Cactus Garden (Lanzarote) – Visit Tips + Photos

The Cactus Garden Lanzarote is one of the top attractions on the island. 
César Manrique was able to transform an old quarry in a beautiful botanical garden full of cacti: the "Jardin de Cactus".
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit - with map, pictures and tips.

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Created in 1991, the Cactus Garden was the last project of César Manrique, and one of my favorite attractions in Lanzarote. Its Spanish name is Jardín de Cactus.
Manrique had the idea to transform a former quarry, where picon was retrieved (the volcanic sand/gravel). As always he loved to integrate his work with the natural surroundings.
It has now 450 different species of cacti and succulents from All over the world, and a total of around 4500 plants (Official numbers from the Garden).

The contrast of the green agains the dark soil and the blue sky is stunning:

Because of its set up in an old quarry, it looks like an amphitheater with terraces on each side. The advantage is that it protects the plants (and you) from the wind that can sometimes be really strong and relentless.
And to make the place even more photogenic, there is an old restored windmill above the garden. It is really a photographer's delight.

Before I show you many more pictures and tell you all about how to get there, here is a short video to give you an idea of what it looks like to visit the Cactus Garden in Lanzarote:

Where is the Lanzarote Cactus Garden - Map

• Located in the village of Guatiza
• on the North East coast of Lanzarote
• Just a short drive from the main road LZ-1
• Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate the garden:

How to get to the Cactus Garden?

• Easy to access by car
• Costa Teguise to Cactus Garden - 15min drive
• Puerto del Carmen to Cactus Garden - 30min drive
• Playa Blanca to Cactus Garden - 50min drive
• Large carpark near the entrance
• Costa Teguise is the closest Resort town. 

Cactus Garden Lanzarote excursion

However, if you don't want to bother renting a car, there are excursions by bus departing from all the the resort towns which include a visit to the Cactus Garden and several other fantastic César Manrique attractions. Check out program and price

Entrance & Accessibility

• Lanzarote Cactus Garden opening hours - at least 10 am to 5pm (July to September open from 9am) - see latest on official website here
• Cactus Garden entrance fee - 6.50 euros entrance, or included in a multi-attraction ticket
• Stairs to visit the Garden, and the ground is uneven in some places so wear comfortable shoes

Facilities

• Bar Snack is set up with shade under the windmill. It offers fantastic views over the garden. I really enjoyed having a drink in that environment
• Don't miss the entrance to the facilities. They are fun!
• Souvenir shop inside the Garden, on the right side

From the outside you can't seen much, there is a great door with cactus-shaped metal work. Outside is also a giant sculpture of a fake cactus.
As you enter you get a peek at what there is to come until the full reveal past the wall.

You enter the cactus garden opposite the windmill, so you have grand views of the whole amphitheater filled with cacti.

This is not my best photo because the position of the sun was not practical, but this give you an overall ideas of what it looks like when you enter:

But then you can walk around, discover the many species of cacti. Either walk in the ground floor or climb on the terraces on each side.
And in between the cacti, you can find tall monoliths of volcanic ash which make it even more fascinating. But I am biased, I love cacti!!!!

Let's see a few more pictures of the cactus garden in Lanzarote:

In the photo below, you can see the great range of cacti: from the small round one, to the tall saguaro and others that look more like trees and bushes:

In the following picture, you can see better the terraces on the side of the quarry. You see smaller varieties of cacti with many shapes and colours.

At the other end of the botanical garden is the windmill and under it the restaurant. You can climb at different levels and use either the inside or outside stairs.

From this angle, you don't have the windmill in the view, but you can see the town of Guazita and its white houses in the background.
And behind 2 volcanoes: Montana de Guenia to the right (360m), and Montana Tinamala to the left (323m).

You can even climb inside the Windmill and see the mechanism. They were used to produce gofio, which is flour made from roasted grains. It was essential in the Canarian cooking for a long time.

Considering the number of plants present in the garden, it is difficult to photograph them all. Here is my selection of my favorite and some of the funniest ones.

I do like the round ones a lot, big or small:

The one below look like worms. It is very disturbing. But the pretty pink one was nice to look at 🙂

Since it has been established 20 years ago, some of them have been able to grow quite a lot. And they have impressive specimens to admire.

Below is a fascinating one with its many arms and beautiful big white flowers. I felt lucky that a few of the cacti had flowers. But I don't know if there is a right period to see many flowers blooming on them. Sorry.

And below is my favorite the Pachypodium Lamerel. It comes from Madagascar (which is really high on my travel bucket list!)

And a couple more photos of the cactus garden for the pleasure of it...

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