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Lanzarote

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At the Easternmost tip of the Canary Islands archipelago lies an island known as Lanzarote. At just 37 miles from north to south this island is small, yet it manages to pack in a host of attractions, awe inspiring landscapes, handsome beaches and warm spring-like weather at the same time.

Before Lanzarote became a popular tourist destination in the early 1960s the island's economy was driven mainly by agriculture. Going back even further to the 12th century BC when it is thought that Lanzarote was first inhabited, the famous philosopher Plato commented on the lush vegetation, flowers and fruits of the garden of Hesperis. Even today the plants, vineyards and flowers of this Spanish island are something to be recognized and after the winter rains the landscapes come alive with natural color.

The ideal location for a fun loving family or couple looking to relax; Lanzarote is full of attractions, activities to take part in, natural scenery to see and places to visit. Even the wildlife on this island is completely different to that in the UK due to the Mediterranean climate and volcanic mountain ranges. Much of this island's land is actually protected by the government and therefore there are no eyesores to be seen. Whether you're looking for peaceful beach relaxation and sunbathing, a good night out on the town, a day walking around museums and places of historical interest or taking part in some sports out in the great outdoors then there's something for you on this island.

Areas

Timanfaya National Park

The national park occupies almost the whole of the Western coast of Lanzarote, where the mountains reach the coast. While the national park is an UNESCO protected area, the park does offer bus tours of the parks vast volcanic soil-laden land.

Puerto Del Carmen

This is a very popular resort for visitors to Lanzarote, with amenities and facilities very much geared towards the tourist. With bars, pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels, beaches and shops, no visitor could go wrong here! Playa Grande beach is a must and this area is not far from Lanzarote's capital city; Arrecife.

Playa Blanca

This may be another holiday resort, but it is in a wholly different area to that of Puerto Del Carmen which is on the east coast. On the southern tip of the island visitors will be pleased to find Playa Blanca, a resort offering residents a relaxing and tranquil alternative to some of the crazier and busier destinations.

Weather

Lanzarote has the Canary current and north-east trade winds to thank for its cooler climate. It is also one that receives very little annual rainfall yet lots of sunshine. The best time to visit Lanzarote is between July and September when the temperatures average at 24ºC and there are still plenty of hours of sunshine each day.

Getting There

By Plane

Similarly to the other islands that make up this archipelago, Lanzarote has just one airport. Arrecife airport (or ACE) is located within the capital city on the east coast of the island and is served by most of the larger air companies (e.g. Thomas Cook, EasyJet and Aer Lingus). There are bus links to other main towns and regions on the island.

By Boat

If you are planning to be doing some island hopping then the best way to arrive at Lanzarote would be by catching a ferry from Gran Canaria or Fuerteventura. There are several companies offering these services such as 'Fred Olsen' which takes 12 minutes from Fuerteventura, or 'Naviera Arms'.

Getting Around

By Car

Hiring a car is probably the best way to get around the island as the bus links are somewhat limited to the larger towns. As well as hire cars being incredibly cheap, it's also possible to drive from the north to the south in under an hour so you won't even be using up much petrol.

By Taxi

Taxis in Lanzarote are on the whole quite cheap and journey prices can always be negotiated. Also, traveling by taxi ensures that you don't need to find a place to park or somewhere to top up petrol.

By Bus

While there are buses which will take passengers around the larger towns and resorts and ticket prices are cheap, bus routes are basic and you're unlikely to be able to get to a specific destination by bus alone.

Food & Dining

The food in Lanzarote is in keeping with the rest of traditional fare that you can find throughout the Canary Islands. Sauces are used a lot except that here they are called mojo. There are three main types of mojo: picon is a spicy sauce made with red chilis, verde is a green sauce that uses either green peppers or cilantro; and hervido is a boiled sauce that is made with lemons and spices. Papas arrugadas, otherwise known as 'wrinkly potatoes' are potatoes that are left unpeeled and then boiled in salt water. They are then baked until they are very dry and served with a mojo. For truly authentic cuisine, this dish must be sampled! Gofio is another original dish and uses corn, barley, wheat, or a mixture of the three. This is prepared into a serving of soft, moist dough and is also used in much of the area's baking.

Beaches

Playa Quemada (Pebble beach) Location: South of the Puerto Calero harbor This beach, with a very open layout, is very popular with the locals on the weekends but even going during the busy time will not find this beach extremely crowded. The beach is a combination of black sand and pebbles and both meet with the beautiful clear waters that are perfect for taking a dip! There are no vendors set up along this beach so if you will be here for awhile, make sure to bring any refreshments you might like as well as an umbrella for shade.

Beaches of Playa Blanca (Sand beach) Location: Along the southern coast of the island This string of beaches is part of a resort area that is extremely popular with families. Playa Blanca Beach lies in the middle of three beaches and although the smallest in full size, it's the longest of the three. The other two beaches were created to provide more space to the many tourists. There is a promenade bordering all three beaches and a cute little town in the middle of it all too!

Nudist Beach of Charco del Palo (Sand beach) Location: On the northeast coast of the island If you ever want an experience, this is the place to get it! This beach is part of an entire nudist colony and has many shops, restaurants, and grocery stores set up close to the beach. The beach faces the Atlantic Ocean so the colony can be ensured complete and total privacy. The community is open to anyone and there is no dress code so don't feel that to visit this part of the island, you must join in the local culture and partake of their lifestyle.

Beaches of Isla Graciosa (Sand beach) Location: On the islet just north of the main island These beaches are perfect for the tourist who wants to get away for a day from the crowded noisy beaches that you can find in the main areas of the main island. These beaches are smaller than the heavily-populated, resort-style beaches and are so secluded that many are only accessible by foot. While it may seem like a bit of a task, these beaches offer some of the most magnificent views on earth and crisp, clear water that is bound to provide any rejuvenation you need!

Beaches of Famara (Sand beach) Location: On the north coast of the island There are two main things that visitors who return year after year know about these beaches. The first is the white sand lies against a backdrop of black, rocky cliffs, providing views that are unmatched by any! The second is that the current in these beaches is very strong making the waves in these waters the perfect place for surfers to come to every year. That same current however often makes these beaches unsuitable for swimming so use caution!

Sights & Activities

Submarine Trips

If you're looking for an activity which is a little out of the norm on your holiday then head down to Puerto Del Carmen or Puerto Calero and hop in a submarine which leaves from their ports. Not many people can say they've done that, can they?

Timanfaya National Park

If you are visiting Lanzarote then you are visiting a volcanic island, and what better way to realize that than to take a bus or car journey right through the Timanfaya volcanic mountains, with its history told in a variety of languages and a restaurant which overlooks the entire park? You can even take a camel up to the highest point in the park and eat meat and fish cooked over heat from the islands volcanoes themselves. Tickets are just 8 euros per person.

Aquapark

Located on the east coast of the island, Aquapark is a great day out for the whole family, costing 21 euros per adult and 15 euros per child. There are rides, slides, pools, trampolines, jet skis, restaurants and gift shops to keep everyone entertained no matter what their age.

El Grifo

If you've come to Lanzarote for the wine and culture then head over to La Geria in the mid-southern region of the island to visit the El Grifo wine museum. Entrance is free and from 10.30 am to 6.00pm every day.

Guinate Tropical Park

In the north of Lanzarote at the foot of the Monte Corona volcano is Guinate Tropical Park; an attraction offing visitors the chance to see well over 1000 species of exotic and tropical birds, along with animals, plants, flowers and trees. Tickets cost just 5 euros for children and 14 euros for adults and the park can be located by car or bus.