25 Best Things to Do in Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

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Despite the fact that there are a million places to visit in Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain), most visitors come to this incredible island because they’re attracted by the unbeatable weather all year round.

We traveled to Lanzarote in the middle of January and were able to swim at its volcanic beaches, hike trails through landscapes from another planet, taste the exquisite gastronomy, and discover the artistic footprint that César Manrique, Lanzarote’s most popular artist, left throughout the island.

It’s not surprising that Lanzarote was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993 because it’s one of the best Canary Island.

As there are so many things to do in Lanzarote you should definitely rent a car, since it will give you the flexibility you need to stop at any breathtaking outlook you pass along the way.

However, if you don’t want to drive, don’t worry, these three tours allow you to see the entire island making the most of your time.

 

We spent five days in Lanzarote and took advantage of our time to visit La Graciosa. Although this island is smaller, it’s the best option for disconnecting, so I recommend saving at least one day to visit it.

To help you plan your trip, you’ll find the most spectacular places to visit in Lanzarote below.

1. Timanfaya National Park, the most popular place to visit in Lanzarote

Timanfaya National Park is one of the essential places to visit in Lanzarote and one of the most popular things to do in Spain.

The volcanoes and lava fields you’ll see in Timanfaya were formed from eruptions that took place in 1730, 1736, and 1824. Because of this, there is no vegetation, only lichens that create an otherworldly landscape. The red, black, ocher, and orange colors of the volcanic cones and lava flows are incredibly beautiful, making this a very worthwhile place to go in Lanzarote.

The most popular ways to visit the Timanfaya Park in-depth are by taking the volcano bus tour to explore the Fire Mountains, going to the “Echadero de Los Camellos” for a camel ride through this lunar landscape, or by taking a guided walking tour, as we did, which I will tell you about later.

Children would also very much enjoy a visit to Timanfaya, since, in the El Diablo restaurant, they have simulated volcanic vents and have barbecues using the heat of the volcano.

If you don’t want to drive there or want to avoid the queues of those who go without a tour, I recommend you take this excursion, which also includes a wine tasting in the La Geria wine region. No doubt this is one of the best volcano tours in Lanzarote.

2. Arrecife, one of the best towns to visit in Lanzarote

Arrecife has been the capital of Lanzarote since the 19th century and is the administrative and commercial center of the island.

It is one of the must-visit cities in Lanzarote to better get to know the history and culture.

I recommend visiting the castles of San José and San Gabriel, although you can’t miss the castle of San Ginés and the Puente de las Bolas either.

It also has beaches that are worth visiting, such as El Reducto, which is protected by a reef. If you visit it, you’ll definitely love it. Check our guide with more things to do in Arrecife.

3. Papagayo Beach and other beaches in Los Ajaches, the best of Lanzarote

One of the best free things to do in Lanzarote is relaxing on a beach, and Papagayo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain.

This beach is within Los Ajaches Natural Monument, which is a protected reserve where, in addition to beautiful beaches, you can visit caves and see old engravings.

If you access the Los Ajaches reserve and its beaches by car, you’ll have to pay € 3, a more than fair price for everything that this natural space offers and the fauna and flora that it’s home to.

Papagayo Beach is located in the southernmost part of the reserve, and on the way there, you can stop at several beaches. This is a good place for kayaking and snorkeling. You can also take a catamaran cruise and, once at sea, you can enjoy various water activities along the Lanzarote coast. Although if you are looking for something more exclusive, I recommend you book a sailing trip.

 

Besides of Papagayo beach, there are other of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote, where nudism is common, such as Caleta de Congrio, Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, and Puerto Muelas; all of them are wonderful.

4. Famara beach, the best beach in Lanzarote for surfing

Famara beach in Teguise usually has very good waves and good winds, so it’s the perfect place to do water activities in Lanzarote.

At this beach, you can practice surfing, bodyboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, or even paragliding if you book it here. If you’re looking for something quiet, you’ll also find natural tidal pools here.

I consider this to be an ideal beach for families, although you have to pay special attention to the waves, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Still, for me, visiting it is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote.

5. Cueva de Los Verdes, an interesting place to visit in Lanzarote

Among the places of interest in Lanzarote that you cannot miss is the Cueva de Los Verdes, a space, made possible by the efforts of artist César Manrique, where you visit part of a volcanic tube.

The area in which it is located is full of tunnels formed more than 4,000 years ago by the activity of the La Corona volcano. These volcanic tubes, which stretch more than 370 miles in length, were used during the 17th century as a refuge during pirate attacks.

