Lanzarote is one of the most popular islands in Europe; I’ve visited this gorgeous, sun-drenched island numerous times, and I must say that it’s one of my favorite holiday spots in Europe.
Here, not only are you pretty much guaranteed year-round sunshine, but Lanzarote is full to the brim of awesome things to do and places to eat!
Yup, Lanzarote has something for every type of traveler – whether you want to relax on a volcanic beach, wander around a cactus garden, or tour a deep blue lagoon inside a cave, Lanzarote won’t let you down! It should come as no surprise that over 3.5 million tourists visit Lanzarote every year!
In this blog, I list 18 of the best things to do on Lanzarote. And why, may you ask, am I the best person to tell you about all of Lanzarote’s amazing sights? Well, as I said, I’ve visited Lanzarote over 5 times! So, I’ve done everything on this list and can personally recommend them all!
18 Top Things to Do on Lanzarote
1. Cactus Garden
The Jardin de Cactus is exactly what it says on the tin – a garden filled with cactus. Would you believe, there are around 4,500 cactus here? And they’re all different shapes and sizes. There’s even a massive 8-meter cactus at the entrance that’s so cool to see!
I recommend spending around two hours here; an adult ticket costs €8, and children aged between 7-12 cost €4. Children under 6 are free! We rented a car to get here – it’s located in the small town of Guatiza, around a 30-minute drive from Puerto del Carmen.
I highly recommend eating at the on-site restaurant, which serves up a variety of cactus-themed food. We loved the cactus croquettes, and my daughters loved the prickly pear juice. If you’re a coffee drinker like us, the coffee here is good and strong!
2. Jameos del Agua
Another one of the most popular attractions on Lanzarote is Jameos del Agua. This super-unique lagoon is 7 meters deep and is located inside a cave. The deep blue lagoon is home to the famed blind crab. These teeny-tiny white crabs are unique to the cave (they’re not found anywhere else in the world!).
The cave was formed due to the collapse of the volcanic tube of La Corona, and it’s such a photogenic and unusual place. We took lots of photos. There’s also a museum on-site called the Casa de los Volcanos, which you pay a little extra for, but here you can do a virtual reality experience in the museum that explores the inside of the cave- my daughters loved it.
My husband and I loved the natural auditorium here; it’s an event space within a cave that seats up to 550 people. And I can imagine that getting to see a concert here would be a bucket-list-worthy experience!
We recommend spending around 2.5 hours here exploring the cave and the museum. There’s also a restaurant and Cafe on-site. We got some snacks at the Cafe and were surprised by how reasonably priced it was. An adult ticket for Jameos del Agua costs €15, and children aged from 7-12 are €7.50. Kids under 6 are free.
3. El Golfo
El Golfo is around a 30-minute drive from Puerto del Carmen. Here, you’ll find Charco de los Clicos, a viewpoint over a bright green lake that’s surrounded by volcanic Mars-like scenery. It’s a short walk from the car park to the viewpoint where you’ll see not only the green lake, which gets its color from the type of algae that grows in it, but also a black sand beach. You can follow a different, longer path to the beach if you wish.
There’s also a large Cafe near the car park which has a lovely outdoor area that looks over the beach. And in the small fishing village below the car park (it’s called El Golfo), there are several excellent seafood restaurants.
💡 These are the top-rated and most popular day tours in Lanzarote:
4. Timanfaya National Park
The mesmerizing landscape in his national park (as you can likely guess) was shaped by volcanic activity. Covering over 51 square kilometers, Timanfaya is renowned for its otherworldly terrain, characterized by striking lava fields, craters, and volcanic cones. This unique environment was formed during eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the best way to explore the park is on a guided tour, often by bus or camel, as walking is restricted to protect the delicate ecosystem.
However, there are a few guided walking tours that you can take and this one here is popular. Most tours follow the Tremesana Route, which takes you through the heart of the volcanic terrain. And showcases stunning features such as lava fields, craters, and geothermal activity. If you’re keen to DIY it, a self-guided experience you can do is the nearby Ruta de los Volcanes. A loop trail that provides insight into the volcanic history of Lanzarote.
The park’s Restaurant El Diablo, designed by the famous architect César Manrique, is a must-try if you’re a foodie, as the dishes are cooked using geothermal heat from the volcano.
5. Mirador del Rio
Mirador del Río is a breathtaking viewpoint located on the northern coast of Lanzarote. This former military base was re-designed by the renowned architect César Manrique. This architectural marvel seamlessly blends into the natural landscape, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
6. Orzola/ La Graciosa Island
Situated in the far north, this fishing village is the gateway to La Graciosa Island and offers quiet, white sandy coves. Regular ferry services head out to La Graciosa, which is a popular spot thanks to its gorgeous golden sand beaches. There are no roads on the island, but you can do a 4WD tour here (so fun!)
