Lanzarote is an island that you’re certain to fall in love with. It has everything – stunning natural landscapes, great cuisine, a wide range of holiday accommodation with restaurants nearby and locals that are open and friendly towards those that come to enjoy the island. Despite the fact that the island is totally concentrated on tourism, but has not lost an inch of its cultural heritage, and goes to great lengths to ensure the protection of the natural environment. It is one of the most easterly islands of the Canary Island archipelago meaning that is only a short distance from Africa. The influence of the neighboring continent is evident in its natural terrain, desert, vegetation and traditional whitewashed houses. Hundredrooms has selected some of the unmissable things for you to see right here – take a look!
Teguise
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Timanfaya National Park
In the Timanfaya National Park you’ll find the mountains of fire – its very own dormant volcanoes. Three centuries ago they devastated the island with impressive eruptions, and this “martian” landscape was formed between 1730 and 1736 due to a series of volcanic eruptions that transformed the landscape from east to west. Along the road leading to the visitor centre, one has the feeling of having landed on the moon. The park can be visited with guided tours by bus that drives through the pyroclastic-formed red and black terrain. In addition to touring the park, it is possible to visit the Islote de Hilario, where you will see a spectacular geyser created by pouring cold water into a hole in the hot volcanic rock. You can also choose to go for a camel ride! The whole area of the park is declared a Biosphere Reserve and is without a doubt a must see on the island.
Los Hervideros
To the south of Timanfaya and close to the road that goes to El Golfo from Salinas de Janubio, are the Hervideros. This part of the coast is a natural formation of volcanic inlets and vents, formed by hardened volcanic lava. It is a spectacular landscape where you can see the full force of the sea on the magma that has been transformed into rock. The impact of the waves and their force allows the water to rise to the surface, and therefore take advantage of the holes and cavities in the rock. As a result, the water emerges through the rocks as if it were “boiling water”. If the waves are strong, this spectacular show is even more impressive.
Cactus Garden
Even if you don’t know much about botany, the Cactus Garden in Lanzarote is certainly worth the trip. This place will leave you speechless; it was created by César Manrique who was a famous artist and architect of the island, who, like Gaudí in Barcelona left his mark in several places. The garden is a mixture of zen plantlife and a museum of sculpture, all made with hundreds of species of cactus native to both the Canary Islands and to the Americas and Africa. It is also possible to visit the inside of a traditional windmill which has been restored and perfectly preserved. The entrance door is made of wrought iron and in the shape of a cactus! The sculptures of Manrique can also be found in other areas of the garden such as the restaurant’s interior and even in the bathroom. It is impressive to see how in such a hostile landscape, so many cactus varieties have been extracted.
La Geria
La Geria is found inland of Lanzarote, which are less touristy areas than along the coast. It remains an interesting place to visit as it maintains its traditionality. With a bit of luck, you can attend the various local fiestas during the summer where you will witness traditional dance and music performances from the Canaries. The Geria is a region that is mostly dedicated to agriculture; here you will find vines growing to make wine alongside potatoes and any crop that does not require much water to grow very high. The reason for these limitations is that the soil on the island is very poor quality due to its volcanic properties. There is also a lot of wind which prevents plant and tree cultivation. The potato is, therefore, the perfect option to grow. To conserve water the soil is pitched with a type of volcanic stone which is very porous. Water is then conserved in its pores, preventing evaporation from the heat. The wind displaces the soil and disturbs crop growth, and so the solution for Canarians is to surround each plant with a small stone wall. This process explains why Canarian wine is more expensive than a Rioja, for example, as it is grown in optimal conditions.
Cueva de Los Verdes
The island of Lanzarote is one of the most magical places in the Canary Islands by the sheer visual force of its volcanic landscapes, the ruggedness of its cliffs and the beauty of its inland villages. However, Lanzarote also hides some of its most beautiful spots underground, as is the case of the Jameos del Agua, or the nearby Cueva de Los Verdes. This volcanic tube of around 7 km in length also extends underwater, and the Jameos are part of this due to a large eruption that took place over 5000 years ago. The huge spaces in this large cave are what draws people here (in one of them, there is an auditorium!) and in particular, the visual effect that occurs. The mirror effect is a real deception for the eyes, as it is an immense cave in which an empty space opens at our feet. The effect is so tangible that many people suffer from dizziness! It is certainly worth visiting this cave and enjoying this visual trick with a walk underground.
