21 best things to do in Lanzarote (Scenic, Fun, Hidden…)

What a unique island!  
Let me show you 21 of the best things to do in Lanzarote:

•  inspiring volcanic landscapes,
• scenic beaches,
• unique architecture
• and fun activities!

Below is my guide with map, tips and photos of the best places in Lanzarote you should not miss on your trip!

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Everyone has its own taste and favorites, it is not easy to identify the top locations. These top 3 are the places that gave me the most emotions during my trip. My opinion is that they are to top things to do in Lanzarote.

1. Walk around and inside a volcano

What is is & Why I love it

I completed many walks on the island. But my absolute favorite is actually one of the easiest and (sadly busiest) ones: Montana Cuervo. 
Located in the Lanzarote Los Volcanes Natural Park (with surrounds Timanfaya), is it easily accessed by road.
You first walk facing the whole volcano, with great views of a well-preserved cone. Around you is lava in many shapes. Signs help you understand the landscapes around you and the geological history of the volcano.
Then the path allows you to circle it as well as enter inside from one side which has collapsed.

My favorite Volcano in Lanzarote.

Tips

Plan 1 to 2 hour, depending on how much of the tour you do and how many pictures you take 🙂
There is no shade, so bring water and wear good shoes.
If you don't want to drive, excursions depart from all the resort-towns, on a volcano tour that include the first third of this walk (the best part). Check out program and book.

2. Explore la Graciosa island with no roads

What is is & Why I love it

La Graciosa is a small island Located North of Lanzarote. You access it by ferry and there are not roads at all, just tracks in the sand. So you explore it either on foot or with one of the 4WD taxis.
Contrary to Lanzarote it is covered by white sand. But it also have a few volcanoes. The colours are stunning and you can enjoy different landscapes: Beaches, volcanoes and basalt columns.
Even the ferry ride is fascinating with great views of the Famara cliffs of North Lanzarote.
(See my article about La Graciosa Lanzarote for more photos)

Tips

I recommend taking the first ferry in the morning to avoid the crowds who come for a day at the beaches.  
Ferries depart from Orzola. Note that for people staying in Playa Blanca it is quite a drive to get all the way to the North (1h10min drive)
2 companies proposes ferries from Lanzarote to La Graciosa. Check out the departures.

Another option if you don't rent a car. is to join a day out sailing on a catamaran around la Graciosa - Check out program

3. Go on a cactus frenzy

What is is & Why I love it

A garden filled with cacti!!!! yeah!!! I really love those funny and varied plants.  This is my favorite of all the best places to visit in Lanzarote.
The Cactus Garden is the work of famous architect and artist Cesar Manrique. He imagined how the transform this ancient rofera (a quarry) into a display of the most beautiful cactaceae flowers from all over the world. It has around 1500 specimens of 450 different species representing the 5 continents. (see my Cactus Garden article for more photos)

Tips

Visit at opening or late afternoon if you want a less crowded experience.
If you don't want to rent a car, you can join a Lanzarote excursion from all major towns, which cover several locations created by César Manrique. The tour include the Cactus Garden. Check out program.

4. Get up to THE Viewpoint

The most famous viewpoint in Lanzarote is Mirador del Rio. It is considered one of the best places in Lanzarote. 
Located in the North of the island, on the Famara Cliffs, this ancient military based was modified by César Manrique and camouflaged into the rock. It offers grand views of the cliffs and La Graciosa island.
If you don't want to drive, it is also included in the César Manrique day trip

5. Watch the waves crashing at Los Hervideros

One of my favorite landscapes on Lanzarote was at Los Hervideros. I really enjoyed the mix of turquoise water, dark basalt columns and the small red volcanic hill behind. I just sat there to watch. It was the perfect mix for my taste.
A path has been set up to explore those amazing cliffs and even see below one of the arches. This is a fun and easy short walk.

It is located on the West Coast, South of Timanfaya National Park and the views are best at high tide, where maybe you will see the waves crashing.
If you don't want to drive, it can be combined with a visit to the famous Timanfaya National Park. Check out program.

