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Lanzarote Island Lanzarote Holidays Lanzarote
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Lanzarote, the most fiery of the Canary Islands, is situated in the north-eastern corner of the archipelago. As there are no mountain ranges of particular height to be found on this island, consequently, the clouds brought by the trade winds bring very little rain fall. Without rain there is little in the way of erosion, subsequently, the volcanic landscape has scarcely changed since the last major eruption in the 18th Century.
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In the Mountains of Fire, composing of about 100 volcanoes which resulted from this eruption, the National Park Timafaya is to be found. Here official guided tours are organised by the park authorities. An alternative would be a bus tour or a view of the fascinating landscape as seen from the gently swaying back of a dromedary.
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The caravan stops for a break in the Timafaya National Park
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Above: The beautiful and reminiscent of the near Sahara, yellow-golden sandy beaches invite you with the finest of sand or are a typical volcanic dark grey.
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The coastline of Lanzarote shows itself in a great diversity of form: Where the lava has flown into the sea bizarre rock-formations have formed and between are small bays that are ideal for bathing, or wide sandy beaches.
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Above: A natural bathing pool close to El Golfo
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The rocky coastline is not only optically fascinating with its beautiful rock formations, pools and promontories but offers a chance for completely new experiences. Here one can find “Black Crabs”, Lappas, as well as the “Hat Mussels” of the Canaries which are under preservation. Naturally, one also meets the fishermen with their bamboo rods, pulling a strange and occasionally brightly coloured harvest from the Atlantic.
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Inviting as it may be for diving excursions of all kinds, the wonderful underwater world of Lanzarote has not been responsible for the island gaining a reputation as a “Paradise” but all that can be done on the surface of the water. Surfers from all over the world, both professional and enthusiastic, find the perfect combination of wind and waves and to top it all, a wonderful warm climate.
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A climate with a low rain fall is a bonus for the holiday-maker but has asked from both nature and the inhabitants of Lanzarote, a certain ingenuity. The result is fantastic originality in water economy.
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In the region of La Geria one of the most interesting methods can be observed. Funnels built of lava pebbles are at home to vines. The large, open pored basalt pebbles store the dampness of the night which the clouds bring as dew, and pass it on to the soil. During the day, the pebbles act as an excellent protection from the fierce sun.
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Not only has this unique method of wine-growing left a lasting impression on the landscape but has resulted in an excellent wine which is worth sampling. This dry vineyard with volcanic pebbles, known as Enarenado, can be seen in a number of variations within the agriculture of Lanzarote.
Left: Vineyard close to La Geria
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A number of restaurants reward this effort and the excellent results with the creation of interesting Canary-Mediterranean food. Tasty menus have resulted from the freshly caught sea-food and the wine from La Geria.
Right: Restaurant in the old harbour of Puerto del Carmen.
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Puerto del Carmen spreads 12 kilometres along the east coast and is the major tourist centre on Lanzarote.
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Above: The Playa Blanca of Puerto del Carman
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Puerto del Carmen offers everything a holiday-maker needs, or maybe can do without. With its three gently sloping sandy beaches and the magnificent view of the southern-most point of the island it is nonetheless most impressive.
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The newly built yacht-harbour, Puerto Calero lies a little below. This is an ideal spot to day-dream of sailing trips or a yachting cruise whilst listening to the wind in the rigging.
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Naturally there are first class facilities for many water-sports which range from water-skiing to ocean-fishing (for this a competition is held in September each year), as well as trips on and under the water.
Left: Yacht harbour with a submarine for under-water excursions.
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Arrecife, the administrative and business centre of the island is located above Puerto del Carmen. Until the 19th century Arrecife was just a small port supplying what was then the capital, Teguise. Only in 1852, as a result of the flourishing trade with the mainland, it became the new capital city.
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Although Arrecife has a reputation for being noisy and hectic, but by looking closer one can find pleasant, quiet spots to linger a while. Historically the most interesting building in the city is the Castillo San Gabriele. Built in the 16th century on a small off-shore island, this was used to defend the harbour and now is home to the local museum.
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Above: Church in Arrecife
Right: Inside courtyard in the old town.
Below: Chimney
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Arrecife’s attraction lies in the small details in which one feels the Canary and almost North African architecture.
Small white-washed houses with their low wooden doors, shady squares and lovingly formed chimneys belong equally to Arrecife as do the busy bars and the hectic car drivers.
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Above: Charco de San Ginés, a lagoon in the centre of the city lying between the castle and the old harbour.
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One of the oldest churches on the Canaries is San Miguel, the facade of which was subject to many alterations during the 19th century.
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The Spanish rule started in Teguise and thus, appropriately a number of buildings are in colonial style and the Canary style town houses show themselves at their attractive best. The church square of Teguise is at home to a large market on Sundays and holidays offering fruit and vegetables as well as many other things.
Right: Typical Canary timber-work
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Inland is Teguise, the old capital city with cobbled alleys, small shops and artisans’ workshops, is a complete contrast to Arrecife.
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One is tempted to stroll through Teguise with its small shops, good restaurants, galleries and cosy cafes.
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Close to Teguise are two special projects from the artist and environmentalist César Manrique, the architect that has left the strongest impression on Lanzarote.
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LagOmar is an estate, built by Manique in the early 1970s for the actor Omar Sharif, not only worth a visit because of the fascinating architecture but also for the excellent restaurant and the cultural events.
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Above: LagOmar with restaurant, bar and museum in Nazaret.
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Situated a little further north, between Guiatiza and Mala, lies the Jardin de Cactus from Manrique planned and realised. Here1600 varieties of cacti are not only shown but are a most educational collection.
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Standing in the centre of Manriques cacti park is an old windmill, just one of the many to be found on Lanzarote. In the meantime wind energy is being used on a large scale for the electricity supply for Lanzarote and close to Los Valles is the Parque Eólico using 48 of the most modern windmills.
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Above: View of Haria with the Monte Corona in the background.
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On arriving in Haria one finds oneself in the centre of Lanzarote’s north. The valley in which Haria lies is known as the valley of the thousand palm trees but in reality there are many more. The region around Haria is the most fertile on Lanzarote and possesses very valuable ground water which is responsible for the green meadows and bushes in winter.
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Haria had its great days when it was once the second largest town on Lanzarote after Teguise and as a reminder of these times are the large and richly decorated town houses that can be seen.
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Day to day life in Haria has its own special rhythm. As is often to be observed on the Canaries, the people of the northern regions are quite individuals and do not let themselves get worked up easily.
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Rising into the blue skies behind Haria is the large volcano cone of Monte Corona and with this we are once again back to César Manrique. An eruption of the Monte Corona 3000 years ago formed a system of tunnels being partly over four stories high due to the flowing lava on its path to the ocean. With 6000 m length these are the longest in the world.
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These quite spectacular caves are partly open to visitors: In the Cueva de los Verdes it is possible to take a guided tour and with the Jameos de Agua Manrique has created a unique volcanic grotto paradise including a restaurant, a bar, an auditorium and a disco.
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High in the north and from the Mirador del Rio, planned and realised from César Manrique, a successful mix of modern architecture and landscape, one can enjoy the breathtaking view of the environmentally protected island of La Graciosa.
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