Lanzarote - Art, nature and architecture

Unbelievable natural spectacles can be observed on Lanzarote: El Golfo, the emerald green crater lake; the brakers at „Los Hervideros“, a wild lava coast and Timanfaya national park. There are 3 words to describe Lanzarote: art, nature, and architecture. There are many beautiful, little villages nestled by the beaches in the south and some surf districts in the north.

Lanzarote is the 4th biggest Canary Island with more than 300 volcanoes, which have shaped Lanzarote's landscape throughout the years. Since 1852 Arrecife has been the capital of Lanzarote.

In 1993 the UNESCO has appointed Lanzarote as one of the "World's Biosphere Reserves“. This nomination is awarded to habitats, where humanity and nature live in harmony with each other. Lanzarote has a lack of subterranean water, water is used very economically. The inhabitants do a lot in order to preserve their isle.

On Lanzarote the potential for excursions is abundantly available. For a tour of the north of the island, your best bet is to start at Teguise, a picturesque city and former capital of the island. The trip includes travelling to fields of cacti in Guatiza and the viewpoint "Mirador del Rio". The next stop is the worth seeing, lava grotto "Jameos del Agua" and Haría, the "Valley of a thousand palms“. In Haría you obtain a very exotic impression: cubic, white houses, which are reminisent of the architecture of northern Africa. You get a beautiful view over Haría from the Mirador de Haría.

If you'd prefer to explore the south of the island, you should take part in a camel ride at the bottom of the "Montañas del Fuego" (fire mountains) and afterwards go to the national park "Timanfaya". It is doubtlessly the highlight of Lanzarote's landscape. During 1730 and 1736 smoke and lava came out of the fire mountains. Many parts of the land have been made barren by the lava and many villages have become dead land. For a better understanding, volcano documentaries are shown. The Timanfaya national park is also known as "eerie moonscape". To get tour the whole park you should plan at least 3 hours.

Yaiza, at the foot of the fire mountains is one of the most beautiful locations on Lanzarote and it is also a very typical one. Here, you should visit the Jardínes de la Era, the church Los Remedios (built in the 18th century) and the village square.

Additionally, an excursion to the Canary Island "Fuerteventura" or one of the other islands could be an alternative option for your holiday on Lanzarote.

General Information:

Capital: Arrecife
Population: approx. 140,000
Size: approx. 845 km²
Climate: Mild throughout the year, less rain, and springlike to midsummery temperatures.
Location: Situated north of Fuerteventura, 140 km western of the Maroccan coast, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Lanzarote on Google Maps

Excursions

Among the dreamlike landscape Lanzarote offers a lot of touristic attractions which are worth to be seen. Without a doubt the places built by the force of lava and ocean are the most characteristic ones of Lanzarote. Together with its beautiful beaches and steep coasts, this unique countryside makes the difference in Lanzarote's landscape. Here, many movies have been made because of its unusual scenery, and some of the most beautiful and interesting locations were co-designed by the artist César Manrique who was born on Lanzarote. They form the Centro de Arte, Cultura y Turismo.

Guinate Tropical Park

The Guinate Tropical Park is located in the north of Lanzarote, near the volcano La Corona. On 45,000 m2 there are marvellous gardens, waterfalls, and lagoons. The park hosts more than 1,300 birds and other exotic species. Good observation possibilities are offered on the small islands La Graciosa, Alegranza and Montaña Clara. The park offers pure relaxation and invites you to get to know the artistic capabilities of parrots.

Further information is provided at: http://www.guinatepark.com/

Aquarium de Lanzarote

The aquarium of Lanzarote is the biggest aquarium on the Canary Islands. More than hundred different dwellers of the sea live in 22 aquariums. Among them you can observe the typical canarian species like Tigerfish, Gilthead or Chromis in divers morphologies as well as Clownfishes and their relation to Anemones, fluorescent firedragon fishes, Puffers or Hermit crabs. There is lots to discover! Furthermore, you get to the central pool through a underwater tunnel, at which you can marvel at different types of sharks and how they make their circles. A special attraction offers the petting pool, a kind of petting zoo for seafood, where kids and grown-ups are allowed to touch animals like the Sea cucumber or the Starfish in order to get to know them better.

Additional information you can find at: http://www.aquariumlanzarote.com/

Timanfaya

The reserve Timanfaya – or Montañas del Fuego = called Fire Mountains, are located in the south of Lanzarote and extend over a huge impassable area. If you travel by car or bus, you can pass into the center of the park after you have paid the entry fee. From here, buses leave for a 20 minutes tour through the interior of the fire Mountains. A volcanic landscape, untouched by humans, presents itself to interested visitors and it is a really special adventure to see this. Even if the topic of volcanos is omnipresent on Lanzarote, here you get a detailed insight which is really worth to be seen.

Openeing hours: Daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm, during summer season
(15th July until 15th September) from 9.00 am to 05.45 pm
Volcan coach trip: Last trip at 05.00 pm
Recommended visiting hours: 9.00 to 10.30 am / 03.00 bis 05.00 pm
Location: Yaiza
Phone: 0034 928 840056

Jameos Del Agua

In the north of Lanzarote, at the foot of the volcano Monte de la Corona, there is the entrance of an 6 km subterranean gallery system, which is counted to the most interesting caves and grottos. “Jameos“ are caves of lava and emerge if a tunnel collapses. This often happens, if it's getting broader than 20 meters, or if volcanic gases have led to an explosion. The visitor steps in through twisted wooden stairs into a 100 meters long and 30 meters broad open lava caves, the Jameo Grande, with its wonderful garden and the impressive swimmingpool. In the inner of Jameo Grande, there were integrated harmonically bars and dancefloors for the nightlife as well as a big concert hall for evening events. You must not miss this event, if night will be turned into day and the Jameo Grande invites for a dance!

