A group trip to Lanzarote

Pleasant beaches, night life, impressive scenery… There are so many reasons to persuade you to pack your suitcase and take a plane to Lanzarote. The fourth-largest island in the Canary archipelago, which was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993, boasts an array of tourist attractions that make it the perfect choice for a superb holiday, whether you are travelling alone or as part of a group. Moreover, like the other Canary Islands, its favourable climate—the average temperature remains between 17 and 24 degrees throughout the year—means that you can visit during any season, although the best time is between October and May.

An ideal option for a group trip to Lanzarote is to hire one, or several, cars. Although virtually every corner of the island is accessible using public transport, a car gives you much more independence, so that you will consequently get more from your stay. For larger groups, there is the option of a minibus or a bus, and various companies offer this service.

What to see with your friends in Lanzarote

• The Timanfaya National Park. The first thing that visitors notice about Lanzarote, even before they land on the island, is the extraordinary beauty of a volcanic landscape resulting from eruptions that occurred throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Accordingly, an ideal first step is to visit the Timanfaya National Park, a 200-km² plateau occupied by an almost lunar landscape, the result of prolonged activity by almost 300 volcanoes. The park can be accessed by road and you can even make a tour of it by camel. The sight of the craters and the thought that ten metres beneath your feet, the earth is boiling at 300 degrees makes a powerful impression. In addition, you can have lunch at the El Diablo restaurant, and try the dishes cooked in its oven using the natural heat generated by the earth.
• Volcanic tunnels. Volcanic activity on Lanzarote also created a number of tunnels carved out by the relentlessly advancing lava. One example is the Jameos del Agua, a spectacular, 6-kilometre tunnel, which actually runs underwater for around 1½ kilometres, and which was transformed into a multifunctional space by the Lanzarote-born artist, César Manrique. This natural phenomenon also provides a habitat for one of the island’s endemic species: the blind crab.
• The Mirador del Río viewpoint. Also bearing the hallmark of the versatile César Manrique, this viewing point situated on the Risco de Famara, at an altitude of 480 metres, offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views on the island. Its construction was a considerable challenge, as it was necessary to excavate the land, construct the building and then clothe it in volcanic rock. All this was done in order to minimise its impact on the landscape, but its outstanding feature is the impressive views provided by its windows onto the Chinijo archipelago.
• Jardín de Cactus. Still on the trail of Manrique—a ubiquitous presence on Lanzarote—we can recommend a visit to this wonderful cactus garden set in a former volcanic ash quarry. The garden is home to over 4,500 examples of cactus brought here from areas as distant as Madagascar and Peru. It is also a place that exudes peace; a walk within it is a truly gratifying experience for the senses. It is worth bearing in mind that many of these attractions are actually Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo [Arts, Culture and Tourism Centres] run by Lanzarote’s Island Council, or Cabildo, which makes available combined tickets to enable tourists to visit several of them. So it is well worth planning your itinerary in advance, because if you ultimately decide to visit different Centres, you will save money by buying one of the combined tickets.
• Natural swimming pools. Another of the island’s highlights is its pleasant natural swimming pools created by the streams of lava and the thrust of the Atlantic Ocean. The most spectacular pools are in the Los Charcones area, although they are difficult to reach. A more accessible alternative is to make your way to Punta Mujeres. The swimming pools in this region—situated in the north of the island—are within the urban area, and are safer.
• Trip to the island of La Graciosa. A trip to the eighth Canary Island makes for a highly enjoyable group excursion. To reach the island, you need to catch a boat in the port of Órzola and travel for just over 30 minutes to the fishing town of Caleta de Sebo. There you can hire a bike and ride across the beautiful desert island landscape, perhaps stopping off to bathe on one of its secluded beaches.

What about sport?

The island of the volcanoes is also an ideal destination for water sports, particularly:

• Surfing and kite surfing. There are companies specialising in these sports, for example in Caleta de Famara in the Teguise district. If you look around, you can almost certainly find discounts for groups. In addition, the climate is perfect and the scenery is to die for.
• In Lanzarote, diving enthusiasts will find something close to heaven, as the island offers such fantastic diving locations as the Agujero Azul, the Catedral and the Cueva de las Gambas. However, the most outstanding spot on the island is without a doubt the delightful Museo Atlántico, an offbeat collection of sculptures submerged in the ocean by the British artist Jason deCaires.

