Lanzarote in 4 days
When we see Lanzarote from the air, it can appear to be a small island, but this perception changes when we start to explore its varied geography. The best way to organise a 4-day stay on this Canary Island is to arrange your excursions by zone. Working on this basis, we will recommend independent itineraries that you can follow over complete days. Of course, we include visits to unique natural settings such as the Timanfaya National Park, the Cueva de los Verdes and the Jameos del Agua. We haven’t forgotten that you are on holiday, and that you’ll want to stroll across the beach without having to watch the clock, and you’ll want to eat in the best of Lanzarote’s restaurants.
Itinerary day 1
10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Timanfaya National Park
This park, also known as Montañas del Fuego [Mountains of Fire], is one place on Lanzarote that no visitor should miss. If you manage your time well, you’ll get the chance to appreciate its beautiful volcanic landscapes, visit the Interpretation Centre, tour the park by bus, and—for a really unusual and fun experience—ride on a dromedary.
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
El Diablo Restaurant
It will be a pleasure to round off a morning spent visiting the Timanfaya National Park with lunch at this restaurant designed by César Manrique—where many of the dishes are cooked using magmatic heat. Having lunch while gazing at the view from the resturant’s enormous windows is a real pleasure. Open from 12:00 noon.
15.00-16.00 h
Mirador del Río Viewing Point
Located at the highest point of the Risco de Famara, at a height of 500 metres, is this viewing point, which commands excellent views of the island and of the Chinijo archipelago, which is located about 2 kilometres from the coast. It is also a work by César Manrique, and therefore in perfect tune with its setting.
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Playa de Famara
You might spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the spectacular inlet of Famara. Clothed in golden sand, Playa de Famara is not normally very crowded because of its strong swell, and it provides the perfect opportunity for surfing enthusiasts to practise their skills. Don’t miss the view of the sunset from here.
8:30 PM – 12:00 midnight
Noche en Puerto del Carmen
It is perfect for rounding off a lazy beach day with a cold beer and some tasty Tex-Mex food while watching your favourite sport on the bar’s enormous screen. The list of beers is impressive, but you may prefer an expertly prepared cocktail to add a bit of pzazz to your evening. A friendly game of pool or some live music will make for the perfect end to a blissful day.
Itinerary day 2
10:30 AM – 12:00 noon
Jardín de Cactus
This garden, which was César Manrique’s last artistic installation, boasts a collection of 4,500 specimens of cactus. The Lanzarote-born artist had the vision to imagine how this former quarry could house a great display of cactus plants from all over the world.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Jameos del Agua
The collapse of the ceiling of a volcanic tunnel caused the natural formation of the jameos [openings], and the genius of César Manrique transformed it into a work of art. This is an essential visit, and one full of surprises.
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Los Jameos Restaurant
Make the most of your time in this remarkable setting by staying for lunch in its restaurant. Among the most highly recommended dishes is the slow-cooked rabbit in salmorejo [tomato and bread purée].
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Cueva de los Verdes
This amazing cave was formed by the eruption of the Corona Volcano. Its lighting was designed by the Fuerteventuran artist Luis Soto, and parts of the cave recall the book Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The cave was used by the local inhabitants as a refuge at times of attacks by pirates; it was not until the nineteenth century that academics revealed its historical value.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Caletón Blanco
After a hectic day, we suggest you spend the early evening in the Órzola area, where you will find several unspoilt beaches, including the breathtaking Caletón Blanco with its white sand (from which it gets its name) and its crystal waters.
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Restaurante Balagué
Located among the Lagomar complex (Nazaret), overlooking a central lake, the restaurant has a terrace with beautiful views. If you stay for dinner, you will find that the restaurant’s lighting provides a warm, inviting atmosphere. We recommend the tuna medallions on a bed of avocado tartare and Tinajo tomatoes with a dribble of mild teriyaki sauce.
Itinerary day 3
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Charco de Clicos
This lagoon lies in a volcanic crater. With its green water surrounded by black volcanic sand, it is one of Lanzarote’s most striking sights. If you like to meditate, this is a good place to disconnect completely.
12:00 noon – 12:30 PM
Los Hervideros
Los Hervideros [boilers, in English] offers the spectacular sight of the ocean pounding furiously against the volcanic rock until the water surges up through cavities in the rock and leaps to the surface. It is not advisable to stray from the signposted path.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Salinas de Janubio
The third day could be spent in the south of the island. You might begin with the nineteenth-century salt flats, which have been declared a Site of Cultural Interest, and which constitute one of the best-known scenes in Lanzarote. The contrast between the whiteness of the salt pans and the grids of volcanic rock that enclose them is a magnet for photographers.
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Casa Torano
The little village of El Golfo is a good place to stop off, go for a swim and have lunch, because this little restaurant serves excellent fresh fish and a delicious Canarian mojo [sauce].
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Papagayo beaches
A series of lovely beaches (Mujeres, El Pozo, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muelas and El Papagayo) with turquoise waters to tempt you in for a dip. Papagayo is well-known as an ideal beach for families. Don’t forget your sunglasses and your snorkelling gear.
8:30 PM – 12:00 midnight
Restaurante Lilium
Treat yourself to a meal at this restaurant in Arrecife, owned by the chef Orlando Ortega. Ortega, who represents the new style of Canary Island cuisine, focuses on traditional island recipes, but uses local Lanzarote produce. Try the black pig, the tuna and the lentils.
Itinerary day 4
10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Museo del Atlántico
This underwater museum was created by the artist Jason deCaires Taylor. To visit it, and see the groups of sculptures submerged beneath the water, you need to be able to dive. The sculptures on display were carved in pH-neutral concrete so that, as time passes, the marine biomass will increase, encouraging fish to reproduce.
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Vineyards of La Geria
This is the island’s main winegrowing area. It is worth visiting because of its unusual scenery, as the vines are grown enclosed by small semicircular structures made from volcanic rock, which shield them from the wind. Visit one of the wineries, and try the delicious wines made from malvasia grapes.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Tapas or Lunch
You could have some tapas during your tour of the wineries, or you might prefer to make your way to your next sightseeing stop and have lunch at the Casa-Museo del Campesino [House-Museum of the Agricultural Worker], which serves traditional Canary Island fare. Order the goat meat or the black pig.
3:30 PM – 5:45 PM
Casa-Museo del Campesino
The Casa-Museo del Campesino is in the municipality of San Bartolomé, and is another work by César Manrique. It was created as a tribute to the hardships endured by Lanzarote’s farmers. The complex offers a tour taking in architecture, agriculture, crafts, and food and drink. Don’t miss the intriguing Monumento a la Fecundidad [Monument to Fertility].
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
An evening in Teguise
If, at this time of the day, you start to fancy a relaxing evening, drive on to nearby Teguise, where you can admire the town’s colonial architecture and while away the evening on its terraces. On Sunday mornings, there is a street market, so if you’re in the area, call in and buy aloe vera, Canary Islands cheeses and wines, and other local produce.
9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
B-Lounge Barceló Teguise Beach
For a more sophisticated twist to your evening, raise a glass in B-Lounge. Like Champs Sports Bar, B-Lounge is located in the Barceló Teguise Beach, an adults-only hotel with excellent facilities.