Lanzarote’s Must-See Sights(well, almost)
It would be a shame to visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, wouldn’t it? Heading to Lanzarote? There are bound to be a few big-name attractions you can’t miss: they’re part and parcel of the island’s culture and heritage. So let’s discover Lanzarote’s must-see sights together.
Because they’re so well known, they do get busy, but they’re essential for understanding the island’s cultural heritage.
This article goes hand in hand with another one where I share ideas for routes around the island, for some truly stunning views.
Want to share your experiences or ask questions about Lanzarote? Join our Facebook group dedicated to the island and connect with other passionate travellers. Click here to join the group!
And between two visits, why not treat yourself to one of the activities I offer, such as a catamaran trip to Papagayo or Lobos, a buggy tour, some scuba diving or plenty of other things… Just click here to find everything there is to do.
Where to start?
- TIMANFAYA, the Fire Mountains
So much more than a change of scenery.
A desert landscape, ravaged by lava and left just as it was: that’s what awaits you at Timanfaya National Park.
It’s hard not to picture what a volcanic eruption must look like, as you wind your way around the craters on a bus specially designed for the job, with permission to head right into the heart of this Lanzarote nature park.
For some people, the fact that it’s by bus, and therefore an organised tour, puts them off a bit. But the landscapes you’ll see are unique in the world, and for that alone you’d really be missing out if you skipped it.
The bus tour lasts 35 minutes, with audio commentary in English, Spanish and German.
On top of the tour, there are also a few demonstrations where guides show you just how active the volcanoes still are, by creating a kind of geyser and letting you watch dry bushes burst into flames when dropped into a shallow hole in the ground.
There’s also a restaurant serving dishes cooked on a natural barbecue powered by the heat rising from the depths of the volcano. Don’t expect fine dining, but it’s worth it if you just want to try food cooked in a truly unusual way.
Crazy Canary tips:
– In peak holiday periods, the site can be a victim of its own success and there can be a long wait to get in. Try to arrive a little before 9am to beat the daytime rush.
– You can easily fit this visit into the routes suggested in this article.
– Open every day, including public holidays, from 9am to 3:45pm.
- JARDÍN DE CACTUS, look but don't touch
In life… there are cacti…
Opened in 1991, this was César Manrique’s last major project. It almost feels like a Roman amphitheatre… but surrounded by spines!
Even if you’re not a botany buff, it’s hard not to fall for the place and take an interest in all the varieties here. They come from all over the world, and some genuinely look like they’ve landed from another planet.
There’s no guided tour or set route – just wander along the paths, using the old windmill up above as your landmark. It was once used to grind gofio, a traditional Canarian staple.
The unexpected surprise was finding the on-site restaurant’s menu full of dishes made with – guess what? Cactus! Cactus burgers, nuggets or juice – perfect for really getting into the spirit of the visit!
Crazy Canary tips:
– You’re inside a walled enclosure, so if you don’t cope well with the heat, avoid going on sunny days with no wind.
– You can easily fit this visit into route 3 suggested in this article.
– At the ticket office or on their website, you’ll be offered a combined ticket for several sites like this one, which gets you a small discount.
– Open every day, including public holidays, from 10am to 5pm
- JAMEOS DEL AGUA, step into César Manrique's world
When volcanic caves become works of art.
Originally meant to be a nightclub, Jameos del Agua ended up becoming a must-see if you want to learn more about Lanzarote and the artist who shaped the island so much, César Manrique.
The contrast between white, black and green is absolutely stunning, and once you know Lanzarote a little, you immediately understand why César Manrique chose to play with these three colours: they’re simply the ones that best represent the island. White for the limewashed houses, then black and green, which instantly remind me of the fields, where green leaves stand out against the black layer of picón, a kind of volcanic gravel everyone uses because it helps keep moisture in the ground for crops. When you see those three colours together, you immediately think of Lanzarote.
You enter through a first volcanic cave, home to a beautifully decorated bar and the dance floor from the original project, then walk alongside an underground lake where a unique species of tiny albino crabs lives (the “jameitos”). Please don’t throw coins into the water: it’s harmful to them.
After that, you’ll find another bar and dance floor, this time open-air, before finishing at a gorgeous pool with turquoise water and a gleaming white finish that contrasts with the black and green. It’s a feast for the eyes.
