LANZAROTE
DISABLED ACCESSIBLE HOLIDAY INFORMATION
FOR LANZAROTE
IN THE CANARY ISLANDS
The most northeasterly of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote has embraced the tourism
boom with a more laid-back feel than its popular sister islands of Tenerife and
Gran Canaria. Nature is still a big attraction on this small volcanic island,
which measures only 38 miles (60km) long and 13 miles (21km) at its widest
point. Camels are often used to transport goods (and sometimes tourists) in this
desert-like climate, across the dry volcanic ash that covers most of the
landscape. UNESCO declared the whole island a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and
visitors exploring the dozens of enchanting spots on the island will soon see
why. Lanzarote’s capital, Arrecife, is a small town on the eastern coast, its
harbour packed with fishing boats. Although the town itself has little to offer
in the way of sights or nightlife, it does have a magnificent, clean beach, El
Reducto, which has been granted blue flag status by the European Union. A
promenade runs along the beach front around the San Gines lagoon with its fine
golden sand and placid waters.
RESORTS
See our separate guides to the following resorts in Lanzarote: Costa Teguise,
Puerto del Carmen, Matagorda and Playa Blanca
ATTRACTIONS
Fuerteventura
If sand and sun is what you are after, then Fuerteventura, second largest island
in the Canaries archipelago (but the most sparsely populated) is the place to
go. Its whitewashed capital, Puerto del Rosario, is known as the place where
goats outnumber its citizens by a long chalk. Other than that however there is
not much to the place except for very bleak buildings, which only the most
curious visitor may find interesting. What one will find when taking the ferry
to Fuerteventura from Lanzarote, is a good beach. Giniginamar is a peaceful spot
with black sand fringed by elegant palm trees. There is also a long stretch of
golden sand at the mouth of the Juan Gomez ravine on the Jandia peninsula. La
Pared in the south has a black pebbly beach with rough seas, and there is the
secluded, scenic Ajuy beach near the fishing village of the same name. One can
still explore Fuerteventura and find stretches of virgin sand, even in the
height of summer. The name, Fuerteventura, most likely derived from the
amalgamation of fuerte (strong) and viento (wind), describing the strong
off-shore winds that offer cooling breezes for the sun-worshippers.
Transport:
Fuerteventura is an easy day-trip from Lanzarote. Ferries leave
regularly from Playa Blanca, at the south of the island
La Cueva de los Verdes
In the northern part of Lanzarote, close to the Monte de la Corona volcano, is a
spectacular system of underground grottos known as La Cueva de los Verdes. This
is one of the largest volcanic galleries in the world, at just over four miles
(six km) long, formed approximately five thousand years ago in a prehistoric
eruption when a massive stream of lava boiled down to the sea, hardening around
the spaces inflated by gases. More than a mile of these grottos are accessible
to visitors, and lighting effects have been added to accentuate the contours and
colours of the weird shapes resulting from the lava flows.
Telephone: 928 848 484; Opening time: Daily 10am to 7pm (last admission at 5pm);
Admission: €8
Museum of Contemporary Art
Modern art in an old building works well in Lanzarote’s capital, Arrecife,
where a collection of works by international artists is on permanent display in
the Castle of San Jose, a fortress built between 1776 and 1779 by King Carlos
III of Spain. Some of the artists featured are Bacon, Picasso, Miro, Botero,
Damaso and Luis Feito.
Telephone: 928 812 321; Opening time: Museum: Monday to Sunday 11am to 1pm; art
galleries: Monday to Sunday 11am to 9pm; Admission: Free
The Cactus Garden
Situated between Guatiza and Mala is an unusual sightseeing attraction that
combines art with nature. Artist Cesar Manrique created a work of art in the
form of a cactus plantation in an old quarry. The site also features a restored
windmill.
Telephone: 928 529 397; Opening time: Daily 10am to 7pm; Admission: €5
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park is unique because it is the only national park in the
world to have been developed by local residents. Also unique is what the park
offers, which includes a volcanic field filled with a variety of geological and
geothermic phenomena. In the restaurant visitors can end their guided tour of
these wonders by enjoying a meal cooked on geothermal heat emanating from the
steam vents and geysers exuding from the lava. The park also features 180
different plant species on its stark landscape.
Telephone: 928 840 057; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7.45pm; Admission: €8