6. Admire the colors at the salt pans

It is well known, that one of the best places to see sunset in Lanzarote is at Famara Beach. And where I saw that the conditions were going to be good, I jumped in the car and headed there. I was not disappointed!
The large beach has reflection of the impressive Famara cliffs hit by the setting sun. 
It is one fo the best photography locations in Lanzarote with silhouette of surfers and light plays.
But you won't be the only photographer around.

Before I continue with my next selection of amazing things to do in Lanzarote by type of activities, here is a simplified map to give you a general ideas of where things are located (Practical maps with the location of all the best places to see in Lanzarote are available in the eBook)

There is no absolute best part of Lanzarote. It depends on what you like. My favorite were the volcanoes and the island of La Graciosa

Want to Make planning your trip to Lanzarote easier?
All the locations listed in this article, as well as many others are included in my eBook and located on my easy-to-plan Maps:

If you come to Lanzarote, you come to see volcanoes and other volcanic features. This is quite fascinating. Below are some of my favorite experiences in Lanzarote:

8. Sit back and take it all in as your ride inside Timanfaya

The most famous activity in Lanzarote is the coach tour inside Timanfaya National Park (see my Timanfaya guide). Located on the west, it is one of the best parts of the island, the most scenic. It is entirely made up of volcanic soil. There are not many ways to experience it. The main one is the coach tour through the one road in the park. You can't get out of the bus so as to protect the park, but you get to see some of the most unique views you could imagine. It is like visiting another planet! The area is also called Fire Mountains Lanzarote.

If you don't want to drive, half-day tours take you from all the resort towns, to experience Timanfaya. Check out program.

9. Watch to heat of Earth

Along with the coach tour, you get to stop by the restaurant of the park where they carry out small experiments to show you the heat under the earth.

10. Be impressed by the size of a Volcanic Bomb

Another great place to see in Lanzarote is Montana Colorada (the colorful mountain). It is another walk that takes you all around the volcano with signs explaining what you see. One side of the volcano is a vibrant red, hence its name.
Apart for the colour, Colorada is also famous for having the biggest volcanic bomb (projected by the volcano during the eruption) on the island. It is massive. Sadly there were nobody around where I walked (early morning) to I can't give you a sense of scale.

If you don't want to drive, the excursions that takes you to Montana Cuervo (#1), also takes you on the first quarter of this one to see the bomb. Check out program and book.

11. Feel vertigo in a lava tube

This picture was taken in Cueva de los Verdes, in the North of the island. Jesus Soto set up lights in the lava tunnel to create  a fascinating experience. I am not going to say too much, because I risk spoiling the surprise. But I was very impressed by the experience at the end!

Lanzarote is not only a nature wonder, but also a great place to appreciate architecture that integrates with Nature. Thanks to César Manrique, you have some fo the best places to visit in Lanzarote. Below are a few examples:

12. Be frustrated not to be able to swim in one of the most inviting swimming pools

I think this was one of the most frustrating things in Lanzarote. This swimming pool in Jameos des Agua is so inviting!!!! Don't you think? And I love water 🙂
In this place, César Manrique transformed part of a long lava tunnel which had collapsed in several location. There is an underground lake, restaurants, and amphitheater...
If you don't want to rent a car, you can join a Lanzarote excursion from all major towns, which cover several locations created by César Manrique, including Jameos. Check out program.

13. Search for white crabs

Also in Jameos del Agua, the natural underground lake inside the tunnel section which has not collapsed is home to small white crabs. YOU can sit on the side and notice these tiny crabs.

14. Get lost in a (small) labyrinth house

One of my favorite places imagined by César Manrique but designed by Jesus Soto. It is a labyrinth house inside an old quarry: LagOmar. I love how every caves, holes and shapes are used and transformed. It used to be the home of Omar Sharif.

Of course, many people also come to Lanzarote for the beaches. It does not offer the dreamy white sand beaches of other canary islands, but it has some scenic and enjoyable ones. You can check my complete list of the best beaches in Lanzarote here.

