If you are ready to explore Lanzarote deeper than just the beach, start with our itinerary. The Lanzarote Volcano Island Guide is compiled based on our personal experiences and recommendations. We have taken you to the iconic volcanic craters of Caldera Blanca 🌋 and Monte Corona and conquered the challenging ridge crossing of Risco de Famara ⛰️ between Haría and Teguise. We showed you how to combine the works of César Manrique 🎨 (Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Río) with authentic hiking, where it’s worth stopping in the capital Arrecife, and how to take a ferry to the wild island of La Graciosa 🏝️. Our exploration concludes with Timanfaya National Park and the beaches of Los Ajaches and El Golfo.
🗺️ 7-Day Itinerary: From Manrique to the Wild Craters
This itinerary is designed for active travellers and logically connects geographically close points to minimise time spent driving and maximise experiences.
Volcanic North and Manrique’s Underground World 🎨
We dedicated the first day to admiring the work of César Manrique, the artist who saved the aesthetic of the entire island. Find out how he transformed lava tunnels into galleries and concert halls.
- Sights and Trails: Visit Jameos del Agua and Cueva de los Verdes. If your legs are strong, try the Orzola Hiketrail before diving into Manrique’s genius. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, read more about César Manrique – the genius who saved Lanzarote island.
Risco de Famara: Discovering Caves in the Cliffs
Ridge Adrenaline on the Risco de Famara Trails ⛰️
Day 2: If you’re not lounging on the beach, prepare for a challenging but visually stunning day on the cliffs. They stretch along the northwest coast.
- Canary Islands Hiking Experience: Complete the Risco de Famara ridge crossing from the iconic village of Haría to the former island capital, Teguise. These cliffs were formed by lava eruptions 16 million years ago and offer some of the best views.
- Architecture: At the end of the day in Haría, notice the details of [Antonio Padron Barrera architecture], which respects Manrique’s legacy.
Craters, Views, Endorphins, and La Graciosa 🏝️
Day 3: We experienced a day full of contrasts—from a paid, but iconic viewpoint, to a wild and free crater.
- The day started on the wild and undiscovered Balcón Gracioso trail just a short distance from the ferries departing from Orzola to Graciosa Island. Only then did the real chase for the most beautiful views of Lanzarote begin.
- We drove to Mirador del Río (Manrique’s masterpiece) and even found a spot from which we got a view of La Graciosa without paying the entrance fee (for free) 🤫. Yes, from a nearby bunker right next to the viewpoint itself.
- However, an even greater experience was the climb to the volcanic crater Monte Corona, which is much older than Timanfaya, and from the top, you look down on Mirador del Río as a tiny dot far below.
The Heart of Volcanic Drama – Timanfaya 🔥
Day 4: No visit would be complete without a trip to Timanfaya National Park, where the ground is so hot that you can roast chickens on its steam.
- Book your visit to Timanfaya National Park in advance during the season. Here you will find out how geothermal activity works and how massive the eruptions were in the 18th century. We will also add some good advice on why not to venture into lava fields outside marked and permitted paths. It is mainly expensive.
- We ended the day on the wild coast of El Golfo near Los Hervideros and Laguna Verde. The red crater, black cliffs, and green lagoon are a photogenic jewel for all Instagrammers and a reminder of the island’s wildness.
Inland and the Climb to the Largest Crater 🌋
Day 5: We move from the volcanic coast to the central craters and lava fields.
- Climb Caldera Blanca volcano, the largest crater on the island, where you can walk the entire rim and see all of Timanfaya laid out below you. We spotted a guy there who walked across the lava fields barefoot.
- Afterwards, relax in the unique wine region of La Gería 🍷, where vines are protected by stone walls. But watch your wallet. 🙂
- If you drive on the highway and see a strange chimney, slow down. You have probably discovered the condominium of Antonio Padron Barrera. His architecture (something between Hundertwasser and Gaudí) is unique to the island.
South, Beaches, and the Secret Los Ajaches Trails 🏖️
Day 6: The final expedition to the south of the island, combining the best swimming with easier hiking.
