Hot Hot Hot!!!
Lanzarote
Lanzarote, famous for all year-round sun, a clientele of a certain age, and a few resorts that cater for a British audience. Well yes, but pick your spot correctly, be prepared to take a wander in a car, jump on a boat (or both) and you'll soon discover there is a wonderful and very different time to be had on this Canary Island. So here's a few ideas....
When you arrive, don't overlook Arricife.
The capital of Lanzarote is a busy working town, and as such is less on the radar of the typical tourist visiting the island. It's only a short five minute drive from the main airport so it's a perfect for a stopover at the start or end of your visit.
Arrifice has a nice feel, and some great tapas restaurants which come alive in the evening with locals. There's a sandy beach, a promenade, more interesting shops than you'll find in the resorts, and even a sea-front castle. More than enough to justify a visit.
A stone's throw from Arricife is the fabulous beach at Playa Honda which boasts a promenade which runs the length of the island airport's main runway. Well worth checking out.
Go see a lighthouse.
Good restaurants and a pleasant, quiet ambiance are the main reasons Playa Blanca is a great base for a stay on Lanzarote. It's also home to the only major lighthouse on the island.
Just outside Playa Blanca town under the watchful eye of Montana Roja, the huge dormant volcano that dominants the skyline of the Faro Park area, you'll find the Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse. The lighthouse sits at the end of a very pretty promenade that stretches all the way to the the busy sea front of Playa Blanca town.
The walking path extend beyond the the town along the coast and to the Rubicon Marina, a new-ish development of bars, restaurants and shops. For hardy walkers you can continue on to Papagoya beach which despite being fairly isolated, is always quite busy because of the beautiful setting.
From the lighthouse to Papagoya beach it's a good three hour stomp but there are plenty of places to refuel with a cold beer and a sea view on the way.
It is a walk that can be enjoyed again and again, and in sections should you so wish.
Lunch by the sea.
There are a huge choice of restaurants at the pretty white-washed village of El Golfo, which is on the west coast of Lanzarote only a twenty minute coastal drive from Playa Blanca through the Timanfaya National Park. En route make sure you check out the dramatic caves and blow holes at Los Hervideros.
To walk off your platter of fresh fish and Canarian potatoes, scale the cliffs overlooking El Golfo and take in the large green algae lagoon and black beach, famous for it's appearance in the Raquel Welch film One Million Years BC. I took the above photo a few years ago when you could still access the beach, unfortunately this is currently out of bounds as the paths have suffered from erosion, but it's still a great sight to see.
Take a boat.
At the very north of the island is the small port town of Orzola. From here you can catch the morning ferry to the fabulous Island of Graciosa. You land at Caleta del Sebo which is the main settlement on the island. From here you can walk or take a bike to explore, and within minutes you'll be on your own, marvelling at the fine sand beaches and crystal clear water coves and bays.
The island offers a wonderful snapshot of what Lanzarote and the Canary islands were like before development, no roads or traffic, just sandy paths and a chance to enjoy life at a gentler pace, it really is a highlight.
Check out Caesar Manrique.
Lanzarote, famous for all year-round sun, a clientele of a certain age, and a few resorts that cater for a British audience. Well yes, but pick your spot correctly, be prepared to take a wander in a car, jump on a boat (or both) and you'll soon discover there is a wonderful and very different time to be had on this Canary Island. So here's a few ideas....
When you arrive, don't overlook Arricife.
The capital of Lanzarote is a busy working town, and as such is less on the radar of the typical tourist visiting the island. It's only a short five minute drive from the main airport so it's a perfect for a stopover at the start or end of your visit.
 |
| Arricife, Lanzarote, Spain |
Arrifice has a nice feel, and some great tapas restaurants which come alive in the evening with locals. There's a sandy beach, a promenade, more interesting shops than you'll find in the resorts, and even a sea-front castle. More than enough to justify a visit.
A stone's throw from Arricife is the fabulous beach at Playa Honda which boasts a promenade which runs the length of the island airport's main runway. Well worth checking out.
 |
| Playa Honda, Lanzarote, Spain |
Go see a lighthouse.
Good restaurants and a pleasant, quiet ambiance are the main reasons Playa Blanca is a great base for a stay on Lanzarote. It's also home to the only major lighthouse on the island.
 |
| Faro de Pechiguera, Lanzarote, Spain |
Just outside Playa Blanca town under the watchful eye of Montana Roja, the huge dormant volcano that dominants the skyline of the Faro Park area, you'll find the Faro de Pechiguera lighthouse. The lighthouse sits at the end of a very pretty promenade that stretches all the way to the the busy sea front of Playa Blanca town.
The walking path extend beyond the the town along the coast and to the Rubicon Marina, a new-ish development of bars, restaurants and shops. For hardy walkers you can continue on to Papagoya beach which despite being fairly isolated, is always quite busy because of the beautiful setting.
From the lighthouse to Papagoya beach it's a good three hour stomp but there are plenty of places to refuel with a cold beer and a sea view on the way.
It is a walk that can be enjoyed again and again, and in sections should you so wish.
Lunch by the sea.
There are a huge choice of restaurants at the pretty white-washed village of El Golfo, which is on the west coast of Lanzarote only a twenty minute coastal drive from Playa Blanca through the Timanfaya National Park. En route make sure you check out the dramatic caves and blow holes at Los Hervideros.
 |
| El Golfo, Lanzarote, Spain |
To walk off your platter of fresh fish and Canarian potatoes, scale the cliffs overlooking El Golfo and take in the large green algae lagoon and black beach, famous for it's appearance in the Raquel Welch film One Million Years BC. I took the above photo a few years ago when you could still access the beach, unfortunately this is currently out of bounds as the paths have suffered from erosion, but it's still a great sight to see.
Take a boat.
 |
| Northern tip of Lanzarote |
At the very north of the island is the small port town of Orzola. From here you can catch the morning ferry to the fabulous Island of Graciosa. You land at Caleta del Sebo which is the main settlement on the island. From here you can walk or take a bike to explore, and within minutes you'll be on your own, marvelling at the fine sand beaches and crystal clear water coves and bays.
The island offers a wonderful snapshot of what Lanzarote and the Canary islands were like before development, no roads or traffic, just sandy paths and a chance to enjoy life at a gentler pace, it really is a highlight.
 |
| Island of Graciosa |
Check out Caesar Manrique.
Intrinsically linked to Lanzarote is the artist Caesar Manrique.
Not only was he was instrumental in shaping the current landscape of the island, he also left a legacy of beautiful (and quite bonkers) monuments, buildings and installations that you can't miss, and I'll discuss these and a few more Lanazrote highlights next time.
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