If you have never been to this island and you don't know what to visit in Lanzarote, we recommend that you don't miss some of our suggestions so that you don't leave this beautiful island without having seen the most important areas.
Lanzarote is the fourth largest island of the Canary Islands, and one of the most impressive to visit because of its volcanic landscape. It is part of the province of Las Palmas and its capital is Arrecife.
Furthermore, the gastronomy of Lanzarote, and in general of all the Canary Islands, is very varied and well worth trying. All kinds of food are cooked, but fish is the basis of many Lanzarote dishes, although we cannot forget pork or goat meat, which is also very important in the region.
We don't want you to leave the island without trying the famous papas arrugadas (or rather, papas arrugás), the mojo picón with its characteristic red colour, the mojo verde, the sweet potato, the seafood or the impressive cheeses.
As we know that your mouth will be watering, we could not miss some recommendations of the best restaurants on the island of Lanzarote.
If you feel like discovering different places, where you can relax and live beautiful adventures in the middle of nature, enjoying the good gastronomy of Lanzarote, don't miss the route we have prepared for you.
What to visit in Lanzarote step by step
The route we have planned for you is to be done over the various days of your trip, so it doesn't matter if you follow our recommended order, or if you prefer to visit each place in a different order.
Reef
Arrecife is one of those places to visit in Lanzarote that you can't miss as it is the capital of the island. This city with a strong seafaring and commercial character has essential monuments such as the Castillo de San Gabriel, the Castillo de San José, the Parroquia de San Ginés or the Charco de San Ginés, an inlet of sea water, origin of the first fishermen's settlement on the island, which is reflected in its charming white houses, a sea inlet for which the city was known as the Venice of the Atlantic, which nowadays is a refuge for small boats. Surrounding the Charco de San Ginés is a busy leisure area, with bars and restaurants where you can sample the rich local gastronomy. In any case, Arrecife has a unique atmosphere in which there are many things to do.
😋 Where to eat in Arrecife:
Lilium (Puerto de La Marina, Arrecife)
This beautiful restaurant is located very close to the port of La Marina, in Arrecife, and has a terrace overlooking the pier. Its traditional yet modern Canarian cuisine will delight you. From its selection of Canarian cheeses to papaya and prawn salad, foie terrine, sweet potato and millet, lentils from Lanzarote or ropa vieja de pulpo; sancocho de chernedo saldo or traditional fish broth; its sama, sea urchin and kale marinara or Canarian pork sirloin... These are just some of the dishes of deep island tradition prepared with the best local produce and with all the modernity of modern cuisine in its cookers seen from the inside. A good selection of local wines for pairing and an irresistible dessert menu complete the experience. Lilium Restaurant.
Timanfaya National Park
This park is a must for any traveller visiting Lanzarote. Timanfaya National Park is the only national park with a geological character, so if you like volcanoes, you can't miss it. Visit the Fire Mountains, an absolutely different landscape, with about 35 craters that can be visited on foot by camel. The Route of the Volcanoes, designed by César Manrique, which is covered by official bus, included in the entrance fee to the Park. The road leading to the Park is spectacular, and if you don't have a car, you can get there by bus to the town of Yaiza.
Charco de los Clicos (Volcanoes Nature Reserve)
This peculiar volcanic landscape is located in Yaiza, specifically in the Parque Natural de los Volcanes. Also known as Charco Verde, this volcanic crater open to the sea will surprise you with its original colour.
😋 Where to eat in Yaiza:
Salmarina Playa Quemada (Yaiza)
We have chosen an emblematic restaurant located in the town of Yaiza for these routes. It is the first of the Salmarina restaurants, a dream that began in the forties of the last century, in a fisherman's house by the sea. In 2008 it took the form it is known today, a mixture of quality and tradition. Careful decoration for a cuisine with seafood products caught in the traditional way, fish and seafood available as starters, snacks or as a main course, in a menu that also offers rice dishes and meats prepared over a slow fire. If freshly caught fresh produce is your thing, you can definitely enjoy the best dishes at Salmarina, always cooked in the traditional way. If, on the other hand, you prefer quality meats or rice dishes, there is also a place for you at Salmarina, in any of the four restaurants on the island. And don't forget the fresh desserts. Salmarina Restaurant (Playaquemada).
Papagayo Beach
One of the best things about Lanzarote are its beaches, and Papagayo beach is probably the best known. It is located within the Ajaches Natural Monument, where you can visit incredible caves.
😋 Where to eat in Playas del Papagayo:
Be Papagayo (Papagayo Beach)
On the stunning Papagayo beach, overlooking the islands of Lobo and Fuerteventura, with sometimes emerald waters and fine golden sand, is this legendary beach bar where you will find purely Canarian cuisine, with local produce from the island, from the obligatory potatoes with mojos to seafood dishes such as tuna tartare, fried moray chips, prawns with garlic, prawns, squid, to the very tasty sardines marinated with citrus, grilled fish according to season and rice dishes (from black rice, paella, broth with lobster or with prawns), and a very original dessert menu. They even have take away menus so you can eat wherever you feel like it. Chiringuito Be Papagayo.
