Lanzarote, the 4th largest (800sqkm) of the Canary Islands, is situated 120km from the African coast and about 1,200km (about 750 miles) from the Iberian Peninsula.
The island is a very popular holiday destination because of its mild climate with average temperatures between 20 and 25°C (68 - 77 °F) throughout the year.
The main income for Lanzarotenos is tourism, but they are trying not to make the same mistakes that were made elsewhere. They focus on preserving the landscape and integrating traditional architecture into the landscape. Advertising boards are banned from the roadside and you won't see a single shop that is advertising for itself with a big neon sign.
Facts:
- capital: Arrecife
- main sea resorts: Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca
- inhabitants: 127,000 "lanzarotenos"
- highest point: Peñas del Chache (671 m) (2200 ft)
- climate: subtropical
- time zone: GMT (during daylight saving time:
GMT+1)
- currency: Euro
- where to stay: There are lots of hotels to choose
from ranging from budget to luxury
- what to bring home
(souvenirs): Aloe Vera products (soap, cream), lava stone
bracelets and necklaces, handicraft items, wine, and mojo sauces. The most colorful
shopping opportunities are provided by Teguise Sunday Market. I did not have
the opportunity to shop at Teguise Market as I arrived on a Sunday and left
already the following Sunday.
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how to get there: You can take the ferry from Corralejo port on its neighboring island
Fuerteventura, which takes 30min to reach Playa Blanca port in Lanzarote. The
island has also its own international
airport, Arrecife Airport that serves most major European Cities.
Click on the pictures in the table to enlarge them.
 Jameo del chico: You access Jameo del chico via a 70m stairway that leads to the cave restaurant |
Jameos del Agua
The word Jameo refers to a big cave whose roof has collapsed. Jameos del Agua are lava caves connected by a salt water lagoon below sea level. A rare species of tiny, blind, albino crabs live in the lagoon. Their natural environment is actually in the depths of the sea (1,000m) and scientists assume they were brought up to the surface by volcanic activity.
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 Lava Cave: lagoon and lava tunnel that connects 2 jameos (jameo chico and jameo grande). Its length is about 100m and its width about 15m. |
By exiting the tunnel to the other site, you enter a nice a tropical garden (jameo grande).
There is also a music venue which is said to have excellent acoustics, but I wasn’t able to visit it as it was under reconstruction. |
 Fiery demonstration: a bush is put into an excavation of 2m depth and it instantly catches fire |
Timanfaya National Park
The Timanfaya National Park is situated between Yaiza and Tinajo. It was founded in 1974 and covers the area where the most intense volcanic activity took place from 1730 to 1736.
Geologists consider it to be a "cold" area with anomalies, which means there is still some geothermic activity in the Timanfaya area. For instance, temperatures can reach up to 400°C at a depth of 2 metres.
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In the video, a bucket of water is poured into a hole in the ground, only seconds later it evaporates with quite a noise – the geyser phenomenon
 Route of Craters: Bus on the Route of Craters |
You should not miss the Route of Craters. You can't go on car or on foot, only buses are allowed to take the tourists on the route but it is really worth it. The landscape is spectacular with rich colours ranging from red, brown, and grey to gold. |
 Camel safari: This is actually a dromedary safari, as camels have 2 humps and the animals in the picture only have 1 |
Camel Safari
I went on a camel safari in the Timanfaya National Park and I can tell you a camel ride is a fun thing to do. It takes about 30minutes and the price is 20€ per adult. There is a special camel path (camino de camellos) through part of the volcano landscape.
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 Dromedaries: Dromedaries sitting down in line and waiting for safari guests. |
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 Emerald Lagoon |
El Golfo
El Golfo is a volcanic crater that has been
infiltrated by sea water. The result is a nice emerald green lagoon.
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 Cactus garden |
Jardín de Cactus (Cactus Garden)
The cacti in this garden come from all over the world, not only from the Canary Islands but from Madagascar and America as well. All together more than 1,000 species of cactus have found a new home in this garden. You can sit down, have a meal or a drink in the small restaurant with a nice overview over(?) the garden and perhaps you can find a souvenir in the shop nearby.
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 Mirador del Rio |
El Mirador del Rio
Unfortunately, the weather gods didn’t smile at me. The sun wasn’t shining and it was a little foggy when I was there but you cannot choose your weather.
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 Boardwalk in Playa Blanca: Lanzarote |
Playa Blanca
I stayed in Playa Blanca which is situated on the southern coast of Lanzarote: Playa Blanca has become the third largest tourist area on the island, but I liked it very much because it is a peaceful, beautiful place.
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 Souvenir Shop: Lanzarote Souvenir Shop |
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Text and images by Janine Guenther
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