Lanzarote

The 'Island of Fire' with volcanoes, white villages, beaches and vineyards

Lanzarote, the 'island of fire' has three hundred extinct volcanoes. From its extraordinary lava fields at the Timanfaya National Park, tranquil underground caves and lake at Jameos de Agua; to spectacular cliff top views from Mirador del Rio, Lanzarote offers plenty of terrain to explore.

Lanzarote - Out and about:

The National Park of Timanfaya on Lanzarote is the scene of one of the greatest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, which began in 1730 and continued for six years. The Canarian earth still smoulders and just a few centimetres below the surface the temperature is 100 degrees centigrade.

At the Timanfaya visitor centre you can enjoy a meal cooked on a natural barbecue using the heat of the volcano; watch pyrotechnic demonstrations or just take a coach trip around the park to view Lanzarote's amazing almost lunar landscape.

Apart from the geological fascination, Lanzarote also offers plenty of walking opportunities, many of which take you through beautiful scenery and pretty villages in the north west. Inland is Lanzarote's original capital Teguise. Set within a fertile valley of 1,000 palms is the town of Haria, along with other tiny country villages where Lanzarote life has hardly changed over the years. There are also good coastal walks in the south of Lanzarote.

Lanzarote - Activities:

Other activities on Lanzarote include plenty of water sports, surfing and wind surfing, boat excursions to the neighbouring Canary island of Fuerteventura and camel safaris.

For cultural enlightenment on Lanzarote you can admire the work of the artist Cesar Manrique who left an indelible print on the island and its architecture.

Lanzarote - Beaches:

After Fuerteventura, Lanzarote is the best Canary island for beaches. The main resort on the island is Puerto del Carmen, south of the capital Arrecife, which has a large sandy beach. In the south, Playa Blanca has small golden sandy beaches but nearby, and accessible only via unmade tracks, are the beautiful yellow sandy sheltered coves of Papagayo. Naturism is practiced widely on the island and these remote Lanzarote beaches are the most popular with naturists.

At El Golfo, in the south east of Lanzarote, there are striking, black sand beaches and in the north there are good beaches at Famara and Arrieta in the east. The beaches at Costa Teguise are man-made.

Lanzarote - Climate:

The climate on Lanzarote is generally dry and sunny with good temperatures throughout the year, so it is also ideal for a winter sun holiday. The south of Lanzarote has a little more sunshine than the north and it can become windy along exposed coasts. Lanzarote does not have high mountains so there is not much temperature variation or build-up of cloud inland.

Lanzarote - Gastronomy:

International cuisine is generally available on Lanzarote. In the resorts of Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca and you will find many fresh fish restaurants by the harbours and in El Golfo and Famara. Local Canarian eateries are more prominent in the little inland towns.

In the volcanic soil of the south-west of Lanzarote, vines are grown in small dug outs which are sheltered by little stone walls known as zocos. These produce a good Malvasia wine which you can buy at wholesale prices from roadside bodegas.

Lanzarote - Getting there:

There is a large choice of charter flights to Lanzarote from both London and regional airports in the UK, these are normally on Thursdays.

Lanzarote is linked to Tenerife and Gran Canaria by air with several daily inter-island flights. It is linked by ferry to Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. The ferry port is located at Playa Blanca with regular services for the 40 minute crossing to Corralejo in Fuerteventura, so a day trip to this neighbouring island is an interesting excursion to consider during a holiday in Lanzarote.

Lanzarote - Our Secret Destinations:

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