Famara Beach
One of the essential places to visit in Lanzarote for any sportsman: Famara beach is located in Teguise, it is famous for the great length of its white sandy beach, and it is characteristic for its big waves, so lovers of sports such as surfing, kite surfing, or windsurfing will be dying to visit it. But if you don't practise any of these sports, this beach is also for you because pools form between the rocks where you can bathe peacefully. Famara beach is located in the middle of the marine reserve of La Graciosa.
River Viewpoint
There are no views to match those of the Mirador del Río which, of course, is also the work of César Manrique. It is the most popular viewpoint on the island and has stunning views that we prefer you to discover for yourself.
😋 Where to eat in Famara:
El Risco (Famara Beach)
In this very fashionable restaurant, and even more so after having received a Golden Sun from the Repsol Guide, in the town of Famara (with its very long beach) and very close to the sea, you can taste the dishes of the land with very personal touches and prepared with the best products. A curiosity: on its walls hangs a mural by the great artist César Manrique in homage to the fishermen who used to go up to the Risco de Famara every day to sell their fish. Finger-licking dishes of traditional Canarian gastronomy. Restaurant El Risco.
Green Cave
The Cueva de los Verdes, in Haría, has a work by the artist César Manrique, and is located in an area where there are many volcanic tunnels more than 6 kilometres long.
😋 Where to eat in Haría:
Tacande (Haría)
Tacande is committed to modernity without losing its essence. Fish cooked in the oven with natural oak wood, meats cooked at a low temperature, Asian, Peruvian and Moroccan fusions in which the local produce, from the sea and the land, takes precedence. Chips, garden vegetables, local fish and quality meat for an attractive menu with an extensive wine list. Wooden décor provides a suggestive atmosphere in a restaurant with a large terrace. Tacande Restaurant.
La Geria Route
The La Geria Route, known by the nickname of the Lanzarote Wine Route, crosses the island through its centre. It is a unique opportunity to visit more than 5,000 hectares of vineyards in the Rofe Valley, a protected area with a unique system in the world, as the vines are rooted and sunk in large holes in the rock, where they get the necessary humidity for their development and life cycle. The holes are protected from the trade winds by semicircular barriers of gerias, or volcanic rocks. There are two ways of doing the route, but the typical one is usually done from the town of Uga, in the direction of El Islote. Driving slowly along the LZ-30 road, stopping at the wineries every few minutes to enjoy the fruits of the malvasia, some very original wines with great personality, is a luxury not to be missed.
😋 Where to eat in La Geria:
Bodega El Grifo (LZ-30, km 11 (Carretera de Teguise a Uga)
There are many wineries on La Ruta de La Geria, but we have chosen the oldest in the Canary Islands as a representative example. This is the Bodega El Grifo (which is also on the list of the 10 oldest wineries in Spain), as it was founded in 1775, after the famous volcanic eruptions. It is accessed via the monument to the griffin bird by César Manrique. Its pre-phylloxera vineyards and wine museum is visited by more than 80,000 people a year, with guided tours every day. With a wide range of Lanzarote wines, whites, reds, young and volcanic malvasia and listan negro, you can take the wines you like best with you or taste them at the tastings in the wine bar. El Grifo Winery.
Villa de Teguise
When wondering what to visit in Lanzarote, the town of Teguise, surrounded by volcanic landscape, is a must. This former capital of Lanzarote until the 19th century has a stately and historic past that is reflected in the white houses and cobbled streets of the town. The historic quarter has many nooks and crannies to be discovered, and the town has been declared a historic-artistic architectural ensemble. A visit to the 15th century church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe is a must, as is the 18th century Palacio Spínola, with its monumental façade and large central courtyard, restored by César Manrique, which houses the timple museum. Shopping at the Teguise street market is another recommended activity, on Sundays from 09:00 to 14:00; and don't miss a visit to the castle of Santa Bárbara and the museum of piracy, which will delight the little ones and the not so little ones alike.
The Jameos del Agua
Of course, in Lanzarote you have to visit the Jameos del Agua, a true work of art created by the Lanzarote-born César Manrique. The Jameos del Agua is located in a tunnel formed by the volcano La Corona, and is home to a unique species: the albino crab.
😋 Where to eat in Teguise:
Famara Dunes (Teguise)
Market cuisine with seasonal local products and modern preparations. The charcoal-grilled oven enhances the quality of the fish that arrives daily. They also offer quality meats. The restaurant is located in a privileged enclave at the foot of the Risco de Famara, next to the five-kilometre-long white sandy beach that gives its name to the area. The restaurant is a multifunctional space where all kinds of events can be held. Restaurant Dunas de Famara.
Lanzarote is one of those islands in the Canary Islands that you can't miss, because there are such magical places on this island that you wouldn't even imagine that there are places like this in the world. Now that you know what to visit in Lanzarote, prepare your must-see route and book your accommodation, you're going to love it!
Photos: turismodelanzarote.com, holaislascanarias.com, garadaylanzarote.com, lexusauto.es, restaurants.
