Lanzarote Attractions
Timanfaya National Park
The natural phenomenon of the Island are the fire mountains of the Timanfaya National Park. The park covers an area of 51sqkm. Created during the years 1730 – 1736 the eruptions transformed cultivated land into one of the largest lava fields created. The lava flows destroyed 12 villages though miraculously no one was killed. The landscape is now that of rich reds and ochres with views across craters and lava formations. A trip with a guided tour to the park is highly recommended.
Jameos del Agua
Created by the famous Lanzarote artist César Manrique, Jameos del Agua was built around and inside partially collapsed volcanic tunnels. A salt water lake is home to a unique albino crab and the beautifully designed area contains a large number of plants, a restaurant, bar and auditorium famous for its amazing acoustics. It is also home to the Casa de Los Volcanes, which shows information on how the Canary Islands were formed and contains a seismic monitoring station.
Mirador del Río
Situated on the northern tip of the island, Mirador del Río is yet another centre of art and culture that is well worth a visit. Positioned 480 metres above sea level the centre commands fantastic views across the ocean and the group of small islands known as the Archipielago Chinijo. Once again this centre is the brain child of Manrique and houses many pieces of his work. This venue is a totally relaxing yet at the same time stunning place to visit.
Jardín de Cactus
The Jardín de Cactus is found on the outskirts of Guatiza, on the road to Mala. It is in this area where during more than a century the cochineal beetle has been cultivated – an insect which lives in the cactus and whose larva are used to produce the valuable natural colorant, cochineal. In this tourist centre, an abandoned ‘rofe’ (volcanic ash) quarry in the shape of an amphitheatre has been used, in whose terraces one can admire more than 10,000 different kinds of cacti from the Canary Islands, America and Madagascar.
Museo del Vino – El Grifo
Located in the wine growing area of Lanzarote and built in 1775, the museum houses traditional grape presses and distillery equipment. A tour will guide you through the processes by which the delicious local wines are produced – and perhaps more importantly allow you to taste several varieties, accompanied by some local cheese!