Lanzarote – Island of Fire
Lanzarote is the fourth largest of the Canaries. The Spanish owned set of seven islands located just off the coast of West Africa. Boasting a semi-tropical climate that acts as a magnet for sun starved tourists from across Northern Europe.
As this is the closest winter sun destination to countries such as the UK – with flights to Lanzarote taking just four hours. Along with the rest of the islands Lanzarote was first conquered by Spain during the early 1400´s. Before emerging to become an important trading post between the New World and the Old. As galleons transported Inca silver and African slaves across the Atlantic. Modern package tourism first took off here in the 1970´s and within a decade Lanzarote was welcoming up to two million visitors a year. Thanks to the island’s clement climate, over 90 breathtaking beaches and unique volcanic scenery. Which was forged by huge eruptions in the 1730´s – earning Lanzarote the epithet of the Island of Fire. The volcanic region remains the most popular visitor attraction on the island to this day. The surreal scenery and twisted terrain occupying around one quarter of Lanzarote´s total surface area and dominating the interior.
Elsewhere on the island a local artist called César Manrique worked with this landscape to fashion a series of unique visitor centres. Such as the Jameos del Agua – a huge collapsed lava tunnel which he converted into an underground concert venue and nightclub. Replete with bars, restaurants and tropical gardens. There are three main tourist resorts on the island; Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. Which are all within a forty minute drive of the sole international airport at Arecife. The entire island is in fact very easy to tour as Lanzarote only measures 60km by 40km – and can be covered end to end in under an hour. Making sightseeing simple. Car hire in Lanzarote is very affordable too. With rental rates starting at just €15 per day for a standard two door model.
As well as the volcanic region and the creations of Manrique Lanzarote boasts a host of picturesque white washed towns and villages. Such as Haria, which nestles in the folds of the Valley of 1000 Palms. And the former capital of Teguise – the oldest Spanish settlement in the Canaries and home to a treasure trove of historic buildings. All of which combine to make holidays in Lanzarote an ideal choice for anyone who likes to combine sunbathing with sightseeing.
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