- Beaches: Take the trails in Los Ajaches to Papagayo Beach. This is a protected area where you have to earn your swimming experience with a trek. But every second is worth it. After the journey and a great swim, relax in one of the southern towns.
Arrecife – The City That Lives 🏙️
Day 7: We dedicated the final day to city life.
We could have spent more time in Arrecife. The city doesn’t put on a tourist show; it functions quietly. It’s about coastal walks, piers, and castles. And also about art.
- Gastro: Find cheap beer and tapas just two streets from the harbour 🍺 – it tastes better and costs half the price.
Hiking Pillars of Lanzarote: Craters and Cliffs 🚶
Lanzarote is a paradise for the active hiker, where you can traverse four craters in a single day.
- Caldera Blanca: Its sheer size is stunning. Although it seems close, the climb to the rim is steep. It is one of the best and most accessible full-day trips, allowing you to see how the lava flowed around the area.
- Risco de Famara: The Risco de Famara cliffs testify to how volcanoes raised the island into its current form 16 million years ago. The ridge crossing is logistically and physically demanding but offers the most beautiful views of the island and La Graciosa.
- Personal Footwear Tip: Although we experimented with Vibram-soled sandals (which our feet appreciated in the evening), closed, sturdy footwear is necessary for the rugged paths and steep lava fields (like Monte Corona) 👟.
César Manrique: The Island’s Architecture 🖼️
Manrique’s work is an inseparable part of Lanzarote. His philosophy of “no high-rise buildings” saved the island from tasteless mass construction.
- Aesthetics: The reason you don’t see massive resorts like on other islands is César Manrique – the genius who saved Lanzarote’s aesthetic. His principle was to combine art with nature, which is perfectly visible at Jameos del Agua, where he created a concert hall in a lava tunnel.
- Urban Concept: His legacy persists in the architecture, which was also reflected by Antonio Padron Barrera. White colour and minimal construction are the rule.
Practical Advice: Transport, Accommodation, Weather ℹ️
Lanzarote Volcano Island Guide. Although the island is not marketed en masse, the logistics of travel are crucial.
Weather and the Best Time to Visit ☀️
Spring and Autumn (February–May, September–November) are ideal for hiking. Temperatures are stable, but there is always strong wind and sun on the cliffs – never forget that. Even when it’s cloudy, protection is necessary. Current weather in Lanzarote.
Transport and Car 🚗
For an active stay on the island, renting a car is essential. The roads are high quality, and the car rental is relatively cheap. Buses (Guaguas) are fine for local transfers but won’t allow you to cover, for example, the Risco de Famara ridge trek. We were lent the smallest of the small, a Fiat 600, yet we were surprised by its interior space; although, engaging 5th gear on those hills was more of a pious wish.
Accommodation in Lanzarote 🏠
For hiking and active exploration, we recommend a base in the Centre/North (e.g., Haría, Teguise). If you prefer comfortable beaches and a resort atmosphere, choose the south. Arrecife – the capital, is a good compromise, but parking there is hell.
Gastro Counterpoint to All-Inclusive 🍴
As active travellers, we seek authentic tastes, not meatballs and powdered juices from the all-inclusive menu.
- Wine and Reward: After a strenuous day, stop in the volcanic region of La Gería for a glass of Malvasia 🥂. The grapevines are protected here by lava stone walls.
- Authentic Tavern: If you crave true, unadulterated peace, visit Casa Rayco in Máguez. It’s divine tranquility with Caribbean rhythms, where locals ignore tourists until you ask them something.
- Fresh Seafood: If you are looking for the best Paella on the island with fresh seafood 🥘, you will find it in Arrieta, for example. Leaving home with the memory of fresh food from the sea is always the best conclusion. And don’t forget: it’s always tastier and twice as cheap two streets away from the tourist zones.
Why It’s Worth Returning ✨
Lanzarote Volcano Island Guide. The island may not wow you at first sight, but it will show you its character and history. It’s not an island about relaxation, the sea, and animators, but about contrast, art, and volcanic drama that will win you over. I guarantee you’ll want to return.
