Lanzarote is an island that owes a lot to Cesar Manrique – the artist and environmentalist who defended this area against trampling and commercialization.
Lanzarote is an island of volcanic, lunar landscapes and low, bright buildings. Out of Canary Islands it’s located the closest to Europe and has retained a somewhat wild character.
With its richness of nature, amazing views and delicious cuisine, it attracts crowds of tourists every year, eager to rest and break away from everyday life.
What places are the most attractive and interesting in Lanzarote?
The most important and popular tourist attractions on the island of Lanzarote
Charco de los Clicos Lake
The tourist attraction that is most associated with Lanzarote is the green lake Charco de los Clicos in El Golfo.
It is a coastal crater lake fed with ocean water, which partially evaporated and thus caused its considerable salinity (supposedly greater than in the Dead Sea). The moss green of the lake is caused by the algae growing on it. The view is truly spectacular – a greenish water reservoir among the black volcanic rocks that surround it.
It is worth coming here and seeing it with your own eyes.
See exactly where it is and how to get to Lake Charco de los Clicos:
Timanfaya National Park
One of the biggest attractions on Lanzarote is Timanfaya National Park. The protected area has a truly volcanic landscape, the symbol of which is Diablo de Timanfaya.
The park is visited with a guide, by bus or on a camel. At the end of each such route, there is a mini show – where hot sand is extracted from the inside of the ground and the water poured into the crater – after a while it shoots up, and small branches thrown into the hole begin to burn.
A big attraction is also a restaurant located at the very top of one of the volcanic hills, where meat and other dishes are baked using the temperature directly from one of the craters.
Timanfaya Park opening hours
Opening hours: 9: 00-17: 45. The last guests are admitted to Ruta de los Volcanes until 17:00. In summer (July 15 to September 15), the park is open from 9:00 to 18:45. During that time it is recommended to visit the park from 9:00 to 11:00 and from 15:00 to 17:45 to avoid queues.
Ticket prices to Timanfaya Park
Adults 10 € and 20% less after 15:00, children (7 to 12 years old) 5 € and 20% less after 15:00.
Approximately 3 hours should be allocated for visiting the entire park. Remember to dress comfortably and put on appropriate footwear.
An important issue.
Animals are not allowed in the park, except for guide dogs for the disabled. For more information, visit CACT (The Municipal Council of Lanzarote’s Centers for Art, Culture and Tourism). The park is known for being on the Predif Association list, i.e. places adapted for disabled people in wheelchairs and more.
See where Timanfaya National Park is located:
Caves of Jameos del Agua
Another must-see for Lanzarote is a visit to the caves of Jameos del Agua. It is a connected cave system that was used by the court artist of this island – Cesar Manrique. He created a cafe here among tropical greenery, next to a salt lake, inhabited by mini albino crabs.
Going further by stairs, you can reach a place with a blue pool and palm, in which only the king of Spain is supposedly allowed to bathe. Another large cave has been transformed into a natural concert hall that can cater up to 600 people. There is also the Volcanology Museum (Casa de los Volcanes) in this area.
Opening hours of the Jameos del Agua caves
The caves are open from 10:00 to 18:30. The park is also open between 19:00 and 01:00 on Tuesdays and Saturdays (also on Wednesdays from July 15 to September 15).
Preferred hours of visiting the park are 10:00 to 11:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00 so as to avoid queues.
Ticket prices to Jameos del Agua caves
Adults € 9.50 – 20% discount from 15:00 to 19:00. Tickets for children (7 to 12) cost 4.75 € – 20% discount between 15:00 and 19:00. Free entry for children under 7 years old.
The time needed to visit the caves is about 1 hour. At the moment (2019), work is ongoing to improve the accessibility of caves for wheelchair users and tourists with mobility issues.
Animals are not allowed here except guide dogs for the disabled.
How to get to the Jameos del Agua caves? Check on the map where they are:
Visiting the island is worth starting from a well-known and liked viewpoint.
Viewpoint on Lanzarote: Mirador del Rio
An interesting place to see on Lanzarote is also the viewpoint – Mirador del Rio. It is located in the northern part of the island and offers an unforgettable view of the neighboring island of La Graciosa. It can be admired through the panoramic window of the restaurant built there or from the terrace suspended at about 480 m a.s.l.
Opening hours of the Mirador del Rio viewpoint
The viewpoint is open between 10:00 and 17:45. In the summer (July 15 to September 15) between 10:00 and 18:45.
Ticket prices n Mirador del Rio viewpoint
Adults € 4.75 and children € 2.40 per ticket (ages 7 to 12). Children under 7 years free. You can buy group tickets, then of course it is cheaper.
This place is also adapted for people in wheelchairs and is accepted by the Predif Association.
See how to get to this viewpoint on Lanzarote:
Arrecife – the capital of Lanzarote
Arrecife, the largest city on the whole island and the capital of it, is associated with the richness of the sea life in reefs and underwater rocks. You can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, collecting the art of Manrique and many others.
Walking along the promenade we will reach the sole skyscraper on the island, the Grand Hotel from whose roof a spectacular panorama of the island extends. Theress a fortess located nearby, Castillo de San Gabriel, which you can reach by a stone bridge.
See map of the city of Arrecife:
Jardin de Cactus
Jardin de Cactus was created like most of the island’s attractions by Cesar Manrique. Located within a crater of an extinct volcano, it was developed and planted with over 1,400 species of cactus. Impressive are the largest specimens of these stinging plants – up to 20 meters high! There is also a restaurant and a quaint windmill.
La Geria vineyards
An ideal place for lovers of wine and viticulture will be visiting one of the wineries in La Geria. The volcanic lands have proved ideal for vines. Surrounded by stone walls against a background of black soil, plantations arranged like a chessboard look peculiar. Bodega el Grifo is the oldest vineyard producing world-renowned beverages here. It is worth visiting the Wine Museum and of course tasting the local wines.
On the island of Lanzarote, of course, there is no shortage of attractions for children!
Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park in Puerto del Carmen
Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park in Puerto del Carmen is an attraction for the whole family. It is a zoological park located on a fairly extensive area, whose main attraction are the shows of the tufted seals, parrots and birds of prey (eagles, vultures and condors). In addition, you can use the complex of pools and slides. Additional attractions include the opportunity to see a white tiger or taking a pony ride, a visit to an Indian village and cowboy lasso shows.
Opening hours of Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
The Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park is open daily from 9:30 to 17:30.
Ticket prices to Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
Adults 30 € and children (3 to 12 years old) 22 €.
The park organizes a free bus that brings tourists from different parts of the island. For details, please refer to the official website, which will show you around the park.
See where exactly Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park is located:
You’ll find more tourist attractions, monuments and interesting places that are worth seeing and visiting on the island’s map below:
For those interested in detailed knowledge, we refer to the official website of the island of Lanzarote.
In the comments let us know what are your opinions on attractions in Lanzarote, both for families, couples and singles. We are convinced that everyone will find here attractive and interesting places!