Best Things To Do in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a holiday paradise. As soon as you land on this beautiful island, you'll be struck by the contrast between the black of its soil and the white of its little houses, all perfectly aligned along the coast, forming picturesque villages.

If you can't wait to get to this paradise on earth, take note of these essential plans to make the most of your stay.

Timanfaya is, par excellence, Lanzarote's most prized natural jewel. This protected park of volcanic origin stands out for the black colour of its earth, which was bathed in fire hundreds of years ago with the volcanic eruption of Timanfaya. Nowadays you can explore it on your own or on a guided tour and you can even cycle through it. Here is a selection of the best tours to Timanfaya.

Its landscapes will leave you with postcards that seem to be taken from another planet and in less than an hour you can cover a large part of its surface, in a walk that does not require special physical fitness. Entrance to the park costs 12 € and will be the best investment you make during your trip to Lanzarote.

It is also possible to cycle around Timanfaya, as there is a road in perfect condition that crosses it. If you dare to get on two wheels, this landscape will leave you with some incredible views.

However, another way to discover the Timanfaya, and one that is in high demand in the area, is to take one of the buggy tours around Lanzarote- you won't regret it!

The best thing about a sun and sea holiday in the heart of nature is being able to enjoy the environment in all its splendour. And for this, there is nothing better than getting on board a luxury catamaran to sail along the coast of the island of La Graciosa, located on the north coast of Lanzarote.

With this excursion you'll enjoy snorkelling in the Atlantic to discover its underwater fauna, you'll be able to sunbathe on board and you'll be served a delicious paella. You will also have time to explore on your own the small village of Caleta, which will welcome you when you arrive at La Graciosa. An unforgettable day to complete your holiday with a day at sea. Here is the ideal place to put into practice some of the 10 best things to do in Lanzarote.

Its waters, its spectacular cliffs and its fine sand make Playa Papagayo a favourite for many islanders and visitors to enjoy a day of sun and sea, one of the best beaches in Lanzarote The access to the beach is already a sign of its potential: a long, practically virgin road will welcome you and the views of the beach from above are spectacular.

You'll find it in the south, in a protected environment, as it's located in the Parque Natural de los Achajes, so you'll have to pay €3 for the vehicle to get there. If you want to go for lunch you'll find a chiringuito nearby, but to make the most of the day, a good option is to carry some prepared food in your backpack.

The Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote are spectacular lakes formed inside volcanic caves. These unique natural formations will amaze you and Lanzarote is one of the best places in the world to see this unique natural element.

You can find them in the northern part of the island of Lanzarote and their peculiarity will surprise you. To access the interior, you will have to go down some stairs and once inside you will discover the vegetation that has curiously sprouted between the lava stones.

You will also be surprised by the natural light that enters through the holes or vaults that have formed in the ceilings of the natural tunnels. Don't hesitate to visit it if you are in Lanzarote with the whole family, as it is usually a natural site that attracts the attention of the little ones due to its curious shapes.

You can book the excursion to Timanfaya and Jameos del Agua, which includes transfers, entrance fees (to both parks), guide and wine tasting. General admission tickets to Jameos del Agua are €15 for adults and €7.50 for children aged 7-12 and can only be purchased online here.

There you will also find a cafeteria where you can have a drink to recharge your batteries and continue discovering the wonders that Lanzarote has in store for its visitors.

This is undoubtedly another of the best tours and excursions to do in Lanzarote.

In the east of the island of Lanzarote lies its capital, Arrecife, whose coast actually has the soul of a fishing village. Its picturesque little houses facing the sea, where you will find many of the fishermen's boats anchored, will look like something out of a postcard.

My recommendation is that you take the opportunity to explore the town during one of the afternoons of your trip, after having enjoyed a morning on the beach. Here you can have an ice cream or sit on one of the little terraces and contemplate how the residents of this beautiful town live, and it will seem as if time has stood still.

Take the opportunity to see the castle, the colonial church in the centre of town and even go shopping in one of the shops. There are also parks and green areas where you can take a pleasant stroll or sit and read on one of the benches.

Did you know that Lanzarote is also a mecca for many surfers? Specifically on the coast of Famara, thanks to its waves, you will find the perfect setting for surfing or to get started as a surfer.

I leave you with this article in which you will see the best surf lessons in Lanzarote. All along the coast there are surf campuses with different lengths of days so you can choose how and when you want to get started in this sport. You will find from a basic two-hour course to a whole week surrounded by professionals and surfers who, like you, come to Lanzarote in search of a holiday to connect with nature.

If you want to complete your days off doing sport in the middle of the Atlantic, don't miss Famara!

The most spectacular cliffs on the island are probably to be found in Yaiza. Go to what seems like the end of the world to see the waves crashing hard against the rocks (in fact, the rougher the sea, the more spectacular the visit).

You can go with children as long as you take special care with them, as it is a totally unspoilt and natural area and there are no safety barriers and you will have to be careful to avoid falls.

Take advantage of your visit to the south of the island to visit the town of Yaiza, a small village of white houses with a lot of culture and tradition that is well worth a stop.

I have already told you about La Graciosa and I hope you have already assumed that a visit to this small island is an obligatory stop on your trip to Lanzarote. But if you also want to enjoy it from the air, the best views of the island are from the Mirador del Río.

The wind that usually blows here, the calm and silence of the place will make you feel totally immersed in this natural wonder. At almost 500 metres above sea level, the views from up here look like something out of a bird's flight. It is easy to get there by car and there is plenty of parking space. Once there, you can walk along the viewpoint to get different views.

Located in the south of the island of Lanzarote, it is one of the key places for visitors to the island. Its range of accommodation (both hotels and resorts and flats) and the variety of restaurants, bars, shops and terraces make it a very busy and lively place, both day and night.

In Playa Blanca 365 days a year it feels like a holiday and its calm and dynamic spirit will give you a good vibe that makes it well worth a visit. Come here one evening for dinner and a stroll along the promenade, but don't hesitate to spend a morning or afternoon shopping.

From here you can reach the Timanfaya very quickly, so it might be a good idea to complete your visit to the natural park with a walk around Playa Blanca. Here you can take one of the hiking tours offered by the island, a unique way to connect with the nature of the place.

Did you know that the coasts of Lanzarote are home to dozens of dolphins? Whale watching is one of the most popular activities on the island and local companies will take you out to sea to see them in their habitat. There are numerous boat tours around Lanzarote that include this activity.

You should know that all the companies that organise dolphin watching excursions in Lanzarote are environmentally friendly and comply with all the regulations so as not to invade the cetaceans' space. Without a doubt, it is one of the favourite activities to do with children in Lanzarote.

Lanzarote is in itself an idyllic place to spend an unforgettable holiday. You will have so much to do on the island that there will be no chance for boredom. However, here is an article about excursions to Fuerteventura from Lanzarote, another Canary Island that you will love.

If you still have doubts about how much time to spend on your getaway, you can take a look at our travel guides depending on the length of your holiday:

• Lanzarote in 3 days: what you can not miss
• Lanzarote in 4 days: what you can't miss
• Lanzarote in 5 days: the best itinerary
• Lanzarote in 7 days: what to see and do in one week