Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, is best known as a beach holiday destination.
Welcoming millions of tourist visitors every year. But there´s much more to this small speck of Spain than just sunshine and sun loungers alone. As the island boasts some incredible natural wonders, a host of ingenious man made creations and some seriously picturesque towns and villages.
Timnafaya Volcano Park
Lanzarote´s number one tourist attraction is the Timanfaya National Park, which welcomes around 900,000 visitors every year. The Park, one of the most popular in Spain, stands at the centre of a series of enormous volcanic eruptions which rocked Lanzarote during the 1730´s.
These seismic events obviously caused widespread devastation – leaving around one third of the island covered in lava and creating 300 new volcanic peaks in its wake. Creating a truly surreal landscape that is often likened to the surface of the moon.
The Green Lagoon
The Green Lagoon at El Golfo is another legacy of Lanzarote´s volcanic past.
Here an emerald green lake sits on a black sand beach – a phenomenon created by the interaction between sae water and minerals in the surrounding rock.
The result is other worldly to say the least – and the Green Lagoon has been used as a backdrop for numerous science fiction films over the years such as A Million Years BC and Krull.
Valley of 1000 Palms
Not all of Lanzarote is dominated by volcanoes and lava. In the north the island is green and lush. Nowhere more so than in the aptly named Valley of 1000 Palms. Where locals have been planting a palm tree for very new born child for centuries.
This tradition has created an enormous oasis, with the crowns of thousands of
Canarian palms swaying gently in the breeze.
The Jameos del Agua
The Jamoes del Agua is the best known creation of César Manrique (1). A locally born artist who developed a whole series of alternative and ecologically friendly tourist attractions in Lanzarote (2).
Here Manrique transformed a huge lava tube into a multi purpose space that is part tropical gardens, part concert venue and part nightclub. With a sea water fed lagoon and a breathtaking swimming pool that is solely reserved for the sole use of the King of Spain.
Manrique´s other major works on the island include the Cactus Garden and the Mirador del Rio.
Teguise – Historic Former Capital
Step back in time and visit the first ever Spanish settlement in the Canaries. The town of Teguise dates back to the early 1400´s and was the capital of Lanzarote until 1852.
Today it is still home to a host of well preserved colonial buildings, such as the Palacio Spinola. Some of which were first constructed in 1455. Take the family away this year on Costa Teguise holidays and soak up the fantastic Lanzarote weather.
