This article is part of our series on Discovering Something Different in the Canary Islands. Be sure to check out the central hub to this series here.
The Canary Islands are already familiar to most of us. They are a deservedly popular holiday destination, offering year-round good weather. There’s a good chance you’ve visited these islands on a holiday before! However, many visitors to these islands won’t venture far beyond their hotel or resort town and this is a real shame as the Canary Islands truly are unique and offer wealth of opportunities for those interested in the outdoors.
A Landscape format image. A volcano in the Timanfaya National Park sits in a lava field. Beneath a vivid blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are visible in the volcanic rock.
Lanzarote is a special place. All of the Canary Islands are volcanic, but this is especially apparent on Lanzarote. A quarter of the island as we see it today was formed by a series of eruptions less than 300 years ago. That’s a blink of an eye in geological terms and plants have yet to re-establish themselves in much of this new land. This gives parts of the island an incredible, almost alien feel. The landscape here might look harsh, but it’s surprisingly accessible – there’s numerous well marked trails and even if you have no interest in walking, there’s still plenty to see from the road.
Lanzarote is a relatively small island – and this is great because it means you can easily see a lot of it in relatively little time. The roads on the island are fantastic and if you don’t want to hire a car, the island also lends itself well to touring by bike.
A Landscape format image. Following a well-marked trail to the Inside of the crater of an extinct volcano in the Timanfaya National Park. The crater walls tower above the trail and there are vivid reds, oranges and yellows visible in the rocks. The sky above is blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds.
Below, we’ve outlined some of our suggestions to allow you to explore and discover a different, nature based side to Lanzarote allowing you to truly switch off and connect to the world around you.
Hike Through A Volcanic Landscape
Hire a car and head into Timanfaya National Park to explore the volcanic landscape through hiking trails that present other worldly views for a range of different interests. The thing that is great about hiking in Lanzarote is that the island is relatively small, so you can see a lot relatively quickly. Alternatively, you might be travelling with a group who have different interests and you want to give hiking in Lanzarote a try without it taking over the whole trip. The small scale of the islands means that you can reasonably hike a trail in the morning and still have time for another activity in the afternoon. As well as what seems like an endless volcanic landscape in the National Park, the coast provides some of the most rugged and visually interesting trails on the whole island. Think dark volcanic rock contrasting against the bright blues and turquoises of the Atlantic Ocean. Looking for some inspiration for trails to try out – check out our guide to hiking in Lanzarote here. Guided hikes can also be a great option, especially if hiring a car isn’t something you want to do to access nature on your trip. TUI offers a number of guided hikes on the island such as this one.
A Landscape format image. A volcano in the Timanfaya National Park sits in a lava field. Beneath a vivid blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are visible in the volcanic rock.
Take A Road Trip
If hiking isn’t really your thing, or perhaps you’re short on time, there are plenty of other ways to experience the more natural side of Lanzarote for some quiet time. With the island being relatively small, it is possible to see a lot of what the island has to offer in one day. Driving through Timanfaya National Park along the LZ-67 and seeing the lava fields and volcanoes that make up the landscape is an unforgettable experience. From the visitor centre, located along the LZ-67, near Taro de Entrada, it’s possible to take a tour of Ruta de los Volcanes by bus. You’ll have to pay a fee to enter (check local pricing at time) and the price includes parking, demonstrations and a tour by bus. This runs most days from 09:00 – 15:45. The coastal area of El Golfo with its spectacular volcanic red rocks and iconic green lagoon is incredible to see too. If you’re looking for something more curated, or you want to go car free, TUI offer a whole range of bookable tours and experiences around the island focused on natural wonders all the way through to cultural experiences food and the fantastic locally produced wine to help you make the most of your time.
A Landscape format image. The turquoise-blue Atlantic Ocean crashes against the volcanic coastline in the Timanfaya National Park. The lava flow in the foreground is a deep red colour.
Explore the Coast
Whilst the South of the island plays host to expansive sandy beaches and resorts, the West of the island presents a quieter, more rugged side. An adventure down dirt roads can lead to un-spoilt beaches such as Playa del Paso if you’re wanting to relax away from the crowds. On the South West peninsula of the island, Papagayo offers incredible blue waters, sandy beaches and is brimming with sea life perfect for snorkeling and diving. Lanzarote is even well known for surfing! Of course, safety in the water is incredibly important so only explore within your limits. Wanting to try something new but lack the confidence or just want some pointers? TUI offers a whole range of experiences with qualified guides from diving, to snorkeling and surfing – which can be booked in advance here.
A Landscape format image. A view over the crater of the iconic Caldera Blanca volcano. A well-marked trail takes you to the crater’s rim. We can see the pale rock of the crater walls and floor in the centre of the image whilst in the distance we can see further volcanoes and the whitewashed buildings of a distant town.
See the Island on Two Wheels
If road cycling is more your thing, the quality of the roads in Lanzarote are excellent and provide a great way to get in tune with nature. The roads are smooth and tarmac, there is relatively low traffic, and a year-round temperate climate means that cycling on the island can be an incredible experience. The topography of the island is also relatively low-lying in comparison to the other islands, meaning that whilst there are still plenty of ups and downs plus more than few challenging hills, there is nothing at altitude. There are a whole range of bike tours and recognized routes to take on individually around the island, but if you’re looking for more of a taster or a shorter experience, TUI offers numerous experiences, which can even include the use of e-bikes. Mountain biking and exploring the landscape off-road is also a possibility. Find out more here.
A Landscape format image. The dramatic slopes of a volcano in the Timanfaya National Park. The edge of the crater curves through the centre of the image. The volcanic rock and sand on the crater shift through many colours: reds, oranges, purples and blacks. There is a vivid blue sky at the top of the image.
Book Your Trip to Lanzarote Now and Discover Something Different With TUI:
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Flights to Lanzarote with TUI in 2022/2023
For hotels only:
Hotel Only Offers to Lanzarote – TUI Deals & Offers
For package holidays including transfers:
Lanzarote Holidays with TUI in 2022/2023