Lanzarote packs an extraordinary range of experiences into its 846 square kilometres (327 square miles). The island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status reflects a landscape shaped by six years of volcanic eruptions from 1730 to 1736 and the artistic vision of Cesar Manrique, who spent his career blending architecture with the island’s lava fields. From fire-cooked meals over volcanic vents to an underwater sculpture museum and surf breaks beneath 600-metre cliffs, here are the best things to do in Lanzarote.
Things to Do in Lanzarote: Volcanic Landscapes and Cesar Manrique
Timanfaya National Park (Montanas del Fuego)
Timanfaya is Lanzarote’s essential experience , 51 square kilometres of volcanic landscape that looks closer to Mars than Earth. The 1730-1736 eruptions buried 11 villages and covered a quarter of the island in lava. You cannot explore independently; access is via a 40-minute coach tour along the Ruta de los Volcanes, a 14km road winding through craters and lava fields with multilingual audio commentary. At the visitor centre (open daily 9:00-17:45, last tour 17:00), park rangers demonstrate geothermal activity by pouring water into boreholes that erupt as steam geysers seconds later. The El Diablo restaurant cooks meat over a 6-metre-deep volcanic vent reaching 400 degrees C (750 degrees F) at the surface. Entry costs 12 euros for adults, 6 euros for children aged 7-12. Arrive before 10:00 or after 14:00 to avoid the worst queues , summer midday waits can reach 90 minutes. Located on the LZ-67 road between Yaiza and Tinajo.
Jameos del Agua
Part of a 6km lava tube formed 4,000 years ago by the Corona volcano, Jameos del Agua was transformed by Cesar Manrique in 1966 into a cultural venue inside the volcanic cave system. A staircase descends into a natural auditorium seating 550 people, carved into black basalt. The centrepiece is a subterranean salt lake home to a species of blind albino crab (Munidopsis polymorpha) found nowhere else on Earth. The complex includes a restaurant, bar, and a turquoise pool (not for public swimming). Entry costs 10 euros for adults, 5 euros for children. Open daily 10:00-18:00 (until 18:30 in summer). Located near Haria on the LZ-1 road in the north. The adjacent Casa de los Volcanes museum, included in the ticket, explains Canary Islands geology.
Cueva de los Verdes
A different section of the same lava tube as Jameos del Agua, located 2km to the south. Guided 45-minute tours take you through a 2km section reaching heights of 15 metres in places. The tour ends with the famous optical illusion , a mirror installed by Manrique that makes a small opening appear as a bottomless pit. The cave was used as a hideout by locals during 16th and 17th-century pirate raids. Entry costs 10 euros for adults, 5 euros for children. Open daily 10:00-18:00 (10:00-17:00 in winter). Wear trainers , the floor is uneven volcanic rock. The cave maintains a constant 19 degrees C (66 degrees F) year-round.
Cesar Manrique Foundation
Manrique’s former home and studio, built in 1968 on a lava flow in Tahiche, is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. The house incorporates five volcanic bubbles , natural cavities in solidified lava , converted into living spaces connected by tunnels. The ground floor contains his art studio and personal collection; the upper level features his paintings alongside works by Picasso and Miro. Outdoor spaces blend lava formations with gardens and a swimming pool. Entry costs 10 euros. Open daily 10:00-18:00. Located at Calle Jorge Luis Borges 16, Tahiche, a 10-minute drive from Arrecife. Budget 60-90 minutes.
Mirador del Rio
Perched 474 metres (1,555 feet) above sea level on the Risco de Famara cliff in the far north, this Manrique-designed viewpoint commands a panorama across the El Rio strait to the island of La Graciosa. The building is camouflaged into the cliff , from outside, only a stone wall hints at human intervention. Inside, a sweeping curved window frames the view, and two giant sculptural lamps shaped like submarine periscopes add drama. There is a cafe serving coffee and pastries. Entry costs 5 euros. Open daily 10:00-18:00. On clear days you can see the Moroccan coast 140km away. Check visibility before driving up , cloud can blanket the viewpoint entirely.
Things to Do in Lanzarote: Beaches and Coastal Activities
Playa de Papagayo
Papagayo is a series of seven coves within the Los Ajaches Natural Monument at Lanzarote’s southern tip. The main beach, Playa de Papagayo, is a 200-metre crescent of golden sand with calm, clear water protected from Atlantic swell by the headland. Access requires driving a 6km unpaved track (fine for standard rental cars if taken slowly) and paying a 3 euro entry fee at the barrier. There are no facilities beyond a small beach bar , bring water and sun protection. The neighbouring coves (Playa del Pozo, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muelas) offer increasing seclusion. Arrive by 10:00 in summer as parking fills quickly. Nudism is common at the smaller coves.
