay in Lanzarote that year (which, once again, won’t be their last).

I also recommend keeping an eye on the ground—you’ll find beautiful stones veined with olivine. Don’t take anything; just enjoy their beauty when the sun hits them.

This is a long hike that’s worth taking your time to enjoy, so it’s best to set aside a full day for it, start early to make the most of the light, and have lunch halfway up at the summit of the volcano.

Can you think of a plan more magical than this?

Montaña Roja Volcano

It is the southernmost volcano on Lanzarote.

You can park near the trailhead marked on the map at the end of this post, next to some antennas in Playa Blanca.

The trail is 1.5 km long and includes a climb of about 300 meters, which isn't too strenuous. You can easily enter the volcano's caldera and walk all the way around its rim, where you'll enjoy spectacular views of northern Lanzarote, Playa Blanca, Montaña Roja, and even Lobos Island to the south.

Where to eat

You can enjoy delicious home-style Canarian food at any restaurant in Lanzarote.

I recommend trying some "papas arrugás" with green or spicy mojo sauce and sampling the fish, which is always fresh and delicious.

Some of my favorites are as follows:

Hespérides Restaurant – Casa León

This restaurant is wonderful. Not only does it serve delicious food, but the interior is really cozy and the owners are charming.

It also has a small shop selling organic products. Don't miss it.

It's located in the center of Teguise, one of my favorite towns on the island. Every Sunday morning, it hosts the island's largest flea market. It's definitely worth a stroll.

Sol Restaurant

In Caleta de Famara, this spot is perfect for recharging your batteries after a day at the beach.

I especially recommend the desserts—they're so good that sometimes I would go to this restaurant just for a snack.

Amêndoa Restaurant

This restaurant, located in La Santa, offers a menu full of original and delicious dishes, though they aren't exactly cheap.

That said, it's good value for money—I loved it.

Las Tres Lunas Restaurant

Located in Punta Mujeres, right by the sea, this restaurant serves delicious fresh seafood dishes.

Balcón de Femés Restaurant 

As the name suggests, it is located in the village of Femés.

Located at the very top, it offers beautiful views of the area. It’s the perfect spot for dinner or a drink while you watch the sunset.

Where to stay

There are countless wonderful options on this island, ranging from large, luxurious hotels in more touristy areas, such as Playa Blanca, to apartments in more secluded and peaceful areas, whether along the coast or inland, surrounded by volcanoes.

We've always stayed in beachfront rental apartments (not right on the beach) in the town of La Santa.

Waking up to the sound of the sea eroding the volcanic rock, just a few kilometers from Famara— what more could you ask for?

On future visits, I’d like to experience what it’s like to wake up surrounded by volcanoes and lava fields, for example in places like this.

I’d like to highlight the Hotel Costa Calero Thalasso & Spa. Although I’ve never stayed there, I’ve visited its spa on numerous occasions (€18 per person). It has excellent facilities, some of which are outdoors, which makes them even more enjoyable.

If you're in the mood to relax, I highly recommend them.

In short, Lanzarote is the perfect island to spend a few days enjoying beautiful beaches, volcanic landscapes, and works of art that blend seamlessly into the scenery.

A rental car, a windbreaker, a backpack, and sturdy shoes. You won't need much else.

But remember, once you experience the magic that this land of fire holds, you’ll be forever drawn to its magnetic pull. Be prepared, because leaving it always hurts…

If you have any questions or concerns, or if you need any additional information that I haven't covered, please leave a comment below. I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

Useful Links

• Accommodations in Playa Blanca.
• Other hotel deals in Lanzarote.
• Flight offers to the Canary Islands: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
• 5% discount when you take out your adventure travel insurance with IATI.
• Stay in a Canarian cave house with a view.

On route through the Canary Islands? Take a look at these articles:

• Stay in a Canarian cave house overlooking the Sao Ravine.
• Circular route in Gran Canaria: Bentaiga-Cuevas del Rey-La Solana.
• Route from Artenara to the Cuevas del Caballero and Los Candiles.

Map