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Green Lagoon Lanzarote (El Golfo) – Photos + Visit Tips

Last updated on March 13, 2023 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

Let's discover the unique volcanic landscape of the Green lagoon Lanzarote at El Golfo. 
Also known as Lago verde or Charco de los Clicos, it is a world of colourful contrasts and strange shapes: a green lake, black and red rocks and the blue sky!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with photos, map and tips.

Before all my tips + photos, here are my favourites for Lanzarote:

car rental

My favorite platform to rent a car in Lanzarote: Discovercars

boat

My favorite boat tour: Papagayo beaches by catamaran

bus

My favorite day trip in Lanzarote: Timanfaya + El Golfo + Los Hervideros + Wines

hotel

My favourite places to stay to explore the island :

  • Playa Blanca, close to Papagayo - my favourite hotel: Princesa Yaiza Resort or see best-rated hotels
  • Costa Teguise, convenient for exploring - my favourite hotel: Barcelo Teguise Beach or see best-rated hotels
  • Puerto del Carmen, the most active - my favourite hotel: Aqua Suites or see best-rated hotels
Lago verde El Golfo Green Lagoon Lanzarote Travel

Table Of Contents
Why Visit the Green Lagoon Lanzarote ?
How to get to El Golfo Lanzarote - Map
Access to viewpoint over Charco Verde Lanzarote
Views of the Lanzarote Green Lagoon
El Golfo beach near Charco de los Clicos
Other side is closed
Los Hervideros nearby

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).


Why Visit the Green Lagoon Lanzarote ?

Charco Verde: A unique landscape!

On my way to Charco verde, all I was expecting was  to see a green lagoon. But what remains of the volcano behind is also stunning. There is a mix of red, yellow and black rocks which have been beautifully shaped by erosion. Plus all that is combined with a black beach and a practical viewpoint. A great short stop and one of the great things to do in Lanzarote.
Sadly, I think none of my pictures give justice to this landscape. You will have to see it for yourself.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote - Volcano and black sand beach

About the Green Lagoon Lanzarote

  • The volcanic crater was formed during the 1730s eruptions and it was flooded by the ocean. With erosion, only half of the cone remains.
  • Due to the flooding, the green lagoon was formed. It now keeps its water level through underground cracks
  • Why is it green? Lago Verde is green due to the combination of an algae (the sea grass algae) and sulfur
  • The inside of the volcano is quite unique too because of the porous rocks which are very susceptible to erosion. This is typical of hydrovolcanism, where magma has met water
  • The highest point of the volcano is 157m above the lake
  • On the other side of the parking is the small fishing village of El Golfo, which is why the green lagoon is sometimes referred to as El Golfo.
Sunset Charco de los Clicos Lanzarote Green Lagoon

About the name

One of its name is Charco de Los Clicos. It is named after a shellfish that used to be abundant here. 

Many photos after the practical tips


How to get to El Golfo Lanzarote - Map

How to get to the Green lagoon Lanzarote by car - Map and Location

  • South West Coast of Lanzarote, not far from Yaiza
  • Puerto del Carmen to El Golfo - 25 min drive
  • Playa Blanca to El GOlfo - 20 min drive
  • North access only. The South access (road/carpark) has been closed.
  • Below  is a map to help you get oriented:
El Golfo Green Lagoon Lanzarote Map location

Map - Green Lagoon in Lanzarote - location

El Golfo, with its GPS coordinates, is included in my eBook with complete map to help you plan your trip:

Plan your perfect trip around Lanzarote!

Lanzarote ebook cover small
  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 55 Scenic locations in Lanzarote
  • 19 Scenic locations in Fuerteventura
  • Planning tips + Best times
  • 140+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

Excursion options

If you don't want to rent a car and drive around, you can book a complete day excursion from any of the sea resorts - it covers all the Central West region with Timanfaya, EL Golfo and Los Hervideros - Check out program and book

Visiting Charco de los Clicos

  • Best to visit at low tide to see the nice formations on the beach
  • Best to visit at sunset for the colours to be more intense and the contrasts magnificent
  • Delicious seafood restaurants in El Golfo
  • No facilities outside of the cafés
  • Large carpark by the walk to the viewpoint:
How to get to El Golfo Car park

Need to rent a car in Lanzarote?
My tips:

  • Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Choose the car and company you prefer
  • Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind! 
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See all my 36 tips for renting a car in Lanzarote

Staying at El Golfo in Lanzarote

In the photo below, you can see the village of El Golfo in the background.
If you want to enjoy beautiful sunset every evening, El Golfo is a great place to stay - Check out the accommodations in El Golfo

For more ideas of where to stay in Lanzarote, head to my complete guide.

