Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Your Volcanic Paradise Awaits

Welcome to our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors, where we unveil the island's stunning volcanic landscapes and vibrant culture. From breathtaking beaches to unique attractions, Lanzarote promises an unforgettable adventure for every traveler.

Each one of the Canary Islands has special characteristics about it. But we think that of all of the islands, Lanzarote in the Canary Islands is particularly unique. 

With over 100 volcanoes, miles of vineyards, and various art exhibitions, one thing after another will leave you in awe on this island.

We had the pleasure of visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands for a full 10 days, and truly left wanting more. For a place so small in size, it really has so much to offer. So let's check out our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors, so that you can plan the perfect trip.

📍 Where is Lanzarote in the Canary Islands?

Lanzarote is one of the seven main Canary Islands. Despite being part of Spain, this set of islands is located off the western coast of Africa. Lanzarote is situated on the east side of the archipelago, being the most northern and eastern of all the islands.

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Entry Requirements for the Canary Islands

Before getting into all of the fun ways to explore the island, we're going to get into an important (maybe not as fun) part of our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors, which is going over the entry requirements.

🛂 What Documents Do I Need to Enter Lanzarote?

The Canary Islands are a part of Spain, therefore have the same entry requirements. If you are flying from Spain (or anywhere in the Schengen Zone) you won't need to worry about presenting any extra documentation.

If you are coming from outside the Schengen Zone, you will need to present your passport, and will be limited to spending 90 days within the Schengen Zone within the last 180 days.

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Things to Do in Lanzarote

Lanzarote isn't that big of an island, but it has enough to keep you busy for a couple of weeks! We actually have such a long list of spots to check out, that we wrote another full article about all of the must-see places in Lanzarote.

Here is a list of the highlights around the island.

🌋Explore the Volcanoes

Did you know that Lanzarote in the Canary Islands has over 100 volcanos?! Well, there is actually a full park called Timanfaya, where you can get a bus tours around the different volcanoes, hike into the craters, or simply drive around to admire their beauty.

Here are some tours that include volcano visits:

🍷 Visit a Volcanic Winery

Lanzarote in the Canary Islands has the most unique vineyards in the world! They use the black volcanic soil and build holes inside to harvest. Take a tour to one of the many wineries to learn about the interesting techniques, as well as trying some of the best wine Spain has to offer.

We did a tour with La Geria, and we absolutely loved it! This is the most famous one on the island, but there are also plenty of others around that we're sure are also worth checking out.

Lanzarote has the most unique vineyards in the world!

Take a tour to a winery in Lanzarote:

🏖 Check Out Some Awesome Beaches

Lanzarote isn't known for its beaches like Fuerteventura is. However, there are definitely some great ones worth checking out!

Some of our favorites are Playa Blanca and Papagayo for Caribbean looking beaches, Charco de los Clicos and Playa Montaña Bermeja for black sand beaches, and Famara for its unique surrounding landscapes.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Learn How to Surf

The island of Lanzarote is very windy, and while it may be annoying for tourists, it is certainly great for surfers! This is a great island to take a surf trip, as well as try activities such as kitesurfing.

Learn how to surf in Lanzarote:

💦 Swim in Natural Pools

Each of the Canary Islands has natural pools, and some of our favorites are in Lanzarote.

Head over to "los charcones" to be greeted with a ton of different colored pools from bright green to a vibrant turquoise. With caves surrounding, and the sea as your backdrop, you really can't get sick of this place.

🧂 Check Out the Salt Ponds

Interested in seeing more colorful waters? Well, there are salt ponds that are nearby that have all different hues of pinks, reds, and oranges. There is a restaurant right above them, where you can have a great meal while enjoying a spectacular view of the salt ponds.

Here are tours that include Las Salinas:

🎨 Admire Cesar Manrique's Venues

Cesar Manrique is the most famous man coming from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. He is a designer and photographer that left his presence all throughout the island. 

You can visit his extravagant house, a cactus garden, cave, and more! You can get tickets that include multiple attractions, which we highly recommend.

Here are some tours that include Cesar Manrique's Venues:

👩🏻‍🎨 Check Out the Artwork of the Roundabouts

Cesar Manrique highly influenced the island of Lanzarote, and you can appreciate his artwork even along the roads.

The roundabouts in Lanzarote have some of the most interesting structures and decor, so we suggest just driving around and getting to see some of them.

🌚 Discover Other Worldy Landscapes

Not only does Lanzarote have tons of volcanoes, but there are some wild landscapes throughout the island that are definitely worth checking out. Some of these include La Rofera and Las Grietas. 

⛵️ Sail on a Catamaran Trip

There's nothing like experience an island by sailing around it. We sailed with Lineas Romero, and had an amazing 4 hours of dolphin watching, kayaking, drinking, and having lunch. 

