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 all of the amazing things to do on the island of Lanzarote.
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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 is the north eastern most of the Canary Islands.
How to Get to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
Lanzarote is accessible by both air and sea. Here are the different ways that you can visit the island of Lanzarote.
Visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands by Air
Lanzarote offers both domestic and international flights. The other Canary Islands that fly to Lanzarote include Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Flights from other parts of Spain include Madrid, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, and Barcelona.
Most international flights to Lanzarote are from the UK (there is a high tourist population coming from there), and there are also flights from Dublin and Cork, Ireland, as well as Vienna, Amsterdam, and Paris.
The English cities that fly to Lanzarote in the Canary Islands include London, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Leicestershire, Bristol, and Manchester. Pretty much all airlines that fly here are budget airlines including Binter, Ryan Air, and Easy Jet to name a few.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can try out the calendar feature to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to Iceland.
There are plenty of domestic and international flights into Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
Visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands by Ferry
Lanzarote can be reached with ferry by three different lines. Here are the different options you can choose from.
Fred Olsen Ferries to Lanzarote
Fred Olsen offers direct ferries from Corralejo, Fuerteventura to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. They have trips very frequently (about a little over an hour apart) starting from 6:15 am, to the last trip being at 7 pm.
There are two types of sailings- the fast ferry, and the mini ferry. The fast ferry takes 25 minutes, and is 31 euros, while the mini ferry is just 10 minutes shorter, and about half the price.
Planning on traveling from Fuerteventura or visiting there after? Make sure to read our full article about this beautiful island:
Armas Navierras Ferries to Lanzarote
This is the other big company that offers sailings throughout the Canary Islands. While Fred Olsen usually offers more sailings with the other islands, Armas Navierras sails to Arrecife, Lanzarote from Corralejo, Fuerteventura. However they also offer service from several other locations including Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, and Huelva.
These trips are much longer, and definitely pricier. So we don't recommend these unless you are very against flying, or like to be on the water for extended hours.
Book your ferry to Lanzarote:
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Lineas Romero Ferries to Lanzarote
Lineas Romero is actually an excursion company. However, they also offer ferry service from Corralejo, Fuerteventura, to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.
Tickets are 18-20 euros, and the ride is about a half hour. The times available to choose from are 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:30 pm.
With Lineas Romero you can take the ferry in 30 minutes from Fuerteventura.
Visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands by Cruise
Another way that many people visit Lanzarote is by stopping there on a cruise ship.
The Canary Islands are a very popular area for ships to stop that are doing Trans Atlantic crossings. So the majority of these cruises will be in spring time (April or May) or in the fall (October or November).
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Entry Requirements for the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands are a part of Spain, therefore have the same entry requirements. If you are flying to Spain you will need to present proof of vaccination (the second dose being within 270 days), a negative PCR covid test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19.
If you are coming from another area in Spain, you won't need to worry about doing another Covid test, as you will have already entered the country meeting the requirements needed.
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Local Adjustments for Visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
When traveling there are things you need to keep in mind that may differ from where you are coming from. We like to call them "local adjustments". Here are a few of them for Lanzarote in the Canary Islands.
What Language Do People in Lanzarote Speak?
The official language in the Canary Islands is Spanish. Despite belonging to Spain though, you will find a big different in the Spanish spoken.
Canarians speak much faster, and tend to blend their words together like the Spanish speaking Caribbean islands.
Being that there are a lot of English and Irish tourists in Lanzarote you will find many areas (especially the beach towns) that will have signs and menus in both English and Spanish.
What is the Best Currency to Use in Lanzarote?
The official currency of the Canary Islands is the same as the rest of Spain, which is the euro. Credit card is accepted almost anywhere, so you won't need to worry much about having a large amount of cash.
What Plug Adapter Do I Need in Lanzarote?
The outlets in Lanzarote and the rest of the Canary Islands use plug types C, E, and F, which are the standard two round pinned ones found throughout Europe. The standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz.
Note:If you are coming from the US, UK, or Australia, you'll have to purchase a travel adapter before going to Lanzarote.
Can You Drink the Tap Water in Lanzarote?
The water in Lanzarote is desalinated, so while it isn't super harmful to drink, it definitely won't taste the best from the tap. You won't get sick, we it is recommended to drink bottled water instead.
Restaurants will never serve tap water, even if you'd like to request it.
Is it Customary to Tip in the Canary Islands?
Tipping in Spain and the Canary Islands in general isn't expected. Many people will add a euro or two is the service is great, but you aren't obligated to leave anything extra as servers make proper wages.
Things to Do in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
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 are writing another full article about everything.
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.
There are over 100 volcanos in Lanzarote!
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.
There are a mix of white and black sand beaches throughout Lanzarote.
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.
Playa de Famara is one of the most popular beaches to surf in Lanzarote.
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.
Los Charcones are a set of natural pools in Lanzarote.
Note: The colors are best in the middle of the day, but if you wait long enough the crowds will start to disappear, and you can experience a pretty magical sunset.
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.
The salt ponds are all different colors.
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 extravangant house, a cactus garden, cave, and more! You can get tickets that include multiple attractions, which we highly recommend.
Cesar Manrique has several awesome spots to visit around the island.
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.
Las Grietas
La Rofera
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.
Taking a catamaran trip is one of the most fun activities to do in Lanzarote.
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.
Orzola has stunning turquoise waters.
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!
Teguise is one of the most picturesque villages in the Canary Islands.
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.
There are some great local markets in Lanzarote on the weekends.
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.
This is one of our favorite views in Lanzarote.
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).
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Some things to look forward to in La Graciosa are stunning turquoise beaches, scenic trails, and white washed buildings with blue accents.
La Graciosa is the perfect day trip from Lanzarote.
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!
Nightlife in Lanzarote
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.
Varadero is a small pier area by day, and great bar scene by night on Fridays.
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.
Club Karma is the best nightclub on the island of Lanzarote.
Moving Around Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
Like most of the Canary Islands, we truly believe there is no better way to get around then renting a car 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.
The best way to explore the various landscapes in Lanzarote is by renting a car.
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Food & Drink in Lanzarote
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.
Seafood is the best thing to eat in 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.
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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.
Marina Brisa is one of our favorite restaurants in Lanzarote.
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.
El Patio Creperie îs an adorable outdoor cafe tucked in the streets of Teguise.
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.
Where to Stay in Lanzarote
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:
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Is Lanzarote Safe?
The Canary Islands are all very safe, and have low crime rates. Being that many areas could have tourists from everywhere, always watch your things while on the beach. Other than that, you can enjoy your vacation stress free!
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Other Things to Know About Visiting Lanzarote in the Canary Islands
Now that you know all the best things to do in Lanzarote, and all about getting there and around, we 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
- 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)
- Waterproof phone pouch (we use the Case Mate Waterproof Phone Pouch)
- 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 weather in Lanzarote can get extremely windy.
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.
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Is it Worth Going to Lanzarote?
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.
Lanzarote has plenty to do for at least a week.
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
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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