What to do and see on Lanzarote. Best activities

Top 10 plans and activities

 

What to see and do on your holiday in Lanzarote

How to plan your holiday, if you only have 7 days and want to enjoy some days on the beach, but on the other hand, you do not want to miss the most interesting of Lanzarote, let us advise you so you know what to see and what to do.

Then we advise you the 10 best visits to discover Lanzarote and its secrets.

In this post you are reading we are going to give you the best suggestions to make the most of your holiday and discover the best places on the island of volcanoes, Lanzarote, take advantage of your time, and if possible, save some money too.
The Canary Islands are known for their good climate and heavenly beaches, in Lanzarote you will find all that: 

• golden sand beaches in the south of the island, like the Papagayo Beaches or 
• dark sand beaches in Famara and in the north of Lanzarote 

But Lanzarote has much more than beaches and this island does not leave you indifferent, its volcanic landscapes, the result of very recent eruptions give multi-coloured shades to its mountains, highlighting ochre, dark and reddish tones that blend with the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean that bathes its shores.

The Canary Islands are known for their good climate and heavenly beaches, in Lanzarote you will find all that: golden sand beaches in the south of the island, like the Papagayo Beaches or dark sand beaches in Famara and in the north of Lanzarote. But Lanzarote has much more than beaches and this island does not leave you indifferent, its volcanic landscapes, the result of very recent eruptions give multicolored shades to its mountains, highlighting ochre, dark and reddish tones that merge with the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean that bathes its coasts.

The best beaches and where to find them will depend a lot on what you are looking for and the area where you are staying. If you want to discover the best beaches, we advise you to click on the following link: best beaches in Lanzarote

If you are looking for something different than sunbathing and visiting the beaches, we will recommend the following visits so that you can make the most of your time, we will indicate them by zones and so that you are not wasting time going from one place to another:

 

What to see and do in the SOUTH of Lanzarote

If you are in the south of Lanzarote, these are the best plans in your holiday and possibly the best suggestions of what to see and do in the south of Lanzarote, then our recommendations:

 

1.    Timanfaya National Park (Parque Nacional de Timanfaya)
2.    El Lago Verde o Charco de los Clicos (The Greeen Lagoon in El Golfo)
3.    Los Hervideros + Las Salinas de Janubio
4.    Punta de Papagayo Beaches

 

Recommendation:

If you want to save time and money here is a very good suggestion to better plan your day, better options and excursions to discover the SOUTH of Lanzarote 

Leaving the SOUTH of LANZAROTE and if you want to taste its wines and see a unique landscape in the world, we recommend you make a stop at

 

5.    La GERIA

 

With these visits that we propose you for the south of the island of Lanzarote you will discover the attractions and most important places of the south of the island of the volcanoes. 

It is very difficult that you can see everything in a single day, because if you want not only to see but to enjoy the beaches of Punta de Papagayo, the best thing will be that you spend the whole day in them. 

What to see and do in the NORTH of Lanzarote

The north of the island of Lanzarote has a lot to offer and much of César Manrique's work is in the north of this volcanic island, the following sites are a must see during your holiday in Lanzarote.

 

6.    Los Jameos del Agua
7.    La Cueva de los Verdes (The Cave of the Greens)
8.    The Cesar Manrique Foundation (FCM)
9.    The Cactus Garden
10.  El Mirador del Río (The viewpoint of El Río)

 

Recommendation:

If you want to save time and money, in the following link you have the best options and suggestions to better plan your day and see the best that the north of Lanzarote has, better options and excursions to discover the north of Lanzarote.

The above-mentioned visits, are without doubt, the ones you can consider as the TOP 10 of Lanzarote, but this is not all, there is much more to see, such as:

 

•    El museo al Campesino (The Farmer's Museum)
•    Los Charcones (in the south of Lanzarote)
•    Arrecife - Charco de San Gines & the castles of San José & San Gabriel
•    The village of Teguise (former capital of Lanzarote) and its market.
•    and much more, but...

BUT we must choose, and we are going to cover the TOP 10 essential VISITS of LANZAROTE, 

 

Shall we start? 
 

1. Timanfaya National Park

Without doubt this is the number ONE visit and a must when you are on holiday in Lanzarote, YOU CAN NOT leave Lanzarote without having visited "Las Montañas del Fuego" (Fire Mountains of Timanfaya) which is how it is also known. 

If Lanzarote has a symbol it is the DIABLILLO (Devol) of the Timanfaya National Park holding the name of it. This park is the second most visited national park of all the Canary Islands and the third of all Spain, which is already saying a lot, after Teide and Picos de Europa.

On the way to Timanfaya National Park we recommend a stop to see the camels and if you feel like taking a ride on them before entering the park or if you prefer after your visit, if you have not ridden before it is an experience you will remember with a smile.

