Lanzarote in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

One third of the island of Lanzarote was once covered with lava due to the eruptions of the 1730s and 1824. It can be said that after these eruptions the villages rose from the ashes to become what they are today. This is what you will see during your visit to Lanzarote: volcanic landscapes, lava caves and craters, where the colors stand out against the gray or black background.

Lanzarote also has beautiful beaches, such as those of Papagayo, caves intervened by one of the most important artists of the island, César Manrique, museums, wineries, restaurants with exquisite food, viewpoints and the possibility of visiting an island away from asphalt and cars: the island La Graciosa. All this should be part of your list of things to do in Lanzarote.

The best way to get around the island is by car, but there are also buses in Lanzarote that will take you everywhere. The distances are not too great as it is a small island, and it is very well connected by roads.

On the island there is a system of vouchers with which you can save money if you decide to visit some of the places I mention, such as Jameos del Agua, the Cueva de los Verdes or the Mirador del Rio. If you buy these vouchers, you will save a lot of money on the entrance fees. You can get them on their website.

To start getting to know the island, your first day can begin with a visit to one of the main viewpoints of Lanzarote, the Mirador del Rio, which is in the northern part of the island. From there you will see the island La Graciosa surrounded by sea, and the beautiful landscape of the island.

In the afternoon, I recommend you to take a ferry or book an excursion to see the island and spend a few hours on the beach. And to end the day you can stroll through the charming village of Órzola, and choose a seaside restaurant for dinner.

Viewpoint of the River

The Mirador del Rio is located in the northern part of the island, on the Risco de Famara, 400 meters above sea level.

It was built by César Manrique, one of Spain's leading abstract artists. From there you can see the island La Graciosa, from which Lanzarote seems to be separated by a river, hence its name.

In addition to the breathtaking view it offers, the Mirador del Rio has an architecture worth seeing, which is lost among the rocks of the landscape. It has free parking, cafeteria, and a binoculars to see the entire archipelago of Chinito.

You can also enjoy this wonderful view without paying an entrance fee, driving along the same road towards the antennas, to the Mirador de Nahum.

• Opening hours: from 10 am to 4.40 pm
• Location: Carretera de Ye, S/N, 35541 Haría, Las Palmas
• Entrance fee: about 5 EUR adults, children from 7 to 12 years pay half and children under 6 years enter for free.

La Graciosa Island

Just 15 minutes drive from the river viewpoint is the port of Órzola, from where the ferry to La Graciosa departs. In half an hour it will take you to the island.

You can also take a water cab from anywhere on the island but it is more expensive. The third option, quite comfortable and with water activities included, is to book one of the excursions to La Graciosa from Lanzarote.

Normally, these excursions include the transfer from the hotel, as well as a catamaran ride to the French beach and lunch included

La Graciosa is an island without cars or asphalt, where only about 700 people live. The ferry arrives at Caleta del Sebo, where you will find a charming village of white houses and sandy streets. This is a good place to have lunch and get to know the typical dishes of the island.

From there I recommend you to go to the French beach, which is 2 km from Caleta del Sebo. You can walk there or rent a bicycle there.

The ferry companies that go to La Graciosa are: Biosfera Express and Líneas Romero.

They leave every day every one and a half hours. The first one leaves at 8 am from Órzola and the last one leaves from La Graciosa at 18.30-19 pm. They can be booked online.

Caletón Blanco Beach

Caletón Blanco beach is located in the northern part of the island, in the fishing village of Órzola. It stands out for its white sandy beach dotted with volcanic rocks and its beautiful crystal clear sea.

It is one of the best things to do with children because its waters are very calm. It is also ideal for scuba diving or snorkeling.

Stroll around Órzola and taste its gastronomy

Órzola is a small fishing village with pristine beaches and low white painted houses. It is the perfect place to dine and taste the delicacies of the island, especially if you eat fish and seafood, although you will also find a variety of dishes to try.

On the second day I recommend you to visit two of Lanzarote's must-see places: Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes.

In the afternoon, you can go to one of the most beautiful beaches in the north of the island, Caletón Blanco beach. At sunset you can take a boat ride to watch the sun set and see the island from a different point of view.

Cave of the Greens

The Cueva de los Verdes was formed from an eruption of the volcano La Corona, 20 thousand years ago. It is 7 km long and continues under the ocean for 1.5 km more. It is connected to Jameos del Agua, another point that you are going to know this day.

