10 Lanzarote hidden gems (off the beaten track)

Want to avoid the crowds at the top attractions of Lanzarote?
The island still has a few hidden gems for you to discover. I have gathered some of my favorites in this article.
Those Lanzarote secret places are not completely "secret" (nothing is), but you will find a lot fewer tourists than at other attractions for a better experience.
Volcanoes, beaches, rock formations... Let's discover Lanzarote, off the beaten track.
Map at the end of the article.

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If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).

• About the Picon Valley - 
  There is nothing official about this location. It is an abandoned quarry.
  But the erosion is creating amazing rock structures that photographers will love.
  The picon formations left standing are made of small volcanic ashes and fragile but fascinating with the volcanoes behind.

• Location -
  North of Lanzarote
• How to get there -
  10min drive from Costa Teguise
  Puerto del Carmen to the Picon Valley = 30min drive
  GPS coordinates in my eBook.
• Practical tips -
  No facilities at all.
  Visit at sunrise or sunset to get the orange color of the surrounding volcanoes!

• About Bajo de la Montana - 
  One of the many volcanic wonders of the island of Lanzarote.
  However, this one has no paved road access, so not many people visit.
  The crater has been partially eaten by the sea and what is left is the intense red color.
  You can even climb to the top.

• Location -
  Middle of West Coast
• How to get there -
  Accessible only by 4WD, all trail bikes or hiking 
  From La Costa or La Santa
  Puerto del Carmen to Bajo de la Montana = 35min drive (end of road on track)
• Practical tips -
  No facilities at all.
  Plan time to explore all around and find different perspectives.

• About Playa del Pozo - 
  Near Playa Blanca, Papagayo beach is one of the most famous beaches in Lanzarote.
  But there are several beaches along the way.
  In between the beaches with a carpark, is Playa del Pozo.  It offers beautiful sand, turquoise water and black rock formations.
  SO when everybody is fighting for a spot in Papagayo, walk a little further away to get a more peaceful experience.
  Learn more on my Papagayo beaches article

• Location -
  South-East tip of Lanzarote
• How to get there -
  Unpaved road access - fee to enter the area by car
  Or walk from Playa Blanca (free access) - under 2km
  Puerto del Carmen to Playa Blanca (if going on foot) = 30min drive
• Practical tips -
  No facilities - no shade
  One bar at Papagayo
  Those beaches are shared with nudists

• About the guided walks - 
  Everybody knows about the Timanfaya National Park (see my article with all my tips). It is the highlight of any trip to Lanzarote. The 51sqm (21sqmi) area of protected land is covered with lava and volcanic features in all their shapes and colours. 
  The main way to visit is on the bus tour. But it means you cannot go out and take pictures or stop whenever you want.
  If you are booking your trip early, you might have a chance to grab one of the spots on a guided walking tour (by a ranger).
  Those walks take you along service roads in small groups. But places are limited. A privileged way to discover the national park!

• Location -
  Departure from Yaiza or other location, check information on your booking email.
• How to get there -
  You can see the different options and book on this website: reservasparquesnacionales.es 
  Book early
• Practical tips -
  Tours last 3 hours. There is no shade.
  Wear proper walking shoes, bring water, hat and sunscreen.
  Don't bring a heavy tripod. This is a walk without clear stops. No time to set up your tripod.
  I really enjoyed the Tremesana walk with historical fig trees and breathtaking landscapes.

• About Tenesar - 
  Tenesar is sometimes referred to as the 'lost village' of Lanzarote.
  It is isolated, away from other touristic places, so people don't visit.
  Yet, it is home to a charming small village, waves crashing on basalt rocks and bright red crabs!

• Location -
  North of the Timanfaya National Park
  Middle of North Coast
• How to get there -
  Narrow road (but paved)
  15min drive from Mancha Blanca
  Puerto del Carmen to Tenesar = 35min drive
• Practical tips -
  Many locals come here during the weekends. So if you want peace and quiet, avoid it.
  Drive West of the village to find the best area for crashing waves. And look at the dark rock to spot the crabs!