You should also stop to see the geothermal demonstrations on Hilario Island, which are spectacular. We recommend that you keep a safe distance...

RECOMMENDATION:

• If you want to save time (not having to queue, in summer hours) and money (visiting several things in the same day) it is advisable to make a reservation for an excursion to visit the Timanfaya National Park, do it in advance as they fill up very quickly.
• If you want to know more, follow this link: Timanfaya National Park

 

 

2. Charco de los Clicos or Lago Verde (The Green Lagoon in El Golfo)

Lago Verde (The Green Lagoon) is in a small fishing village, south of Lanzarote, known as El Golfo. It is one of the natural wonders of Lanzarote, the Lago Verde, also known as the Charco Verde, or Lagoon of the Clics; its name comes from the green color of its waters, which is produced by a phytoplankton that inhabits its waters plus the different sulphurs, minerals and the great amount of unique microorganisms found in this place. 

The visit to the Green Lake is free but not negligible, on the contrary, is an attraction that we cannot fail to admire and visit. The Green Lake is a protected area, so it is strictly forbidden to swim in it or to throw any kind of garbage in the surroundings.

Recommendation:

• If you want to save time and money here is an exceptionally good suggestion to better plan your day, best options and excursions to discover the SOUTH of Lanzarote 
• If you want to know more, follow this link: Lago Verde (The Green Lagoon)

 

3.    Los Hervideros

 

Los Hervideros is an essential tourist attraction in the south of Lanzarote. It is located just 2 kilometres from Lago Verde, and we advise you not to miss it.
The immediate solidification of the lava in contact with the cold air and the continuous erosive action of the sea hitting the coast of this southern corner of Lanzarote has given rise to one of the most impressive spectacles that nature can offer in Lanzarote.

A place where the waves when breaking create columns of water that seem to boil, hence its name: Los Hervideros. It is a spectacular phenomenon that is worth seeing in Lanzarote and on top of that it is FREE, one of the few things left that does not cost money, except for the trip to enjoy the place.

Recommendation:

The day you want to go to the beach or be at the pool, but there is bad weather and if it is also a windy day, then that will be the perfect time to visit the HERVIDEROS. 

You can:

• Rent a car and then we recommend you to get up early or go just before sunset, so you can enjoy a wonderful sunrise or sunset with the force of nature in all its splendor.
• Another great option is to book in advance one of the excursions designed to discover all the corners of southern Lanzarote and visit this, follow the link below and see which is the most convenient: SOUTHERN Lanzarote Route (South tour) 

By the way, if you are in the area, in the municipality of Yaiza, a few minutes from Los Hervideros and Lago Verde (The Green Lagoon) are the Janubio Salt Flats, the largest in the Canary Archipelago and declared a protected natural area. It would be nice to stop for a moment to have a look at them.

 

4.    Punta de Papagayo Beaches

In the south of the island of Lanzarote and very close to Playa Blanca we find after following an unpaved road (dirt track), with some of the most famous beaches of Lanzarote and probably the Canary Islands, we talk about the beaches of Punta de Papagayo, a completely virgin environment with coves of turquoise and crystal clear water, fine golden sand and a corner where you can sunbathe and quietly enjoy a good holiday break. 

The beaches of Papagayo give you an incredible picture to take the best photos of your vacation.

Recommendation:

• In order to get to the beaches of Punta de Papagayo you must first leave the paved road of Playa Blanca, you get on a land track and you will have to pay an entrance fee of 3 euros per car, this gives you the right to get to the Punta de Papagayo and the Ajaches Natural Park.
• You can also make an excursion by catamaran and reach the Papagayo Beaches by sea, there are many excursions that make a stop of several hours near the Papagayo coast.

 

5.    The Geria

La Geria is the most important wine region of Lanzarote, it is also known as the wine route.In an area of 5.255,5 hectares you can find the largest concentration of wine cellars of all the Canary Islands and it is in La Geria where you can also taste some of the best wines, not only of the Canary Islands, but perhaps also of Spain.  Among other wineries, we can highlight the Bodegas Rubicón, El Grifo, La Geria, Los Bermejos and where you can try sample their most famous wines.

A unique landscape that originates after the volcanic eruptions of Timanfaya between 1730 and 1736 and whose ashes were spread over this valley. Then, and while respecting the landscape, the hand of the Lanzarote people ("Conejero") has been able to shape a unique place in the world. A very dry zone with great thermal variations that guarantee every year some magnificent wines of Malvasía of Lanzarote.