You can take a 50-minute guided tour to visit the incredible galleries of this volcanic cave, which was intervened by the artist César Manrique, who knew how to integrate his designs with nature. Inside, there is also a concert hall.

• Duration: 50 minutes.
• Location: 800 meters from Jameos del Agua, on the LZ-204 road
• Hours: 10 am to 4 pm (until 7 pm in summer).
• Entrance fee: Around 10 EUR for adults, 5 EUR for children from 7 to 12 years old, and free for children under 6 years old.
• Recommendations: You can buy the entrance ticket on their website, but the entrance is on a first come first served basis.

Jameos del Agua

Jameos del Agua is the part of the volcanic tunnel Cueva de los Verdes that is closer to the coast. Inside this particularly colorful tunnel is a lake 50 meters long, 25 m wide and up to 10 m deep.

Jameos del Agua was also intervened by César Manrique, leaving his characteristic mark. There you will find a restaurant where you can have lunch, before heading to the beach.

• Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Location: LZ 204, Plot 109, Carretera Arrieta - Órzola S/N Lanzarote, 35542 Punta Mujeres
• Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
• Entrance fee: around 10 EUR adults, 5 EUR children from 7 to 12 years old, and free for children under 6 years old.

Sunset boat trip

When you finish your visit to the Jameos de Agua, you should head towards Puerto del Carmen for the last activity of the day: a small sunset cruise.

It's only about 30 minutes by car, so you can afford to eat something to eat and walk around before starting this cruise.

Watching the sunset while sailing on the sea and getting to know the coasts, cliffs and beaches of the island is one of the best Lenzarote boat tours you can do, especially if you are traveling with your partner.

These tours last approximately two hours and include a welcome glass of champagne and snacks to enjoy on board.

The Timanfaya National Park is home to a volcanic landscape resulting from eruptions that occurred about 300 years ago. It is really an unusual landscape, with gray, brown, orange and reddish colors.

I have not included another visit on this day, as there is much to see and learn about in this park, such as the Mancha Blanca Interpretation Center, the Islote de Hilario and the Volcanoes Route.

It is important that you visit as early as possible, since the park is open until 4 pm. You can also hire a tour to Timanfaya to visit it in a more organized way and accompanied by a guide who will tell you all the interesting facts.

Mancha Blanca Interpretation Center

I recommend that you start your visit to the park at the Mancha Blanca Interpretation Center, where you can learn about the origin of the park, volcanism and history, before getting to know the landscape.

The center is located before the entrance to the park and admission is free. You have more information on their website.

• Location: Lugar Tinguatón, 35560 Tinajo, Las Palmas, Spain
• Hours: 9 am to 4 pm.

Islet of Hilario

The Islote de Hilario is located in the center of the Timanfaya National Park and is the place where the minibuses leave for the route of the Volcanoes.

On the islet, you can observe the thermal anomalies that occur due to volcanic activity in the area.

The soil of Hilario Islet can reach temperatures of more than 250° C at a depth of 13 meters. During the visit, the guides usually pour cold water on it to generate artificial geysers and explain the geothermal activity of the site.

An entrance fee is charged for this site, which includes a minibus tour along the volcanoes' route, which cannot be done with your own vehicle.

• Entrance fee: 12 EUR for adults and 6 EUR from 6 to 12 years old. Parking included.

Timanfaya Volcanoes Route

This route, which is also known as the route of the Fire Mountains, is one of the must-see of Lanzarote. The minibus takes you through unique volcanic landscapes that seem to be from another world, while you listen to information in an audio in several languages.

You cannot get off during the tour, but the minibus will stop at the most interesting places for you to take pictures.

After this tour, you can have lunch at El Diablo restaurant, designed by César Manrique, where the heat used for cooking comes from a dormant volcano. It is open from 9.30 am to 3.45 pm.

Optional: Tremesana trails

It is possible to take a free walking tour leaving from the Mancha Blanca Interpretation Center, known as the Tremesana trail. It is about 2 km long, has little difficulty, and is normally done in 2-3 hours. However, you must book in advance as there are few places available and it is not possible to do it every day.

You can book on the park's website.

On the fourth day I recommend visiting the south coast of the island, where you will find the Museo del Atlántico, an underwater sculptural wonder, and the Papagayo beaches.

These beaches are part of the Los Ajaches Natural Monument, as the massif is estimated to be 14 million years old. You can spend the morning visiting the Museo del Atlántico and the rest of the day touring these beautiful beaches and enjoying their serene waters.

