Lanzarote

Lanzarote, the easternmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, offers some of the most dramatic landscapes that can be found anywhere in the archipelago or in the country as a whole. Situated just 80 miles (125 km) west of the Moroccan coast, the island has a hot desert climate, making it an ideal destination to visit year round. Rugged volcanic terrain, sandy beaches, and an unexpected architectural legacy await you in this exciting island, which has the added benefit of being less touristy than some of its neighbors.

Parque Nacional de Timanfaya

Like all of the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is a hotspot of volcanic activity, but its biggest eruptions occurred a few hundred years ago, leaving behind surreal landscapes indelibly marked by the molten lava that flowed across its surface. Nowhere is this more evident than in Timanfaya National Park, which looks as though it belongs to the Red Planet. The park’s unique and fragile terrain is well preserved and subject to strict preservation rules, meaning that self-guided tours are not permitted; instead, you leave your car in the parking lot and board a coach bus where a guide will explain a bit about the astonishing land you see before you. Although its days of devastating eruptions are well in the past, the area is still volcanically active below the surface; at one point in the tour, the guide will pour some water on the ground, resulting in a blast of steam flowing up from the surface.

Volcán del Cuervo

Not far from Timanfaya, in the middle of another Mars-like lava field, is the Volcán del Cuervo, which you can visit on your own terms.

This volcano blew its load in the same 18th century eruptions that devastated the western half of the island, leaving behind an impressive crater over a thousand feet tall. The crater is easily reached on foot, and a walk into the middle of it inspires awe and offers a lesson in the geological history of the island, complete with a large layer of petrified lava in its center.

Cueva de los Verdes

This massive cave is in reality a lava tube, formed by the flow of lava during an eruption from the nearby Volcán de La Corona some three thousand years ago. As the stream of lava cooled, it developed a solid crust on top; when the molten lava below it drained away, the crust remained, forming the roof of the cave. A guided tour through the cave makes for a fascinating visit, letting you appreciate the power of the lava that carved the cave and the beautiful colors and shapes that it left behind.

Jameos del Agua

Close by is Jameos del Agua, a series of caves that actually belong to the same lava tube as Cueva de los Verdes. The word jameo, in the language of the indigenous Guanches who inhabited the islands before the arrival of the Spanish, refers to the large, cavernous opening of the lava tube that is formed when sections of the cave’s roof collapse, which can be seen here as well as in the Cueva de los Verdes. However, the brilliant scenery on display here was created not only by the hand of nature but also that of local artist César Manrique, the painter, architect, and sculptor whose fingerprints are all over his native island. Manrique sought to create spaces where nature and art lived in harmony, allowing visitors to the island to contemplate and appreciate the interplay of both natural and human creations. Jameos del Agua does just this, functioning as a center of art, culture, and tourism, surrounded by natural beauty on all sides.

You can learn more about Manrique’s life by visiting the Casa-Museo César Manrique not far west of here.

Mirador del Río

Perhaps Manrique’s most stunning creation is the Mirador del Río, which sits atop a 1,560-foot (475 m) cliff at the island’s northern tip.

The viewpoint overlooks the so-called ‘river’ that separates Lanzarote from the small island of La Graciosa just one mile away, which has only a few hundred residents and no cars or paved roads. From the outside, the mirador is neatly camouflaged into the surrounding cliffside by a layer of mossy rocks; inside, the sweeping white curves of the ceiling create the atmosphere of a cave dwelling, minus the picture windows that offer sweeping views of the island and the ocean beyond.

Museo Lagomar

Take a visit to the stunning former home of actor Omar Sharif, built into the rock wall of an old quarry and incorporating naturally formed lava caves. The museum also has a restaurant and a charming bar, where you can relax with a drink in a beautiful setting.

Beaches

Though it doesn’t have quite as many white sand beaches as its more touristy neighbors, Lanzarote still has plenty of places to go for a dip in its waters, which are almost always warm enough for swimming.

Arguably the best is Playa de Papagayo, on the island’s southern tip, where a semi-protected bay makes for calm swimming and great snorkeling. On the island’s west coast, you also have Playa de los Pocillos, a wide, sandy expanse with calm waves and soft sand for sunbathing and relaxing.