It is fantastic to be able to observe hundreds if not thousands of rows in perfect formation and which hide a round hole drilled in the ground and in natural layers of volcanic gravel several metres deep. In the centre of this hole a vine is planted and surrounding the edge of this same hole there is a crescent-shaped wall of volcanic rock which protects the vine from the wind. It is simply SPECTACULAR.

• Recommendation:You can go by car and park it to visit one of its wineries, among which the ones mentioned above stand out, or
• Almost all the excursions that visit the south of Lanzarote visit La Geria and it can be the most recommendable, if you want to save time and money, in the following link you have some suggestions to plan better your day, better options and excursions to discover the SOUTH of Lanzarote

 

6. The Jameos del Agua

Jameos del Agua is probably, after the National Park of Timanfaya (Montañas del fuego), the second most visited place of the whole island of Lanzarote.

How was it formed?

To be able to understand and enjoy the beauty of the Jameos del Agua, we must first understand how this space evolves and then know how to see the genius of the Lanzarote artist "César Manrique" who knows how to combine what Mother Nature gave to Lanzarote and the creativity of a genius and which results in a spectacular design that makes the Jameos del Agua a true work of art.

In the first place, Mother Nature acted, the eruption of the La Corona volcano gave rise to this great volcanic tube of just over 6 km in length on the mainland and at least 1.5 km under the sea. Created by a continuous lava flow, after ceasing the volcanic activity, the tube empties and the lava outside both the roof and its walls solidifies as parts of the roof precipitate forming this Jameo.

But it was not until 1964 when the great artist from Lanzarote, César Manrique, used all his ingenuity to capture his characteristic stamp in this volcanic formation, combining nature and the good work of man in a perfect combination that respects the environment and prepares it for the enjoyment of all its visitors.

Recommendation:

• You can go by car and park it in the parking lot of the place and then visit the Jameos del Agua, by the way, no more than 5 minutes by car you have another of the attractions of Lanzarote, the "Cueva de los Verdes" (Cave of the Greens), keep in mind that private visits have a different queue than groups, do not get in the wrong line to not wait twice. 
• The excursions programmed to visit the north of Lanzarote usually include the visit to the Jameos del Agua and have a preferential step where the wait is minimal, it is recommended if you do not have much time and want to visit something else of Lanzarote. In the following link you have some suggestions to better plan your day, better options and excursions to discover the NORTH of Lanzarote

 

7.    Green Cave

The origin of this cave, known as "Cueva de los Verdes" (Cave of the Greens) dates back a little over 5,000 years when the most fluid lava emerging from the eruptions of the La Corona Volcano enters underneath the already solidified lava from the outside and created a very elongated compact cavity, giving rise to an underground volcanic tunnel about seven kilometres long.

The name "Cueva de los Verdes" comes from the family that owned the land where the cave was located, the family: Verdes.

Before the last glaciation, this tunnel, known as the Atlantis Tunnel and considered the longest lava tunnel in the world, was underwater in those moments before the glaciation and since the sea level was about 80 meters below the current level. In the closest part to the coast of this volcanic tunnel, which extends its route under the sea for 1.5 kilometers, is the Jameos del Agua. 

In the past and in view of the continuous attacks by Berber corsairs and pirates on the island of Lanzarote, the population of the island used the Cueva de los Verdes as a refuge from these attacks

Recommendation:

• As in the Jameos del Agua, you can go by car and park in the car park of the place and then visit the "Cueva de los Verdes". Remember that no more than 5 minutes away by car you have another of Lanzarote's attractions, the Jameos del Agua, bear in mind that private visits have a different queue than groups, so don't get in the wrong queue and wait twice. 
• The excursions programmed to visit the north of Lanzarote usually include the visit to the "Cueva de los Verdes" and the Jameos del Agua, which have a preferential step for the guided excursions and where the wait is minimal. If you do not have much time and want to visit more of Lanzarote, it is advisable to book a guided tour. 

In the following link you have some suggestions to plan your day better, better options and excursions to discover the NORTH of Lanzarote

 

8.    César Manrique Foundation (FCM)

The César Manrique Foundation (FCM), former home of César Manrique, is located in Taro de Tahiche, municipality of Teguise, and is a private cultural institution in Lanzarote whose main activity is based on: "the conservation and dissemination of the work of César Manrique, artist and genius of Lanzarote, the protection of the natural environment and territory of Lanzarote, the promotion of plastic arts and cultural reflection".

It was inaugurated as a cultural centre on 27 March 1992, some six months before César Manrique's death, and his house was converted into a museum that houses a large part of his work. 

This construction, which occupies some 3,000 square metres, is part of an estate of more than 30,000 metres located in the middle of a lava flow and a consequence of the great eruptions that happened in Lanzarote during the years 1730 and 1736. 