The only downside, in my opinion, is that if you don’t linger anywhere, the visit is fairly quick, which makes the entry fee a bit steep from my point of view. But it would be a shame to miss out just because it’s €3-4 too expensive.
Crazy Canary tips:
– You can easily fit this visit into the routes suggested in this article.
– Open every day, including public holidays, from 10am to 5:15pm
- CÉSAR MANRIQUE HOUSE MUSEUM, welcome to the artist's world
It feels as if nothing has moved since he left…
Not to be confused with the César Manrique Foundation, the Casa-Museo is in the small village of Haría. Inside this old farmhouse, restored by the artist, everything has been left exactly as it was: the furniture, the bits and pieces and so on. It feels a little like being privileged enough to step into his private life, because, for that truly intimate touch, you’ll also find a whole collection of his personal belongings: clothes, brushes and more. And at the far end of the garden, half-buried, you’ll discover his studio with drawings and unfinished works, as if time had suddenly stood still.
I love visiting house museums, because everything comes together to create a retro atmosphere that almost feels like travelling back in time. It also lets us see one of the last places Manrique saw before his tragic car accident…
And since we’re diving into the world of the artist who made Lanzarote what it is today, why not visit his resting place at Haría cemetery to pay your respects? His grave is very simple (at his request), yet still original.
Crazy Canary tips:
– You can easily fit this visit into the routes suggested in this article.
– Open every day, from 10:30am to 6pm
– Don’t miss the village’s little shops, and head up to its viewpoint while you’re there.
– Haría also hosts a market on Saturday mornings, which is without doubt the most authentic on the island.
- CUEVA DE LOS VERDES, 5,000 years of history
One of the longest lava tubes in the world.
Formed by the last eruption of the Corona volcano, this place has served as a refuge for centuries – first for the island’s native people, then for the Spanish, who hid here from regular attacks by North African pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Strictly speaking it’s a lava tube rather than a cave, but it has all the lava formations and stalactites you’d expect. The visit lasts 50 minutes and is guided only.
Concerts are sometimes held inside, as the cave has exceptional acoustics – and there’s a secret waiting for you at the end of the tour.
In my view, if you’ve visited caves before and enjoyed it, you won’t be disappointed by Cueva de los Verdes. But if, like me, caves have never really excited you even as a kid, I don’t think this one will change your mind – although it’s clearly a well-organised and interesting tour.
Crazy Canary tips:
– You can easily fit this visit into the routes suggested in this article.
– Online booking is compulsory via this website.
– Expect it to be around 18°C inside, and wear closed shoes to get there
- CÉSAR MANRIQUE FOUNDATION, Manrique through and through
Another place steeped in the artist’s DNA.
The building was once his home, where he perfectly blended architecture, nature and volcanoes. It’s his style through and through: a mix of gleaming white, volcanic rock and plants growing in the most unlikely places.
You’ll find little caves, tunnels and staircases, paired with side lighting and art deco furniture: you’re right inside the artist’s world!
The architecture and layout are really great, but I was expecting to see a lot more of his work. Apparently, though, in 2019 (date to be confirmed), the foundation’s managers changed the way it’s presented for the 100th anniversary of his birth, and since then they’ve covered every wall with photos of him painting, horse riding, harvesting grapes, out walking and so on and so on… It left me with the impression of a narcissistic character, when he was nothing of the sort… I found this out chatting with other regulars here.
So, as long as it stays like this, I’d be inclined to say don’t put this visit at the top of your Lanzarote to-do list, unless you really want to find out more about Manrique and his work.
Crazy Canary tips: – You can easily fit this visit into the routes suggested in this article. – Open every day, from 10am to 6pm – Not far away is the Casa-Museo del Campesino, which I mention in route number 1 of the same article, and which is really interesting.
To wrap up:
Lanzarote is packed with cultural treasures, both man-made and natural. I couldn’t list every sight on the island, but these are the main ones – I’ll leave you to discover the rest for yourself. And between sights, why not treat yourself to some of the activities I offer, like a catamaran trip to Papagayo or Lobos, a buggy tour, diving and much more… Click here to see everything you can do.
Want to share your experiences or ask questions about Lanzarote? Join our Facebook group dedicated to the island and connect with other passionate travellers. Click here to join the group!