Jameos del agua (Lanzarote) – Visit tips + Amazing pictures

Jameos del Agua Lanzarote is one of the most famous places to visit on the island.
César Manrique optimised the mix of architecture and nature in natural caves created by lava tunnels: a unique place to discover!
Below is my guide with many photos, map and tips to help you plan your visit.

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Why visit Los Jameos del Agua?

Why? Because it combines de architectural and artistic talent of César Manrique with the landscape of a long lava tube where part of the roof has collapsed and created open caves.
It is an culture and tourism center and something you will not see anywhere else. This combination is truly unique to Lanzarote.
There is much to see : the lava tubes, a restaurant, an subterranean salt lake, an incredible pool, a museum as well as an auditorium.

Facts about Jameos del Agua

• Jameo is the aboriginal word to refer to the part of the lava tube where the roof has collapsed
• The lava tube was created by the eruption of Montana Corona. It is 6km long. Jameos del Agua is located in the tunnel section near the coast. Further inland and underground section is also open to visitors: Cueva de los Verdes (Green caves)
• The first public areas of Jameos were opened in 1966, but it was fully opened in 1987
• It is home to a unique species of blind crabs: a yellow and white crustacean that is only 1cm long. They are easy to spot is the salt lake.
• Part of the lava tube goes deep into the Atlantic and is referred to as Tunnel of Atlantis

Below is a short video to give you an idea of what visiting Jameos del Agua looks like:

Probably the second most famous location in Lanzarote after Timanfaya National Park.

• Located in the North West Coast of the Lanzarote
• Very easy to access by car (close to the main road LZ1) 
• Large carpark on arrival
• if you have hired a car in Lanzarote, it will take you: 
• 25min from Costa Teguise
• 40min from Puerto del Carmen
• 1h from Playa Blanca
• Below is a map to help you get oriented:

You can find practical maps with all the places to see in Lanzarote in my eBook (Jameos del Agua with its GPS coordinates and map location is included):

If you don't want to rent a car and drive, there are day excursions from the sea towns in Lanzarote. They combine, for example, several visits of site created by César Manrique (the amazing Cactus Garden, the Green caves, its fondation, the views from Mirador del Rio...) - Check out program and book your seat

• Jameos del Agua opening hours - At least 10am to 5pm (see latest on official website here)
• Visit  late in the afternoon if you want to avoid most of the the big tourist groups
• Tickets - 10 euros per adult - reduced price after 3pm 
• You can buy combined tickets with other Manrique attractions on the island
• Plan 1h30 or longer if you enjoy the restaurant
• Some steps, especially at the beginning.
• All facilities inside
• On Tuesdays and Saturdays (and Wednesdays in Summer), it is open in the evening

César Manrique has designed symbols for each of the sites he has envisioned.
For Jameos del Agua, it is a version of the crab that looks more like a lobster...
You can find the sculpture right by the entrance.

Once inside, the reach the floor of the lava tube, you walk down a staircase inside the first cave: Jameo Chico.
You arrive at the level of the Jameos del Agua Restaurant.

You can have a drink or a meal and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the lava tunnel.
I personally enjoyed a lunch break there. The caesar salad and the cake were tasty. Of course, because of the location it is a bit more expensive but the experience was enjoyable.

After the restaurant, you have to walk down a few more steps and to reach a section of the lava tube that has not collapsed.
Inside is the salt lake with clear water.

You can seat by the shore of the lake and spot the very tiny white crabs, sometimes refer to as Jameitos.
The Munidopsis Polimorpha is around 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 (especially coins) in the lake.

To reach the next section of the visit, you walk along the lake and climb a few steps up.

You arrive at the next big opening in the lava tube. This cave is really large, so it is called Jameo Grande.
It is home to the most famous swimming pool in Lanzarote. It is so inviting!!! Yet nobody can swim in it. I've heard that only the King of Spain can, but I can't confirm it.

The pool is surrounded with palm trees and other tropical plants. It is really a unique sight contrasting with the dark lava rock.

I recommend to spend some time here. Sit down and enjoy the contrasts imagined by César Manrique. Even with many tourists around, it is quite peaceful.

At the end of the cave is an auditorium. It is the only one in the world is such a lava cave.
It can host 550 people.
For information about concerts and events, scroll down on this page.

Once you are ready to leave this eldorado, you can enjoy the white staircase to the upper level, back on normal ground.

From there you can walk around and find many great angles to admire the pool the trees, the lava and the architectural pieces.

You end the tour with a visit of the museum Casa de los Volcanes which means House of the Volcanoes.
It provides information about the volcanoes in Lanzarote, the Canary islands and the world.
To be honest, I did not find it fascinating, I preferred the Timanfaya Visitor center.
The most interesting pieces are all the equipment measuring the earth temperature and movements.

And then you reach the exit via this beautiful corridor.

And just across the main road you can visit Cueva de los Verdes. It is another section of the lava tube that is more enclosed and natural.
Check out my article.

Want to see more of the CANARY ISLANDS?