Lanzarote in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Four days are not many, but they are enough to get to know the easternmost island of the Canary archipelago. Lanzarote has a lot to offer: virgin beaches, natural parks and the places modeled by the genius of César Manrique. Despite its small size, it is important to plan the itinerary well. Knowing how to get around and what to see is fundamental when planning your trip. And to help you in your task, I have prepared a route that touches all the important points of the island.

On the first day I have mapped out a route that touches the most important points of the northern part. The starting point is the charming village of Punta Mujeres.

Bathe in the natural pools of Punta Mujeres

In the municipality of Punta Mujeres there are no resorts or large hotel complexes. It is a quiet place, characterized by family tourism and natural pools, closed coves accessible through small stairs.

If you are traveling with small children it is a perfect destination because the kids can enjoy the water without danger. In fact, I recommend it if you are looking for things to do with children in Lanzarote.

In addition to the sea, I advise you to take a short walk through this small fishing village that has managed to maintain the charm of yesteryear. Here you will also find the Museum of Aloe, a plant that grows luxuriantly in Lanzarote and the other islands of the archipelago (Carretera Jameos del Agua s/n).

Stay with your mouth open in the Jameos del Agua

Los Jameos del Agua is the name of a natural cave embellished by Cesar Manrique. "Jameos" is a word of indigenous origin and defines an abyss formed inside a lava tunnel.

Outside, an idyllic pool is surrounded by basalt rocks and succulent plants. Inside there are several different parts with lakes and even an auditorium where concerts are organized.

It is highly recommended to book an excursion to the Jameos del Agua to get to know the area in depth. But if you dare to do this plan on your own, be sure to read the article that explains how to visit Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote.

Visit the Museum House of César Manrique

The house that the artist lived in during the last years of his life. When you enter you will have the feeling that time has stopped, the shirts hang from the hangers and the perfumes are still above the sink. It is a cozy residence where the natural and the artificial intermingle with style.

The Casa Museo de César Manrique is a small jewel embellished with works by Joan Mirò and Pablo Picasso. Outside, a swimming pool and a charming porch complete the charm of the place. I recommend you book a tour of César Manrique and delve into the artist's life.

• Address: C. Elvira Sánchez, 30, Haría.
• Hours: from 10:30 am to 6 pm.
• Price: about 10 €.

Delight yourself with the haute cuisine of Tacande

The last stop of the day is located in the same municipality of Haría, 10 minutes walk from the Casa de César Manrique. Open every day of the week from 13 to 16 and from 19 to 22.

The Tacande restaurant stands out for its fusion cuisine, finely presented dishes and Canarian craft beers. Here you can taste avocado gazpacho, rice with seaweed and lime mayonnaise, prawn uramaki and other recipes with Asian and Latin American influences.

After a first day on the northern beaches, it's time to explore the interior. The first stage can only be the largest natural park on the island.

Immerse yourself in Timanfaya National Park

Booking an excursion to Timanfaya is another must. It is a protected area that brings together the land affected by volcanic eruptions that occurred in 1720, 1736 and 1824. Since then, the environment has remained practically unaltered and more than a terrestrial landscape it looks like a lunar one.

You can tour it on your own, however, I recommend hiring an organized excursion to Timanfaya. Despite the harsh climate, some animals live here. This is the case of rabbits, geckos and owls that find food in the sparse bushes of this natural park. You can take advantage of your stay to take a camel ride.

Stroll through Teguise, the most beautiful village of Lanzarote

In the center of the island is a municipality with white houses and historic buildings. It was the first capital of Lanzarote and is located a few kilometers from Timanfaya National Park. Its old town houses some attractions of great interest:

• Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in the fifteenth century by Maciot de Bethencourt, Norman explorer and first European to set foot on the soil of Lanzarote.
• Plaza de la Constitución or San Miguel. It is the heart of Teguise and its perimeter is delimited by the church, the tourist office and the House-Museum of the Timple, an instrument similar to a guitar and typical of the archipelago.
• Castle of Santa Barbara, the oldest fortification of the island. It was built in the 16th century by the will of Sancho de Herrera, the lord of Lanzarote. In the 19th century it lost importance and, after some years of abandonment, it has been reborn as the Museum of Piracy.
• Aquapark Costa Teguise is an ideal plan for the whole family. A very popular water park that includes numerous attractions among slides, soft tracks, ball park, tracks for electric cars ....

If you have time, you can take a walk through the Cactus Garden, one of the many creations of César Manrique. It is located in the town of Guatiza and is home to more than 4000 specimens of succulent plants.

