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Lanzarote is a beautiful island located in the
Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa. The influence of the island-born
Caesar Manrique is evident all over the island, from the style of the buildings,
the lack of billboard advertising, and even the major tourist attractions he
designed. On this page we highlight some of the unique things to see and do on
the island and you can see photographs of the major attractions in our
Photo Galleries.
| Northern
Lanzarote |
Jameos
del Agua
This not-to-be-missed site was also improved by Manrique (the famous
Lanzarote artist). It can be, perhaps, best described as a grotto.
It was created when Mount Corona erupted 3000 years ago, leaving
lava tunnels underground. The first thing you see is a restaurant,
but the main site is just around the corner. This is an astonishingly
clear lagoon filled with blind albino crabs, a species not found
anywhere else in the world.
At the other side, Manrique has covered an area of the lava in white
(the contrast between the dark lava and the white is a trademark
found at most of his sites) and filled it with a swimming pool,
although it's only for show! Further along still is a beautiful
underground concert hall, built there to take advantage of the acoustics.
Above the pool are shops and an exhibition discussing the volcanic
activity.Cueva
de los Verdes
This means 'Cave of the Greens'. The Greens was a nickname for a
group of locals who used this volcanic four-mile cave system (part
of the same system as Jameos del Agua) as a hideout from pirates
and slavers. Guides take you on a tour through approximately one
mile of it, talking in English and Spanish, and there is a surprise
at the end – take a camera with flash. The tour takes about
50 minutes but some passages are narrow or low, so you have to be
at least averagely agile.
Jardin
de Cactus
This cactus garden has been built in a disused quarry. Manrique
bordered the garden, rising on several different levels, with the
local volcanic stone. The soil is also volcanic but is broken up
by the additions of many different species of cactus. There are
a series of small pools filled with fish and a windmill from which
great views can be seen. There is also a nice restaurant for lunch
and a small souvenir shop.
Mirador
del Rio
As in Jardin de Cactus, the exterior hides what is inside, which
is a lookout point, designed by Manrique, perched on the northern
tip of the island overlooking the small Isla Graciosa as well as
three smaller islands. It was built in a natural hollow in the cliffs,
with outdoor viewing platforms and an evening restaurant with fabulous
views.
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| Central
Lanzarote |
Cesar
Manrique's House
The modern-day headquarters of the Cesar Manrique Foundation are
in his old house, which in itself is very unusual. The outside is
designed to fit in with the traditional architecture of the region,
although embellished with sculptures, a mural and a mobile. The
lower levels of the house, however, are made from lava tunnels.
As this was Manrique's house, they are, of course, whitewashed.
Each room is different – one has a tree growing up through
a hole in the roof, another has a fountain. Outside is Manrique's
swimming pool. There is also a souvenir shop and café.
Arrecife
The capital is mainly worth a visit for its shopping. The only place
on the whole island that is clearly a city (although a small one)
it has a range of shops, many more than other towns in Lanzarote.
Castillo de San Gabriel - This tower, connected to the city
centre by a bridge, is now an archaeological museum. It shows artefacts
as well as the skeleton of a Guanche, the original inhabitants of
the island before the Spanish took over. There is an observatory
on the roof.
Castillo de San Jose - This tiny fort was built as part of
a job creation scheme in the late 17th Century, when locals were
starving after major volcanic eruptions (see Timanfaya National
Park, below). It is now a museum of modern art housing some of the
work of local artists including Manrique. Entry is free.
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| Southern
Lanzarote |
Timanfaya
National Park
In 1730, a series of volcanic eruptions began which were to eventually
cover a third of the island, including some of its best agricultural
land (causing great food shortages on the rest of the island) and
burying 11 villages. This activity left behind many volcanoes including
the 'Mountains of Fire', as they are known. The eerie malpais lava
field covers 20 square miles and photographs of this area were shown
to the first astronauts in order to prepare them for the Moon! The
area was made a National Park in 1974.
All of the main features are at the car park area, including El
Diablo (the Devil) restaurant and an area where attendants demonstrate
the volcanic heat under the surface by pouring water down a tube
into the ground - a few seconds later it shoots up like a geyser.
They also put dry scrub into an open hole where it takes just seconds
to catch fire from the subterranean heat. The only way to explore
the park is on one of the coach tours. These are free once you have
paid for entry into the park, it is also possible to take a 20-minute
camel tour. |
| Other
Places of Interest |
Beaches
Good beaches can be found all over the island, (some are the famous
volcanic beaches of black sand). Some of the best beaches on the
island can be found at Playa Blanca, the most southerly resort on
the island. Boat trips also leave from here for nearby Fuerteventura.
Marinas
Puerto Calero has one of the nicest marinas on the island, from
which boat and submarine tours leave regularly. Just a ten minute
drive from the apartment.
Watersports
Lanzarote is a popular place for windsurfers – particularly
on the east coast, and scuba divers are also well catered for in
Lanzarote .
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