CANARIES /
LANZAROTE
Lanzarote
Welcome to Discover Lanzarote - your guide to Lanzarote.
Lanzarote is situated just 70 miles off the coast of Africa and
is the most easterly of the Canary Islands. The island is 37
miles (60km) long and 12 miles (20 km) wide, making it the
fourth largest island in the Canaries.
Lanzarote enjoys a mild dry climate with average daytime
temperatures ranging from about 21°C in January to 29°C in
August. Annual rainfall is just 140mm (5.5 inches). This makes
Lanzarote the perfect year-round destination.
As with the other Canary Islands, Lanzarote is Volcanic in
origin. Due to the recent eruptions during the 18th and 19th
Centuries, many parts of Lanzarote appear to be from another
world, often described as 'lunar' or 'Martian', so much so that
parts of 'Planet of the Apes' were shot here.
The dry climate (and lack of erosion) means that the Volcanic
Landscape appears much as it did just after the eruptions.
Amongst the many stunning Volcanic features of Lanzarote is the
longest Volcanic Tunnel in the world, the Atlantida Tunnel,
which is over 7 km long and includes the La Cueva de los Verdes
and Jameos del Agua.
Despite the Volcanic nature of the island, Lanzarote has several
beautiful white beaches such as at Playa Blanca and Papagayo.
Local authority regulations on the amount and style of
development mean that there is no billboard advertising and no
high rise buildings in Lanzarote (with the exception of the
Grand Hotel in Arrecife).
Lanzarote Attractions
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National park is a must-see for any visitor to
Lanzarote. 50 km² of Volcanic Landscape and Craters, as well as
the 'El Diablo' Restaurant where traditional Canarian food is
cooked in a natural volcanic oven.
Cave of Los Verdes
La Cueva de los Verdes forms part of a spectacular and complex
system of caves formed by underground Lava flows.
Jameos del Agua.
Jameos del Agua is a cave complex that includes a natural
Concert Hall with wonderful acoustics, subterranean lagoon, a
restaurant and a museum.
El Golfo and Los Hervideros
El Golfo is a volcanic crater filled by sea water.
The deep green colour is caused by algae in the water.
Los Hervideros is a series of caves and blow holes located in a
Lava Flow.
The Cactus Garden
The Cactus Garden was created by local artist, the late
Cesar Manrique, and features an impressive collection of Cacti
and sculptures and a restored Windmill
Castillo de San Gabriel
The Castillo de San Gabriel is a 16th Century fortress
overlooking Arrecife Harbour.
Mirador del Rio
Mirador Del Rio boasts spectacular views of La Graciosa and
other small islands.
Casa Museo y Monumento al Campesino
The House and Monument to the Farm Labourer are a tribute to
the traditional farming techniques of Lanzarote.
Castillo de San Jose
The Castillo de San Jose, built in 1799, now houses a Modern
Art Gallery and Restaurant.
Paradise
Paradise Beach Club is a disco bar run by a professional team
that has been involved with clubs in Lanzarote for many years.
Centro Comercial Columbus
Puerto del Carmen
The Big Apple
The Big Apple is a Disco Bar with a great selection of
international DJ's and Barstaff.
Centro Comercial Atlántico
Puerto Del Carmen
Roof Tops
Roof Tops is Playa Blanca's busiest Disco Bar.
Centro Comercial Los Limones
Playa Blanca
Lanzarote Nightlife
While Lanzarote is not nearly as boisterous as Tenerife or some
of the Balearic Islands, there is still plenty of Nightlife to
suit most tastes.
The centre of Nightlife in Lanzarote is the 'Avenida de las
Playas' in Puerto del Carmen and the 'Centro Atlantico' in
particular, however there are Bars and Discos in all of the main
resorts.
If you are looking for a taste of Spanish nightlife (the
non-tourist oriented places), then Arrecife is the place to go.
You should also be aware that in Lanzarote, a 'Night Club' and a
'Discoteca' are not the same thing. A 'Night Club' is actually a
Brothel!
Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote, is a quiet, beautiful
port city situated on the eastern coast of the island. Sharing
prominence in its urban layout are the streets of the historic
centre, filled with shops, and popular neighbourhoods such as
San Ginés. Not forgetting the many museums and historic
buildings which permit Arrecife to enjoy an active cultural
life. And in the seafront area, it provides attractive beaches
and excellent nautical facilities along with the opportunity to
play golf while taking in the striking views of the Atlantic.
