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If you’ve already explored its incredible volcanic landscapes or had enough of the beach, there are some wonderful museums in Lanzarote that you should check out. There is something for everyone, so a museum is the best place to go if you have time and want to learn something new.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the best Lanzarote museums, including hours and admission fees. These cultural and educational centers give you a closer look at the island’s more artistic and historical side. Plus, having a museum day is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote on rainy or windy days.
Also, if you’re traveling as a family, there are entertaining exhibits that the kids will love. There are even free options, so if you don’t want to spend a fortune on excursions in Lanzarote, you can still get to know the island in-depth.
Keep reading to discover the top museums in Lanzarote!
1. Timanfaya Visitor and Interpretation Center, the best museum in Lanzarote
The Timanfaya Visitor Center is an essential stop during your trip to Lanzarote. While it’s often overshadowed by the Volcano Route tour, the visitor center has its own appeal, making it a must-see when visiting Timanfaya.
Here, you can learn more about the island’s volcanic formations, which helped shape its otherworldly landscapes. You’ll also learn interesting facts about the park and have access to various photographic viewpoints.
1. Timanfaya Visitor and Interpretation Center, the best museum in Lanzarote
The most remarkable thing about this Lanzarote museum is the hourly showcase that simulates a volcanic eruption. In addition to being an exciting visual spectacle, it’s also educational, as a professional guide explains all the geological processes that occur during an eruption.
The Timanfaya Museum in Lanzarote is well worth a visit, but if you prefer to have a guided experience throughout the park, you can book a Lanzarote volcano tour.
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free (admission to Timanfaya National Park is €12 for adults and €6 for children)
- Location: Yaiza
2. Atlantic Museum, an underwater museum in Lanzarote
The Atlantic Museum is an underwater museum in Lanzarote, located about 40 ft (12 m) beneath the ocean’s surface. Not only is it one of the most popular attractions in Playa Blanca, but it was the first aquatic museum to open in Europe.
This unique exhibit features dozens of sculptures portraying people in various positions. The works were created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, who gave each figure a distinct facial expression. Over time, the sculptures have become surrounded by an ecosystem of marine flora and fauna, creating a beautiful sight.
2. Atlantic Museum, an underwater museum in Lanzarote
Best of all, you don’t need to be an experienced scuba diver to enjoy this Lanzarote museum. This tour for non-divers is perfect for beginners and lets you enjoy the Atlantic Museum and its figures with no previous experience required.
As for me, I have my PADI certificate, so I opted for this tour, which included three guided dives down to the museum. My guide prepped me with a ton of information before the dive and was by my side the entire time we were in the water. Not only was I able to appreciate this underwater art gallery, but I was fascinated by the aquatic landscapes of volcanic lava, caves, and colorful fish.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free (plus the price of the diving excursion)
- Location: Playa Blanca
3. César Manrique Foundation, one of the top museums in Lanzarote
The César Manrique Foundation is one of the most important museums in Lanzarote. It’s dedicated to the life and work of the famous Canarian artist, César Manrique. The Foundation is located in the house that Manrique lived in for part of his life and contains many of his belongings and creations. For example, here you can see one of his best-known paintings, the Buried Coccyx, made with animal fossils, natural pigments, and inlays of the island’s volcanic flows.
3. César Manrique Foundation, one of the top museums in Lanzarote
There are many works by César Manrique in Lanzarote, and they all capture the artist’s signature style of blending art and nature. In the case of the Foundation, the house was built after Manrique discovered an ancient taro, a shelter for shepherds. This explains the design and layout of his home, which inspired the Tahíche Lighthouse.
At the same time, Manrique sought to preserve the traditional architecture of the building while integrating it into the Lanzarote landscape. To do this, he came up with a construction that transformed a lava flow with five volcanic bubbles into different rooms. The house also features traditional white walls, a swimming pool, and a recreation area.
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: €10 for adults and €3 for children
- Location: Tahíche
4. International Museum of Contemporary Art, an acclaimed art museum in Lanzarote
The Castillo de San José is an 18th-century fortress and one of the best things to see in Arrecife. Besides its historical significance and majestic appearance, it’s also the home of the International Museum of Contemporary Art (MIAC).
4. International Museum of Contemporary Art, an acclaimed art museum in Lanzarote
This ancient structure was refurbished by César Manrique, who also inaugurated a series of modern art exhibitions and one of the best art museums in Lanzarote. Here, you can find pieces by local artists like Pancho Lasso from Lanzarote and Martín Chirino from Gran Canaria, and international masters like Miró and Picasso.
