Discover Lanzarote – Island of Fire

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands.  A Spanish owned archipelago which is Europe’s most popular winter sun destination.  Thanks to their location off the coast of Morocco, on a similar line of latitude to parts of Florida and the Bahamas.  The islands are just starting to open up to American travellers too – with the recent inauguration of direct flights from Miami to Tenerife.

All of the islands have their own unique identity.  Whilst some have been less touched by tourism than others.  Lanzarote is the most easterly link in the chain and still retains much of its original character, despite welcoming over 1.5 million foreign tourists every year.

Lanzarote is best known for its surreal volcanic scenery.  The legacy of a series of huge seismic shocks which rocked the island during the 18^th and 19^th century.  Today, this twisted volcanic terrain is Lanzarote´s greatest asset,  As over 900,000 tourists visit the scene of these eruptions at the Timanfaya National Park every year.

Accommodation

The island has a well established tourist industry, dating back some forty years.

So Lanzarote accommodation standards are high and varied, encompassing everything from studio apartments in the main resorts to luxurious character properties in the countryside.

The bulk of visitors tend to opt for self catering accommodation such as Lanzarote villas and apartments.  Whilst hotels account for around 40% of all tourist beds on the island.

Prices start from around €170 per week for a one bedroom apartment in one of the main resorts such as Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca.

Getting Around

Lanzarote only measures 58km by 38km – making it very easy to tour.  Roads are good and car hire and petrol are cheap.  There is a public bus service but this doesn’t run to many of the key attractions.  Bike hire is available in the main resorts – but Lanzarote´s mountainous volcanic terrain can make this arduous.

Sightseeing

As well as the awe inspiring volcanic region Lanzarote boasts a host of other natural attractions.  Such as the Green Lagoon at El Golfo – an emerald colour land locked lake created by an interaction between sea water and algae.  Which is so striking that it has been used as a backdrop for a number of sci-fi films such as Krull and One Million Years BC.

The island is also home to over 90 beaches – some of which, such as Famara and Papagayo are amongst the best in the Canaries.

Hail Cesar

Lanzarote boasts a set of unique man made tourist attractions.  Created by the highly creative Canarian artist Cesar Manrique.  Once a contemporary of Andy Warhol’s in New York.

Manrique was opposed to uncontrolled tourist development and wanted to illustrate what could be achieved by working with the island’s volcanic scenery, rather than taking the conventional route of building golf courses and water parks.

As a result visitors can enjoy touring creations such as the Jameos del Agua, where Manrique transformed a huge lava tunnel into a concert venue, nightclub and underground auditorium

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