Today, you can visit a small section of one of them thanks to César Manrique, who dedicated his life to beautifying Lanzarote by promoting its natural beauties.

This place is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Lanzarote. In addition, it houses a secret that I’ve promised not to reveal on the blog, so you’ll have to go and discover it for yourself.

If you want to know the Cueva de Los Verdes, the Jameos del Agua, and the Timanfaya, I recommend you hire this tour. Although if you are very interested in the work of César Manrique, do not miss this day tour.

6. Jameos del Agua, a magical tourist attraction in Lanzarote

Los Jameos del Agua is an essential place to visit in Lanzarote and will give you lots of great memories. César Manrique, a local artist, has created an authentic work of art using the natural beauty of the area, just as he did with the Cueva de Los Verdes.

The Jameos del Agua is located inside a volcanic tunnel formed by the La Corona volcano. The seawater filtered in there and created an inland lake, which is inhabited by an entirely unique species, the albino crab, also known as jameito, who is the star of the place.

However, that’s not the only thing to see here. In addition to an impressive restaurant inside a cave and a museum where they explain how the volcanic tube was created, there’s also an auditorium where concerts are held. It’s not surprising that this is one of the most popular places to visit in Lanzarote.

If you don’t have too much time, you can book this tour that will allow you to get to know this beautiful place and enjoy incredible views from the Famara cliff. Although if you can, take this tour, since you will also visit the Timanfaya volcano and the Cueva de Los Verdes.

7. Tremesana from Yaiza, the best hike in Lanzarote

If you’re a hiker like me, you can enjoy some of the best hiking trails in Lanzarote. One of the most important trails is the guided hike that passes through the Timanfaya National Park, known as Tremesana from Yaiza. On this route, as its name indicates, you will meet a park ranger in Yaiza and enjoy an incredible walk through the volcanic entrails of Tremesana.

If you’re interested in doing it, you will have to book ahead, since you cannot go on your own. Also, I recommend you book well in advance, as there is a limit of 8 people for each route. If you can’t get a spot, don’t worry, you can also book this hiking tour within the Timanfaya National Park.

Although we had to adjust our trip to be able to hike this trail on the only day that there were two spots available, being with a park ranger who can answer all your questions and who knows the entire geological formation process of the area is priceless.

The tour lasts about 3 hours, and you’ll walk 2.5 miles in total. You’ll be able to marvel at all the geological formations and flora. Hiking this trail is, for me, the best thing to do in Lanzarote.

8. Coastal trail, something you must do in Lanzarote

The Tremesana trail from Yaiza is great but the coastal trail from El Golfo is also a must. This route is shorter and simpler, but the landscape you will see is different, with a much newer and more abrupt lava field.

As with the previous hike, you must book this route, since you can only do it accompanied by a park ranger. You’ll depart from El Golfo and head to El Paso beach, visiting the incredible cliffs in the area.

Along this route, you’ll discover more about the island’s volcanic characteristics and the Cinderella Shearwater, an endangered native bird.

Additionally, this route is an interesting thing to do in Lanzarote with kids, since it’s not too difficult; 10- to 12-year-olds could do it without a problem.

9. Puerto del Carmen, the city with the most things to do in Lanzarote

Puerto del Carmen is one of the best cities to visit in Lanzarote if you’re looking for nightlife, water sports, and shopping.

In Puerto del Carmen, you can enjoy beautiful beaches, such as Playa Chica and Los Pocillos beach, as well as Playa Grande, which is one of the most popular beaches in Lanzarote.

This city also has a wide range of hotels, so you can stay here and visit different tourist spots in Lanzarote every day.

Depending on the time of the year you visit Lanzarote, your visit might coincide with some big events, such as the Puerto del Carmen Carnival, a triathlon, or different local festivals. If not, you can always book at one of the many places that offer dinner with a show.

In addition, Puerto del Carmen is a popular place for those who want to learn scuba diving. Check our article on things to do in Puerto del Carmen for more ideas.

10. Caleton Blanco, the best beach in Lanzarote to go with Kids

The Caleton Blanco is a wonderful cove to visit in Lanzarote with kids. It’s located in Haría, near Órzola, where the ferries depart to La Graciosa.

Although there are many other coves on the island, this one has something special: a mixture of fine white sand dotted with solidified black volcanic lava, and calm, crystalline waters.

If you’re wondering what to do in Lanzarote with kids, I recommend going to Caleton Blanco to relax while they enjoy the water safely.

11. Los Hervideros, one of the most impressive places in Lanzarote

Los Hervideros is in Yaiza and is part of the Natural Park of the Volcanoes, the natural park that borders Timanfaya National Park. To me, it’s one of the best free places to visit in Lanzarote. From here, you have spectacular views of the cliffs with volcanoes in the background.

