Spice

Sights & Excursions

The Fire Mountains
Situated in Timanfaya National Park this is the best known attraction on the island. Take a camel ride over the lava crust or a bus to the top for an impressive view of the masses of lava and the volcano craters which last erupted in 1824.

Playa Blancas
There is a new National Park (entrance fee) with magnificent sandy beaches, some of which are unofficially used by naturists. Access is over some 8km of partially unmade track.

Jardin de Cactus
10,000 cacti of all sorts in the setting of a converted quarry in the heart of Lanzarote’s cochineal cultivation area (the cochineal beetle lives in the cactus and its larvae produce the valuable natural red colorant)

La Cueva de los Verdes
This system of unusual underground caves extend over 6km. It was formed by flows of lava in the distant past. An extension of the caves is the underground lagoon of Jameos del Agua which has been transformed into a restaurant, swimming pool and nightclub complex. A lake at the bottom of the caves has unique blind, white crabs.

Teguise
The ancient capital of the island, a noble and quiet town where the best ‘timples’ (musical instruments typical of the Canary Islands) are made. On clear days, the neighbouring islands can be seen from its Tower of Homage. On Sunday mornings there is a popular street market.

Arrecife
The capital of the island with approximately 35,000 inhabitants – half the population of Lanzarote! The Castillo de San Gabriel dates back to the 16C. Situated on a small island and accessible over a short bridge, it is now the archaeological museum.