There are also temporary exhibits and cultural events throughout the year, so I recommend checking the website to see the full schedule. Also, it’s worth stopping by the restaurant, which offers beautiful views of Puerto de Naos. If you stay for lunch, you can accompany your meal with a selection of prestigious wines from Lanzarote’s La Geria vineyards.
- Hours: Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: €4 for adults and €2 for children
- Location: Arrecife
5. Casa Museo del Campesino, a traditional Lanzarote museum
The Casa Museo del Campesino is another popular museum in Lanzarote where you can delve into the native customs and local culture. This is another work by César Manrique, this time to pay tribute to all the farmers who have worked the island’s volcanic soils. This is no small feat, as the landscape is not naturally suited to cultivation and production.
During your visit, you can walk through Manrique’s workshop and see exhibitions of farming items, camel saddles, and tools used by farmers for their manual tasks.
5. Casa Museo del Campesino, a traditional Lanzarote museum
There is also the Monument to Fertility, an iconic symbol of Lanzarote measuring about 50 ft (15 m) tall. The structure was made from various ancient waste elements, making it even more impressive. The monument helps you see Manrique’s creativity and thought process, as he found a purpose for recycled water tanks, pieces of iron, and concrete remnants.
During your visit to this Lanzarote museum, you can also go to the Plaza de los Artesanos. We were lucky enough to go during a traditional braiding techniques class and found it super interesting. We also heard great things about the restaurant, but you must reserve your table at least 2 hours in advance, so we weren’t able to eat there.
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free
- Location: Mozaga
6. La Casa de los Volcanes, a unique museum in Lanzarote
La Casa de los Volcanes is another Manrique museum in Lanzarote. It’s specifically located in the Jameos del Agua, an intriguing intervention by Manrique inside a volcanic lava tube from the Corona Volcano, one of the most incredible volcanoes in Lanzarote. The entire structure highlights the virgin landscape’s beauty while also ensuring its conservation. Inside, you’ll find a restaurant, a swimming pool, and an auditorium.
6. La Casa de los Volcanes, a unique museum in Lanzarote
As for La Casa de los Volcanes, it’s the perfect place to learn about the history, geography, and curiosities of the Jameos del Agua. It has various exhibits distributed across 10 rooms, providing information about the volcanic eruptions that formed the geology and landscape of this work of art.
To better organize your visit, keep in mind that the exhibitions are divided into three main areas, which you can visit in any order. The first deals with the cave’s formation process, including how it transformed into the structure we see today. The second focuses on the history of the museum, and the last compares these volcanic landscapes to those of other planets in our solar system.
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: €20 for adults and €6 for children (La Casa de los Volcanes is only included in the Jameos del Agua ticket)
- Location: Jameos del Agua
7. Lagomar Museum, a Lanzarote museum that’s immersed in nature
The Lagomar Museum is another museum in Lanzarote that you can’t miss. It’s in Nazaret, one of the most beautiful towns in Lanzarote with its own particular structure and charm.
The idea for the museum is attributed to British developer Sam Benaday, who dreamed of having a home on the Island of Volcanoes. To carry out the project, he commissioned César Manrique to construct the house. Manrique collaborated with another Canarian artist, Jesús Soto, to design the building inside an old volcanic rock extraction quarry.
7. Lagomar Museum, a Lanzarote museum that’s immersed in nature
As you tour Lanzarote’s Lagomar Museum, you can walk through the entire interior, including the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. In addition to walls made of volcanic tunnels and caves, there is a lovely garden with palm trees, a turquoise lake, and several pieces of Arab influence. In fact, in the 1970s, Egyptian actor Omar Sharif bought this house, which is why many people call it the Sharif House.
In addition to being a spectacular architectural work, the Lagomar Museum has a bar and restaurant that serves Mediterranean dishes, tapas, and cocktails. It also offers nice views, so it’s an ideal spot to watch the sunset.
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: €6 for adults and €2 for children
- Location: Nazaret
8. Cesar Manrique House Museum, a Lanzarote museum dedicated to the famous Canarian artist
The César Manrique House Museum is another Manrique museum in Lanzarote. It was where the artist lived until his death in 1992, making it an interesting and important locale. Also known as the Casa del Palmeral (Palm Grove House), it’s surrounded by lush vegetation. This is quite uncommon, considering Lanzarote is an island with mostly desert landscapes.
8. Cesar Manrique House Museum, a Lanzarote museum dedicated to the famous Canarian artist
The origin of this house is also intriguing. During one of his trips around the island, Manrique found this structure in ruins on an agricultural property. He decided to renovate it while maintaining its traditional Canarian architectural style.
The house consists of several rooms, two patios, and a workshop, where you can see several significant works by the artist, and some unfinished pieces. There is also an exhibit featuring his personal belongings, handmade pieces, and art utensils Manrique used to create his iconic masterpieces.
