Things to Do in Lanzarote – The Canary Islands

Lanzarote is the easternmost of the Canary Islands, with an area of 845.94 km² (525.64 mi) and a population of approximately 144,000 inhabitants, making it the third most populated island of the archipelago, after Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It is an island with stunning natural beauty that travelers from around the world come to visit each year.

The island of the Majos (name by which the old settlers of Lanzarote are known) owns the National Park of Timanfaya, founded between 1730 and 1736, which was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, together with the whole island. It is a park of volcanic origin that has more than 25 volcanoes, such as La Montaña de Fuego. Here you can witness the high temperatures under the volcano’s soil by demonstrations of the heat through straw that burns when deposited in a tunnel only 1,5 meters deep, reaching up to more than 373°K -274° K and more than 870° K to 13 meters deep.

In addition to being known as La Tierra del Fuego (The Land of Fire), Lanzarote is characterized by its white sandy beaches from the Sahara desert, due to the proximity of the islands to the African continent. There are countless dreamlike beaches such as Famara, Papagayo Beach, and the natural pools of Los Charcones. One of the top five beaches of the Canary Islands is Las Conchas in the Chinijo Archipelago.

Lanzarote is known for its incredible wine, and Malvasia is one particular kind that really stands out. It is produced in La Geria and is recognized around the world and decorated in national and international wine competitions.

Visitors definitely shouldn’t miss out on seeing the works of illustrious artists who were born on the island. One artist in particular is César Manrique, a Lanzarote architect recognized for his respect and love of the environment. He is known for adapting his works to the natural environment. He is most famous for Jameos del Agua, a natural auditorium in the interior of a cave that is home to Munidopsis polymorpha – a very small crab that is ablino and blind.

I’d recommend taking in the spectacular views of Mirador del Río, a lookout point that is a relatively short distance from the island of La Graciso from which you can see the rest of the islands that make up the Archipelago Chinijo. If you’re a very outdoorsy person, there’s plenty of opportunities for hiking around the island.  In that case, I’d recommend a great hiking backpack; here are some of my favorites.

La Cueva de los Verdes is also a place worth visiting. It’s a volcanic tube that’s approximately 6 kilometers long, and was an enclave used by the Aboriginal people to hide from the pirates who periodically ravaged the island. If you have more time to explore, or need something to do on a rainy day, I’d recommend paying a visit to the Museo al Campesino or the César Manrique Foundation.

Teguise, the old capital of Lanzarote until 1852, is the historical core of the island and definitely worth exploring for an afternoon.

Castillo de Guanapay is another place worth exploring on the island. It’s a fortress located on the volcano Guanapay, from which it receives its name. Building began in the 15th century, and its purpose was to protect from the nobles and the rest of the population from continuous attacks. In 1571, the two towers were erected which accompany the main building.

Castillo de San Josê is another historical landmark built between 1776 and 1779. This castle was deigned by the King of Spain, Carlos III, and today houses the Museum of Contemporary Art. It is also known as El Castillo del Hambre (The Castle of Hunger), because during its contstruction, there were a shortage of resources due to the famine on the island.

From a rich history to unique landscapes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the island of Lanzarote!

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