Teguise

The pretty little town of Teguise was one of the first settlements established in the Canary Islands.

Capital of Lanzarote until 1847, it maintains a significant number of buildings of great historical and artistic value.

Clearly the impacts of over tourism are being felt even here, as the street sign above shows a distinctly anti tourist sentiment!

I was amused and disturbed in equal measure by the poster below appearing to show a baby being fed directly from a goat!

You can also visit the tiny Aloe Vera museum and force your loved ones to pose with the little mascot!

Rock formations

Los Roferos, also called Stratified city or Antigua Rofera, is an abandoned quarry with years of erosion creating amazing rock structures.

This former quarry provides a surreal landscape to explore.

A man in a black tank top and sunglasses holds up a rock formation with a hole in it, set against a hilly landscape.

The ‘stratified city’ is composed of a series of torturous rock formations shaped over thousands of years by the island’s wind, sun and rain.

This natural erosion has created a surreal otherworldly landscape, with intriguing holes, tunnels and caves found in the rocks.

A close-up selfie of a woman wearing sunglasses and a headband, with a man in the background jumping in excitement under a rock arch.

The site is constantly changing its appearance, as the weather ensures that the rocks continue to erode over time.

It’s well worth spending half an hour exploring this luna landscape.

Jardín de Cactus

Ready for a spikey tale?

The incredible Jardín de Cactus has around 4500 specimens of 450 different species, of 13 different families of cactus from the five continents.

The garden is situated in the village of Guatiza, in a former quarry where volcanic sand lapilli was extracted to spread on cultivated areas to retain moisture.

The Cactus Garden is the brainchild of artist of César Manrique and along with the cacti, the architecture is brimming with decorative and sculptural elements.

This internationally awarded complex is considered one of the most important cactus gardens in the world.

It’s not hard to see why with the prickly plants poking out from everywhere, and everything, you can imagine.

There’s a tasty cafe on site, with a variety of cactus themed foods (plus lovely cake too!) and also a windmill –  the Guatiza mill.

Even the toilets have the artist’s touch, with his unique artwork decorating the doors.

Haria

Haría, in the north of Lanzarote, is situated in the charming “valley of the thousand palm trees”, one of the best groves of native palm trees in the Canary Island.

In the historic centre, where the heart is the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, the Plaza León y Castillo is well worth a visit.

A weathered green wooden door set against a textured white wall.
Facade of a house in Haría, Lanzarote, featuring decorative tiles depicting local scenes, with a green window frame and a potted cactus.

After Haria we explore some of the winding mountain roads to experience the incredible views that this island has to offer.

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Island of extremes

Lanzarote is an island of extreme contrasts. From the rocky black lava that yields incredible fertility despite its barren appearance,

You then encounter sweeping panoramic vistas including this from the Mirador del Río that overlooks the almost uninhabited island of La Graciosa.

Spanish for “the graceful”) La Graciosa is a volcanic island located two kilometres (one nautical mile) north of Lanzarote across the Strait of El Río.

Caletón Blanco beach

If you are looking for your dream swimiming spot then Caletón Blanco is your ideal place.

The fishing village of Órzola has a series of inviting coves on the eastern part of its coast, a natural feature which demands an outing to this area of the island.

Among them Caletón Blanco stands out. A stunning natural swimming pool of crystal clear water takes up most of this dream location that is dotted with volcanic lava.

Caletón Blanco is unlike any other beach on the island. Its long stretches of white sand, interspersed with black lava flows and turquoise pools, create a dramatic yet welcoming landscape.

It is a quiet beach, with shallow areas ideal for swimming, even for families with children.

In addition, its orientation and location protect it from the wind, making it especially pleasant all year round.

A man standing in shallow water surrounded by black volcanic rocks, with a clear blue sky and other people wading in the background.

Caletón Blanco changes a lot with the tide. At low tide, calm pools form, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. At high tide, the sea advances and covers much of the sand.

It is a absolutely stunning slice of pristine beauty. A little spot of paradise.

Cueva de les Verdes

La Cueva de los Verdes is a unique cave system formed from an ancient lava tube.

The cave was created around 3,000 years ago by lava flows erupting from the nearby volcano Monte Corona.

Located in the north of the island, and integrated into the vast volcanic landscape of the Malpaís de la Corona.

The cave reaches almost 8 kilometers, formed by a complex of tunnels and nooks and crannies with fascinating vaults and interior lagoons.

La Cueva de los Verdes is part of an 8 km long volcanic tube, formed about 23,000 years ago during the eruption of the Corona volcano.

The cave was used as a refuge against the Berber pirates of North Africa and is believed to owe its name to the surname of a family that used the cave and kept their livestock in the surrounding area.

Vista panorámica de un paisaje volcánico con vegetación densa y montañas al fondo, incluyendo el volcán Monte Corona.
Landscape of volcanic rock with two people exploring the area and greenery scattered across the terrain, set against the ocean in the background.

San Bartolome

San Bartolomé is one of the smallest villages on Lanzarote, a unique spot where the island is divided by two very different characteristics.

It is located in the geographical centre of Lanzarote and features some striking sculptures including a dancing couple – The Malagueña – a tribute to the Folklore of San Bartolomé.

To the north, cultivated fields extend over fertile land, while to the south the island reveals its volcanic origins and the unique landscapes of the vineyards of La Geria.

Formerly known as Ajei (small village), San Bartolomé is one of the smallest municipalities on Lanzarote.

The first inhabitants settled there to get away from the pirate attacks that took place in the coastal areas.

A man standing in a plaza surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, with a decorative fountain in the foreground and a white building in the background featuring balconies and flags.

The quiet little town has some notable sights including the Church of San Bartolomé, built at the end of the 18th century.

We also enjoyed the sculptures dotted around the town including traditional island scenes and these theatrically themed faces.

Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca (Spanish for White Beach) is the southernmost town of Lanzarote and is also the newest resort on the island.

The main town beach is Playa Dorada, literally translated as The Golden Beach, and is to the east of the town centre.

The sea around Playa Dorada is generally very calm because it is encased within a manmade cove.

It’s a 10-minute walk from the centre of Playa Blanca and is well served by shops and cafes at Centro Comercial Papagayo behind it.

The sea is a stunning shade of deep blue on the day we visit.