Jameos del Agua Lanzarote is one of the most famous places to visit on the island.
César Manrique has optimized the blend of architecture and nature in natural caves created by lava tunnels: a unique place to discover!
Here’s our guide to help you plan your visit, with photos, map and tips.
BEFORE ALL OUR TIPS, OUR favorites
Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars
Our favorite activities:
Dolphin-watching boat tour
Bus tour: Timanfaya + El Golfo + Los Hervideros + Wines
Our favorite hotels:
Boutique: Royal Marina Suites in Puerto Calero
5 stars: Hotel Fariones in Puerto del Carmen
Adults-only: CalaLanzarote in Playa Blanca
Family: Aequora Suites in Puerto del Carmen
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why visit Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote?
Is a visit to Jameos del Agua worthwhile?
Absolutely. We recommend this visit: it combines the architectural and artistic talent of César Manrique with the landscape of a long lava tube where part of the roof has collapsed, creating open caves.
It’s a cultural and tourist center and something you won’t see anywhere else. This combination is truly unique to Lanzarote, and one of its main attractions.
There’s lots to see: lava tubes, a restaurant, an underground salt lake, an incredible swimming pool, a museum and an auditorium.
It’s probably the second most famous place on Lanzarote after Timanfaya National Park.
History
The lava tube was created by the Montana Corona eruption. It is 6 km long. Jameos del Agua is located in the tunnel section near the coast. Other interior and underground sections are also open to visitors: Cueva de los Verdes.
And part of the lava tube goes deep into the Atlantic and is called the Atlantis Tunnel.
The first public areas at Jameos were opened in 1966, but the site was not fully opened until 1987.
It’s home to a unique species of blind crab: a yellow-and-white crustacean just 1 cm long. They are easy to spot in the salt lake.
More pictures after the practical advice.
Jameo is the Aboriginal word for the part of a lava tube where the roof has collapsed.
Tips + map: Jameos del Agua, Lanzarote
Where to find Jameos del Agua
- Located on the northwest coast of Lanzarote
- Puerto del Carmen to Jameos del Agua = 40 min by car
- Playa Blanca to Jameos del Agua = 1h drive
- Costa Teguise to Jameos del Agua = 25min by car
- Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get to Jameos del Agua by car
- Very easy access by car (off the main LZ1 road)
- Easy entry with a huge metal crab: César Manrique designed symbols for each of the sites he imagined. For Jameos del Agua, it’s a version of the crab that looks more like a lobster…
- Large parking lot, but can fill up during the day in summer
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Lanzarote
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- A small car is all you need.
- But you can also choose a larger one if you wish, as the parking spaces are rather large.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Excursion
If you don’t want to rent a car and drive, there are day trips from Lanzarote’s seaside towns. They combine, for example, several visits to sites created by César Manrique (the astonishing Cactus Garden, the green caves, his foundation, the views from Mirador del Rio…).
Consult the program and reserve your place.
Practical advice
- Jameos del Agua opening hours – at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (see official website for latest opening times)
- Visit in the late afternoon to avoid most of the large tourist groups
- Tickets – 10 euros per adult – reduced price from 3 pm onwards
- Combined tickets available for other Manrique attractions on the island
- Allow 1h30 or more if you enjoy the restaurant
- A few steps, especially at the beginning.
- Toilets and restaurant at beginning and end
- On Tuesdays and Saturdays (and Wednesdays in summer), the site is open in the evening.
WHERE TO STAY IN Lanzarote
Option 1: Playa Blanca
To the south, the resort is charming with beautiful beaches. We recommend..:
- Hotel Resort Princesa Yaiza, right in the center – see prices, pictures and availability
- Boutique-Hotel Cala Lanzarote – see prices, pictures and availability
- Aparthotel Jardines del Sol – prices, pictures and availability
Option 2: Puerto del Carmen
Main seaside resort with large beaches. We recommend..:
- Hotel Fariones, 5 stars above the beach – see prices, photos and availability
- Boutique-Hotel Aqua Suites – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Seaside Los Jameos, for families – see prices, photos and availability
Option 3: Costa Teguise
Smaller and more central, for exploring the whole island. We recommend..:
- Barcelo adults-only Hotel – prices, pictures and availability
- Radisson Blu resort hotel, adults-only- see prices, pictures and availability
- H10 Lanzarote Family Guard – see prices, photos and availability
Jameo Chico – Access to the Jameos del Agua restaurant
Once inside, to reach the bottom of the lava tube, you descend a staircase into the first cave: Jameo Chico.
You arrive at the Jameos del Agua restaurant.
You can have a drink or a meal and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the lava tunnel. This is one of the most unique places to eat in Lanzarote.
Personally, we enjoyed a lunch break there. The Caesar salad and cake were delicious. Of course, because of the location, it’s a bit more expensive, but the experience was pleasant.
But you can also simply walk through the site to continue your visit.
And you can also book a gastronomic experience for the evening: the “Noches de Jameos”. See available days.
Jameos del Agua underground lake and crabs
After the restaurant, it’s down a few more steps to a section of the lava tube that hasn’t collapsed.
Inside is the salt lake with clear water.
It’s very surprising.
You can sit by the lake and spot the tiny white crabs, sometimes called Jameitos.
The Munidopsis Polimorpha is about 1cm long and blind.
The lake is regulated by the Atlantic Ocean and its water is really clear.
Note that they are very sensitive to oxide, so don’t throw anything into the lake (especially coins).
To reach the next section of the tour, you walk along the lake and climb a few steps.
WITH OUR GUIDE PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP TO lanzarote
All the information you need for your trip:
- 7 maps that make planning easier
- + 75 pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- + 140 photos to help you choose
Lanzarote’s best-known pool – Jameo Grande
You arrive at the next large opening in the lava tube. This cave is very large, which is why it’s called Jameo Grande.
It is home to Lanzarote’s most famous swimming pool. It’s so attractive!!! Yet no one can swim in it. Big frustration…
We’ve heard that only the King of Spain can do this, but we can’t confirm it.
The pool is surrounded by palm trees and other tropical plants. It’s a truly unique sight, contrasting with the dark lava rock.
We recommend spending some time here. Sit back and enjoy the contrasts imagined by César Manrique. Even with lots of tourists around, it’s quite peaceful.
Auditorium and concerts at Jameos del Agua
At the end of the cave is an auditorium. It’s the only one in the world to be located in a lava cave. It can accommodate 550 people.
For more information on concerts and events, visit this page of the official website.
Top level
Once you’re ready to leave this Eldorado, you can climb the white staircase to the upper level, back on the normal floor.
From here, you can wander around and find beautiful angles to admire the pool, trees, lava and architectural features.
Museum – Casa de los Volcanes (House of Volcanoes)
The tour ends with a visit to the Casa de los Volcanes museum, which means House of the Volcanoes.
It provides information about Lanzarote’s volcanoes, the Canary Islands and the world.
To be honest, we didn’t find it fascinating, preferring the Timanfaya visitor center.
The most interesting pieces are all the devices for measuring the earth’s temperature and movements.
And then you reach the exit through this beautiful corridor:
Virtual tour – Video
Below is a short video to give you an idea of what a visit to Jameos del Agua is like:
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Lanzarote
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Lanzarote
How to get around
How to rent a car in Lanzarote
Driving tips
Best excursions
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days