Jameos Del Agua

A beautiful Volcanic Grotto with it's own subterranean lake, this is one of the major tourist attractions of the island because it is so pretty and unique. Follow the stairs down to the Bar Restaurant area, and then further down to the underground lagoon which contains a species of blind white crab normally only to be found deep on the bed of the ocean. At the exit of the cave there is an outdoor pool which is surrounded by exotic and tropical plants and flowers. The cave is open during the day and also most evenings, when it is lit up and one can enjoy food, drink and music in relaxing and beautifully illuminated surroundings.

The Green Caves (cueva de los verdes)

These caves are truly interesting and well worth exploring. They are formations of tubes of lava caused by an underground volcanic explosion. Running approximately seven kilometres along two kilometres of which, have been illuminated, the shades of colour and the strange rock formations are extremely unusual. Do look out for the amazing "Secret of Lanzarote".

Mirador Del Rio

Mirador Del Rio is a wonderful viewing point, situated in the very north of the island at the highest accessible point. This used to be a fortification commanding the most magnificent view of the island of Graciosa, the two smaller islands and the straight of El Rio. Now it has been turned into a look-out point from which one is able to admire this breathtaking scene.

Teguise

The town of Teguise is the ancient capital of Lanzarote, and with its narrow streets and well preserved buildings, it is easy to imagine the way of life many centuries ago. Teguise is full of historic interest, the main two buildings are the church of San Francisco, and the palace of Spinola, both situated in the main square. One will also find in this same square, a market on a Sunday morning open until 13.00 hrs On leaving Teguise one can see the Castle of Guanapay, which houses a museum and from where there is a panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Los Valles and Haria

Taking the road northwards from Teguise, continue through Los Valles which is the main and most important agricultural area on the island. The road then winds upwards until it reaches the top of the valley. On the other side, as the route begins to descend you will find two rest areas, both with spectacular views.

La Graciosa

La Graciosa is the little island off the northern tip of Lanzarote. It is a tiny island, 11 square miles, and on it live the families of fishermen who reap profit from the sea and live modestly.

Fishing is virtually the only industry, with supplies of fish in abundance and some specimens are very large.

There are two long beaches of golden sand, Caleta del Sebo (Suet Cove) and Las Conchas (The Shells). The only way over is by boat, and there is one that leaves the port in Orzola every morning. This takes you to Caleta del Sebo, a typical fishing village.

La Graciosa is mostly composed of a desert from which rise several extinct volcanoes. The island is said to have been the inspiration for Treasure Island, and when you are standing on the highest point of Lanzarote: the Mirador del Rio (View point), the panoramic views of this little island are breathtaking. On a very clear day, you can see the two islands behind La Graciosa, called Montana Clara and Alegranza.

La Geria

La Geria is a veritable oasis in the midst of a sea of volcanic rubble. From all accounts before the eruptions it was a garden of fruit and flowers, but was destroyed by the lava.

The land was once covered with crops and after the eruptions the locals tried every way possible to grow things and finally found the volcanic ash had the ability to hold moisture and therefore was good in which to plant crops.

The only problem was that they had to stop the wind from destroying the new vine leaves as they grew, so they found that after a low semi circle of stone was built around each vine, they sprouted lushly within the hollows.

La Geria is now famous for its very potent wines, the most common being El Grifo, which is a dry white wine, or a rose, and Malvasia, which is a sweet red wine (very similar to sherry).

El Golfo

El Golfo could be classed as one of the wonders of Lanzarote. It is an emerald green lagoon that is separated from the sea by a wide beach.

The lagoon lies under a volcanic cliff, which has the most amazing colours and shapes in it, caused by the running hot lava at the times of the explosions.

There are many wives tales as to why the water is emerald green in colour, but the most logical reason must be because of all the vegetation underground, and the life that lives in the water.

Nearby, there is a black beach and here you will find a lot of olivina, which is the local semi-precious stone found in the volcanic rock. The stone is known as peridot, which is the August birthstone.

El Golfo has been used for many films, the most well known being the film One Million years B.C. with Raquel Welch.

