Lanzarote Map |
|
Spain Map |
 |
|
|
 Lanzarote The most northeasterly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote has
embraced the tourism boom with a more laid-back feel than its
popular sister islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Nature is
still a big attraction on this small volcanic island, which
measures only 38 miles (60km) long and 13 miles (21km) at its
widest point. Camels are often used to transport goods (and
sometimes tourists) in this desert-like climate, across the dry
volcanic ash that covers most of the landscape. UNESCO declared the
whole island a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and visitors exploring
the dozens of enchanting spots on the island will soon see why.
Lanzarote's capital, Arrecife, is a small town on the eastern
coast, its harbour packed with fishing boats. Although the town
itself has little to offer in the way of sights or nightlife, it
does have a magnificent, clean beach, El Reducto, which has been
granted blue flag status by the European Union. A promenade runs
along the beach front around the San Gines lagoon with its fine
golden sand and placid waters.
Resorts See our separate guides to the following Lanzarote holiday resorts: Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, Matagorda and Playa Blanca Attractions  Fernando Botero © Andre Engels Arrecife Museum of Contemporary Art
Modern art in an old building works well in Lanzarote’s
capital, Arrecife, where a collection of works by international
artists is on permanent display in the Castle of San Jose, a
fortress built between 1776 and 1779 by King Carlos III of Spain.
Some of the artists featured are Bacon, Picasso, Miro, Botero,
Damaso and Luis Feito.
Telephone: 928 812 321;
Opening time: Museum: Monday to Sunday 11am to 1pm; art galleries: Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm;
Admission: Free
Excursions Fuerteventura
If sand and sun is what you are after, then Fuerteventura,
second largest island in the Canaries archipelago (but the most
sparsely populated) is the place to go. Its whitewashed capital,
Puerto del Rosario, is known as the place where goats
outnumber its citizens by a long chalk. Other than that
however there is not much to the place except for very bleak
buildings, which only the most curious visitor may find
interesting. What one will find when taking the ferry to
Fuerteventura from Lanzarote, is a good beach. Giniginamar is
a peaceful spot with black sand fringed by elegant palm
trees. There is also a long stretch of golden sand at the
mouth of the Juan Gomez ravine on the Jandia peninsula. La Pared in
the south has a black pebbly beach with rough seas, and there is
the secluded, scenic Ajuy beach near the fishing village of
the same name. One can still explore Fuerteventura and find
stretches of virgin sand, even in the height of summer. The name,
Fuerteventura, most likely derived from the amalgamation of fuerte
(strong) and viento (wind), describing the strong off-shore winds
that offer cooling breezes for the sun-worshippers.
Transport: Fuerteventura is an easy day-trip from Lanzarote. Ferries leave regularly from Playa Blanca, at the south of the island
La Cueva de los Verdes
In the northern part of Lanzarote, close to the Monte de la
Corona volcano, is a spectacular system of underground grottos
known as La Cueva de los Verdes. This is one of the largest
volcanic galleries in the world, at just over four miles (six km)
long, formed approximately five thousand years ago in a
prehistoric eruption when a massive stream of lava boiled down to
the sea, hardening around the spaces inflated by gases. More
than a mile of these grottos are accessible to visitors,
and lighting effects have been added to accentuate the contours and
colours of the weird shapes resulting from the lava flows.
Telephone: 928 848 484;
Opening time: Daily 10am to 7pm (last admission at 5pm);
Admission: €8
The Cactus Garden
Situated between Guatiza and Mala is an unusual sightseeing
attraction that combines art with nature. Artist Cesar Manrique
created a work of art in the form of a cactus plantation in an old
quarry. The site also features a restored windmill.
Telephone: 928 529 397;
Opening time: Daily 10am to 7pm;
Admission: €5
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is unique because it is the only
national park in the world to have been developed by local
residents. Also unique is what the park offers, which includes a
volcanic field filled with a variety of geological and geothermic
phenomena. In the restaurant visitors can end their guided tour of
these wonders by enjoying a meal cooked on geothermal heat
emanating from the steam vents and geysers exuding from the lava.
The park also features 180 different plant species on its stark
landscape.
Telephone: 928 840 057;
Opening time: Daily 9am to 7.45pm;
Admission: €8
|