- Hours: Daily, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: €10 for adults and €3 for children
- Location: Haría
9. Museum of Piracy, one of the oldest museums in Lanzarote
Visiting the Museum of Piracy is like taking a trip to the past. This Lanzarote museum is in the island’s ancient capital of Villa de Teguise, specifically in the Castle of Santa Bárbara.
9. Museum of Piracy, one of the oldest museums in Lanzarote
The castle was built at the start of the 14th century to defend the island from pirates and privateers who used the Canarian archipelago as a strategic stopover while en route to America. The museum features different exhibits about the battles that took place in Teguise, such as the battles of the Callejón de la Sangre, and you can learn all about the exciting and eventful history of the castle.
It’s incredible to think that history was being written right at the site of this fortress. Best of all, this is a museum in Lanzarote that’s perfect for all ages. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the old-fashioned weaponry on display, such as sabers, cannons, and armor.
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free
- Location: Teguise
10. Aloe Museum, one of the free museums in Lanzarote
The Aloe Vera Interpretation Centre is another free museum in Lanzarote that I recommend if you want to travel cheaply around the island. It has several locations throughout Lanzarote: Yaiza, Punta Mujeres, and Teguise.
Each location offers detailed information about the aloe vera plant, an ancient species that grows in Lanzarote’s hostile environment and is known for its beneficial properties. In fact, the Canary Islands are the largest producers of aloe vera in Europe!
10. Aloe Museum, one of the free museums in Lanzarote
During your visit, you’ll have access to informative panels, documents, and audio-visual displays. The museum educates visitors on everything from the history of aloe, the production and care of the plant, and its many uses. In addition, there is a store where you can buy aloe vera products to bring back home.
This Lanzarote museum was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, so I recommend checking out at least one of the locations during your trip. We went to the Yaiza center and thoroughly enjoyed it.
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free
- Location: Yaiza, Punta Mujeres, and Teguise
11. Casa José Saramago, a great museum in Lanzarote for literature lovers
The Casa José Saramago is a history museum in Lanzarote located in the former home of famous Portuguese writer José Saramago, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998. This house is where he spent the last 18 years of his life and penned some of his final works.
11. Casa José Saramago, a great museum in Lanzarote for literature lovers
Saramago’s career was full of successes and controversies, as he was banned from presenting a novel. You can learn about it and the details of his life by touring the museum. Your visit includes a tour of his bedroom, extensive personal library, and magnificent garden, complete with olive trees he brought over from Portugal.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into this author’s life beyond his literary career, this is the perfect museum for you. Just be aware that you must book one of the guided tours, which are offered every half hour.
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (guided tours every half hour)
- Admission fee: €8 for adults, free for children 16 and under
- Location: Tías
12. Tanit Ethnographic Museum, one of the best cultural museums in Lanzarote
Another interesting museum in Lanzarote is the Tanit Ethnographic Museum. Here, you can learn about the history of the island’s early inhabitants while touring an 18th-century mansion and historic winery.
12. Tanit Ethnographic Museum, one of the best cultural museums in Lanzarote
Since the Canary Islands are quite isolated from the rest of Europe, maritime transport was limited back then. The museum helps visitors to better understand what the settlement process of Lanzarote was like and how culture and traditions evolved.
The museum has an exquisite exhibition of documents, photographs, and archaic objects that give you a glimpse of old-fashioned life. There is also a collection of navigational charts, telephones, scales, and even tapes from the first airport of the time. You can also go to the old airport control tower, making this a fun Lanzarote museum to visit as a family.
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free
- Location: San Bartolomé
12 + 1. Aeronautical Museum of Lanzarote, a fun museum in Lanzarote
Finally, the Aeronautical Museum of Lanzarote is a fun and convenient museum in Lanzarote that you can visit whether you’re spending a few days on the island or simply have a layover. This is because the museum is in the first terminal at Lanzarote Airport.
12 + 1. Aeronautical Museum of Lanzarote, a fun museum in Lanzarote
At the end of the 20th century, air transport truly developed, marking a turning point for the island. Inside the museum, you can learn about the first flights to the Canary Islands, explore the old control tower, and walk through the former halls that once welcomed the first air passengers to Lanzarote.
In addition, there is an exhibit full of models, employee uniforms, and perfectly preserved boarding passes, making this quite an interesting pit stop during your trip to the island.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Admission fee: Free
- Location: Lanzarote Airport
That’s it for the best museums in Lanzarote. Before you go, download this map with all the museum locations to help you plan your trip:
If you have any questions or want to share your experience visiting one of these Lanzarote museums, leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear about your trip to one of the best Canary Islands!
Enjoy the Island of Volcanoes!