The name “Los Hervideros” comes from the effect caused by sea waves when they hit the old lava tunnels. The water rises and resembles boiling water (“hervideros” in Spanish means “where the water boils”).

I recommend visiting when the sea is rougher because the effect is much more impressive. Of course, don’t get too close to the edge, and keep an eye on the little ones. It can be very dangerous.

12. The Green Lagoon, a peculiar place to visit in Lanzarote

The Charco de los Clicos is also in Yaiza, within the Natural Park of the Volcanoes. It is a volcanic crater that is open to the sea with one side eroded in the shape of a crescent.

As I said before, the landscapes in Lanzarote are incredibly diverse, and the Charco de Los Clicos is one of the ones you shouldn’t miss.

It ‘s also known as the “Green Lagoon” due to the intense green color of the algae that grow in it, which means swimming is not allowed here. To visit it, you must take a short walk from El Golfo.

13. El Golfo, a quiet fishing village in Lanzarote

El Golfo is a fishing village that I recommend visiting in Lanzarote, Canary Islands.

Its landscape is striking, since you can see the remains of lava from the volcanic eruptions that took place in 1730 and 1736. This incredible landscape, along with the white facades of the houses, makes it a very charming place to visit.

It’s one of the most beautiful villages to visit in Lanzarote, as it borders Timanfaya National Park. Enjoying its many Canarian traditional restaurants with sea views is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote.

14. Costa Teguise, one of the best places to go in Lanzarote

Costa Teguise is one of the most attractive places to visit in Lanzarote if you’re looking for nightlife and music festivals or want to enjoy its water park or variety of delicious food.

It’s also the ideal place to do or learn water sports, such as windsurfing, snorkeling and diving, and enjoy the Pueblo Marinero, a project by the Canarian artist César Manrique. If you have never done scuba diving and need an introductory class, you can book it here.

Personally, what I liked the most was Las Cucharas beach, which I recommend you visit, but there are many other things to do in Costa Teguise.

15. Mirador del Rio, the most famous lookout in Lanzarote

The best views of Lanzarote are from the Mirador del Río, another work of César Manrique. This is the most popular outlook in Lanzarote since from here you get beautiful views of La Graciosa and the rest of the islands that make up the Chinijo Archipelago.

It is at the top of Famara Cliff, at an altitude of 1,542 feet, and from here, you can also see the Salinas, the summit of Famara, Montaña Clara, Alegranza, and more.

Although visiting the Mirador del Río is not free, it’s worth paying to access it to get to know Lanzarote from another perspective. Enjoying the sunset from this lookout is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote and it is also included in the César Manrique tour.

16. Cactus Garden, a great place to visit in Lanzarote

In case you haven’t noticed, Lanzarote is full of works by César Manrique. The Cactus Garden is another place to visit in Lanzarote that was created by him and it’s also included in this tour.

In the Cactus Garden, you will find up to 10,000 cacti of more than 1,400 different species, all spread over about 53,800 square feet of land.

This garden is located in Teguise, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, and is easily recognizable from the 26-foot-high statue that crowns it, which is nothing other than a giant cactus. It also has some very well preserved old mills.

After visiting this beautiful garden, you can stop by its bar and cafeteria, where there is a mural made by César Manrique himself.

17. Cesar Manrique House Museum, an artistic place in Lanzarote

If, after visiting the different places where César Manrique left his footprint, you want to know a little more about this artist, the César Manrique House-Museum is something to visit in Lanzarote that I recommend. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the artist and his work.

The objective of this house-museum is to spread the history and motivations of the artist who designed and built the Mirador del Río, the Cactus Garden, and the facilities of the Cueva de Los Verdes and Los Jameos del Agua.

It is located in the middle of a palm grove in Haría and is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is € 10 and children under 12 pay only € 1. However, if you’re interested in seeing all the artist’s works on the island, you can save a lot with this tour.

18. Janubio Salt Flats, an original place to visit in Lanzarote

Visiting the Salinas de Janubio is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote. This visit can be combined with that of Los Hervideros and El Charco de Los Clicos, since everything is quite close. I do recommend leave this place for last and visit it at sunset, since some beautiful reflections are created in the salt flats.

Although the salt flats stopped working for a time, this protected natural space is back in operation and produces one of the best salts in the world.

The Janubio beach, with black volcanic pebbles, is also part of the saltpans.