Book a table at Hespérides Restaurant

In Teguise I recommend you to try the creative cuisine of the restaurant Hespérides. It is a charming and quiet place, the rooms surround an inner courtyard and the service stands out for its friendliness. Here local and seasonal products are the main ingredients, prepared by an experienced chef.

Here you can taste octopus brioche, sweet potato salad, low temperature Canarian pork, tuna tataki, as well as more traditional recipes.

• Address: Calle León y Castillo, 3 CC, Casa Leon.
• Hours: Hespérides closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the rest of the days it opens at noon and turns off the stoves at 10 pm.

A few kilometers from Lanzarote is a small island where nature and silence are the protagonists: La Graciosa. If you travel on your own, you can get here from the port of Órzola with the Romero and Naviera Armas Lines, which guarantee connections every half hour. You can also book your ferry ticket to La Graciosa from here.

Disembark in Caleta de Sebo

Booking your excursion to La Graciosa is an ideal plan if you spend more than three days in Lanzarote. You will arrive in Caleta de Sebo which is the only "town" of the island and the starting point for all excursions. The ferries disembark here and once on dry land you can take the opportunity to do some shopping. There are small supermarkets in the surroundings. I tell you this because this is the only point of La Graciosa with services.

At this point, if you have arrived on your own you have two options: rent a bike (or e-bike) or maybe book an off-road tour. In this area you will find several agencies that offer this service. By the way, if you like driving on rough terrain, I recommend you to read the post about buggy tours in Lanzarote.

Lie on the sand in Playa Francesa

A short distance from Caleta de Sebo is a simply wonderful stretch of coastline: Playa Francesa. The turquoise waters and the catamarans moored near the shore make up a Caribbean postcard. I recommend you bring your snorkeling gear, the marine fauna will take your breath away.

Eat the freshest fish

Despite its tiny size, Caleta de Sebo has several dining options. Personally, I recommend you to book a table at the restaurant Casa Enriqueta (Calle del Mar de Barlovento 6). The specialty is caramelized octopus and squid puntillas. Alternatively you can opt for:

• El Marinero, known for limpets and grilled fish (Calle García Escámez).
• El Veril, if you want to eat mussels with green mojo and fried fish (Avenida Virgen del Mar 95).
• El Varadero, I recommend you to order the fresh fish of the day on the back (Avenida Virgen del Mar 123).

Discover Pedro Barba

About six kilometers from Caleta de Sebo is a tiny and semi-abandoned village: Pedro Barba. It has one-story houses with white walls and gardens where succulent plants grow. This tiny village is named after a 14th century aristocrat and warrior. However, the village of Pedro Barba was born in the 1930s thanks to the intuition of an entrepreneur.

The idea was to build a fishing port and a village to house the workers. Unfortunately, the project had no luck and the few residences were progressively abandoned. In addition to the classic charm of uninhabited places, it is worth diving into the sea and doing some snorkeling. The inflow is scarce (often nil) and the fish very abundant. If you don't feel like traveling on your own, you can book one of the day trips to La Graciosa from Lanzarote.

On the last day available, I recommend a route that touches some of the best beaches of Lanzarote. To do this route you must have a car as public transport does not reach all the points listed. Anyway, a rental car is the most chosen option for those who travel to the island. You can also book a tour in the south of Lanzarote.

Relax in Los Charcones

A must are the most beautiful natural pools of Lanzarote, which are located on the south coast. Playa Blanca is just a few kilometers away, as well as the hustle and bustle that characterizes this tourist center. To reach them you only need to drive in the direction of the Pechiguera Lighthouse. You can leave the car near the unfinished works of a hotel that was never finished and start the descent.

Don't miss Papagayo Beach by kayak

This stretch of coastline in the south is difficult to access and a canoe route is the ideal way to explore it. Normally, tours depart from Playa Blanca, a tourist area with numerous leisure offers and both free and paid parking. Before setting sail, the instructor will give you some useful tips for navigation.

Do not worry, the route is simple and suitable for all ages (from 5 years old). However, it is required that participants know how to swim. The most common is that the price includes an aperitif or snack at the end of the activity. For more information, you can read the post detailing the 10 best activities in Lanzarote: kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving experiences, etc. And if you are thinking about signing up for an activity of this kind, check out this kayak and snorkeling tour in Lanzarote.

Say goodbye to Lanzarote in La Cuadra Restaurant

After such an intense day you deserve a good tribute and La Cuadra restaurant is the ideal destination. It is located in Playa Blanca and has an extensive menu and stunning views over the ocean. They are known for recipes such as salmon en papillote and cod confit.