Museo del Atlántico, the underwater museum

In Playa Blanca there is an underwater sculptural wonder, the Museo del Atlántico. There are only 3 underwater museums in the world and the one in Lanzarote was the first. It contains about 300 sculptures belonging to the sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor and covers an area of 2500 square meters.

The museum can only be reached by diving and hiring a tour. It is in an area of calm sea, no deeper than 14 meters. It is an ideal place to do your diving baptism, if you are up for the experience.

In case you do not want to dive, you can snorkel, although from the surface you cannot see the sculptures in detail.

• Price of the activity: Around 150 EUR for beginners and 50 EUR for certified divers.
• Duration: 2 and a half hours for certified divers and 5 hours for beginners.
• Schedule: In the morning.
• Recommendations: It is advisable to book in advance. There are also tours that offer transfer from different parts of the island.

Papagayo Beaches

Among the best beaches of Lanzarote are those known as the Papagayo beaches, with fine white sand and calm turquoise waters.

In total there are 8 pristine beaches and coves connected by trails. There are 4 km of beaches that you can walk from end to end, or choose one and enjoy the sun and sea or snorkel.

The first beach that appears, after a 10-minute walk, is Playa Mujeres, one of the most beautiful. Before you get there, you will see some old lime kilns.

The next one is Caletón del Cobre, a quieter beach where nudism is common. Papagayo beach, the sixth, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain, and you can also reach it by car.

If you are interested in history, the Pozo beach is home to the archaeological site of San Marcial Rubicon, linked to the ancient populations of the area.

• Symbolic entrance fee: 3 EUR.
• How to get there: Line 30 arrives at the Papagayo Arena hotel, from where you can take the trails to walk along the beaches. This bus is taken at the Guaguas station in the town of Playa Blanca.

On day 5 I suggest you get to know a little more about Lanzarote's culture by going to one of its main museums, the Casa Museo del Campesino, where you can have lunch, and then take a trip along the LZ-30 road to visit some of the main wineries.

If you haven't rented a car, the best way to get to know the wineries is to hire a tour that will surely offer tastings in each of the wineries you visit.

Casa Museo del Campesino

The Casa Museo del Campesino, designed by César Manrique to pay homage to the figure of the local peasant, offers a tour of the architecture, clothing, culture and traditional crafts.

The white buildings and green wood were inspired by the prototype of the peasant's house.

Farther away from the buildings is the 15-meter-high sculpture Fecundidad, designed by Manrique and created by Jesús Soto.

In one of the buildings built later, today there are handicraft workshops taught by local artisans and a sustainable local market. In the House Museum there is also a restaurant where you can taste typical food.

• Hours: 10 am to 6 pm.
• Duration of the visit: 50 minutes
• Location: Calle Triana, 38, 35500 Arrecife, Lanzarote.

Wine Route in Lanzarote

After lunch, you can start your tour of the main wineries of Lanzarote, very particular as they are located in volcanic areas.

A recommended route is to take the LZ-30 road and stop at different wineries, vineyards and museums.

Here are some details about the main wineries of Lanzarote.

1. Los Bermejos Winery

To go to Bodegas Los Bermejos you must take a detour from the LZ-30 road to take the Sobaco road.

• Price of the guided tour: The tastings cost about 3 EUR per glass, and include a cheese tapas.
• Duration: 50 minutes.
• Hours: 8 am to 3 pm
• Location: Carretera LZ-30, km 11, 3 km from the Monumento al Campesino.

2. El Grifo Winery

Bodegas El Grifo is one of the oldest wineries, founded in 1775. They offer very complete guided tours for those who want to know everything about winemaking, including tastings.

I recommend checking their website in advance, because they do not offer guided tours in Spanish every day.

• Price of the guided tour: Around 35 EUR for the most complete guides and 15 EUR for the tours with audio guide for adults, and 5 EUR for children.
• Duration: There are tours of 80 and 120 minutes, and one 45-minute tour with audio guide.
• Hours - Every day at 11 am, 3 pm and 5 pm you can do the tour on your own with audio guide.
• Location: Carretera LZ-30, km 11, 3 km from the Monumento al Campesino.

3. La Geria Winery

Bodegas La Geria is one of the most popular wineries in Lanzarote, and offers guided tours of its vineyards and winery.