The many seafood restaurants in the village are well worth checking out too, as they serve up the freshest catches from the surrounding Atlantic waters.
7. Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park
One of the best things to do in Lanzarote if you’re traveling here with kids is to spend a day at the Rancho Texas Park outside of Puerto del Carmen. This massive Western-themed park is home to a zoo and water park.
You can also catch several educational presentations throughout the day here. These include a dolphin show, a birds of prey demonstration, a macaw and cockatoo show, and a sea lion show. We saw all of the presentations when we visited and honestly, they’re all worth seeing. Each show lasts around 20 minutes. The dolphin show was our favorite!
Tickets for Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park cost €42 per adult and €28 for kids aged between 3 and 12. Kids under 3 are free!
8. Caleta de Famara
The unique beach-side town of Caleta de Famara. The drive there is more than enough reason to visit it – long winding roads through the volcanic landscape. Caleta de Famara, more commonly known as Famara, is charming, quiet, and rustic, and a short 30-minute bus ride from Costa Teguise.
So, if you’ve had your fill of the typical tourist beaches that the island offers, then you should head over to Famara for a completely unique experience. This part of Lanzarote is famous for its incredible surfing and watersports facilities. You can try your luck at surfing, kitesurfing, or windsurfing – basically, any kind of surfing you can think of is available here! Lessons are easy to come by, and there are more than enough places to rent equipment in the small village. We counted five on our short walk.
9. Old Town Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen likely conjures up a party/ all-inclusive resort type feel, but actually, there’s a nice side to it, too – the ‘old town’ of Puerto del Carmen is charming and has more of a local feel to it. There are lots of restaurants along the cliff walk to Puerto Calero, and many serve fish caught that day. I definitely recommend walking this route, too, for some great photo opportunities.
10. Lanzarote Aquarium
And one of the biggest aquariums in the Canary Islands is located in Costa Teguise. The Lanzarote Aquarium is home to various species of tropical and local Canarian fish as well as ocean predators like sharks.
There’s a tactile (touching) aquarium here where visitors can touch sea urchins and sea cucumbers.
For older kids or adults, a dive with sharks in the aquarium is sure to be an experience to remember forever. It’s completely safe and is run by a diving center with years of experience. Not to worry if you’ve never dived before, as it’s suitable for beginners.
Entrance costs from €15 per adult and €10 for children aged from 4-12. Kids under 3 are free!
11. Teguise
Teguise, the island’s former capital, is awash with colonial charm and architecture. The town’s lovely cobbled streets and white-wash buildings make it a joy to stroll through. It’s pretty small, too, so you can definitely walk all of it in under an hour.
Teguise is most well-known known for its busy market that takes over the gorgeous Plaza de San Miguel every Sunday morning. You can buy everything from beer to fine artisan crafts to cheap watches here. The vibrant atmosphere alone makes it worth the trip. The market is very obviously targeting tourists so you’ll also see a number of street musicians and artists plying their trade around the hustle and bustle of the market.
As well as the market, Teguise boasts a number of fine churches and religious icons. Must-sees include the Ntra. Sra. de Guadalupe church, the convents of St. Domingo and San Francisco, and the castle of Santa Bárbara, which stands atop the Guanapay volcano, overlooking the city.
12. Playa Papagayo
Playa Papagayo on the Playa Blanca is one of the most popular beaches on the island, with its white sandy coves.
Yes, this charming little cove boasts a stunning shape and vibrant emerald waters. Access is limited, as there’s no proper road in, just a rough track that rental cars are typically not permitted to use.
13. Arrecife
Arrecife doesn’t get a massive amount of tourists, but that’s what we like about it. It feels very authentic. You could easily spend a few hours this morning getting lost in its white-washed maze. Considering Arrecife is the capital of Lanzarote, I’d say it’s a must-see on your Lanzarote itinerary.
Highlights include the charming Charco de San Ginés boat lake and the Castillo de San Gabriel.
14. Go shopping!
It’s likely you may want to do some shopping while in Lanzarote. We visited the Biosfera Shopping Center in Puerto del Carmen a few times during our visits to the island and although small it has everything you need for a great day of shopping. For example, Zara, Stradivarius Levis, Footlocker, and more are located here.
The biggest shopping center on the island is located in Arrecife – it’s called Lanzarote Open Mall, and it only opened in 2022. It’s got 3 floors and lots of shops and restaurants. We spent a few hours here on our last visit to Lanzarote, and I shopped in Pull & Bear, Zara, Primark, Bimba y Lola, and Stradivarius.
15. Ride a camel!
Definitely a unique experience, on this tour, you’ll ride a camel through some of Timanfaya National Park. It’s a great way to take in the mind-blowing scenery on the back of a camel! And it’s suitable for the whole family!
Camels are calm creatures, so no need to be worried. Along the ride, your guide will point out the beautiful scenery and tell you all about the history of the area.
