Located off the west coast of Africa, Lanzarote is a striking island that is perhaps more reminiscent of Mars than anywhere else on Earth. The view is full of crags of mountains, reddish dusty dunes, and the occasional radio tower poking out from one of the peaks.
The geology of this island is interesting. It's also so small that you can see the ocean from virtually anywhere. The deep Atlantic blue contrasts with the burnt orange and black of the volcanic rocks and the ebony sand that makes up some of the beaches.
Why you should visit
Lanzarote's hottest months are in the summer, but the rest of the year the island is mild throughout the year, with occasional rainy days and gusty winds. While Playa del Carmen attracts drinkers, stags, and hendos, the rest of the island is your playground. Attracts sporty types and is perfect for cycling, hiking, running, surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, scuba, etc.
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There are also many great beaches. Playa Papagayo, a trio of arcs of golden sand and crystal clear water near Playa Blanca, is the best of them all, and is accessible via a long, dusty road. There are several restaurants on the cliff where you can enjoy a cold beer and grilled fish.
Timanfaya National Park
(Image credit: rusm / Getty Images)
This landscape creates a unique viticulture. The wine here is grown in rich volcanic soil and harvested by hand. The vines are one of the few in the world to have survived the phylloxera plague. A great grill restaurant in the hills outside Playa del Carmen, El Toro Asador is the perfect place to enjoy grilled food. In addition to this, we have a great selection of beef from Spain and Portugal (ex-dairy, rich and game) cut and grilled to order.
Agriculture is limited here due to the strong ground, strong winds and sea breezes, but you can find tropical fruits, a variety of seafood, and a hearty staple called fideua, which uses pasta instead of rice. Masu. Chickpea dishes are also plentiful, and Barstop, his 130-year-old tapas bar in the small town of Yaiza, offers perhaps the best on the island.
things to see
Another one that grows incredibly well in Lanzarote, and the Canary Islands in general, will greet you as soon as you leave the airport. Giant cacti are everywhere. It is planted in black volcanic sand, creating a dazzling contrast. The Jardín de Cactus (Cactus Garden) is worth a visit. A large terraced amphitheatre, once used as a black rock quarry, is home to 450 different cactus species from around the world, a place you won't find anywhere else like it. .
Lanzarote cactus garden with 450 different cacti species
(Image credit: rusm / Getty Images)
For the most surreal experience on the island, a 'must-do' trip is the Timanfaya Volcano Tour, located within the National Park. The volcano is still active (although its last eruption was in 1730). The bus takes you along narrow roads through a completely alien landscape of rust-red sand dunes, jagged peaks, and frozen lava in midstream.
It's worth going to the nearby small coastal village of Tenesar to watch the sunset. A few white houses lead to a wide rocky shore, lapped by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. It's an unforgettable sight. It crashed into a large, low, black cliff, sending foamy white water flying up to a height of about 30 feet.
where to stay
View of the Atlantic Ocean from the balcony of Barcelo Playa Blanca
(Image credit: Barcelo: Playa Blanca)
The Barcelo Hotel Group has a strong presence on the island, and if you're looking for a family atmosphere, Barcelo Playa Blanca is the place to be. Located on the shore by the marina and a short walk from the pier's restaurants and shops, the property is arranged in a horseshoe shape around a lagoon-like pool filled with sun loungers.
Hotels have all-inclusive packages that make life so much easier. There is live entertainment for all ages, a bar showing sports, and several on-site restaurants (Mexican and Japanese). The rooms are comfortable and spacious, with balconies overlooking the sea.
If you're here for fitness rather than a fiesta, you might prefer Barcelo Active Resort on the edge of Teguise. With gyms, classes, races and an Olympic-sized pool, there's something for every sport. Directly below the hotel is a beautiful bay where you can cool off in the sea after your workout.
Pool at Barceló Lanzarote Active
(Image credit: Barcelo Lanzarote Active)
There are also several restaurants within the hotel, including an Italian restaurant that splits pizza. At the “royal tier” level, all-inclusive is the best choice. The buffet is pretty special, with plenty of salads, bread, and a grill station.
Conveniently, the airport is only a 10-minute drive away, but planes won't disturb the peace. A short walk along the coast takes you to the enclave of Las Caletas and the seaside bar Casa He Tomas, perfect for enjoying the sunset while listening to the crashing waves.
how to get here
A round trip from the UK to Lanzarote takes between 4 and 4.5 hours. We traveled on EasyJet from Luton and were guests of Barcelo Playa Blanca and Barcelo His Active.
William Lee was a guest at Barcelo Playa Blanca, from £134 a night B&B, and Lanzarote Active Resort, from £87 B&B.
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