Take a catamaran around Lanzarote:

🌊 Explore the Turquoise Waters of Orzola

If you like seeing turquoise waters, then you'll love the area around Orzola. This small fishing town is the northern port of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, and is definitely worth a visit. With fresh fish and swirls of green and teal in the sea, it's impossible not to enjoy exploring this beautiful area of the island.

🏘 Wander the Small Towns of Lanzarote

There are some really picturesque towns in Lanzarote if you leave the mainstream beach area. Our personal favorite is Teguise, which has cute shops, restaurants, and a beautiful church. Make sure to check out their amazing market on Sundays!

🛍 Visit a Local Market 

Speaking of markets, we went to quite a few throughout the island, and they were our favorites in all of the Canary Islands.

Saturdays you can visit Playa Blanca for an endless amount of local vendors lined up against the water. Sundays in Teguise also have local shops and souvenirs, but have fresh fruits and veggies as well.

🤩 Admire Some Stunning Views

On the north western side of the island there are a number of great viewpoints worth checking out. Our personal favorite is Mirador de el Risco de Famara, which overlooks Playa del Risco.

Note: You cannot reach the viewpoint from the beach itself. You must drive around.

⛴ Take a Trip to La Graciosa

One of our favorite things to do in Lanzarote is to visit La Graciosa, a small island right off the northern coast. You can visit here for a nice day trip, or even stay a night or two. (We suggest booking in advance, as the accommodation can get quite expensive if you wait).

Some things to look forward to in La Graciosa are stunning turquoise beaches, scenic trails, and white washed buildings with blue accents.

Want to organize a tour to La Graciosa? Here are a few you can choose from:

Want to learn more about this beautiful island? Well, we have a full guide that you can check out below!

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Islandf Nightlife

After Covid, the nightlife has changed on the Canary Islands a bit. Now the bars and clubs close a little earlier, and they aren't quite as busy. However, that doesn't mean you still can't have a great night out! We had a lot of fun in Lanzarote, thanks to some of the local recommendations we got.

During the week, there isn't too much going on, but the weekends come alive on the island. Fridays we suggest heading to Valdero, which is the port area of Puerto del Carmen. The bars start off getting busy around 11:30, and by midnight the tables are moved and the place starts to fill up, turning more into a night club.

On Saturdays, the best area to go out is in the capital, Arrecife. The most popular way to start the night is to bar hop around Charco de San Gines. After dinner and drinks you can then head over to the marina area, which isn't too far away.

Here you'll find young people drinking in the parking lots, and going to the bars in this area. Finally, end your night at Club Karma. Around 2 or 3 the place becomes packed! It's a great place to drink and dance the night away.

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Moving Around the Island

Like most of the Canary Islands, we truly believe there is no better way to get around then renting a car in Lanzarote.

🚗 Is a Car Needed in Lanzarote?

Despite the island seeming quite small, there is a lot to do, and the public transportation is not so well connected or frequent.

Taxis are available from the airport, as well as in some touristy areas throughout the island such as Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen.

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Local Food & Drink

Lanzarote was very hit and miss when it came to food. Unlike some of the other islands, you'll find much less authenticity in certain areas of the island.

Some of our favorite areas for restaurants were in Orzola, Teguise, Arrecife, and Playa Blanca. However, the stretch between Arrecife and Playa Blanca (basically all the small beach towns in between) were full of horrible tourist driven restaurants, that lacked in quality and taste.

We are also going to share some of our favorite restaurants we ate at, as well as certain local dishes to try on the island of Lanzarote.

🍴 Best Restaurants in Lanzarote

After speaking with plenty of locals, and trying over 20 restaurants across the island, here are a few of the ones we think are worth checking out.

Restaurante Brisa Marina

This was definitely our favorite restaurant that we went to in all of Lanzarote. When we first arrived by ferry from Fuerteventura, we asked the captain for a recommendation.

He sent us to Brisas Del Mar, which is actually just a few meters away. Brisas Del Mar was packed and they couldn't take us, so we went to the next restaurant, Brisa Marina. Boy were we so happily surprised.

This restaurant had much less people, and the prices were much lower. The service and food were outstanding, and we later heard from friends that had gone to the other restaurant, that it had terrible food. (Good thing we stuck with Brisa Marina!).

We loved this place so much that we ended up driving an hour another night to eat here. We highly suggest getting the seafood platter, tropical salad, and the bruschetta, which were all fabulous dishes.

Restaurante Naia Lanzarote

Looking for a great restaurant in the capital of Lanzarote? Well, Naia was one of our favorites. We did family style, trying all different plates recommended by our server, and each one was full of flavor, and a sense of "elevated Spanish cuisine". We couldn't recommend this place more.

Naia has a menu with an elevated Spanish cuisine.

Restaurante Cala de Luis Leon

This is one of the best restaurants in Arrecife, and is famous for the chef. Located right on Charco de Gines, the place was on the water, well decorated, and had great food.