If you have a car, you can drive to the starting point yourself; in that case, the camel ride will cost just €11 per person. But, if you require return transfers to/from your accommodation, you can book this camel tour which costs €45.
16. Go on a submarine!
Ever wanted to see the inside of a submarine? Well, you can do just that on this submarine safari tour, which leaves from Puerto Calero. The submarine descends to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, it’s around 30 meters to the bottom. And from inside, you’ll be able to spot marine life like rays, eels, barracuda, and even shipwrecks. Things that you’d otherwise be only able to see on a scuba dive!
Tickets cost around €63 per person and you can BOOK IT HERE!
17. Dolphin watching cruise
Do your kids love dolphins? I know my two do, and this eco-friendly electric catamaran cruise is one of the best-rated tours in Lanzarote. It’s around 2.5 hours long and is limited to just 12 people – meaning a more personalized experience for you! Although you’re not guaranteed to see whales and dolphins, there’s a very high possibility you will.
18. Cueva de los Verdes
Formed around 3,000 to 4,500 years ago by the eruption of the nearby Monte Corona volcano, this cave is actually a lava tube that stretches for over six kilometers, making it one of the longest in the world.
The cave is named after the Verdes family, who historically used the caves as a refuge from pirates. And today, you can explore about two kilometers of this underground marvel, guided through its labyrinthine passages and vast chambers.
Where to Stay in Lanzarote
In Playa Blanca –
- Casa Real – Is a little further from Playa Blanca at 1km away and 750m from Dorado beach, it is worth a stay for the value-for-money alone. Each apartment has a terrace and two bedrooms. A stay here costs from €95 per night.
- Bungalows Coloradamar – just a few minutes walk from Papagayo beach, the resort has a communal pool with a hot tub. Each apartment has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and patio. A stay here costs from €125 per night.
In Costa Teguise –
- Oasis Lanz Beach Mate – located a short walk from the town and just 350m from the beach. It is surrounded by gardens and has two heated swimming pools as well as a tennis court. A deluxe room (including breakfast) costs from €97 per night.
- Apartamentos El Guarapo – just 200m from Playa Bastian beach and 300m from the main town. All apartments are set around a gorgeous central swimming area with a kitchen in each apartment making it easy to prepare your own meals if you so wish. A one-bedroom apartment costs from €60 per night.
In Puerto del Carmen –
- Gloria Izaro Club Hotel – located 650m from the beach with a large outdoor pool and air-conditioning in each room. A one-bedroom apartment (including breakfast) costs from €85 per night
- Gueldera Apartments – just 400m from the quieter Playa de los Pocillos, each apartment here offers a terrace . A standard apartment costs from €57 per night.
- Rocas Blancas Apartments – just 50m from the main beach in Puerto del Carmen, you are certainly right in the middle of the action – making it ideal for couples. There are stunning views from your private balcony. A one-bedroom apartment costs from €70 per night.
Why We rent a car in Lanzarote:
For our most recent week vacation in Lanzarote, we rented a car so that we could easily explore Jameos del Agua, the Cactus Garden, and El Golfo from where we were staying. It worked out cheap and it actually only ended up costing a fraction more than a return taxi to/from the airport would have cost.
Driving in Lanzarote is easy as long as you follow the main roads and don’t go onto any narrow dirt roads – there are a couple of these near Timanfaya National Park and Caleta de Famara.
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
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Booking Your Trip Soon? These are my go-to booking sites!
Below you will find a list of the sites we always use when booking our trips. By booking via the below links you can support my writing at no additional cost to you. Thanks so much!
1. Flights
I use Skyscanner or Cheapoair to find the best flights. It allows you to compare and book flights on over 500 airlines from across the globe.
2. Hotels
I use Booking.com for all of our hotel stays. And if we’re traveling on a budget, I like to use Hostelworld to book a hostel.
3. Renting a Car
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars. This is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after.
4. Tours
I use Viator or Get Your Guide to book any guided tours we plan on doing. I find Viator particularly good for the USA, Canada & New Zealand, and Get Your Guide is great for Europe.
5. Travel Sim Card
An eSIM is a great idea if you’re coming to a place for more than a week. As that way, you won’t need to change your number or remove the physical SIM from your phone. They are so handy and cheap, too. Obviously, make sure your phone is compatible with an eSIM first. We tend to use SimLocal for our eSIM’s. P.S., you can use code SNAPHAPPY for a discount!
6. Airport Pick-Ups
Instead of cabs, we book with welcome pickup to get from the airport to our hotel. Why did we do that? The drivers from Welcome Pickups are English speaking and you’ll pay a flat rate. So, you know exactly how much you’re paying before hopping in.
7. Compensation for Delayed or Canceled Flights
You can easily claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight with the website – AirHelp. You just input your flight details and some personal information, and AirHelp will handle the rest.
Last Updated on May 14, 2026 by snaphappytravel