The Canary Islands are considered the islands of eternal sunshine, boasting a year-round tropical climate and some of Spain’s most beautiful and iconic beaches.
And right now one island is standing out from the crowd: Lanzarote.
Lanzarote has beaten all previous tourism records, with more than 2.2 million travelers arriving on the island by the end of August. That’s 7.5% more than during the same period in 2023.
I’ve written before about my love of the Canary Islands, but I’ll still try to write this without too much bias! Lanzarote is the perfect place to visit during the winter months. Here’s why:
Outstanding Natural Beauty
As you would expect, given it’s an island, Lanzarote has an incredible coastline.
In fact, the island boasts over 200 kilometers of beaches.
You’ll never be far from a stretch of sand, and you’ll find both black and golden sand beaches here. Be sure to visit Papagayo Beach, which is located in the Los Ajaches Natural Park and is the most famous and frequently photographed beach on the island.
If you’re looking for something a little more active then you can’t visit Lanzarote without visiting the Timanfaya National Park. This has an impressive volcanic landscape that lends it an otherworldly feel: in fact, the park has doubled up as the surface of the moon in more than one movie!
The park is a great place for hiking, and within the park you’ll also find Geothermal demonstrations such as geysers and steaming rocks, which lends the area the nickname ‘the mountains of fire’.
Entry to Timanfaya National Park costs 20 euros ($22) per adult and the entry fee includes the Geothermal demonstrations and the Bus inside the Park, which travels around the park’s main attractions if you’re not feeling energetic enough to hike!
Explore The Wider Canary Islands
It might sound odd to suggest that one of the best things to do in Lanzarote is to leave Lanzarote, but actually the island is perfectly placed for visiting the wider Canary Islands.
You can see one of the other main islands of Fuerteventura from Lanzarote, and it’s easy to take the ferry from Playa Blanca to Corralejo.
This is only a 25-minute ride, and you can even take your hired car with you if you want to explore the island fully.
There are several ferry companies that make this crossing but the Fred Olsen fast ferry is my favorite, costing 33 euros ($36) per person for a return trip.
You can also visit La Graciosa which is the smallest inhabited Canary Island. Getting there is simple too, it’s just a short 25 minute ferry ride from Lanzarote’s north coast.
It’s a pretty island with an otherworldly feel.
Relax and unwind on the beaches and wander on the streets without worrying about traffic, as there are no cars on the island.
Playa del Salado is the perfect spot for a beach day here.
The Culture Of Lanzarote
The art and culture of Lanzarote are truly unique. The famous artist César Manrique was born on the island, and its landscape is intrinsic to his work.
Some of the island’s best architecture was designed by Manrique. One of the best and most iconic spots is the Mirador del Rio which is a panoramic balcony that overlooks the ocean and offers exceptional views.
You should also visit the La Cueva de los Verdes, which are unique volcanic caves in the heart of the island, and are important not just because of their fascinating vaults and interior lagoons but also because of their historical significance.
During the XVI and XVII centuries the people living on the island used the cave as a refuge from attacks by North African Berber Pirates.
Tickets to enter the caves cost 15 euros ($16) per person.
I also couldn’t finish this piece without mentioning Lanzarote’s people.
Despite the protests in the Canary Islands that dominated the media during the summer months, Lanzarote is still a warm and welcoming place for tourists.
Certainly, I have never had anything less than a warm welcome from anyone on the island!
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