Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canary Islands and is located in the north-east of Fuerteventura. The island has a dramatic landscape: no trees, no bushes, less water. What’s interesting about Lanzarote is its volcanic origin, its volcanic lakes and caves.

I’ seen a lot during the fourteen days and all the time I seemed to be on the moon and sometimes was surprised to see the ocean next to me. But nevertheless the meagre island has vegetation: Cactuses! Cactuses in all shapes you can imagine! Some of them were in full bloom!

Once I made a tour through the famous winegrowing area La Geria. There were deep semi-circular cones made of black volcanic ash with lush green grape-vines in it. I tasted the wine at the vineyard and it was really good, so I bought some bottles for my next relaxing evening in the hotel.

From the Timanfaya National Park, which is the mountainous area of the island, I drove straight up to the north to see the “Mirador del Rio”. In the hotel they told me, that this is a must, a highlight, I should see it. And they were right! The immensity of the Atlantic Ocean is impressive, I could also see the island La Graciosa in the distance.

Back to the south I visited “La Cueva de los Verdes” near the volcano Monte de la Corona. The area has created a spectacular system of underground grotto. Its volcanic gallery is the longest in the world, about 6 km long!

A must is also the “Jardin de Cactus”, a cactus garden which shelters about 10,000 types of cactus.

To me Lanzarote is the islands of the group that holds most attraction. Just as the other islands, it is of volcanic origin. But on Lanzarote there was important volcanic activity during the 18th and 19th century. The arid climate and almost complete lack of erosion has left the traces of the volcanic eruptions intact and the landscape of the island has a touch of a lunar landscape.

During my last vacation I had the opportunity to visit the Atlantida Cave system which was formed due to volcanic activity aproximately 3,000 years ago. It consists of one of the largest volcanic tunnels in the world and an impressive cave. In former times the area was used by the inhabitants to shelter from the frequent pirate attacks.

Contrasting with the volcanic scenary of the island we find quite a few lovely sandbeaches, where sunshine and a mild seabreeze invite the visitor to enjoy a bath in the deep blue ocean.

Several resorts have developed in Lanzarote over the years. Playa del Carmen, Puerto Blanco and Famara offer good acommodations and all the amenities a modern tourist expects. However everything seems to be a bit more laid back that on the neighbouring islands of Tenerife and Gran Canary. An island ideal for a relaxing vacation.

For some hustle and bustle we like to visit Arrecife. The island´s capital also has a very beautiful beach that is lined with palm trees and reminds us of the tropics.

There are many bars and places that offer night entertainment in this area. I always enjoy stopping at one of the street cafes for a cortado, the traditional coffee and then continue on to the town center for shopping. The Canary Islands have a preferential tax status which allows the visitor to bring home tax free items like cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and perfume.

We stayed in Arrecife in a beautiful hotel very close to the town, where you can get souvenirs and really nice food.

Allthough our hotel was “All-Inclusive” we enjoyed going out for meal, which was not too expensive in the restaurants.
In some of the hotels nearby it was possible to go to bars and have a great night dancing and drinking.

But as we love adventures, we rented a car which was also very cheap and the gas prices were not as high as back home.

Lanzarote is a relatively small Island and so we were able to go by car all around it as there is only one main road around the whole isle.
Most of it was inactive vulcanos and dry land which was quite boring.

What we enjoyed most was the Cactus Park “Jardin de Cactus” and Jameos del Agua which was one of the island´s artist´s work.

Cèsar Manrique made an artificial pool and a museum all about vulcanos inside magma caves.

Once a week this area was opened as a club and we could enjoy drinks in a very unique area. I would really recommend this sight.

The Island´s vegetation is very dry and rough. It´s significance is distinct in the vulcanos of which some are still active.
It is possible to visit the vulcano that is still active in the “Parque Nacional de Timanfaya”.

Staying in one place on that island is almost a waste of time. You should get a car and see all of the island!

In the north of the island is the mountain Penas del Cache, there are no sandy beaches. In the south of the island is another mountain Los Ajaches. The sandy and long beaches are in the south or southwest.

At the Blaya Blanca in the south there are hotels, restaurants and bars.

Puerto del Carmen is even in the south and there are hotels, restaurants and some nightlife. Costa Teguise in the southwest is quiet and ideal for families.

In the backland of the isle there are still some old typical villages. I like to visit them. The climate of the island is soft-gloved all over the year, sometimes windy. If the wind comes from the Sahara it can be very hot in summer.

The artist Cesar Manrique born on this island, now his house is a museum after his death. Wonderful to see his art. In his art you see the bond between the island and the vulcano. The beauty of the island, the climate and the sun make your holiday a unforgottable adventure.