• About Playa de las Conchas - 
  La Graciosa is a small island North of Lanzarote, accessible by ferry from the North of Lanzarote.
  It is considered part of Lanzarote.
  Because of the need to take a boat the lack of roads on the island, you will see lesser crowds on La Graciosa.
  And if you head to Playa de las Conchas, you could be almost alone, because it is at the other end of the island (and as I said, there are no paved roads).
  This beach is stunning!
  It offers a large golden sand area and small sand dunes, view of Isla de Montana Clara, and its own volcanic cone: Montana Bermeja rising to 154m.
  It is one of the largest sandy area around Lanzarote - 400m long and 100m wide.

• Location -
  La Graciosa island
  North-West end of the island
• How to get there -
  5.5km of sand and dirt track
  15min ride by 4WD taxi
  1h15 to 1h30 to reach the sand dunes on foot one-way (no shade at all)
  Puerto del Carmen to Orzola ferry = 45min drive
• Practical tips -
  No facilities at all.
  Bring all you need, as you are far from everything.
  If you are visiting by 4WD, plan a return time with your driver.

• About Caleton de los Arcos - 
  Continuing on the island of La Graciosa. It is not all about beaches.
  You can also find amazing cliffs where the lava flow has met the ocean. It has created basalt columns and fascinating shapes, including the famous arch that gives its name to Caleton de los Arcos.
  Once again, I love the colours and contrast with the black volcanic rock: the golden sand, the blue sky and the red volcano - Montana Bermeja

• Location -
  La Graciosa island
  North coast of the island
• How to get there -
  20min ride by 4WD taxi from the port.
  1h45 / 2h walk one-way (no shade)
• Practical tips -
  Take the time to appreciate if from all angles
  No facilities - take all you need with you
  If you book the touristic tour of the island with the 4WD taxi, it should include this stop.

• About the Telamon - 
  In the industrial neighborhood of Arrecife, you can find the wreck of the Telamon boat.
  There have been discussions to remove it for years, but nothing has happened so far. It is still here for our photographic pleasure.
  On 31st October 1981, carrying tropical tree trunks, it ran into a storm in the Bocaina Straits between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, its hull sprung a leak and the captain requested to port in Lanzarote. But it sunk before arriving.

Note:

L'épave a été démantelée et n'est plus visible.

• Location -
  Central East Coast of Lanzarote
  North of Arrecife
• How to get there -
  You can only visit with a car or walk from Arrecife
  10min drive from the center of Arrecife
  10min drive from Costa Teguise
  Puerto del Carmen to Telamon = 15min drive
• Practical tips -
  Easy access, close to the road.

• About Montana Roja - 
  It is located right next to one of the major resort on the island, yet not many ascend this mountain to enjoy the views!
  Overlooking Playa Blanca, Montana Roja (the red mountain, due to its colour) is a volcanic crater towering at 194 m (626ft).

  
A nice walk takes you to the top and around the rim with great views of the South end of Lanzarote.

  On a clear day, you can also appreciate views of the Lobos Island and the North coast of Fuerteventura.

• Location -
  North Coast of Lanzarote
  East of Playa Blanca
• How to get there -
  1h15 return hike from the last houses (including the 20min around the rim)
  1.6mi walk (2.6km) - 150m ascent from Playa Blanca
  Puerto del Carmen to Montana Roja = 30min drive
• Practical tips -
  No facilities
  Wear good footwear
  Free access

• About the North Caletones and the Caleton Blanco Lagoon - 
  Looking for something different with calm shallow waters?
  Dark rocks, white sand, dunes and turquoise water to soak and relax.
  The whole area offers something completely different away from the crowds.
  Take the time to explore and jump into the lagoon to cool down!

• Location -
  North Coast of Lanzarote
  East of Orzola
• How to get there -
  Only accessible by car or walking from Orzola
  Orzola to the lagoon = 3min drive
  Puerto del Carmen to the lagoon = 45min drive
• Practical tips -
  Wear good shoes, the small black lava rocks can be sharp
  No facilities.

Want to see more of Lanzarote?