10 Best Things to Do
Lanzarote pairs black volcanic fields with white villages, sheltered coves and vineyards planted in ash. Timanfaya shows the island at its starkest, while César Manrique’s houses, gardens and cave spaces reveal a different way of living with the landscape. Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise provide coastal bases; Teguise and Haría offer smaller town stays. Head inland for La Geria’s wines, then north for cliff views and the ferry to La Graciosa.
Montañas del Fuego, Timanfaya
Timanfaya National Park, Spain
Timanfaya’s craters and lava fields are best understood from the official Route of the Volcanoes, a coach journey through the protected landscape. At Islote de Hilario, geothermal demonstrations reveal heat still held beneath the surface. The regular visit combines these experiences, while the separately booked Insólita visit adds guided access to other areas. Buy the required timed ticket online before travelling and download its QR code, as mobile reception can be unreliable near the entrance.
Volcanic landscapes
Jameos del Agua
Near Punta Mujeres, Haría, Spain
César Manrique transformed part of the La Corona lava tube into a sequence of underground water, gardens and sculptural spaces. At Jameos del Agua, the lake shelters tiny blind crabs, while the route opens into a white pool garden and a natural auditorium. It is an unusually direct encounter between design and geology. Wear shoes suited to uneven volcanic stone, keep the water free of coins and remember that the striking pool is for looking at, not swimming.
Manrique’s art within a lava tube
Cueva de los Verdes
Malpaís de la Corona, Haría, Spain
A guided walk through Cueva de los Verdes reveals another part of the La Corona volcanic tube. Passages, chambers and traces of flowing lava emerge under lighting designed by Jesús Soto, with an auditorium tucked into the rock. The route covers roughly a kilometre and includes stairs, low ceilings and narrow sections. Book a timed ticket online before arrival and wear shoes with good grip. The physical layout makes this unsuitable for visitors who need a step-free route.
Exploring a volcanic cave
Jardín de Cactus
Guatiza, Spain
In Guatiza, César Manrique turned an old quarry into a terraced garden of cacti and other succulents. Volcanic stone, a pond and a traditional windmill frame plants whose shapes can seem as sculptural as the architecture. The surrounding prickly pear fields connect the garden to Lanzarote’s history of cochineal production. Allow time to walk the terraces rather than simply photograph the entrance view; the stone paths are uneven, and the mill adds steps to the visit.
A sculptural garden
Mirador del Río
Yé, Haría, Spain
Built into the Risco de Famara, Mirador del Río keeps much of its architecture concealed beneath volcanic stone. Inside, broad arched windows frame the strait and La Graciosa, while a terrace opens the view further towards the Chinijo islands. The café offers a sheltered place to enjoy the setting and examine Manrique’s curved interiors. Choose a clear day if possible and bring an extra layer: wind and cloud can change the experience markedly at the cliff edge.
Views across to La Graciosa
Fundación César Manrique, Volcano House
Tahíche, Spain
Manrique’s former home at Tahíche makes his approach to Lanzarote’s landscape tangible. White upper rooms draw on traditional island architecture, while the lower level occupies five volcanic bubbles linked by passages through the lava. Gardens, a pool and the former painting studio complete the visit. Choose the Volcano House when you want to see his architectural ideas at their most domestic and inventive. It is a different property from the later house museum in Haría, so check your destination carefully.
Understanding the island’s defining artist
El Grifo Winery and Wine Museum
Masdache, La Geria, Spain
At El Grifo, a winery founded in 1775, the vines and old winemaking equipment explain why Lanzarote’s wine country looks so unusual. Visits range from an audio-guided museum route to a longer guided experience through the vineyard, family house and library, followed by a tasting. Choose the format and language when booking rather than assuming all visits include the same spaces. The longer Wine Lovers experiences are for adults; the audio-guided option also welcomes families.
Volcanic vineyards and wine
Papagayo Beaches
Los Ajaches, near Playa Blanca, Spain
The pale coves of Papagayo sit beneath the dry hills of Los Ajaches near Playa Blanca. Their contrast of sand, rock and clear water makes this one of the island’s most appealing stretches of coast for a beach day. Papagayo itself is a sheltered cove where conditions often suit swimming and snorkelling. Bring water and sun protection, check the sea before entering and arrange your own transport; the tourism board lists no public transport to the beach.
A day beside clear water
La Graciosa Day Trip
La Graciosa, via Órzola, Spain
Ferries from Órzola reach La Graciosa, where sandy streets and unpaved tracks give the island a different pace from Lanzarote’s resort towns. Begin in Caleta del Sebo, then explore on foot or hire a suitable bicycle for the rougher routes towards the beaches. Stay on designated tracks to protect the landscape. There is little shade beyond the village, so bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and check the return ferry before setting out for the day.
A quieter island by ferry
Teguise Old Town
Villa de Teguise, Spain
Lanzarote’s former capital rewards a walk through paved streets, white houses and substantial old buildings. Teguise feels especially lively during its Sunday market, while other days leave more room to notice the architecture. The Timple House Museum in Palacio Spínola introduces the small stringed instrument associated with the Canary Islands. Combine the town with a meal or café stop, and choose your day according to whether you prefer the market’s activity or a quieter look around.
Historic streets and island crafts