• Price of the guided tour: Around 12 EUR with tasting included. Children under 14 years free
• Schedules: Every day at 11.30 am, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4.30 pm and 6 pm. The 2 p.m. tour is in English.
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Location: Carretera LZ-30, km 11, 3 km from the Monumento al Campesino.

On the sixth day I suggest you learn more about one of the island's leading artists, César Manrique, who incorporated his designs into natural landscapes such as the Jameos del Agua and the Cueva de los Verdes.

In the morning you can go to the El Castillo Museum of Contemporary Art, where you can have lunch, and then head to the César Manrique Foundation, which is 6 km from the museum. You can also get there by bus.

International Museum of Contemporary Art Castillo de San José

The International Museum of Contemporary Art Castillo de San José is located in Arrecife, and is housed in the Castillo de San José, which was built in the 1970s.

Its interior was designed by César Manrique, who also directed the remodeling of the castle.

The works you can see in this museum are mostly abstract and belong to artists such as Joan Miro, Antoni Tàpies and Eusebio Sempere, among others. The museum also has a restaurant with a view of the sea and the docks, where you can have lunch or breakfast.

• Admission: Around 4 EUR including tasting. From 7 to 12 years old, 2 EUR and under 6 years old, free.
• Hours: Every day from 11 am to 6 pm. Restaurant from 12 to 23.30 hs and 11 to 18 hs from Sunday to Tuesday.
• Location: Ctra. Los Castillos, 35500 Arrecife, Las Palmas.

César Manrique Foundation

If you take the LZ-1 road, and at the traffic circle where Manrique's wind sculpture is, take the LZ-34, you will arrive at the César Manrique Foundation, which is 6 km from the Museum of Contemporary Art El Castillo. You can also get there by bus.

César Manrique built his house in a series of 5 caves or subway bubbles that were formed after the eruption of a volcano, which he joined with passages. He called his house Taro de Tahíche and today it is known as La casa del volcán (The house of the volcano).

Like all of Manrique's works, the house stands out for the continuity of the design with nature.

In addition to visiting the house, on the way, you can see the volcano of Tahíche. And if you want to learn more about the artist, you can also visit the Casa Museo Haría, which is located in the northern part of the island.

Another possibility is to stay and visit the village of Tahíche, which is less than 2 km from the Foundation, and get to know its exquisite gastronomy.

• Entrance fee: Around 10 EUR.
• Hours: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
• Location: Fundación César Manrique Taro de Tahíche - C/ Jorge Luis Borges, 16. Tahíche, 35507. Lanzarote

The last day on the island of Lanzarote I propose you to know one of the most amazing spectacles of the island: The boiling grounds.

Nearby you can go to see the salt flats of Janubio, the Charco de los Ciclos and very beautiful beaches, to say goodbye to the island until your next visit.

If you like hiking, you can walk all the way from the Charco de los Clicos to the Janubio salt flats.

Charco de los Clicos

The Charco de los Clicos is a green water lake located in the crater of a volcano. It is part of the Natural Park of the Volcanoes and owes its particular color to the presence of sulfur and an algae of the type Ruppia marítima.

The Mirador del charco de los Clicos is located 500 meters from the entrance of the village of El Golfo, where there is a parking lot, so you will have no problem getting there. From there you can walk down to get a close-up view of the lake.

From the parking lot, you can also go to the black sand beach of El Golfo, taking another path.

Los Hervideros

The sea pounding the volcanic cliffs is an incredible spectacle. The water comes out with so much pressure that it looks like steam, hence its name. The best time to visit is when it is windy and the sea is rough. Or at full moon when the tide is high.

The only drawback if the sea is very rough is that if you go with children, they can get scared. But it's just a matter of telling them what's going to happen and keeping an eye on them all the time.

It is less than 3 km from the Laguna de los Clicos, passing by the beach of the Bermeja mountain. You can also go back to the road and follow the LZ-703, take a bus line 60 or go walking.

Salt flats and beaches of Janubio

Very close to Los Hervideros are the Salinas de Janubio, which have been in operation since 1895, trying to exert the least possible impact on nature.

Many birds come here to drink from the lagoon and the watering holes, so it is considered a site of scientific interest and has been declared a special protection area for birds (ZEPA).

• Entrance fee: Around 12 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for children from 6 to 12 years old; tasting included.
• Hours: Every day at 10 am, 12 pm and 2 pm.
• Duration: 90 minutes
• Location: Fundación César Manrique Taro de Tahíche - C/ Jorge Luis Borges, 16. Tahíche, 35507. Lanzarote