Travel Guide Lanzarote
Of the seven islands of the Canary archipelago belonging to Spain, Lanzarote, long ignored by tourism, is today the third most visited island after Tenerife and Gran Canaria, with 3 million visitors per year. Its specificity? 300 volcanoes colour the territory black with its fields of dried lava, creating striking lunar landscapes. Lanzarote's tour guide will of course take you to the famous Timanfaya National Park, the highlight of a visit to the island, which you can explore on camelback, but also on the wine route, with the real local star being the Malvasia wine. Other natural curiosities: the Charco de los Cicos or the fabulous caves of Jameos del Agua and Los Verdes. You can also go to La Graciosa, only accessible by boat and perfectly preserved, while going away from the coast you can admire the traditional low, white houses of Lanzarote in the villages of Yaiza or Teguise. Finally, it is worth noting that the island, about 100 km from the African coast, is a highly recommended surfing spot from September to February. From September to February, windsurfing enthusiasts meet on the volcano island. The winds from the Atlantic Ocean create beautiful waves that are thrown onto the fine sandy beaches that surfers are eager to challenge. It is an ideal destination for all water sports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, or swimming. Many activities await you on the spot, perhaps you will have the chance to cross a school of dolphins while going on an excursion to the island of los Lobos. In that case, why not consider this paradise island for your next family vacation?
What to visit Lanzarote?
When to go to Lanzarote?
When are we going to Lanzarote? In the Canary Islands, there is no low season per se, as the weather is fine all year round and temperatures range between 20 and 30°C. Lanzarote does not escape mass tourism. There is a high season for each island, so the best time to go to Lanzarote, due to its black sand beaches and hiking trails, is in summer. Be careful though, hotel rates can tend to inflate seriously. Spring is a pleasant season, and the mild winter is also a good time for those who are looking for the right time to go to the volcanic archipelago.
Weather at the moment
The weather in Lanzarote is mild all year round: warm and sunny all year round and moderate in the spring. However, it is never really cold and it rarely rains in these arid deserts. Temperatures in Lanzarote vary on average between 20 and 22 °C throughout the year, with peaks of heat in the heart of summer. Only the mornings and nights are cooler at higher altitudes.
It should be noted that Lanzarote and the Canary Islands are not part of the European Community territory as far as VAT is concerned, but there is a local tax on consumption: the IGIC. Lanzarote and the Canary Islands are different from the rest of Europe in this sense: some products that are heavily taxed in the rest of Europe are not taxed on the islands (tobacco, gasoline, alcohol...). As far as accommodation and food are concerned, with a little anticipation, you can get by quite well.
No visa is required for Lanzarote. As the Canary Islands are part of Spain and the latter is in the Schengen area, like France, a simple identity card is enough to travel to the Canary Islands if your stay does not exceed 90 days. An up-to-date ID or passport will be required when boarding - whether by plane or inter-island boat! The Schengen Visa is mandatory for nationals of certain countries. www.gobiernodecanarias.org
There are no particularly serious diseases listed in Lanzarote, so no vaccination is required. Mosquitoes are present in part because of the lush vegetation, but despite the proximity of the African continent, there is no risk of malaria. However, check that your vaccination record is up to date. Although the water is drinkable in Lanzarote, its mineral content is different from that in Europe. It is therefore advisable to alternate between tap water and bottled water.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Lanzarote? Our advice & tips
The Canary Islands are a well-known destination for travel agencies, and Lanzarote tends to be more and more often part of the tours offered in this region of the Atlantic. Packages including flight and accommodation are frequently proposed and have the advantage of being often more economical than a trip organized by oneself.
To get to Lanzarote on your own, it may be worthwhile to travel via Spain, as flights from Barcelona or Madrid to the Canary Islands are much cheaper than from any other country. To get the best rates, as well as for accommodation, remember to book as far in advance as possible.
On Lanzarote, renting a car is a good solution because small vehicles are affordable, but buses exist and regularly serve many destinations. In addition, these buses run in the main towns. On the other hand, it will be more difficult to visit isolated villages and to travel in the national parks, unless you use cabs. In town, prefer public transport, which is very practical, and walking, as many centers are pedestrianized and parking lots are often expensive.