El Patio Creperie

This is hands down the best brunch we had in a while. Located in the picturesque town of Teguise, El Patio is tucked away on a side street, but full of vibrancy. The vibe alone is a reason that people line up to get a table here. The food is incredible, servers funny and friendly, and their cocktails are full of fruit. 

🥘 Local Cuisine of Lanzarote

Compared to some of the other islands, we found it a bit more difficult to find authentic cuisine. However, we definitely suggest indulging in the seafood, as it truly is what they're best at!

Another thing to make sure to try in Lanzarote is the various forms of cactus dishes. A great place to try some of these are at one of the venues of Cesar Manrique. They have a mix of options from juices and smoothies, to ice cream and spreads.

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Where to Stay

Lanzarote has a ton of great things to do all around the island. However, when it comes to the best place to stay, one of the areas we suggest is Playa Blanca.

Here you have a beach, a large market, and some of the best restaurants. It's also home to where the catamaran rides are, and close to the natural pools and volcanos. 

Look for accommodation in Playa Blanca:

We stayed in Arrecife, and also thought it was a great area to stay. As the capital, this is the area where you'll find a great mix of history, nightlife, and great restaurants.

It's also centrally located, making it a great base if you plan on exploring all throughout the island.

Find a place to stay in Arrecife:

Lanzarote Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors: Other Things to Know About Visiting

Now you're almost done with our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors! You know all the best things to do in Lanzarote, and all about getting there and around, but we still have a few more things to cover.

☀️ Weather & Packing for a Trip to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands

The weather in Lanzarote is very particular. While Fuerteventura was quite windy, Lanzarote topped that! Certain places would be super hot and sunny, and then others would have super intense winds.

This is great for those that like to surf, but definitely can be a bit much while visiting certain areas like beaches or volcanoes.

We suggest bringing swimsuit for the beaches, and sneakers to be able to hike the volcanoes. A light jacket or sweater is good for the nights, as it can get a bit cooler. A good sunscreen is also a must, as the weather can be quite deceiving. With the wind you may feel a lot cooler, while the sun is actually very strong.

🎒 Packing List for Lanzarote in the Canary Islands:

• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Towel 
• Bathing Suits 
• Light Jacket for the wind
• Flip flops (our favorites are Havaianas)
• Power bank (we use Anker power banks, as they are super long lasting and sturdy)
• Zippered bag or backpack (here are our top picks for backpacks for travelers)
• Sneakers (for hiking at the volcanos)
• Nicer beachy clothing to go out in (some clubs have dress codes)
• Action Camera (for all water activities) we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Standard Lens for a dynamic range (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
• Wide Lens to capture great panoramas and astrophotography (we use the Sony GM 14 F1.8)
• Telephoto Lens to capture the landscapes up close (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
• Tripod to get pictures while no one is around or for multiple shots from far away (We use the JOBY Rangepod Tripod)
• Waterproof Phone Pouch (we use the Casemate Waterproof Phone Pouch)
• Drone (Some of our favorite drone shots ever were in the Canary Islands! We use the Mavic Mini Pro 3 because it's super light and high quality)
  
• Travel Adapter (we use Insignia travel adapters as they are affordable and reliable)
• Water Bottle (we use Cafago Water Bottles because they hold the temperature well)

📆 The Best Time to Visit Lanzarote in the Canary Islands

In our opinion, the best time to visit Lanzarote is in spring or fall. Winter you can still experience warm days, but it can be pretty hit or miss. The summer months are very warm, but the island becomes even windier than the other months, making it difficult to enjoy some places.

Months like May and September are perfect because they are hot for beach days, but not nearly as windy as July and August.

🤔 Is it Worth Going to Lanzarote?

We hope that if it's one thing you learned from our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors, is that it is absolutely worth going to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands! It has the perfect blend of relaxing beaches, adventure, and fun nightlife.

Lanzarote is great for all ages, and there are plenty of things to do for all types of travelers.

⏳ How Many Days is Enough in Lanzarote?

One week is the perfect amount of time to be able to experience all that Lanzarote has to offer. If you are working and traveling or are a more slow traveler, you could easily enjoy up to two weeks in Lanzarote.

We also suggest adding La Graciosa to your itinerary for 1-2 days. The great thing about Lanzarote is that the island isn't very big, so you could easily go away for a long weekend, or stay 3-4 days to hit some of the highlights. 

This is the one island though that has so many things to offer, that we really felt we could have spent much more time here.

We hope you've learned a lot from our Lanzarote travel guide for first-time visitors! Lanzarote is such an interesting island, with plenty of fun things to do. We spent 10 days, and found it to be perfect to experience almost everything across the island. 

Planning on visiting some of the other Canary Islands? Well, we visited all 7, including the smaller islands of Isla de lobos and La Graciosa. Going to other areas of Spain? We also have plenty of guides for cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla.

Need help planning your trip to the Canary Islands or Spain? Well, with Scratch Your Mapa Travel Planning Services you can save both time and money, while exploring more. Want to know more? Take a look at our travel planning packages.

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