When it comes to island vacation spots in Europe, a few names come to mind—Malta, Ibiza, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Tenerife, and more. Millions of visitors flock to these places every year to enjoy great food, numerous parties, and beautiful nature. If crowds and pricey accommodation are not your idea of a great holiday, however, here’s my suggestion for your next island getaway.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to visit Lanzarote, the fourth largest island of the Canary Islands. The island is suitable for all ages, although it seems to be a popular destination among young couples and families as it is really romantic, safe, and budget-friendly for accommodating an entire family.
If you haven’t heard this name before, then you are just like me a year ago. I first learned about Lanzarote a couple of months before my trip. I’m someone who does thorough research prior to travelling, so I knew I wasn’t going to a regular green tropical island. But when I laid my eyes on the mesmerising scenery of Lanzarote, all covered with frozen lava, I felt like I wasn’t on Earth anymore but on some futuristic rocky planet. It was mind-blowing and definitely one of my ultimate favourite experiments.
It’s quite easy to get to Lanzarote as there are flights from many European cities to the capital, Arrecife. Once we got there, we rented a car to go around the island. The quality of the vehicle was outstanding and the rental prices were so cheap that we wondered if there was some kind of a trick. There was no traffic on the brand new roads, making for an enjoyable and stress-free drive. If you get the chance to visit Lanzarote, I highly recommend you rent a car.
The place was relatively small, and just a couple of hours were enough to get from one side of the island to the other. We stayed at Playa Blanca and decided to start the sightseeing tour from the windier west coast, go north and then circle back down to the amazing beaches of the South.
A five-minute drive took us to the southernmost point of the island, Faro de Pechiguera, famous for its black beaches with volcanic ash.
Shortly after that, we reached Los Hervideros, where we enjoyed a view of many strangely shaped cliffs and underwater caves. I was breath taken, but not for long—I was in for more surprises.
We stopped by El Lago Verde, a curious green water lake by the road, and had a nice cup of coffee at the local café, before continuing our journey. We soon reached what I consider the most spectacular place on the island—Timanfaya National Park, where I saw frozen lava for the first time. The entire area was covered with volcanic soil and the terrain resembled an alien planet from a Star Wars movie.
There were a lot of activities to try there, such as climbing to the top of the volcano to taste meat grilled using the volcano heat or visit several active geysers. I took a slow-motion video of a trained person who put water in one of the geyser holes and a second later it erupted with full power. If you visit Timanfaya National Park with your kids, then the camel ride is a good choice. It was a different experience for me which I don’t think I’ll try again!
Heading up north, we reached Playa de Famara—the adventurous beach. The place was perfect for surfing and trying out different water sports. Since I can’t even swim, I simply tried the shrimp garlic soup and the Canarian potatoes with red and green mojo sauce at a small restaurant near the coast, El Chiringuito.
We drove through the island to get to the east side and visit one of the most famous attractions designed by the architect and sculptor Cesar Manrique. He was born in Lanzarote and greatly influenced the planning regulations of the island. Cesar Manrique recognised the island’s tourism potential and created several spots where people and nature could interact in a perfect way. If you are a nature lover, I recommend the Cactus Garden, which had more than a thousand different cactuses arranged in terraces.
Not far from there was another attraction designed by Cesar Manrique—Jameos del Agua. It was a small oasis, consisting of a lake with crystal blue waters, surrounded by lava caves. This place is considered the art, culture, and music center of Lanzarote where various artists perform live in the big cave.
I thought I’d seen it all on this small island, but then we reached the northernmost part where Mirador del Rio was. Located on one of the highest points, it offered a view beyond description of the neighbouring island Graciosa.
After seeing the most amazing spots in Lanzarote, it was time for some fun. On the next day, we decided to explore La Geria, also known as the wine region of the island. What impressed me the most was the method people used to cultivate the vines. They had gathered stones to build low semicircular walls around the plants to protect them from the constant winds and droughts. It goes without saying that we visited a famous winery called Bodega La Geria which offered a wide variety of quality red, white, and rosé wines.
We visited Lanzarote in June for my birthday, and decided to go to the famous Papagayo Beach on the date of my birth. This is a protected area, so we had to pay to get inside via a rocky road, but it was worth it. Hidden from the wind in a bay, the beach was washed by crystal clear, emerald green waters—truly the perfect spot to celebrate my birthday. It seemed ideal for snorkelling, too.
If you’re not convinced yet why you should add Lanzarote to your bucket list, then I’ll just mention the deliciousness of the island food and the hospitality of the people which add to the miles of romantic walks down the shore. Don’t forget to ready your camera for some stunning photos of brilliant sunsets, too!
Do you have a favourite island getaway spot? Have you ever been to the Canary Islands? Share your photos and experiences in the comments below.
I was close to a supermarket so it was easy for me to get a few bottles of water.