Playa de Famara
A 6km stretch of wild, windswept sand on the northwest coast backed by the dramatic 600-metre Risco de Famara cliffs. This is Lanzarote’s surf and kitesurf capital , consistent northeast trade winds and Atlantic swell create reliable waves year-round. Several surf schools operate from Caleta de Famara village: Lanzarote Surf Center, Surf School Lanzarote, and Calima Surf all offer 2-hour group lessons from 40 euros. Equipment rental runs 30-40 euros per day. The beach is not ideal for casual swimming due to strong currents, but the vast expanse of sand makes it perfect for long walks at low tide. The village has a handful of seafood restaurants including Restaurante El Risco (Calle Montana Clara 16, book ahead). Parking is free along the beach road.
Puerto del Carmen Beaches
Lanzarote’s largest resort has three main beaches along its 6km promenade. Playa Grande is the biggest, a 1km stretch of imported golden sand with sunbeds (12 euros per day for two with umbrella), showers, and lifeguards. It shelves gently into calm water, making it the best beach for families with young children. Playa Chica, at the western end near the old harbour, is a sheltered cove popular for snorkelling , parrotfish, bream, and occasional rays are common within 20 metres of shore. Playa de los Pocillos, towards the airport, is wider and quieter with fewer facilities. The entire waterfront connects via the Avenida de las Playas promenade lined with shops, bars, and restaurants.
Things to Do in Lanzarote: Unique Experiences
Lagomar Museum (House of Omar Sharif)
Built into a former volcanic quarry in Nazaret, this extraordinary house was designed by Manrique collaborator Jesus Soto and briefly owned by actor Omar Sharif, who reportedly lost it in a game of bridge. The multi-level structure is carved into lava rock, with tunnels, staircases, and rooms connected by narrow passages and bridges. Today it operates as a museum, restaurant, and bar. The cave cocktail bar alone justifies the visit. Entry costs 6 euros (waived if dining). Open daily 10:00-18:00. Located at Calle Los Loros 2, Nazaret. The restaurant serves Canarian dishes, mains 14-20 euros.
Museo Atlantico Underwater Sculpture Museum
Europe’s first underwater museum, created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, sits 12-15 metres below the surface in Las Coloradas Bay near Playa Blanca. Over 300 life-sized human figures are arranged in scenes addressing migration, climate change, and the refugee crisis. You can only visit on a guided dive (from 49 euros) or snorkel tour (from 35 euros) through authorised operators , Dive College Lanzarote and Manta Diving Lanzarote are the main centres. The figures have been colonised by barracuda, angel sharks, and octopus, making it both art and artificial reef. Minimum age is 10 for snorkelling, 12 for diving. Book 3-5 days ahead in peak season.
La Geria Wine Region
La Geria is Lanzarote’s wine country, where thousands of semicircular stone walls protect individual vines growing in hollows dug through black volcanic ash (picon). This cultivation method, unique to Lanzarote, captures overnight dew and shields plants from trade winds. The Malvasia Volcanica grape produces distinctive mineral white wines. Most bodegas offer tastings from 5-10 euros. Bodega Stratvs (Carretera LZ-30 km 19), Bodega La Geria (km 19.5), and Bodega Rubicon (km 20) sit within a 1km stretch. Stratvs offers a 45-minute guided tour for 15 euros including 3 tastings. La Geria lies between Yaiza and San Bartolome, a 15-minute drive from Puerto del Carmen.
Teguise Sunday Market
Every Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00, the former island capital of Teguise hosts Lanzarote’s largest street market. Over 400 stalls fill the cobblestone streets and squares of this well-preserved 15th-century town, selling leather goods, aloe vera products, local cheeses, mojo sauces, and Canarian wines. Live folk music groups perform in the squares from 11:00. The market sprawls through Plaza de la Constitucion and Calle Leon y Castillo. Parking is notoriously difficult , arrive by 09:30 or take bus number 5 from Arrecife (2 euros, 25 minutes). Combine with a visit to the Castillo de Santa Barbara (10:00-16:00, 3 euros), a 16th-century castle with a pirate museum and panoramic views.
Things to Do in Lanzarote: Water Sports
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
Lanzarote has over 40 dive sites from shallow reefs to deep wrecks. Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca offer the calmest conditions for beginners. Angel sharks, barracuda, groupers, and stingrays are commonly sighted. Manta Diving Lanzarote (Playa Blanca) offers PADI Open Water courses from 380 euros over 3 days, guided dives from 49 euros. Safari Diving (Puerto del Carmen) runs daily boat dives to the Cathedral, a 30-metre lava archway formation. Water visibility averages 20-30 metres. Best diving months are August through October when the sea hits 22-23 degrees C.
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
Famara Beach is one of Europe’s premier windsurfing destinations, with consistent side-shore winds averaging 15-25 knots (Force 4-5) from June through September. The northern end near the cliffs challenges advanced riders while the southern end near the village suits beginners. Schools along Calle Montana Clara offer equipment rental (30-40 euros/day) and group lessons (40-50 euros for 2 hours). Costa Teguise at Playa de las Cucharas provides flatter water for beginners. The annual Lanzarote International Windsurfing Competition takes place at Las Cucharas in July.