You can choose between organized kayak trips with professional guides or you can rent a kayak and plan the trips by your own. Kajaks for one or two persons can be rent for hours or for the whole day. Normally the tarif for the rental includes a life vest.

There are different trips for kayaks ahead the coast of Lanzarote. One of the most famous trips is starting in Puerto del Carmen passing through the beaches of Matagorda until the beach Playa Chica. For this trip we recommend you to carry your diving goggles and snorkel to explore the underwater landscape.

Another kayak trip is starting in Playa Quemada along the bizarre cliffy coast to the Papagayo beaches. On the trip you pass through lonesome bays and misterious caves.

From one of the Papagayo beaches you can make a trip until Playa Blanca by kayak. On the way to Playa Blanca you can enjoy lots of sandy beaches and take a refreshing bath.

A kayak trip, which is adequate for families and amateurs, guides from the beach Playa El Reducto near Arrecife to El Charco. You come around the bridges of Castillo San Gabriel and can take a tipical canarian meal in El Charco.

On the isle of Lanzarote you find kayak rentals and many agencies, which are organizing guided kayak trips. In every bigger touristic village you have the possibility to rent a kayak or to participate on a guided kayak trip. Near the famous beaches of Lanzarote are lots of hotels and apartments available for your holidays.

One of them and probably the most popular is César Manrique.
The artist and architect was born on April 24th, 1919 in Arrecife, wich is a small town in east of Lanzarote. He grew up in San Ginés lagoon and attended to University of La Laguna. In 1945 he changed and went to a Art School in Madrid.

When he died on 25th September of 1992, an area of great architecture and art died with him. But his brilliant Masterpieces will last for the posterity.

This island of Lanzarote forms part of the group of the Canary Islands, which are all seven situated in the Atlantic Ocean. It is said more exactly 140 kilometres western of the coast of Morocco and 1000 kilometres remotely from the Spanish mainland.

The capital is Arrecife. Spanish is the official language. The island is part of the EU since 1996.

Most of the beaches are common and everybody has access to them. Lagoon beaches with very calm condtions, rough, black beaches with a thundering surf, beaches white-wash, fine sandy particularly suitably for surfers, other better for windsurfers. The choice is almost inexhaustible.

The first tourist resort was Puerto del Carmen and it is still the biggest tourism place on Lanzarote. The reason is obvious – the whole area lies along three long, natural beaches.

Pedalos, banana riding and various other water sport is possible. There are three more huge tourist resorts on Lanzarote: Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen in the south and Costa Teguise at the south-east coast.

To choose your perfect holiday destination on this wonderful island you shall concrete your interests and ideas about how you imagine a satisfactory vacation.

Lanzarote also offers a golf course for visitors and locals, it is situated at the Costa Teguise in the south. Tennis courts form part of most of the big hotel complexes, however, courts and courses for all holiday-makers are also available in holiday centres.

Who would like to discover the island by walking, can join guided groups or take his own initiative. In any case adequate shoes and sufficient water reserves should be part of the basic equipment. On a guided walk in the national park of Timanfaya one learns about the history of origins of the island and the volcanic activities.

Night life in Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise is very eventful and you can find quite a lot of bars, pubs and restaurants in which you can let die away the day.

Holiday-makers have the choice between charming little restaurants at the port promenade and numerous discos and bars in Puerto del Carmen in the south of the capital Arrecife. The shopping centre Atlanticò is particularly popular for teenagers.

In Arrecife starts evey evening a hustle and bustle round the pubs and little bars in the streets around the lagoon Charco de of San Ginés. Not before midnight anyone goes for the first discotheques, before everybody gets in mood at the Playa del Reducto.

This beautiful little piece of earth has to offer a lot more than only tourist attractions, if you explore the isle you can get to know its charm.

With 795 km ² Lanzarote is the fourth biggest Canary Island after Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. Lanzarote is less green the the more western Canary islands because of its drought.

The Isle of Lanzarote impresses the visitors with its contrast of rude rocks and cliffs and the deep blue colour of the Atlantic Ocean.

The countryside of Lanzarote radiates quiet and inspiration while in the main tourist resorts rules the eventful life. For example in the capital Arrecife and in the touristic stronghold Playa del Carmen the visitor can enjoy a lively nightlife and lots of shopping possibilities and restaurants.

The famous artist Cesar Manrique is mainly responsible that tourism has not influenced too much on the landscape of Lanzarote. One can almost admire everywhere his creation, which is combining nature and tradition with art and architecture.