How should you plan your trip to Lanzarote?
Volcanoes, architecture and sea on one island. Set aside three or four days to combine Timanfaya, the César Manrique spaces and the coast without cramming in visits.
- Suggested time
- 4 days
- To go at your own pace
- May
Montañas del Fuego (Timanfaya) and the Cueva de los Verdes can only be visited with an online ticket for a date and time chosen when you buy, and you must arrive 15 minutes early. For the other Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo (Jameos del Agua, Mirador del Río, Jardín de Cactus), check conditions and tickets on their official website. Visits to protected areas must stick to the authorised routes and access points.
Activities in Lanzarote
Complete Lanzarote Tour With Tickets
from €99
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
La Graciosa Day Trip
from €74
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Timanfaya & Jameos del Agua Day Trip
from €87
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
An island that keeps changing landscape.
Group visits by area and alternate volcanic scenery, architecture and time by the sea.
Pale sand, dark lava and an island that asks you to look slowly.
In Lanzarote you don't have to choose between beach and culture. Plan one area per day: the volcanic landscape and La Geria, Manrique's north and another day for the coast. The sea can be turquoise while the ground stays black; that mix is the island's identity. Three or four days gives you more room than a lightning getaway, especially when the flight eats into the first and last day. Leave one morning free of tickets so you can change plans with the wind.
Pick one main visit before stringing together transfers.
Papas, mojo and local produce: the island is on the table too.
Keep a day for the sea and adapt the beach to the wind.
You can also explore more Canary Islands getaways or compare this destination with other ideas.
What to see in Lanzarote.
- 1Timanfaya
- 2Jameos del Agua
- 3La Geria
- 4The coast
- 5The Papagayo coves
- 6Famara and Caletón Blanco
Timanfaya
The volcanic landscape is the star. Visit along the authorised routes and check the park's conditions before you go.
Jameos del Agua
A way to see where César Manrique's work meets the island's geology. Check tickets and opening hours with CACT.
La Geria
A farmed landscape that deserves time. If you want to visit a winery, confirm availability directly.
The coast
Alternate cultural visits with walks by the sea. Wind and currents change conditions: follow the local signs.
The Papagayo coves
In the south, in the Los Ajaches Natural Monument, you will find several pale-sand beaches. According to Yaiza town council, anyone who does not live in Lanzarote pays an access fee, by card only. Stay on the marked paths.
Famara and Caletón Blanco
Two different landscapes to round off a northern route. Famara opens onto the surf; Caletón Blanco mixes coast and lava. Choose according to the day's conditions and not a photo of calm water.
Two views of Lanzarote.
A few details to help you picture your trip. Enlarge each photo, then carry on with the route.
Your trip, day by day.
A first look at the island
A walk round Arrecife and a first taste of the coast. Avoid booking a timed visit too close to your flight.
A first look at the island
A walk round Arrecife and a first taste of the coast. Avoid booking a timed visit too close to your flight.
Volcanic landscape
Combine Timanfaya and La Geria on the same day, allowing time for transfers and stops.
A first look at the island
A walk round Arrecife and a first taste of the coast. Avoid booking a timed visit too close to your flight.
Volcanic landscape
Combine Timanfaya and La Geria on the same day, allowing time for transfers and stops.
Manrique's north
Spend the day on Jameos del Agua and the northern centres you have chosen. Check tickets, and don't stack timed visits without room to travel between them.
A first look at the island
A walk round Arrecife and a first taste of the coast. Avoid booking a timed visit too close to your flight.
Volcanic landscape
Combine Timanfaya and La Geria on the same day, allowing time for transfers and stops.
Manrique's north
Spend the day on Jameos del Agua and the northern centres you have chosen. Check tickets, and don't stack timed visits without room to travel between them.
A day on the coast
Choose the beach area according to the day's conditions. For Papagayo, bear in mind that anyone who does not live in Lanzarote pays for access, by card only; if you'd rather stay near services, look at the beaches near your base.
A first look at the island
A walk round Arrecife and a first taste of the coast. Avoid booking a timed visit too close to your flight.
Volcanic landscape
Combine Timanfaya and La Geria on the same day, allowing time for transfers and stops.
Manrique's north
Spend the day on Jameos del Agua and the northern centres you have chosen. Check tickets, and don't stack timed visits without room to travel between them.
A day on the coast
Choose the beach area according to the day's conditions. For Papagayo, bear in mind that anyone who does not live in Lanzarote pays for access, by card only; if you'd rather stay near services, look at the beaches near your base.
