There’s a comprehensive guide to things to do in Lanzarote here, another here and another here. We’ve picked out some of our favourite places to go below.
(Click on the bold name to be taken to their website.)
Timanfaya National Park and volcano
Hugely popular attraction where you can see into the volcano, travel around the craters and even eat food cooked on the volcano fire. Great day out.
Traditional salt production from the sea. You can visit, tour and taste. The coast alongside in incredibly beautiful and worth the visit alone.
The sea and coast come together in an amazing combination in this area. Almost reminiscent of Giants Causeway. Great place to spend an afternoon admiring nature.
A stunningly green lake close to the sea that you can photograph from above. Nearby town El Golfo is also worth a visit and has some great restaurants for lunch.
Take a trip deep underground to see magically lit caves including a huge underground concert arena and a big surprise along the way.
Volcanic tunnels, a beautiful underwater lake and other attractions. This is close to Cueva de los Verdes so you can do both in a day.
Some of the most incredible views and scenery on the island, overlooking the island of La Graciosa. Has to be seen to be believed.
Does exactly what it says on the box. A garden full of cacti, including some that look bizarre.
Nobody is more responsible for the beauty of Lanzarote than Cesar Manrique, an artist born on the island. He helped ensure conformity in colour and stop the development of high-rise buildings on the island. This home is testimony to his legacy.
LagOmar Museum (aka Omar Sharif’s house)
An incredibly beautiful hose built out of rocks with multiple pools, rooms and spaces that are stunning. Well worth a visit. Apparently, Omar won it in a hand of Bridge.
Towns and places to spend time
A mish mash of typical Spanish restaurants, taverns and hotels alongside designer and duty-free stores and Irish bars showing the sport – all based around the best beach on the island. Look out for the spoon buried in concrete.
The closest marina to the villa and bar far the nicest on the island. Had a market on Saturday mornings and houses dozens of bars, restaurants and clothes and duty-free stores. A great place to watch the world go by
A slightly smaller marina but with larger superyachts but extremely pretty. Full of shops and restaurants as well as a ferry to Puerto Del Carmen which is a fun outing.
A quiet and beautiful town in the centre of the island with local craft stores and restaurants. On a Sunday it hosts the biggest market in Lanzarote and is transformed into a jumble market stalls selling everything from local art and delicious food to rip off designer handbags by the dozen.
A small and sleepy village most famous for producing the best smoked salmon in the world. If you get the chance, buy some – its amazing.
Lanzarote has a thriving wine industry that is nothing like the vineyards of the rest of Europe. Each wine is surrounded by a small volcanic stone circles and you see them as you drive around the island. Some of the best vineyards to visit are Bodegas Rubicon and Bodega Stratus.
The surf capital of the island and a lovely little beach town that’s well worth a visit. Go for the surf lessons and stay for the laid-back atmosphere and lovely authentic restaurants. Be sure to visit Salty Island clothes store for a beer and a chat with the owner.
You’re spoilt for choice within a short distance of the house. There are literally every cuisine and price range catered for. Our favourites within walking distance – all less than 20 minutes walk/5 minutes drive.
(Click on the restaurant name to be taken to their website.)
Michelin standard tasting menu served in a beautiful space. Cost: expensive
Fantastic restaurant with seafood and meat options. Menu changes regularly and the house wine is fantastic value Good value for money
Eat in and take away authentic Indian cuisine and happy hour beers. Try the lamb keema! Cheaper than the UK
Fantastic and authentic tapas and paella. Try to sizzling garlic prawns and the chorizo in cider. Not at all expensive
Nice gastrobar and restaurant at Rubicon Marina. Perfect for sitting outside on a warm evening. Cheerful, not expensive
Great fresh fish and meat as well as tapas and paella/rice dishes. Can spend as little or as much as you like.
Great fresh fish and meat as well as tapas and paella/rice dishes. Can spend as little or as much as you like
Lovely little tapas place that does live music at weekends. Not costly
Mexican within the huge Barcelo hotel by the seafront. Good value
Further afield – a stroll into Playa Blanca or a 5 minute car drive
Opens on odd days of the week but does amazing fish and tapas. Amazing views over the sea. Nice food at a good price
Classic Canarian cuisine, great value and a tour round what is good on the Island. Not expensive at all
Friendly restaurant with huge portions and great value. A drive away but worth visiting
Asian inspired bar and grill at beautiful Puerto Calero. Try the prawn Vietnamese rolls and the Korean chicken
This is at the top of – pretty much – the only tall building on the island, in Arrecife. Situated on the 17th floor, the view across the bay and city is stunning and the food is pretty good too!
There’s a comprehensive guide to things to do in Lanzarote here, another here and another here. Here are some activities you might be interested in:
(Click on the bold name to be taken to their website.)
Beaches
We spend a fair but of time simply reading, relaxing and chilling by the swimming pool at the house so we don’t spend a lot of time at the beaches, but we’re told that the beaches at Playa Blanca, Playa Dorada and especially Playa Mujeres are all stunning
Shopping
Tax free shopping is available across the island which means low-cost perfumes, designer gear, tobacco and alcohol if you want these. For designer outlets and good food head to Lasal, five minutes drive from the villa. For low-cost perfume and tobacco, the place to do is Fund Grube. For general (and cheaper) clothes, head to Playa Honda.
There is a book of trails and walks in the Villa with a wide range of walks of different lengths and difficulties.
Many of the pro-cycling teams spend time in Lanzarote to train for the season as it is mountainous, warn and has both superb roads for cycling and drivers that respect the distance cyclists need. Most airlines allow you to book a road bike as luggage.
Proceed with caution because the camels can be grumpy but a great experience while you are on the island.
We have not visited personally, but a great way to spend a day cooling off on the island.
Part zoo, part water park, part restaurant and bar and part nighttime entertainment. This leisure park will keep the family happy all day and night.
Get yourself both on and off road in buggies that are fun to drive.
From hiring Jet Skis to snorkelling, swimming, scuba, banana boats and beyond, the island offers a ton of water sports. Head to Playa Rubicon or Playa Dorada for more information.
Costa Tegise doesn’t have much to recommend but the aquarium is based there which provides an afternoon of fascination if it’s too hot to be outside.
Climb aboard a submersible boat to see the sea life up front and personal.