Opening hours: Daily betwen 10.00 am and 6.30 pm, At night (Events): Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7.00 pm to 2.00 am
Location: In direction of Órzola
Phone: 0034 928 848020

Bars and Clubs

When darkness rises bars and clubs located all over the island awake. You can experience unique locations integrated in volcanic rock, with exclusive decoration right on the beach.

For every taste of music something can be found, international music as well as Latin American music. Cuban dancers care for the tropical athmosphere. On Lanzarote the following bars and clubs allow you to get an insight into the Canary nightlife.

Tias:

Irish Bar O´Donoghues
Cervecería San Miguel Av. del Varadero
Groucho- Dikanova Av. Playas, 35
Disko Ibiza Av. de Las Playas
Sala Rumm C/Infantes, 1

Arrecife:

Calle José Antonio Primo de Rivera
Divino Doblon
El Doblón
La Antigua
La Calle
El Convento

Tequise:

The Jellyfish Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Paradise
Arms und Baobab
Chispas
Hook im Piratenlook
La Cueva Lagomar C/ Los Loros, 2
Saxo´s Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Sport Café Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Shamrock Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Irisch Fiddler Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Paradiese Football Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos
Wild Thostle Matagorda Avda de las Playas C.C. Los Pocillos

Puerto del Carmen:

American Indian Café Avda de las Playas
Ruta 66 Avda de las Playas/Centro Comercial Arena Dorada
Harley Rock Avda de las Playas 28
The Hawaiian Bar Avda de las Playas
Emporium
Cesar
Dreams Avda de las Playas – C.C. Atlantico, local
The Big Apple Centro Comercial Columbus
Paradise Beach Club Centro Comercial Columbus
La Ola – Café und Bar Avda de las Playas 10
Cerveceria la Tropical Avda de las Playas 19
Piccadilly Bar Centro Comercial alantico Avda de las Playas
Ricks Bar Centro Comercial alantico Avda de las Playas
The Galleon Avda de las Playas
Charles Bar Centro Comercial Atlantico Avda de las Playas
Hippodrome Centro Comercial Atlantico Avda de las Playas
Flannigains Centro Comercial Atantico Avda de las Playas
Tropical Centro Comercial Atantico Avda de las Playas

Playa Blanca:

34 Liomones Matagorda - Avda de Las Playa C.C Los Pocillos
Roof Top´s Matagorda - Avda de Las Playa C.C Los Pocillos
Café del Moar Matagorda - Avda de Las Playa C.C Los Pocillos
Jungle Bar Centro Comercial Papagayo n. 3

Facts and attractions

You spend your hotel placement on Lanzarote? We have compiled an extensive list of minor and major attractions for you.

Worth a visit

El Golfo - half sunken crater with a lagoon
http://www.spain-lanzarote.com/uk/places/golfo-lago.html

Papagayo beaches - golden picture-book beaches of Lanzarote
http://www.spain-lanzarote.com/uk/beaches/punta-papagayo.html

Los Hervideros - bizarre formations of lava rock at the southern coast
http://www.gazettelive.com/touristguide/hiddentreasure.htm

Cueva de los Verdes - on of the longest lava tunnels in the world

Mirador del Río - northernmost viewing point of César Manrique

Monumento al Campesino - 15 metres high fertility monument

Jardín de Cactus - cactus garden of César Manrique in Guatiza

Further information on the 4 attractions mentioned above is provided here:
http://www.gazettelive.com/touristguide/cultural.htm

Maps

Streetmap for downloading

Nightlife, bars & restaurants

http://www.nautic-dive.eu
http://www.lanzarote.com
http://www.tripadvisor.de
http://www.canarybynight.net

Markets

Saturdays in Haria
In Haria there is a market of artisan products
Date: Saturdays from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm

Sundays in Tequise
In Tequise there is one of the best known markets on Lanzarote
Date: Sundays from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm

Wednesdays in Arrecife
In Arrecife there is the market right at the beachfront next to the pedestrian zone
Date: Wednesdays from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm

Fridays in Costa Tequise
In Costa Tequise there is a small market at the Plaza Pueblo Marinero
Date: Fridays from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Leisure time

Aquapark Costa Teguise
http://www.aquaparklanzarote.com/

Pardelas Park
http://www.laspardelas.org/

Rancho Texas Park
http://www.ranchotexaslanzarote.com/

Diving
A possibility for diving friends is offered at the eastcoast of Lanzarote, where you can experience the underwater world from close. The dive spots here are often compared with the well known spots of the Red Sea. Further information on diving schools you can find here: www.pp-diving-center.de or www.northdiving-lanzarote.de/

As you ever wanted to learn how to surf - Lanzarote offers the chance to do so. Here you find the most beautiful spots for surfing in Jameos del Aqua, at the Famara beach, in La Santa, Playa Janubio/El Golfo or on La Graciosa.Furter information on Surfing schools you can find here: http://www.famarasurf.com/ or http://www.surfschoolanzarote.com/