Things to see in Lanzarote: Middle of the Island
Timanfaya National Park
Timanfaya National Park Lanzarote is one of the main attractions on the island. It is like traveling to another world with smooth sand-like lava rocks next to big and sharp boulders, and from black, to orange, to red. The landscape as it is now formed in the 18th century during a period of eruptive volcanic activity. There’s a restaurant inside the park called El Diablo which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. There you can take a bus tour which gets you around.
More information on: www.zigzagonearth.com.
Volcán El Cuervo
There are many volcanoes in Lanzarote, and you may wish to see one up close. If that’s the case, go to el Volcán El Cuervo, where you can actually walk inside the crater. The walk to and around the volcano provides splendid views over the surrounding landscapes, yet nothing beats the feeling of climbing into the volcano’s mouth. You can walk to the crater from the LZ-56 road between Tinajo and Yaiza.
Lagomar Museum (House of Omar Sharif)
This incredible house was designed and built by artists and architects César Manrique and Jesús Soto. It is actually built in and around a cliff of hardened lava rock, which explains its unusual architecture featuring tube corridors and cave-like rooms. In the early 1970s actor Omar Sharif came to Lanzarote to film “The Mysterious Island”, he visited Lagomar, fell in love with it and bought it. If you can, stay and watch the sunset paint the rocks red, and have diner (or lunch) in the restaurant there.
La Geria
Lanzarote produces some excellent wines. Most of the wineries (bodegas) are along the LZ30 route (La Geria, Rubicon, El Grifo, Vega de Yuco). Wine Tours Lanzarote (Calle Los Sabandenos 45, Tías, +34 631789200) offer walks around three lovely vineyards, where every stage of the wine-making process is still done by hand, and you can taste the local wines.
Costa Teguise
Next to Playa Blanca and Puerto Del Carmen this is the most popular touristic attraction due to its nice sea promenade, and four excellent beaches, all of which are natural: Playa de los Charcos, Playa de las Cucharas, Playa del Jablillo and Playa Bastián.
Aquapark Costa Teguise
Aquapark Costa Teguise is full of fun activities and children are the main focus of the games. There is a large area for children only with inflatable castles and trampolines. There is also a large pool for children with zigzagging water slides for the younger ones. And then there is another part, with water slides that end up in the water that are faster than the previous ones, and where children can do what grownups do. Safety is one of the most striking aspect of the facility. There are 15 lifeguards, so that people with children can relax and tan in the sun in the common adults’ space: two huge pools of water on a large terrace, with comfortable hammocks and other amenities.
It’s easy to imagine and it’s fun to see how parents become kids again, competing with their children on the water slides, where they usually win due to their heavier weight. Or getting an adrenaline rush on the turbo and water rafts, that are much larger and faster than the regular water lanes.
Arrecife
Arrecife was a small fishing village, which later became the capital in 1852. Arrecife still is a popular place for all those who are looking to shop and shop. All main stores and offices are located in Arrecife. The coastline is quite nice with the Playa Del Reducto, Parque Islas Canarias, The Marina and the inner Harbor (Arrecifa Bahia) with all its restaurants and pubs.
Puerto Del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen is the most popular seaside resort on Lanzarote. The town is edged by excellent beaches, including Playa Chica, Matagorda and Playa Grande, with a lengthy promenade, offering restaurants, shops, and nightclubs. The sea front promenade is very nice, although very busy. Many, even too many restaurants. We prefer the Atlantico Lounge Restaurant (www.atlanticolounge.com).