Lanzarote’s nightlife

Lastly, those who are keen to acquaint themselves with Lanzarote’s nightlife will find the best pubs and discos in the tourist resorts. The most vibrant spots are: in Puerto del Carmen, around the Avenida de las Playas and the Varadero area; in Playa Blanca, along the coastline and the port; and in Costa Teguise around Avenida del Jablillo. The island’s capital, Arrecife, has a more traditional atmosphere, and here you can discover establishments with character, and which are favoured by the majority of the islanders.

So now you can see, the island’s leisure options include cultural activities, excursions to enjoy the natural world, water sports and, of course, a spot of partying. Have no doubt, a group trip to Lanzarote will always be a great choice.

Enjoy Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort

If you love active tourism, you need to know about the interesting sport and leisure options at the brand new Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort, a hotel complex offering an enormous range of activities with something to suit every taste. Located on Costa Teguise, the resort is ideal for those seeking the perfect combination of wellness and exercise, and a place where they can enjoy the finest offers of food, drink and leisure, with activities for all levels. So this refurbished accommodation in beautiful Lanzarote invites you to not only dream about your ideal holiday, but to actually experience it.

The Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort is based on a concept inspired by the dynamic, get-up-and-go spirit of the hotel’s guests — people who enjoy an active lifestyle and who are looking for fun and innovative activities, whatever their age or physical condition. That is why the hotel’s 659 modern, fully-equipped guest rooms include an outstanding Hypoxia Deluxe, a unique room that allows you to simulate altitudes of up to 4,000 metres, as well as our Sporting Deluxe room, with its own training area.

And ask about our Sports Rooms, which offer a fitness experience in your own room, with a smart mirror, access to a range of training options, workouts integrated into the smart mirror, and an ”activ minibar”, offering a selection of cereals, still isotonic drinks, unsalted nuts and vegetable crisps. This four-star hotel offers sports facilities for both professionals and keen amateurs, with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a gymnasium and a cycling centre, where all guests are welcome. And that means you.

La Plaza is an emblematic space within the hotel where active sports enthusiasts gather to enjoy good cuisine, music, social and cultural activities. Here, the hotel offers an array of options that you can enjoy during your stay at the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort. You can sign up for those that most appeal to you. There are always so many fun options on offer that you’re bound to find something that interests you.

At La Plaza, you can listen to live music, enjoy an ice cream from the food truck, or discover new flavours with ‘gastro’ options from Asia, Italy, the Canary Islands, and elsewhere. You can also buy local products at a pop-up market, enjoy outdoor exercise activities, play in the games park, or watch a match in the Sports Bar.

There is a full entertainment programme for children — HAPPY MINDS — as well as a social and multimedia facility — ONE — designed for teenagers. There are also experiences with a local flavour for everyone. Perhaps a workshop on cooking Canary Island ‘mojo’ sauce? Or a practical class in traditional Canary Island Wrestling? You can also learn how to make sun hats or to plait palm leaves. And if you love dancing, you will have the chance to learn traditional Canary Island dances such as the sorondongo, rancho de ánimas and diabletes. Another option is to try local sports, including ‘bola canaria’ [a type of bowls], plough lifting, shepherd’s leap, or ‘pelotamano’.

Of course, exercise and wellness are a particular priority within the active tourism options offered by the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort. The hotel boasts a 5-kilometre Active Track, with a multitude of active spots inspired by an itinerary over sea and land. Sea activities that you can sign up for include Aqua Fitness, Pool Biking, Paddle Surfing (Sup Yoga), swimming lessons, and so on. Land activities include yoga and mindfulness, run & bike, gym induction, track training, and much more.

And if that doesn’t seem enough, there is an additional service available to purchase separately that fits in with the ‘Active’ concept. This includes a physiotherapy service, a Wellness area with treatments offered in the open air, a personal trainer who can focus on either mindfulness or high-intensity sports, a solarium service, outdoor cinema and other exclusive events.

And to recharge your batteries, nothing can beat a visit to the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort restaurant facilities. Here you will find the KOI Asian restaurant which offers a large shared table for groups; our La Dolce Vita Italian restaurant, specialising in pizza and pasta; our Champs Sports Bar, with several screens showing sports contests; the Marella Pool Bar, a family-orientated snack bar offering both an à la carte and buffet service; and the Lobby Bar, the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail when the weather isn’t good enough to go outside.

Remember that the Barceló Lanzarote Active Resort is preparing an intensive programme of active tourism ready for the summer, with fun fitness circuits and exciting cultural activities. Don’t miss them.