19. Playa Blanca, a city to enjoy the nightlife in Lanzarote

If you’re looking for fun in Lanzarote, you have to go to Playa Blanca. Its nightlife offer is great, so this is the best area of Lanzarote to have a drink.

In Playa Blanca, you can party until dawn. I recommend Jungle’s Bar, the Papagayo shopping center, and the Marea terrace. If you’re looking for a less youthful atmosphere, the best option is Swing nightclub.

Although Playa Blanca is one of the best cities to visit in Lanzarote if you’re looking for nightlife, there are many other things to do in Playa Blanca, besides of its gorgeous beaches. The town’s main beach is beautiful, although if you want something quieter, I recommend going to Papagayo beach, which is quite close.

Also, ferries to Fuerteventura depart from here; that’s why we spent our last night on the island here. If you’re also going to visit this island on your trip to the Canary Islands, don’t miss our guide on the best things to do in Fuerteventura.

20. La Geria, a wine route to do in Lanzarote

If you like wine, I recommend visiting La Geria, a protected area that is considered the quintessential Lanzarote vineyard.

La Geria wine has a special flavor, due to the volcanic soil sediment from which the crop is nourished. In fact, many believe that these wines are the best of Lanzarote.

Malvasía white wine is one of the best known internationally and is a perfect accompaniment to fish dishes. Tasting this type of wine is one of the best things to do in Lanzarote, since it is considered one of the best in the world.

Even if you don’t like wine, visiting La Geria is still something to do in Lanzarote, since the green of the vineyards, in contrast to the black land of the island, is very striking.

21. Playa Quemada, another town to visit in Lanzarote

Playa Quemada is a coastal town located north of Los Ajaches. The main beach of Playa Quemada is called Cala Quemada, although the most beautiful beach and one many consider one of the must-see places in Lanzarote is Playa Arena, south of Cala Quemada.

Playa Arena can be accessed by walking along the coast from Cala Quemada when the tide is low. However, to get there, it’s best to hike about 20 minutes through the mountain, where you’ll get unbeatable views.

Whichever beach you choose, Playa Quemada is one of the best towns in Lanzarote to disconnect and enjoy homemade cuisine.

22. Charco del Palo, one of the best naturist places in Lanzarote

The Canary Islands attract naturists from all over Europe thanks to their warm temperatures, and it is in Charco del Palo where nudism is most practiced in Lanzarote. If you’d like to enjoy the sun and the sea in the same state that you came to the world, this nudist village is one of the best places to visit in Lanzarote.

Founded in 1970 by German businessman Gregor Kaiser, Charco del Palo is the ideal place for those looking for a naturist vacation in Lanzarote. Its natural pools and its hidden beaches are the best on the island.

23. Gastronomy tours in Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Another thing to do in Lanzarote is to enjoy the cuisine. You cannot leave the island without trying all the delicacies it offers.

I recommend the wrinkled potatoes with mojo, fresh fish, limpets, marinated tuna, and gofio.

If you like sweets, don’t forget about Bienmesabe, which is prepared with sugar, almonds, eggs, and lemon.

24. Dolphin watching in Lanzarote (Canary Islands)

Dolphin or whale watching is one of the most impressive things to do in Lanzarote. If you want to have this experience, I recommend booking this tour, which departs from Puerto del Carmen and covers the entire coast of Lanzarote.

I recommend this tour in particular because they’ll give you explanations and directions to see these animals without disrupting their activity or putting their life and safety at risk. In fact, they’ll give you binoculars so you can see them perfectly. In addition, you can snorkel at the end of the tour.

Of course, both dolphins and whales are wild animals, so their movements are unpredictable. That means there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, but it’s worth a try.

 

25. La Graciosa Island, the best excursion to take in Lanzarote

Visiting La Graciosa is one of the best Lanzarote excursions. In our case, we decided to spend a night on this incredible island to visit it for a day and a half, although you will need at least a full day. To get there, you will have to take this ferry from Órzola.

On La Graciosa, you can go hiking or rent a bicycle to visit the main points of interest, such as Las Conchas beach, the Montaña Amarilla volcano, and Sebo cove. Depending on the time you have, you can book this tour that will allow you to know its coast while enjoying some water activities, such as diving or kayaking. Although if you are looking for something more exclusive, without a doubt the best option is this catamaran cruise with lunch.

 

These are the 25 places to visit in Lanzarote that I recommend to get to know this incredible place in the Canary Islands. To help you plan your trip, here is a tourist map of Lanzarote that you can download to take with you during your trip.

I hope this article has helped you plan your trip and that soon you’re exploring these beautiful places to visit in Lanzarote. If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will help you out. Enjoy your trip!