Independant travelling

Grand Tour

See the whole of the island in one day - beginning in the south by visiting the "Timanfaya National Park" for a camel ride, demonstrations and the "Lunar Route" around the Volcanic craters. Then down the coast to the salt flats of Janubio, Los Hervideros and the lake of "El Golfo". Lunch is taken in the village of Uga or Yaiza, from where you travel through "La Geria", the wine growing region of Lanzarote. Heading north through Teguise, Los Valles and the impressive valley of a thousand palms to the magnificent view of "La Graciosa" from "Mirador Del Rio", the final stop is at Jameos Del Agua, a beautifully eerie cave formed by volcanic activity, before returning home.

North Route

Leaving from Puerto del Carmen, which is the largest resort on the island, and also the best resort for shopping and duty frees, make your way up towards the north of the island which, in contrast to the barren south is green and pretty.

Going along the Circunvalacion, you will join the dual carriageway just before the airport and see Arrecife, the capital, in front of you, which is a working capital. Carry on along this road passing the petrol station after which you will have to take the turning to the left, which is signposted Circunvalacion, but be careful, as the slip road is off the dual carriageway’s fast lane.

Continue along this road and take the turning to Tahiche, until you see the turning for Arrieta. In this village you will find, by the harbour, some very typical Canarian restaurants, specialising in fish dishes.

Further along the coast you will reach the two sets of caves; the first ones, called Jameos del Agua, are the underground water caverns in a setting similar to a fairy grotto and these were designed by Cesar Manrique, the islands famous architect. The other caves are the Cuevas de los Verdes.

Coming back down the mountain route, you will pass Guinate, which hosts the Tropical Park and botanical gardens, where you can see hundreds of species of tropical birds. Making your way down the mountainside, you will wind your way down into the village of Haria, which is better known as the Valley of a Thousand Palms, because for every boy that is born there, they plant two palm trees, and for every girl born, one palm tree is planted.

If you would like to visit a beach in the north, the beach of Caleta de Famara is a lovely beach, but the sea can sometimes be rough, so watch out for red flags. Also the bays of Orzola are nice for a dip in the sea. They are small, white sandy bays, but are a little rocky in parts.

Then on the way back into resort, you can pass through the town of Teguise, which is the old capital of the island. On a Sunday morning this is the host town of the largest street market on the island. Here you can buy local produce, craftwork, tablecloths and souvenirs to take home.

South Route

Even though Lanzarote is a small island, it offers sights some of which you will only have the opportunity of seeing here, as they are unique to Lanzarote.

The most famous sight on the island must be the Timanfaya National Park, which is situated in the south. This is where you will have the opportunity to see one of the best examples of volcanology left in the world, three hundred craters and volcanoes. You must go on the Lunar Route to experience this amazing sight; you cannot drive your own cars around this area. But once you have paid admittance, there is a courtesy bus, which will take you round. You will also have the chance to see the amazing experiments showing you the heat from the live volcano. You must try a camel ride while you are in this area as well. Making your own way down through the National Park you will pass through the village of Yaiza, the prettiest village on the island, which has won competitions for being the cleanest village in Spain.

Continuing from here you can make your way along the coastline, passing the salt flats of Janubio. Next door to them, further along the coast you will arrive at Los Hervideros, known as the boiling pots. This is where, during the volcanic eruptions on the island, the lava has run down into the sea and cooled, leaving a very rugged coastline, with tunnels in the rock where the sea gushes in and sprays out onto the road.

El Golfo is next, which is the emerald green lagoon, made famous for the various films made here. It is said to be one of the wonders of Lanzarote, as nobody really knows why it is emerald green in colour.

Double back on yourself here and you will come to Playa Blanca, one of the three main resorts on the island, originally a fishing village and now an up and coming resort. From here, continue along the road and you will come to a set of dirt tracks and these will lead you to the Papagayo beaches, which are the most beautiful beaches on the island. They are a set of white sandy coves in the middle of nowhere. Take food and drink with you, as there is nowhere to buy it. These are also naturist beaches, although this is optional.