Lanzarote

Map of the Canary Islands

Lanzarote the Holiday Island

Look for budget holidays to Lanzarote and treat your family to an exciting stay in this beautiful country. This Spanish island is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway that is far from the hustle and bustle of the city. People who want to spend their holiday by the beach will surely find this place very ideal. The Lanzarote Weather with the cool breeze and the awe-inspiring sights here in Lanzarote will surely leave you wanting for more. So pack your travel bags and head to this island paradise now.

Lanzarote is situated approximately 125km off the western coast of Africa and is the fourth largest and most eastern of the Canary Island. It has a population of around 135,000 and covers and area of 850km².

The island is approximately 60km from North to South and 25km from East to West and has over 200km of coastline. Of volcanic origin Lanzarote boasts a unique and dramatic landscape.

Book your flights to Spain and visit the beautiful island of Lanzarote. This island is truly the perfect destination for people looking for relaxing getaway. The amazing sights and scenery that you will discover in Lanzarote will surely make you appreciate the island more. The friendly locals in Lanzarote also make the island an attractive destination for every holidaymaker. Going for a getaway in Lanzarote is surely a worthwhile experience for anyone.

Origin of the name "Canary"

Contrary to what is commonly believed, the Canary Islands did not in fact take their name from the birds. When the King of Mauritania sent explorations to the Fortunate Islands they discovered a fierce breed of dog and called them ‘Insula Canaria’ or the island of dogs, using the Latin canis meaning dogs.

The shield of the Canary Islands proudly displays these legendary dogs.

Peoples & Customs

Lanzarote has a great mix of different people of different origins that brought with them their own cultures and traditions.

There are a great amount of crafts traditionally produced on the island including pottery, textiles and products made from palm leaves and plants. Pottery pots, jars, figurines and lamps are all handcrafted and examples of these can be seen all over the island. Baskets, bags and the traditional Canarian hat are woven by hand out of palm leaves and rushes. Textile products; tablecloths, tea towels and clothes are all produced in Lanzarote.

The traditional musical instrument of Lanzarote is the timple, a small guitar-like instrument dating back to the days of the conquerors and still frequently played in Canarian groups in bars all over the island. The timple is beautifully hand-crafted in Teguise.

Lanzarote Beaches

Lanzarote has some beautiful coastal areas and beaches. From the impressive cliffs at Famara to the golden stretches of sand at Papagayo, Lanzarote has a shoreline for everyone.

Even in the winter the sea is a reasonable 19/20 ºC and with year round sunshine you can take advantage of the beaches summer and winter.

Not just for sunbathing though, Lanzarote offers perfect year round conditions for windsurfing, diving, surfing, boat and fishing trips.

Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve

Lanzarote is the oldest of the Canary Islands at 180 million years old with El Hierro being the youngest at 750,000 thousand years. In 1993 Lanzarote was recognised and declared as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO (United Nations Education Culture and Science Organization)

Lanzarote and César Manrique

Lanzarote would not be the island it is today without the influence and work of the late Cesar Manrique. A painter, sculptor and architect he was fundamental in shaping the architecture on the island and was responsible for the design and creation of the seven tourist centres. He died in a traffic accident in 1992 but his influence lives on.

Lanzarote – The Seven Tourist Centres

The Timanfaya Fire Mountain.

The fire mountains or Montañas de Fuego at Timanfaya are a result of the volcanic eruptions in Lanzarote between 1730 and 1736. These spectacularly long eruptions completely changed the shape of the island and covered nearly a quarter of it under a thick layer of ash and lava flow.

Take a coach trip through the volcanoes to truly appreciate their magnificence.

El Mirador del Río

At the North of the island, 600 metres above sea level, Cesar Manrique excavated the top of a mountain to create a lookout with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of La Graciosa.

Best visited on a clear day to make the most of the amazing views.

Los Jameos del Agua

Created in 1968 as a viewing attraction, the Jameos de Agua is a large volcanic tunnel created in the eruption of the La Corona volcano. At the bottom is a lagoon which is home to the famous blind white crabs.

The shape of the cave gives it natural acoustics and it is used for concerts with seating for up to 600 people.

La Cueva de los Verdes

A 6km run of caves created by the eruption of the Corona volcano four thousand years ago. It is one of the longest in the world and is a unique experience. It enters the sea at the ‘Tunnel of Atlantis’ which travels so far out to sea that it has never been fully explored. Once a refuge for the inhabitants of the island from pirate attacks it opened to the public in 1964 and is now part of the must-see tourist trail.

The Jardin de Cactus in Guatiza is home to over 1400 different species of cactus. Set in an old quarry it has the feel of a living amphitheatre and is a perfect partnership of art and nature.

The area of Guatiza has been dedicated to the cultivation of the cochineal beetle from which the red dye, cochineal, is extracted.