The development of Arrecife as a city is closely linked to its
port and commercial strength, which allowed it to attract
political and economic power until, in 1847, it became the
capital of the island to the detriment of Teguise.
The city grew around San Ginés, a historic fishing centre
established on the shore. Amid its streets steeped in the local
seafaring atmosphere is the church of San Ginés. Standing on the
site of the first hermitage to be constructed in the capital, it
was rebuilt in the 17th century, while its slender belltower
dates from the 19th century.
Arrecife has outstanding examples of defensive architecture. On
a small island in front of the historic quarter stands the
castle of San Gabriel, which was built in the 16th century as a
defence against continuous pirate attacks. Declared to be a
National Monument along with the Bolas bridge, it currently
houses an astronomic observatory.
Not far away is the castle of San José, built in the middle of
Naos bay by King Carlos III. Its facilities play host to the
International Museum of Contemporaty Art (MIAC), which contains
a valuable collection of work from the 20th century by artists
of the stature of Picasso, Miró, Chillida or Tàpies.
It is worth a look through the streets of Arrecife to find its
significant buildings, such as the “Agustín de la Hoz” Municipal
Arts Centre a nobleman's mansion from the mid-19th century and
Casa de Los Arroyo, an old house converted into a Science and
Arts Centre.
The coast
A long promenade runs along the coast of Arrecife. The island's
volcanic origins provide a considerable diversity of nature,
especially among its reefs, as well as a great many colonies of
seabirds which nest in the area.
One of the most emblematic images of the city is provided by
Reducto Beach, sheltered by the Punta del Camello headland and
the small island of Fermina.
Visitors who prefer water sports can make use of any of the
city's excellent nautical facilities, where there is a variety
of options available, such as windsurfing or sailing.
Golf lovers, meanwhile, have access to an 18-hole course
immersed in an exotic volcanic setting situated on the outskirts
of the city. Here players of all levels can enjoy the sport
while taking in the exceptional views of the Atlantic.
Gastronomy and surroundings
Arrecife is a genuine showcase of the gastronomy of Lanzarote.
Outstanding are the fish specialities, particularly “vieja”,
which is either stewed or opened and roasted on the grill. Not
forgetting "sancocho" stew, the fresh seafood and the most
well-known dish from the Canaries, "papas arrugadas" (boiled
potatoes), which are usually served along with "mojos"
(traditional sauces). Cheese, fresh or cured, forms part of the
local tradition. The best accompaniment for these delights will
always be one of the wines with the Designation of Origin
Lanzarote guarantee, among which the aromatic Malvasías are
outstanding.
The strategic position of the capital means it is quick and easy
to reach from any point on Lanzarote. At the northern end of the
island is Haría, a small urban centre set among the hills of a
fertile valley. In its coastal area we can find Cueva de los
Verdes, as well as Jameos del Agua and the Mirador del Río
viewpoint, these latter ones the work of Lanzarote-born
architect César Manrique.
Very close by is Teguise. The former capital of the island of
Lanzarote possesses a significant heritage of buildings in its
historic quarter, which gathers together beautiful examples of
popular and noble architecture. The mark of Manrique is present
in Teguise through the Cactus Garden and the foundation which
bears his name, which was also the artist's former residence.
To the south are towns such as San Bartolomé, with the
outstanding Casa del Mayor Guerra and Casa Ajei; Tinajo, in
whose sanctuary of Mancha Blanca the island's patron, the Virgen
de los Dolores, is venerated; or Yaiza, a town located in a
volcanic surroundings which form landscapes of matchless beauty,
such as El Golfo or Los Hervideros.
All this is complemented by Lanzarote's coastline, sprinkled
with beautiful beaches and major tourist centres, such as Costa
Teguise, Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen. But the greatest
centre of tourist attention is, without a doubt, the Timanfaya
National Park, a true showcse of the island's volcanic
ecosystem. The visit includes a bus trip which covers the Route
of the Volcanoes and whose starting point is the visitors'
centre. The park is in turn surrounded by the Volcanoes Nature
Reserve, where fields of ash and lava run down to the sea.
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HOTELS in CANARIES / LANZAROTE
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