Lanzarote, the Land of Volcanos

You all know I love to be surrounded by nature and breathtaking landscapes, that’s why I fell in love with Lanzarote! Between its beautiful beaches, daring cliffs and amazing food, the volcanic island is a wonderful place to visit. Lanzarote is the perfect balance between nightlife, nature, relaxation, and serenity. It’s known for its year-round warm climate so it’s the perfect place to beat the winter blues.

Lanzarote, is full of beautiful beaches!

For those of you who love a good story, it was long believed that the Canary Islands were the peaks of the lost continent of Atlantis. According to the myth, only the islands of Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde remain from Atlantis in the ocean that took its name from the lost continent. The Canary Islands used to be known as the “Islands of the Dogs”. The Latin word for dog is “cano” and that’s the origin of the name even though the eponymous canary bird is also native to the island.

The César Manrique Lanzarote Airport was named in honour of the Lanzarote artist. You will see a great number of works by this artist all over the island. The airport is the main gateway to Lanzarote and it is located very close to the island’s capital, Arrecife, and the tourist towns of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. Many airlines in Europe have direct flights to Lanzarote and there are always easy connections through Madrid and Barcelona. To reach town, take a taxi, local transport or rent a car. I would highly recommend renting a car to be able to see everything the island has to offer, however, Public transport is also available and is very reliable. Whether you’re beach hopping or just travelling into town, public transport is available and affordable. Public buses are accessible from almost all of Lanzarote’s tourist locations.

Here is what I recommend that you see on this stunning island:

• Timanfaya National Park – The beautiful volcanic landscape was formed by volcanic eruptions between 1730 and 1736. The scale of the eruptions was so enormous that this landscape covers a quarter of the island! You will love the eerie, beautiful, and mythical-looking Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains). The multi-coloured and moonlike landscape is unlike anywhere in this world!

Giant steps are what you take, walking on the moon”!

• The El Diablo restaurant uses the geothermal heat from the earth for cooking by placing a large grill over a deep pit. Although the volcano is dormant, there have been recordings of 610°C at just 13 metres.
• Papagayo Beach – This is my favourite beach in Lanzarote. Based in the South of the island, this white sand beach is perfectly protected from the wind due to its cove-like shape. Crystal clear waters mean that it is the perfect area for snorkelling as well as enjoying the peaceful and beautiful surroundings.

I lava visiting the volcanic tubes!

• Hiking Trails: If you’re a nature lover you won’t be short of experiences in Lanzarote. Hiking trails are all over the island; each more beautiful than the last.
• Cueva de Los Verdes – La Corona volcano formed a series of tunnels and volcanic tubes which are over 6km long. They were used in the 17th century to hide from pirate attacks. The space was later set up as an art exhibition space by César Manrique.

• You can pre-book tours that include visits to Los Jameos del Agua which is also decorated by César Manrique. Jameos del Agua is located inside the volcanic tunnel. It was created when the sea water seeped in and created an interior lake. It is very beautiful!
• César Manrique House Museum – For a closer look at the life of one of the most famous artists of Lanzarote, visit César Manrique’s home-turned-museum. Manrique’s distinct blend of art and nature, as seen across the island at his various sites, inspired him to build his home directly into an old lava flow.
• Volcanic Wineries – If you like wine, visit La Geria, a protected area that is the quintessential Lanzarote vineyard. You can book a walking guide through a variety of vineyards, sampling extraordinary wine from each as you go.
• Museo Atlántico – 14m below sea level is the first underwater art museum in Europe. Rent scuba gear for the day and dive amongst the incredible sculptures that make up Lanzarote’s UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
• Arrecife – The capital of the island and its largest city, Arrecife offers travellers a delightful mixture of history and local daily life. Visit the Castle of Saint Gabriel, spend the morning at the handicraft market, and shop at Centro Comercial Marina,

After a day of exploring, you’ll be hungry. Here is what and where to eat on Lanzarote:

• Papas Arrugadas con Mojo – Arguably the most famous dish in Lanzarote, this roughly translates to “wrinkled potatoes”. These potatoes are boiled in very salty water and once cooked are left out to dry. Mojo is the sauce, it is an oil-based sauce which usually includes parsley and coriander. My favourite place to enjoy them is at Hespérides Restaurant in Teguise.
• La Cabana – Tucked into the village of Macher, this is one of the island’s top restaurants wowing guests with Mediterranean-fusion dishes. The chef combines fresh produce with a true culinary passion that makes for an unforgettable dining experience. Try the honey-roasted duck breast in red wine jus – it’s absolutely delicious!

• La Casa Roja – Lanzarote is the perfect place to eat freshly caught fish and seafood. Situated in the Marina Rubicon, this restaurant is the best on the island for authentic local recipes.

  The grilled octopus is absolutely delicious with chimichurri sauce and wrinkled black potatoes.

Shellfish people leave me blue!

Here’s a Pro-tip: Visit El Golfo fishing village to experience some of the best seafood on the island. The rustic fish restaurants in this village are delightful. Locals love to eat here too.

The local nightlife is great fun. Lanzarote is lively and vibrant and has something for everyone. If you’re looking to dance the night away or enjoy casual drinks in a pub, you’re on the right island. Here are some of my top spots to enjoy once the sun goes down:

• Tequila Lounge Bar – This is one of the most popular bars in Tias, Puerto del Carmen. You can even enjoy dinner at the bar. Party the night away and enjoy music played by DJs from around the world.
• Kopas Disco – This isn’t your cheesy garage disco. Kopas is a stylish nightclub in Arrecife perfect for a big night out. Expect to party alongside local DJs and occasional live bands into the early hours of the morning.
• La Delicatezza Cocktail Bar – This venue is for enjoying expertly crafted cocktails by professionals while gazing out towards the bay. Their cocktails are works of art, in part, because they use all local ingredients and decorate their drinks beautifully.

When you’re through partying, you’ll want a nice place to lay your head. Try these excellent hotels:

• Melia Salinas – This resort-style hotel located in Teguise is a top choice. Surrounded by white sandy beaches and boasting a lagoon-style pool area it’s hard to beat this beautiful hotel.
• Hotel The Volcan – this unique hotel is located next to the Marina Rubicon Port. The hotel is beautifully designed to look like a typical Canarian town, with whitewashed buildings and unique architecture typical to the island. They have carefully sculpted this beautiful place to even include a replica of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe that is located in Teguise.

You’ll pray for a swift return to Lanzarote!

• B&B Buenavista Lanzarote Country – A tranquil, modern and minimalist accommodation with some of the best mountain views! This unique B&B is artistically designed with large windows looking out onto the beautiful volcanic landscape.

Lanzarote is a beautiful destination for escaping from the pressures of modern life. Whether you enjoy hiking, laying on the beach, partying the night away or all of the above, you’ll love Lanzarote!