15. Get a boat ride to Papagayo

One of the most famous places in Lanzarote is Papagayo beach. Located on the South Coast, it is the most ancient part of the island. The small cove has a beautiful shape and emerald waters.
There is no paved roads to get there, only a very bumpy track (where you are normally not allowed to go with rental cars). The other options are to walk from Playa Blanca to Papagayo (along other beaches) which is a great walk or take the Waterbus from Playa Blanca (get tickets)

16. Socialize in Playa Blanca

Of course, many people also come to Lanzarote to lay on the beach and enjoy the sun.
This is not my thing, but I still checked out all the beaches in the resort towns at Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.
The one that seemed to most inviting to me was Dorada Beach in Playa Blanca.

17. Relax in a Lagoon

Looking for something different with calm shallow waters? To the North if the island, not far from Orzola, is the Caleton Blanco Lagoon.
Dark rocks, white sand and turquoise water to soak and relax.

Because of the harsh condition and volcanic soil, not much can grow on Lanzarote. So most of what you are going to eat is imported. But you can still taste great stuff.

18. Learn about Wine Growing in Lanzarote (and taste it!)

Yes, there are vineyards in Lanzarote. This is quite surprising, but by using picon on the soil to capture humidity and creating small rock walls to protect from the wind, they are able to grown grapes and make wine!
You can visit several Bodega on the island. The most famous is La Geria (check out a tour there). But my favorite was El Grifo with the small museum and a more intimate setting for tasting.

19. Enjoy seafood tapas by the water

Another way to taste Lanzarote is to escape to a small fishing village out of the beaten path, and savour seafood right by the water 🙂

With all these resorts and 'relax holiday style' visitors, Lanzarote has also developed fun and adrenaline activities for the whole family.

20. Dive in a Yellow Submarine

One of them is climbing inside a yellow submarine and going for a 1hour dive by Puerto Calero. You wills see 2 ship wrecks and many fishes.
Sadly, there are diver feeding the fish so that you see more of them so it is not completely natural, but the diving in a submarine was quite cool!
They even have small screens for each passenger where you can follow the dive with outside cameras and metrics. It is run by Submarine Safaris.

It is fun for kids and for adults, which makes it one of the best things to do in Lanzarote for families.

21. Go buggy driving off road

In all the canary islands, they offer buggy experiences to be able to discover the islands off road. It is a lot of fun and giving access to different views. Check out this 3h-tour in Tandem buggy.

I also recommend to take side roads, go off road and walk as much as possible to see special or unusual things in Lanzarote. The island has a lot of beautiful places to see off the beaten path.
I have included all my favorites in my eBook: Explore and Photograph Lanzarote. Here is a snapshot of what you could see.

Want help finding the best area for you to stay in Lanzarote?

Before I give you some extra suggestions about local activities at each of the resort town, here is a short video to give you an idea of what it is like to explore Lanzarote:

It can be a great idea to alternate days of excursions with quieter day in the town where you are staying. Here are some locaal activities to enjoy at each of them.

• Dolphin cruises during the day or at sunset - plus get great views of Lanzarote from the sea - learn more
• Buggy drive to discover the landscapes of Lanzarote from dirt tracks - learn more
• Paragliding off the coast of Lanzarote - I love this activity, you feel safe but the sensations and views are amazing! Learn more
• Speed & adrenaline water activities such as Crazy UFO - learn more
• Visit the Rancho Texas Park a mix of zoo and water park- Get your entrance ticket
• Coastal walk to Puerto Calero

• Enjoying the promenade along the water
• Climb Montana Roja
• Cruise to the amazing beaches of Papagayo - check out program
• Kayak, Snorkeling
• And if you dive, there is an Underwater museum
• Or you can take the ferry and discover Fuerteventura - See Day trip options or read my article

• Visit to the aquarium - get entry tickets
• Have fun at the aqua park
• Windsurfing
• Diving

Want to see more of the CANARY ISLANDS?