A day to choose again
Pick up a visit the wind changed, arrange a winery or just walk without adding kilometres. Leave a margin if your flight is that same day.
A suggested editorial route. Adjust the timings to your bookings, the weather and your mobility.
This destination is part of the route: Canary Islands in 4 days
More ideas in Lanzarote
Round-Trip Ferry Ride Between Lanzarote & La Graciosa
from €29
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Lanzarote Timanfaya Day Trip
from €83
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)
Complete Fuerteventura Tour
from €62
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
A getaway you can taste.
You don't need a list of twenty restaurants. You need to know what to look for, book a table if you want one, and give it time.
Papas arrugadas with mojo
A good one to share to start. Ask about the house mojos (sauces) and pair the table with seasonal produce.
Cheese and fish
The island's cooking also shows in simple produce. Ask about the origin and the day's preparations.
The La Geria landscape
A winery helps you understand how vines grow in volcanic material. Book the visit and sort out transport before including a tasting.
Lanzarote, with whoever you like.
As a couple
Alternate a landscape day with a coast day. Book a lunch or a winery visit and leave the rest of the afternoon free of clocks.
With children
Group visits by area and avoid scheduling several centres back to back. Confirm accessibility, age limits and sun-protection needs at each activity.
If you want beach time
Check wind, swell and flags. A cove sheltered from the wind does not guarantee safe swimming. Change the plan if you need to.
When to go.
May. The highlighted months are our recommendation; the figures are AEMET climate normals, not a forecast.
See the data in a table (with hours of sunshine)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May (recommended) | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high (°C) | 20.7 | 21.3 | 22.9 | 23.5 | 24.6 | 26.3 | 28.2 | 29.1 | 28.6 | 26.7 | 24.2 | 21.8 |
| Avg. low (°C) | 14.0 | 14.3 | 15.0 | 15.7 | 16.8 | 18.8 | 20.4 | 21.2 | 20.8 | 19.4 | 17.2 | 15.4 |
| Rainy days (≥ 1 mm) | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 3.8 |
| Hours of sunshine | 203 | 201 | 241 | 255 | 297 | 292 | 308 | 295 | 248 | 235 | 207 | 196 |
Getting there and where to stay.
The journey here
Fly into César Manrique airport. A car gives you flexibility to combine areas; there is also public transport and organised tours. Check routes and timetables.
Find Lanzarote on the mapAirport transfer
If you fly into César Manrique airport, you can book a private or shared transfer to your accommodation in advance. Options, schedules and prices are on the SunTransfers website.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
Choose your base well
Arrecife is an urban base; Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca let you stay close to the coast. Choose according to the routes you want to do.
Three ways to choose your base
Arrecife
For an urban base with services throughout the trip. Check the real connections to the visits you want to make.
Playa Blanca
If you want the south coast to take centre stage. Allow for the transfer north so you don't pack too many visits into one day.
Costa Teguise or Puerto del Carmen
To combine tourist services with walks by the sea. Decide according to the beach area and the routes that interest you most.
Where to stay in Lanzarote
Once you have chosen your base, check availability, cancellation terms and prices for your dates on Booking.com. What you see there depends on the dates you search.
See places to stay in Lanzarote on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
Distance on the map is deceptive: group visits by area and leave room for the wind.
If the weather turns.
Use the day for a cultural visit that stays open, a pre-booked winery or a long lunch. Check the specific conditions of each centre: a cultural visit does not mean the whole route is under cover.
Two things that save you from a bad plan.
Crossing the island several times a day
Group the south, centre and north on separate days. Transfers compete with beach time and ticketed visits.
Calling five plans a two-day getaway
The flight and collecting the car also take time. If you only have a weekend, choose one base and one area.
From plan to suitcase.
Get the important things sorted and save the route to check it offline.
0 of 4 preparations ready.
List saved in this browser. The download includes the editorial route and your preparations, not bookings.
Discover Lanzarote with a guide.
These are the Civitatis activities, ordered by number of reviews. You'll find the price, reviews, duration and up-to-date conditions on the provider's website.
Complete Lanzarote Tour With Tickets
from €99
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) La Graciosa Day Trip
from €74
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Timanfaya & Jameos del Agua Day Trip
from €87
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Round-Trip Ferry Ride Between Lanzarote & La Graciosa
from €29
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Lanzarote Timanfaya Day Trip
from €83
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab) Complete Fuerteventura Tour
from €62
See on Civitatis (opens in a new tab)Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. You book directly with the provider.
Information, with context.
. Itineraries and seasons: editorial suggestions by Conócela. Check opening times, rules and access at Turismo Lanzarote ↗.
