5 things to do in... Lanzarote

While our holiday to Lanzarote last month was all about relaxation, neither Ash nor I are sitting-by-the-pool-or-on-the-beach-all-day kinda people! I previously blogged about the Grand Tour excursion we went on, but we also spent more time away from our resort. So if you’re planning a trip there anytime soon, here are my pick of things to do.

(1) Discover the island’s black sand beaches

On our tour, we saw Playa del Charco de los Clicos, which is in El Golfo. Maybe not one for relaxation and sunbathing, but it’s certainly beautiful with its black sand, red cliff backdrop and green lagoon. However, we spent most of our time on Playa de las Cucharas, in Costa Teguise. The sand did stick to the skin quite easily (especially the black bits); but the water was clear and not too cold. There were plenty of loungers for hire and one of the beach-sellers told us about a more family-friendly area, which wasn’t so open. Alfie loved building sandcastles and trying to crawl into the sea! I hear the beaches at Playa Blanca and Puerto del Carmen are decent, too.

(2) People watch and sip a sangria (or your preferred beverage)

With the beaches come beachside bars and restaurants and I just want to name a few we frequented during our time on the island (I was going to turn this into a separate blog post, but never mind!). Number 1 Costa Teguise is perfect if you’re looking for drinks deals and want a spot slightly away from the beach – perfect for watching passers-by. There were often sets of Connect 4 on the tables and we quite often played while Alfie slept in his pushchair. Peskera is the place to go for a lunchtime snack and their sangria was undoubtedly the best I had on the island. Alfie particularly likes the croquettes and toasted sandwiches and the staff are brilliant with kids. The third place I have to mention is The Waterfront. Not only are you blessed with fantastic views (I sat and spotted cruise ships from our table), but their 5€ pink gin offer must be taken up! With a choice of very random tonics, including berry or yuzu, your drink is served with an edible strawberry candy straw.

(3) Visit the aquarium

Despite being the largest aquarium in the Canary Islands, the aquarium in Lanzarote isn’t quite on the Sea Life Centre scale, so a visit will only take 1-2 hours. There are 33 tanks with an array of sea creatures, from sharks and rays, to tropical fish, seahorses and starfish. There are also three touch pools, where we saw (but didn’t touch!) sea urchins. If swimming/diving with sharks is on your bucket list, there’s the option to do that too. The gift shop at the entrance is impressive and for those in wheelchairs/pushchairs, there’s ramp access.

Opening Times

Monday-Sunday: 10am-6pm

Prices

Adults: 15€
Children (4-12): 10€
Babies (under 3): FREE

(4) Marvel at the sights of Timanfaya National Park

The best way to see the spectacular landscapes of Timanfaya is by an organised tour and that’s exactly what we did. There are many different tours available and it’s best to look into the details of the itinerary and cross-reference prices, to see what’s included, before you decide and book. I mentioned a lot of things we did and saw in my excursion post, but did you know that the national park covers a quarter of the island? My recommendations are the wine region of La Geria, which was formed when the locals dug pits in the volcanic ash, allowing vine roots to reach the fertile soil buried underneath; the Montañas del Fuego (Fire Mountains) Centre, where geothermal experiments take place; and of course, the Ruta de los Volcanes: the narrow roads closed to general traffic that allow you to see the lunar landscapes up close. Be sure to take your camera!

(5) Relax at Jameos del Agua

Having studied art at GCSE and A-Level, I was familiar with the works of Cesar Manrique and I’m sure I’d used him as a reference in my coursework. But I had never realised that he created Jameos del Agua: an art, culture and tourism centre built into a series of caves. It’s such a beautiful and magical place and I wish we could have spent more time there. As well as a cafe, restaurant and cocktail bar, there are also daytime events (such as crafts) and evening performances (with live music) which would be incredible to be a part of. This would also be an unbelievable venue for a wedding, as the ambience is spot on. The auditorium holds up to 550 people and there’s a museum, which is well worth a visit.

Opening Times

10am-6:30pm

Prices

Adults: 9.50€
Children (7-12): 4.75€

What else would you recommend to do or see in Lanzarote?

Love, Lucy xx 

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