They say that in Lanzarote there’s a psychological virus that connects travellers to this unique island shaped by the force of nature. It is the so-called ‘Lanzarote effect’, and it infects everyone who travels over its vast fields of lava, which have shaped a mysterious, telluric landscape that stands in contrast with the sun-and-sand destinations of the other Canary Islands.
However, Lanzarote also has idyllic beaches to tempt visitors to its coasts, and to enjoy adrenaline-inducing activities, such as diving, cetacean spotting or boat trips. A plethora of activities awaits you in Lanzarote to make your stay exceptional and memorable. Below, we give you a list of activities that you really won’t want to miss on this island, which is also famous for its peace and tranquility. Don’t forget to visit Lanazarote’s nature parks, go hiking, practise yoga among the volcanoes, go horse riding, or plan an excursion to one of its major towns…
- Trip to La Graciosa
- See dolphins in Lanzarote
- Explore the Timanfaya National Park and Lanzarote’s other natural landscapes
- Hiking trails in Lanzarote
- Enjoy Papagayo beach
- Discover Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
- Discover the legacy of César Manrique
- Dolphin spotting
- Tour Lanzarote in 1 day
- Excursion to Fuerteventura
- Discover the treasures of Lanzarote
- Where to stay in Lanzarote
You need to know that Lanzarote, also known as the island of a hundred volcanoes, would not be the same without the pivotal figure of César Manrique, an artist who, following his triumphs in New York, Paris and Berlin, returned to his native Lanzarote to protect it from the ravages of tourism, which were by then already underway. Thanks to him, Lanzarote has maintained its identity steeped in architecture and nature.
Lanzarote is an island of contrasts, the perfect place to enjoy lovely beaches, gorges and cliffs, volcanoes and lunar-like landscapes, fascinating museums, and endless possibilities of leisure and relaxation. We reveal the best activities to enjoy in Lanzarote.
Trip to La Graciosa
La Graciosa is an island with no asphalt roads and, perhaps because of this, it is one of the least visited spots in the Canary Islands. Also known as ‘the eighth island’, it forms part of the Chinjo archipelago, along with its islets of Montaña Clara, Roque del Este and Alegranza. La Graciosa is separated from Lanzarote by a strait known as El Río. So why not plan an excursion to La Graciosa? The island has fewer than 700 inhabitants, and covers an area of 29 m2. There are just two main centres of population: Caleta del Sebo and Pedro Barba. In addition to visiting these little towns, we recommend you go for a dip off the beaches of La Cocina and La Francesa and, if you have time, enjoy the turquoise waters off Las Conchas beach.
See dolphins in Lanzarote
Would you like to see dolphins in Lanzarote from a speedboat? All you have to do is go to the Marina at Puerto del Carmen, and book an excursion that will take you to see dolphins, whales and other sea creatures that live in the waters around the island. You just use binoculars, and look in the direction indicated by the crew. A feature of the Canary archipelago and, of course, of Lanzarote, is that in addition to the migrating cetaceans that pass through its seas, there are also several settled colonies of these creatures. While you watch them, you can also admire views of Lanzarote’s coast and enjoy a relaxing swim, if you wish, in the open sea.
Explore the Timanfaya National Park and Lanzarote’s other natural landscapes
You will find an almost other-worldly beauty in the Timanfaya National Park. Its landscape is the result of volcanic eruptions that occurred in the years 1720, 1736 and 1824. You will see scarcely any vegetation, and you’ll be amazed by the ruggedness of its terrain, its array of colours, the silhouettes of its volcanoes, and its rocky coastline. You can visit the Visitors’ Centre in Mancha Blanca, where you can see several volcanic phenomena; the Montañas del Fuego [Mountains of Fire] which you can tour by bus with an interesting commentary on the area; and from the Echadero de Camellos, you can go on a short camel ride on the side of one of the volcanic cones. This is one of many possible activities in Lanzarote.
