Travelling solo to destinations with such staggering natural scenery as can be found in Lanzarote offers the chance to reconnect with yourself through all five senses. Landscapes that seem to belong on an alien planet, endless beaches, fascinating sea floors… the island of a hundred volcanoes has plenty to offer.
Explore breathtaking landscapes
The endless expanses of Lanzarote are a constant invitation to enjoy and be impressed by their unusual terrain dotted with volcanic craters and over 110 volcanoes. If you are travelling solo, the first place you should head for is the Timanfaya National Park, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, in order to take a tour of its superb natural surroundings on foot, by bus or on the back of a dromedary. Many people have remarked on the resemblance of this undulating landscape (with its reddish hues and volcanic cones) to the surface of Mars. The massive volcanic eruptions that occurred between 1730 and 1736 changed the shape of this island forever and, according to the experts, increased its surface area by a third. A good place to stop for a break without taking your eyes away from this almost apocalyptic landscape is the El Diablo restaurant-viewing point, a place perfectly in harmony with its setting, and the scene of your first encounter with César Manrique.
Manrique, Lanzarote’s favourite son, was one of the most influential figures in determining the nature of what the island would offer tourists. This great artist, a lover of this desolate terrain and a firm believer in its potential for tourism, sought in Nature a starting point from which to produce such fascinating attractions as the Jameos del Agua. Here he created an appealing artistic installation within underground sections of a volcanic tunnel leading from the Corona Volcano. Here you can enjoy the lagoons and artistically laid-out gardens, and even eat in one of the restaurants. Look out for the tiny, blind, albino crabs, a very rare species that inhabits the lagoon.
The Cueva de los Verdes, which forms part of the same volcanic tunnel as the Jameos (albeit closer to the crater of the Corona) is another essential destination if you want to discover the secrets hidden beneath the surface of the land. The interior lighting is the work of a local artist, Jesús Soto, who has achieved the most amazing theatrical effects. Make sure you join a guided tour which, in the space of an hour and a half, will provide you with all the details.
If you are interested in botany, one place you shouldn’t miss is the Jardín de Cactus, Manrique’s final installation, a collection of over 4,500 specimens of 450 species which have adapted to the climatic conditions on Lanzarote. The windmill here, one of the last remaining on the island, dates from the early nineteenth century, and was used to grind the millet from which gofio [traditional Canarian toasted flour] was produced. Another attraction that bears the imprint of Manrique and where you can commune with Nature, is at the Mirador del Río, located high up on the Risco de Famara at an altitude of almost 500 metres. From here, on a very clear day, you can see the Natural Park of the Chinijo Archipelago and the Risco de Famara.
Relax by the sea
The sound of the waters breaking against the shore, ebbing and flowing among the rocks is hypnotic—just like the waves caressing the long, golden, sandy beaches. When you travel solo to Lanzarote, the therapeutic effect of the waves is guaranteed, as you have dozens of beaches to choose from for fun or relaxation. Among the most stunning is the beach at Famara a large expanse where the wind blows and waves run riot. It is ideal if you enjoy surfing, kitesurfing or windsurfing.
If you prefer somewhere more peaceful, with inviting, turquoise waters, make your way to the Papagayo beaches. Along a two-kilometre stretch, you will find the coves of Mujeres, El Pozo, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muelas and El Papagayo. In summer they can be very crowded because the tourist hub of Playa Blanca is close by, but you can always find a haven where you can relax to the sound of the lapping waves. Have a look around, and you’ll find it. Although they have rockier beaches, it’s also worth making your way to Los Caletones, another collection of unspoilt coves with clear waters near the fishing village of Órzola. Here, either before or after your dip in the sea, you can replenish your energy on one of the many terraces.
There are many other beaches dotted around the coastline, but if you want to view the ocean from a different perspective, don’t miss visiting or going for a dive at the Museo Atlántico, one of the world’s few underwater museums. The museum collection is made up of over 300 sculptures submerged at a depth of 12 metres—the work of the British artist Jason deCaires. These PH-neutral concrete sculptures have the effect of increasing the marine biomass and of boosting the reproduction of aquatic species, so that, as well as being a tourist attraction, it is also a project with an ecological purpose.
The pleasure of a solo trip to Lanzarote
If you ever doubted the wisdom of travelling solo to Lanzarote, you should by now have the answer. It is. Vast spaces where you decide how long you want to stay, beaches where no one disturbs the sound of the sea… not to mention a wide range of wellness options and delicious cuisine to enjoy.
As you’re on holiday and you deserve a treat (or several), we recommend you opt for one of the thermal treatments offered by the wellness centre at the Barceló Teguise Beach—a hotel for adults only which offers an exclusive setting where you can get back in tune with yourself. The centre’s hydrotherapy circuits, combined with one or two therapy treatments, will soon help you recover from your stressful daily routine.
On any break on Lanzarote, you cannot afford to overlook the island’s cooking, based on local produce and flavours. Take the opportunity to try a sancocho, a typical fish stew made with potatoes and sweet potatoes which is served with gofio (a dough made with various cereals), millet and fish stock. If you prefer meat, the kid meat is delicious, and you can have it roasted, fried or marinated. However, if there are three things that it would almost be sinful not to try, they are papas con mojo [traditional wrinkled potatoes with a sauce] (and if you like your sauce spicy, choose the red mojo), the goat’s cheese and the wine—which holds an appellation of origin. If wine tourism appeals to you, don’t miss the opportunity to see the vineyards at La Geria, in the south-west of Lanzarote, where the vines are planted inside large hollows enclosed by stone walls and covered with volcanic ash.
Travelling alone is a pleasure, and a solo trip to Lanzarote can in addition prove to be an opportunity to recharge your batteries with nature’s own energy.