In case you prefer to eat meat, you can choose succulent lamb shoulder, Strogonoff sirloin, grilled pork feather or other recipes.

• Address: Calle Limones 107.

Order a cocktail at Oasis Marina Bay

To end your vacation in style, you can have a good cocktail at Oasis Marina Bay. It is a bar with a chill out atmosphere, palm trees and a beautiful pond in the garden. It is located at Avenida Marítima 161, two steps from the marina.

In case you do not find a place, you can opt for:

• Barney's (Avenida de Papagayo).
• Yum Yum Chillout (Avenida Marítima 1)
• Waikiki Beach Club (Avenida Marítima 6).

Discover the recommended means of transport and their rates. Let's start with the most chosen one: a rental car.

Car

Throughout the Canary archipelago, the car is the most recommended means of transport. You can rent a car both at the airport and in the main towns (Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, etc.). Keep in mind that the axes of Lanzarote are:

• LZ-1, connects the capital Arrecife to Órzola.
• LZ-2, connects Arrecife to Playa Blanca
• LZ-3, the Arrecife ring road.

The main roads are in good condition, but there are secondary unpaved stretches. In general it is not necessary to rent an off-road vehicle, a slightly tall car is enough to face most of the roads. I only recommend taking out comprehensive insurance to avoid paying for eventual damages to the bodywork.

Thanks to the abundance of free parking, easy access to the beaches and the low price of gasoline, a rental car is the most chosen option in Lanzarote.

Bus

On the island the connections between cities and municipalities are guaranteed by Intercity Bus. There are several lines and the price is more than affordable. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind (both positive and negative):

• The buses are tailored to the needs of locals rather than tourists. Consequently, not all time slots are covered.
• Prices range from a minimum of less than €1 to a maximum fare of €3.
• Some tourist areas are excluded from the routes.
• Buses are very punctual.
• Each vehicle has a digital display indicating the next stops.
• Cards are not normally accepted, only cash is accepted.

Bici

In Lanzarote, cycling is becoming more and more popular. You will find stores that rent mountain bikes, e-bikes and road bikes. Here are some suggestions in the main tourist destinations:

• Bike Sensations, quality bikes in Puerto del Carmen. They also organize routes in the Timanfaya National Park (Avenida de las Playas 49).
• Barbanera, an extensive and varied fleet at affordable prices (Calle Almirante Boado Endeiza, Arrecife).
• Evolution Bikes, a modern agency with excellent reviews. It is located in the tourist resort of Costa Teguise (Paseo Marítimo 2, Complejo La Galea).
• Planet Bikes, they have three support vans in case you have a mishap somewhere on the island (Centro Comercial El Faro, Calle Lanzarote 18).

The promenade between Arrecife and nearby Puerto del Carmen is easy to walk and quite busy. In general, the flat surface of the island is perfect for two wheels (except when it is too hot).

Cab

Not the cheapest option, but the most comfortable. In my opinion, it is worth taking them only to move within the cities or to get from the airport to your destination. In the latter case, here are the approximate prices:

• Arrecife, 15 €.
• Playa Blanca, 45 €.
• Costa Teguise, 25 €.
• Puerto del Carmen, 18 €.
• Famara, 35 €.

Please note that rates may increase if you travel at night or on a public holiday. If you want to book your vehicle in advance, you should contact Lanzarote Radio-Taxi (+34 928 520 176).

As you know, the Canary Islands are nicknamed the "islands of eternal spring" and, therefore, rainfall is scarce. In Lanzarote they are somewhat more frequent from October to March, but not more than 100 millimeters of water fall per year. As you have seen, the main attractions of Lanzarote but I leave you some suggestions for rainy days:

• Cueva de los Verdes, a grotto formed after the eruptions of the Corona Volcano. Buying the tickets you will have the opportunity to walk a kilometer of nets and galleries. It is a very suggestive experience.
• Aquarium of Lanzarote, the largest in the Canary Islands. In its interior live both typical species of the archipelago and creatures from other seas. You can also dive with sharks. You can find more information on the official website.
• Rancho Texas Park, the theme park that recreates the Wild West. It offers pony rides, cowboy shows and bird of prey exhibitions, among other activities. Tickets can be purchased at the official website.
• Museum of Piracy, an attraction that children tend to like. In the past, the Canary Islands were the privileged destination of corsairs and filibusters and the Museum of Piracy tells the stories of the assaults and pillages that the island suffered.
• Wine tasting. Malvasia is the main harvest of the island and gives a greenish-yellow wine with an almond flavor. Cantinas such as El Grifo and La Geria offer tasting experiences.