The strange and eerie beauty of Lanzarote
The unsealed beauty of the Canary Islands – See the photos
The whitewashed houses, endless beaches, volcanic landscape and untouched natural beauty of Lanzarote make the island an ideal summer destination.
The Black Island, as it is known, is located in the Atlantic Ocean, 150 km from the coast of Africa and is one of the seven islands of the Canary Islands that form an autonomous administrative region of Spain.
Lanzarote owes its name to the Genoese sailor Lancelot Marocello and is famous for its wine. It is the only island in the world that has been declared in its entirety by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.
The island’s enchanting yet imposing landscape was depicted in the work of the painter and sculptor Cesar Manrique, who was born and lived there. It is a place flat and completely blackened by the petrified lava and has many natural parks under protection and inactive volcanoes.
The island’s capital, Arecife impresses with its picturesque alleyways, while Lake El Golfo with its lush vegetation is well worth a visit.
Visitors can enjoy camel rides on volcanoes in Timanfaya National Park, discover bargains at the Teguise market and dine in restaurants inside volcanic caves in Jameos del Agua.
The resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise are home to the island’s most spectacular beaches, while south in Famara is a dreamy white-sand beach with emerald waters.
In the old capital of Lanzarote you will take a trip through time with some of its buildings dating back to 1455 such as the town church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Palacio de Marqués.
Lanzarote / Canary Islands
Time difference: 2 hours behind
Lanzarote Airport
The Lanzarote airport is located in San Bartolomé, Las Palmas, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) southwest of the island’s capital, Arrecife.
By the Lanzarote airport taxi the city of Las Palmas is only 20 minutes away
Currency: Euro
Distance: There is no direct flight and the journey time is 8 hours 40 minutes from Athens via Zurich and 9 hours 10 minutes from Thessaloniki via Frankfurt.