Lanzarote - Canary Islands

Most people around the world say "Tenerife" and/or "Gran Canaria" when I say, "Canary Islands". Enough has been written and said about them as well. So, I figured let me take you on a trip to the  relatively unknown islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura instead. Yes, they are a part of the Canary Islands as well. And they are just as spectacular!
In this two-article series, we will cover the two islands, their sightseeing options and of course, food!

Timanfaya National Park

Lanzarote (along with Fuerteventura) lies closest to the African continent. This island is called the island of eternal spring because it's warm and sunny throughout the year. My partner and I decided to stay in Playa Blanca which is a short walk from the harbour. It is a convenient location  specially if you are interested in island hopping. The car rental company is also at the harbour which is convenient if you want to hire a car for a few days. We  hired a car as we had a whole load of activities planned. There is a lot to do and plenty to see on this island so I would recommend a 3-night stay at least,  if not more. If you want to lounge around the beaches and stare at the magnificent Atlantic Ocean as well, then you would need to plan a longer trip.

A few facts to consider before we get started -

• Since this is an island where water is scarce (it hardly ever rains), please be mindful of the water you use. 

• Carry a wide brimmed hat because it is extremely hot in the afternoon.

• Carry extra bottles of water because many areas of the island are barren and distances between places can seem a  lot in the heat. It's always good to have extra water to stay hydrated. 

• When heading to the Timanfaya National Park, carry a light wind-jacket. It's extremely windy and sometimes the wait for a bus ( that's the only way to enter the actual park) to take you inside can take more than 20 minutes.

• Make sure the navigation system in your car works and that you understand how to use it. It's default option is generally in Spanish so make sure you change the language before you even venture out of the parking lot. We rented from CICAR and we found their service in general and their cars in very good condition. Their navigation system inside was updated and we faced no problems traveling around the island. They also give you the option of different pickups and drop-offs. Eg. You can collect the car at the airport and drop it off at the harbour. For better deals, book online in advance. 

Roads inside the island.

Roads in general are very good and very well maintained. They also have signage at big junctions if there are deviations because of roadworks. Overall, we never had a problem driving around. Please make sure you have the relevant paperwork if you intend driving here. European licences are allowed given that it's part of Spain. Please check with CICAR/ the car rental company you are going with and ask them if you need to carry anything else. 

Now, let's move on to what to see and what to do  -

This totally depends on your interest levels but there are a few must-dos that I am listing down. To start with,  I would strongly recommend a visit to the Timanfaya National Park. It is an out-of-this-world experience that cannot be explained. You need to be there to see it. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

Interior of a crater

Make sure you reach there by 10 am to avoid long queues. They give you tickets long before you enter the parking area. Once you park your car, you need to wait for a bus. They have several buses but given the crowds, you need to wait. And like I said before, that wait can take a minimum of 20 minutes. 

Once you get on the bus, you will be driven around the park.
Keep your cameras ready because you really need to capture the views. 

Cooking using geothermal energy

After you get off the bus, you can go around and witness geothermal energy at work. They also cook at the on-site restaurant using geothermal energy.

I would say this is a total of  3-4 hour activity based on where you are staying. 

The next place that I found very interesting was the Fundacion Cesar Manrique.

I have to admit I knew very little about Mr. Manrique before I started researching for my trip. The more I read about him, the more interested I got in looking at his work. This place did not disappoint. This used to be his former home. His last home itself is quite fascinating (located in Haria). I was particularly impressed with the innovative ways he's used to  marry various forms and textures. He has designed a place that is in harmony with the landscape. This house is almost like a cave within a cluster of rocks and has a diverse collection of art and sculptures within it. The rooms in the lava bubbles need to be seen to be believed. This house is a perfect example of functionality packed into compact spaces in a creative manner. If you are an architect/designer/engineer/creative, do not miss this place.

If you find the Fundacion Cesar Manrique interesting, do drive down to his residence and his studio in Haria , Las Palmas (he lived here until his death in 1992). The village itself is idyllic and beautiful so I am not surprised that he chose to live there. Once you step into his home and walk around it, you will get to know the real Cesar Manrique. His rooms have a warmth to them that make you want to live there. They feel familiar yet there is an air of mystery. The pool area is contemporary and very well designed. It's obvious from the paraphernalia lying around that he had good taste in art, furniture and enjoyed diverse interests.

If you intend visiting the Fundacion and the house, there is a joint ticket that is at a better price than two individual tickets. You can get the joint ticket in both places so it doesn't matter where you go first. Photography is not allowed inside his house and studio in Haria but you can do photography without flash at the Fundacion. 

The next place on my list and hopefully, also on yours, is Mirador del Rio.  This is yet another architectural and engineering marvel that's designed by Cesar Manrique. This is truly stunning not just in form but in structure and design.

After entering through a stoned winding corridor, you enter two spacious vaulted rooms with gigantic picture windows that offer you panoramic views of the Atlantic and the nearby La Graciosa (island). The day we went, we also got to look at Montana Clara and Roque del Oeste (smaller islands). On the same level Manrique has integrated a cafe and sitting area with watch points (if you are brave enough to step out).

Sculpture artwork that distorts noise

 On the next level, is the souvenir shop and then, yet another watch point. 

What I find fascinating about this building is that when you approach it, you cannot even see it. It's camouflaged well with heavy stones that blend in with the landscape around.

You need to park your car at some distance from this place. It's very windy (given the elevation), so please wear sensible footwear and carry a wind jacket with you.  

If you like beaches you have plenty of options like Papagayo and also Playa del Jabillo. There is also a nice sandy beach in Playa Blanca. That's not all. If you want to go diving, there is an underwater museum of sculptures there as well. If you are into trekking or cycling, you have many defined routes that take you through arid landscapes. I would advise you to stick to the routes and carry plenty of water and sunblock. 

After all that sightseeing, I am sure you are wondering what sort of food one can expect to eat on these islands.


You will be spoilt! We certainly were.

There are options to suit all sorts of diets on both Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. You can get plenty of fruits, desserts, vegan food, seafood, meats and salads. A few locals told us that many items are imported straight from Spain and other parts of Europe, if not grown/caught there.

We ate out a lot in Fuerteventura (details in the next article) but in Lanzarote, we decided to go for a bed+breakfast+dinner package with the resort (Iberostar) we were at and we were more than happy. We got fresh meals tailor made to suit us and it was always nice to come back to a nice pool and jacuzzi after a day out. 

View of the Atlantic Ocean from our room.  

Overall, our trip to Lanzarote was educational as well as rejuvenating. The next time I head there, I hope to spend more time on the beach and diving.




I hope you enjoyed reading about Lanzarote. If you have any questions, feel free to use the comment section or send me an email at aajisthaali@gmail.com. 

Gracias!