El Golfo Lanzarote

Where to stay in Lanzarote?
My tips:

  • Most enjoyable Resort Town - Playa Blanca - see best rated accommodations
  • Main resort town (without car & nightlife) - Puerto del Carmen - see best rated accommodations
  • Best location to be able to explore Lanzarote - Costa Teguise - see best rated accommodations
  • Coastal Charm and Quiet - Punta Mujeres - see best rated accommodations
  • Scenic Views - Famara Beach - see best rated accommodations
  • Original & isolated - La Graciosa - see best rated accommodations

More tips on my article about where to stay in Lanzarote


Access to viewpoint over Charco Verde Lanzarote

To access the viewpoint over the volcano and Lago verde, it is a short 5 min walk on a maintained path.
You can see the path on the side of the volcano in the picture below:

Charco Verde Lanzarote walk

It is an easy access, just be careful with young kids.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote access walk

At the end is a viewing platform on the red part of the volcano. You get a complete view of the caldera, the lagoon, the beach and the ocean.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote access walk 2

Views of the Lanzarote Green Lagoon

Below, are my pictures to give you an idea of the views from that platform.
As I said because the volcano was formed by the water, the rock is porous. So overtime, erosion has created beautiful shapes, like waves of rocks.
At the bottom is the famous green lagoon Lanzarote. It really stands out against darkness of the beach. It creates one of the most beautiful beaches in Lanzarote.

The Laguna Verde is roughly 150m long. It used to be bigger. According to this site, it is denser and saltier than the Dead Sea. It is protected and you can't approach it.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote viewpoint

But because my favorite colour is red, I really enjoyed the North side of the volcano, right by the viewpoint. The walls are intense red and there are strange black rocks stuck on the side. It is fascinating.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote viewpoint - volcano

Between the Lagoon and the ocean is a 30m wide black beach. It is made of volcanic sand, pebbles and it contains olivine a semiprecious stone of olive colour.
And notice the lava chimney at the end of the beach.

Green Lagoon Lanzarote viewpoint - Black sand beach

About the green color

Depending on the light and conditions, the lagoon can appear more or less green. However picture where you see it completely neon green have been heavily post-processed.


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El Golfo beach near Charco de los Clicos

I also really enjoyed the small cove, below the access path to the viewpoint.
Here is a view from that path:

Charco de los Clicos - cove with black sand beach

Below is a view from the carpark side. You can see the different types of rocks and colour. It used to be a fishing village, and there are many great seafood restaurant for you to enjoy.

Charco de los Clicos - cove with black sand beach and boats

It is easy to get down to the beach and sit to enjoy sunset. I really enjoyed the rock formations and the play with water. It was pretty quiet at this hour.

Charco de los Clicos - cove with black sand beach and rock formations
Charco de los Clicos - cove with black sand beach and rock formations 2

Plan your trip to Lanzarote:

tips key
  • My itineraries : 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 1 week, 10 days
  • 36 tips to rent a car in Lanzarote
  • Guide to driving in Lanzarote
  • Where to stay in Lanzarote
  • Playa Blanca or Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise: where to go?
  • Best tours in Lanzarote
  • Best things to do in Lanzarote

Other side is closed

Note that there used to be an access to the beach via the South end (when driving from Los Hervideros), but it is now closed because the cliffs are not stable and it has become dangerous.

Closed access to Green lagoon Lanzarote

Los Hervideros nearby

You can combine your excursion with a visit to the cliffs of Los Hervideros. This is one of of my favorite places in Lanzarote.
However if you have time, I recommend coming twice, because the Green Lagoon is better at low tide, while Los Hervideros is better at high tide.
See more photos

Los Hervideros Lanzarote

Want to see more of the best Lanzarote has to offer?

  • 21 Best things to do in Lanzarote - read article
  • Best Lanzarote Photography Locations - read article
  • 10 secret gems in Lanzarote - read article
  • Lanzarote Attractions by César Manrique - read article
  • Best Beaches in Lanzarote - read article
  • Best Lanzarote Volcanoes - Tours & Photos - read article
  • Best places to stay in Lanzarote - read article
  • Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote - read article

Planning a trip to Lanzarote?

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your perfect trip around Lanzarote!

Lanzarote ebook cover small
  • 7 easy-to-plan maps
  • 55 Scenic locations in Lanzarote
  • 19 Scenic locations in Fuerteventura
  • Planning tips + Best times
  • 140+ large photos to decide where to go
  • GPS coordinates direct to the carparks

LEARN MORE

And keep track of your own trip!

Lanzarote travel Journal

Want to see more of the CANARY ISLANDS?

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CACTUS GARDEN LANZAROTE

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JAMEOS DEL AGUA LANZAROTE

Tourism Canary Islands Travel Guide

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