Hottest Attractions On The Island Of Fire

Fire Mountain

The volcanic island of Lanzarote in the Canaries is best known as a year round holiday destination.  Boasting a clement climate even in the depths of winter, low rainfall and an abundance of beautiful beaches.

But this small speck of Spain offers much more than just sunshine and sun loungers alone.  As the island is also home to some fascinating visitor attractions, many of which were developed by a highly creative local artist called César Manrique.

The Jameos Del Agua

The Jameos del Agua was Manrique´s first major project on Lanzarote.  Created in the late 1960´s, he was attempting to illustrate to his fellow islanders that it was possible to develop visitor attractions that worked in harmony with the island’s raw volcanic terrain rather than against it.  Providing an alternative model to the water parks and golf courses so popular elsewhere in Spain.

Manrique´s transformation of this huge collapsed lava tunnel into an underground grotto and concert venue proved an instant and massive success.  Putting holidays in Lanzarote firmly on the map for the first time and attracting VIP visitors such as Hollywood legend Rita Heyworth.  Who declared the Jameos; “The Eighth Wonder of the World”.

Plaza de Consitucion Teguise

The Timanfaya National Park

The Timanafaya National Park remains Lanzarote´s undisputed star attraction though.  As nothing else on the island can match the raw majesty of the eerie vistas here.  Created by volcanic eruptions which engulfed Lanzarote during the 1730´s and then again in 1824.

This activity created hundreds of new volcanic peaks and a carpet of lava which covers around done third of the island.  Leaving much of Lanzarote looking like the surface of the moon.

The Valley of 1000 Palms

This green and verdant valley in the north of the island is the ideal antidote to the arid volcanic scenery of the south.  Resembling a huge African oasis, with the crowns of thousands of palm trees swaying gently in the breeze.

Local legend has it that this was all created by local villagers, who used to plant one palm tree for every new born girl and two for a boy.  Creating a breathtaking site on an island otherwise largely devoid of flora.

Palacio Marques in Teguise

Historic Teguise

A visit to Lanzarote´s former capital of Teguise is like stepping back in time.  As this was the first settlement to be established by the Spanish conquistadors in the 15^th century and is still home today to a treasure trove of colonial architecture.  Some of which, such as the Palacio Marques, dates back as far as 1455.

Jardin de Cactus

This is yet another magnificent Manrique creation, which celebrates the plant world’s spikiest species.  The Jardin de Cactus is well known to botanists worldwide as the home of over 1400 different types of cacti – and 10,000 plus individual plants.  Making this one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in the world.

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