Lanzarote is synonymous with volcanoes, lava fields, rocks in impossible shapes, black and red earth that contrasts with the typical whitewashed houses, the deep blue sea and the light blue sky. A Spanish Island about 80 miles off the coast of Africa.
I traveled with my friend from childhood Leslie who shares my love and passion for seeing the world. Here are some of the highlights of our visit to Lanzarote.
We flew from La Palma Island to Lancarote and we stayed in Arrecife which is the capital city. This was mainly a good location for touring all of the island easily. We spent some time on Day 1 touring the seafront along the Harbor and eating some local food. Croquettes, wrinkled potatoes with sauces and fresh bread and some examples.
On day 2 we visited the northern part of island for sunrise in a town called Orzola. Here are some key features and attractions of Orzola.
Quiet Fishing Village: Orzola maintains a traditional fishing village atmosphere with whitewashed buildings, a small harbor, and a laid-back vibe. It’s a great place to experience the local way of life and escape the hustle and bustle of more touristy areas.
Gateway to La Graciosa: Orzola is the main port for ferries to the nearby island of La Graciosa, which is a picturesque and unspoiled paradise known for its beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can take a short ferry ride from Orzola to explore La Graciosa for a day trip
.
Next up is Haria which is where one of Cesar Manrique designed a home known as the Palm Grove House. César Manrique was a renowned Spanish artist, architect, and environmentalist from Lanzarote, Canary Islands. He played a significant role in shaping the island’s unique artistic and environmental landscape. Manrique was passionate about preserving Lanzarote’s natural environment and cultural heritage. He lobbied for sustainable development practices and was instrumental in creating guidelines to protect the island’s unique landscapes.
Even the roads were designed to blend into the landscape.
The Jardín de Cactus (Cactus Garden) is a wonderful example of an architectural intervention integrated into the landscape. Cesar Manrique created this audacious architectural complex, maintaining the same unbreakable connection between art and nature that is found in all his spacial interventions. This was so amazing and pictures really couldn’t do it justice but here are a few.
Jameos del Auqa was also designed by Cesar Manrique. The Jameos del Agua, like the Cueva de los Verdes, are located inside the volcanic tunnel produced by the eruption of the Corona Volcano. It is the first Art, Culture and Tourism Center created by César Manrique, and is the reflection of one of his creative pillars: the harmony between nature and artistic creation.
They have an auditorium for shows and we happened by while they held practice.
Day 3 we headed south for sunrise in Parque Natural Los Ajaches. This was one of our favorite spots. You do have to drive on a dirt road for a while so an all -wheel drive was helpful. Amazing views over several popular beaches like Playa Papagayo, La Cera and del Pozo. A big tip is heading out early and having this area mostly to ourselves.
Continuing on to the West Coast is where you will find Parque Nacional De Timanfaya and Los Volcanoes. We did not venture into the actual park because you have to be on a guided tour on a tour bus. Access to Timanfaya National Park is restricted in order to protect the landscape, so you can’t drive around the park yourself and you can’t go on foot either since it is strictly forbidden. With only 2 full days this would have taken up a major part of the day. The landscape driving this part of the island is stunning and you can see peaks in the park.
This stop was Los Hervideros with beautiful ocean and mountain view in lava rock landscape.
La Geria is Lanzarote wine region. La Geria is famous for its unique vineyards, which are protected from the trade winds by small semi-circular stone walls.
Final stops were Teguise and Tahiche which is the home of Manrique’s Foundation and Volcano House. This was his home for the 20 years running from 1968 to 1988, the longest he ever lived in a single place. It is sited in the midst of a lava coulee formed during the violent eruptions that rocked the island between 1730 and 1736. This 3 000 square metre building engages in constant dialogue with the natural surrounds on its 30 000-square metre lot and beyond: here, volcano and architecture blend in mutual respect.
One part of an amazing trip to the Canary Islands.
Toni Hodge loves traveling the world with her husband Doug, Friends and Family. She is an agent with Tailored Travel, a full-service travel agency with a team of agents ready to help you with unlocking the
world’s wonders-including this beautiful place. You can reach Toni at toni@tailoredtravel.vacations or
by calling 865.603.4542.