Hiking trails in Lanzarote
If you love hiking, you need to make for the Parque Natural de los Volcanes [Volcano Nature Park], which surrounds the Timanfaya National Park. This is a unique landscape for walking, as the scenery is entirely volcanic, and resembles the surface of the moon. The outstanding hike is the one leading to what is known as the Caldera Blanca, which takes in other dormant craters. Apart from this one, there are lots of other hiking trails of varying difficulty and duration on Lanzarote. These different walking tours will enable you to appreciate the processes involved, and the features created by the action of the volcanoes: fields of lava, ash, craters, tunnels, chambers, etc.
Enjoy Papagayo beach
An excellent way to enjoy the ocean is to sail around the beaches of Papagayo in a luxury catamaran while eating a delicious paella, with the chance to engage in water sports such as swimming or kayaking. From Puerto del Carmen, you can book an excursion to sail around the coastline, and then anchor close to Punta del Papagayo. Once there, you can go for a swim, and enjoy the wonderful, crystal-clear waters that surround this area of the coast of Lanzarote. And with nothing more than a pair of diving goggles, you can peer down into the sea bed, teeming with underwater life. A super plan!
Discover Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
A day out at Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park is a great activity for the whole family. This 90,000 m2 park provides a habitat for around 60 animal species, each in its own particular themed area. The complex, with its old American Western setting, also has a swimming pool area (El Corral) which boasts attractions such as its two water slides (86 and 100 metres respectively), as well as sunshades, loungers, a bar-restaurant, and so on. And there is an area specially designed for young children. La Mina.
Discover the legacy of César Manrique
You cannot really say you’ve been to Lanzarote unless you’ve seen the legacy that César Manrique left to the island of his birth. This multidisciplinary artist of the second half of the twentieth century created Centres of Art and Culture by restoring historic buildings on the island, adapting extraordinary natural settings, and transforming them into astounding attractions. Manrique’s legacy includes Los Jameos del Agua, La Cueva de los Verdes, The Cactus Garden, The Mirador del Río [River viewing point], and the Monumento al Campesino [Monument to the Peasant Farmer]. All remarkable places that should be on every itinerary.
Dolphin spotting
A special feature of the Canary Islands, and specifically of Lanzarote, is the large number of cetaceans to be found off the coastline. Dolphins in particular can be found in large numbers in the waters around the island. It is a delight to watch their movements as they swim at high speed towards the tourist vessels, occasionally putting on a thrilling spectacle as they leap over the surface of the sea. And if this experience happens to coincide with sunset over the sea, it becomes an utterly unforgettable sight.
Tour Lanzarote in 1 day
Although, ideally, travellers would enjoy taking time to explore Lanzarote in a relaxed fashion, a single day will allow you to see some of the island’s main attractions. These include the astounding Timanfaya National Park, the scene of violent volcanic activity during the eighteenth century. There is also the wine growing area of La Geria, where the vines grow protected by low semi-circular stone walls, and the town of Haría. The tour concludes with a visit to Los Jameos del Agua, the great architectural and landscaping project of the genius César Manrique.
Excursion to Fuerteventura
Barely 14 kilometres separate Lanzarote and Fuerteventura (between Punta del Papagayo and Corralejo), so we would recommend that you board a boat for an excursion to Fuerteventura. Once there, you could first visit the fishing village of El Cotillo, before heading to Corralejo, the island’s tourism hub, where you could go shopping. Corralejo’s municipal area includes some of Fuerteventura’s most impressive beaches, and in particular the Dunas de Corralejo Natural Park, bathed by the crystal-clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean — a great place to go for a swim and relax on the beach whilst soaking up the sun.
Discover the treasures of Lanzarote
Lanzarote has a host of treasures, but three in particular stand out: Los Jameos del Agua, La Cueva de los Verdes, and the Timanfaya National Park, with its so-called Volcano Trail. Each of these attractions is very different, but all three originated between 300 and 5,000 years ago, and are the result of some kind of volcanic activity. Beginning in the 1970s, these places attracted the attention of the visionary César Manrique, who was able to show off their unique nature to its best advantage, and to transform them into not-to-be-missed sights for every visitor to Lanzarote. These three highlights can be visited on a one-day excursion, in the company of expert guides.
