Lanzarote is the fourth largest and the eastern most of the Spanish Canary Islands. It is located in the Atlantic just over 80 miles (nearly 125 km) from the west coast of Africa. The island is famed for its volcanic countryside and popular holiday resorts. Unlike most other holiday destinations in Spain, tower block development has been banned here. Air temperatures on Lanzarote Island remain pretty constant all through the year, with an yearly average of over 21 c.
The capital Arrecife, is located on the south coast. This harbour city has many traditional Spanish restaurants serving good
cuisine, a pair of ancient castles and a selection of shops. Further west of Arrecife is the tourist resort of Costa Teguise, popular with young families and sporty windsurfers alike. The former capital, the old town of Teguise, is a short drive inland from this town.
The liveliest holiday resort, Puerto del Carmen, is approximately 10 miles to the west of Arrecife. A former fishing port, Puerto del Carmen has a long beach fronted by an esplanade. There are also loads of bars, fine restaurants and bars. The two more peaceful visitor resorts of
Playa de los Pocillos and Matagorda are just a few miles up the coast from Puerto del Carmen.
In the south of Lanzarote is the old fishing town of Playa Blanca, which is now a bustling holiday resort, Playa Blanca has some great sandy
beaches and stunning vistas toward the nearby island of Fuerteventura. The long beaches of Papagayo, thought by many as the finest on Lanzarote, are located near by.
The
Timanfaya National Park occupies a large region of south Lanzarote and was formed in the 18th century when over 100 volcanoes erupted in quick succession, this almost lunar landscape is the top local attraction. At the peak of Timanfaya (the fire mountain) is the famous El Diablo restaurant. Meat is actually cooked there using the heat from a nearby crater. Near to the park is El Golfo lagoon, where Hollywoods Raquel Welch fought against prehistoric monsters in the film, 1 Million Years BC.
The Los Verdes Caves in the north of Lanzarote are also worth seeing. They were formed over 5,000 years ago by rivers of molten lava, these caves were a good hide away for the local natives when pirates attacked Lanzarote. If you take a guided tour, watch out for the amazing optical illusion near the end.
Sculptor
Cesar Manrique was born on Lanzarote in 1919, and he designed many of the most famous
attractions like the Cactus
gardens close to Guatiza, plus the Mirador del Rio view point on the north coast, which is set high into the cliffs above the small isle of Graciosa.
Lanzarote fiestas include the Fiesta del Carmen in August, a lively festival held in Puerto del Carmen that has plenty of good music and processions. The spectacular Fiesta de San Gines in Arrecife, has fireworks plus a funfair and takes place about the same time.