The house has two levels, the lower level taking advantage of the natural space previously occupied by 5 natural volcanic bubbles connected by tunnels dug out of the lava and giving rise to a surprising and habitable home, totally merged with the volcanic landscape that surrounds the house.

The César Manrique Foundation (FCM brings you closer to his work in a unique way and from here we encourage you to get to know it and discover why César Manrique was such a universal artist. Well-known works of this artist outside Lanzarote were for example: La Vaguada Shopping Centre (Madrid 1983), El Mirador de la Peña (El Hierro 1989), the Martianez Lake (Puerto de la Cruz - 1977) and many others...

Recommendation:

In the following link you have some suggestions to better plan your day, better options and excursions to discover the NORTH of Lanzarote

• You can go by car and park in the parking lot of the place and then visit the village of Teguise, the old capital of the island of Lanzarote. If you have time, before arriving at the village of Teguise you can make a stop in the small town of Nazareth and visit the museum house LagOmar (former home of the actor Omar Sharif) is worthwhile.
• The programmed excursions to the north of Lanzarote usually include a visit to the César Manrique Foundation (FCM), without queuing for guided tours. If you do not have much time and want to visit more of Lanzarote, we recommend booking a guided tour.

 

9. Cactus Garden

Opened in the early 1990s. Once again César Manrique leaves his mark, turning a simple quarry of aggregates into one of the most interesting places for visitors to Lanzarote: The Cactus Garden.

The Cactus Garden is in Guatiza, in the north of Lanzarote and surrounded by agricultural plantations.  At the gates of this you can contemplate an immense metallic cactus and as soon as you enter the interior you are welcomed by the spectacular vision of some 4,500 examples of succulent plants, among others, from all over the world on an area of approximately 5,000 square metres and where at the bottom of the garden there is a corn mill that is still active today.

The Cactus Garden is the last great work of the Lanzarote genius César Manrique who, from a simple quarry of aggregates in Lanzarote, César Manrique glimpses and creates in that same place a magnificent "cactarium" (home of succulent plants and other botanical families typical of arid environments, but unlike others, this Cactus Garden, due to the climatic conditions of Lanzarote, would be outdoors). 

Recommendation:

• Although you can go by car and visit The Cactus Garden, we recommend the excursion or guided tour that discovers the work of Cesar Manrique in the north of Lanzarote, you will see the most important of this genius Lanzarote and take full advantage of the day.
• If you want to go privately, you can always rent a car and know that the times are as follows:

 

Hours: 10:00 to 17:45 h.
Summer timetable (15 July - 15 September): from 09:00 to 17:45 h.

 

10.    El Mirador del Río

Located in the north of the island of Lanzarote on top of the Risco de Famara at an altitude of 475 meters we find, El Mirador del Río (Viewpoint of el Río), one of the architectural wonders of Lanzarote artist César Manrique. 

Once again, we find one of those works by the genius César Manrique that literally blends into the landscape of Lanzarote and which was once an old artillery position, known as "Batería del Río".  César redesigned it using Lanzarote's own volcanic material and blending it with the surroundings. The technical realization was by the architect Eduardo Cáceres and the artist Jesús Soto, culminating in 1973, date in which the building was inaugurated.

El Mirador del Río (Viewpoint of el Río), offers you one of the most spectacular views that exist over the Archipelago Chinijo (island of La Graciosa and the islets of Montaña Clara, Alegranza, Roque del Este and Roque del Oeste).  From different points in the east, such as the enormous circular window in the interior situated in front of the sea, you can contemplate the island of La Graciosa and the rest of the islets. There are also several terraces from where you can enjoy the wonderful views (if the weather is good).

The interior of this building surrounds you with its curved shapes and you can access it through a corridor of the same shape and decorated with ceramics by Juan Brito. It surprises the use of the light with a magnificent result in all the space of the building. The information of the area is very well collected in its information panels.

Recommendation:

• Although you can go by car and visit El Mirador del Río (Viewpoint of el Río), we recommend the excursion or guided tour that discovers the work of César Manrique in the north of Lanzarote, you will see the most important of this genius Lanzarote, also if you want to see the four most important attractions of Lanzarote in one day, then this is your guided tour: Essences of Lanzarote and take full advantage of the day.
• If you want to go privately, you can always rent a car and know that the times are as follows:

Visiting hours: Every day from 10:00 to 17:45

Summer timetable (from 15 July to 15 September): From 10:00 to 18:45

Rates:

• Adults: 5 Euros;
• Children (from 7 to 12 years): 2.50 Euros;
• Canarian residents: Adults: 4 Euros;
• Children: 3 Euros;
• Lanzarote residents: 1.00 Euros.

Recommended timetables: In summer, we recommend that you visit from 3.30 p.m. onwards.