Lanzarote Road Trip Highlights: The Perfect Winter Getaway

Following on from our other recent winter getaway post on a road trip in Fuerteventura, Lanzarote is another great winter getaway location for those in need of some winter sun. Below, we’ve detailed some must-see highlights for a road trip in Lanzarote, Canary Islands highlight located just to the north of Fuerteventura.

When landing in Lanzarote you have much to look forward to: ‘volcanoes, lava fields, rocks in impossible shapes, black and red earth that contrasts with the typical whitewashed houses, the deep blue sea and the light blue sky’.

Hire a car at Lanzarote Airport, (we also offer debit card car hire at Lanzarote Airport too) which is conveniently located in Playa Honda, approximately a 30 minute drive to Playa Blanca. Lanzarote Airport (ACE) comprises of two terminals, with Terminal 1 being used for all international flights and Terminal 2 for all inter-island Canary flights (making it easy to island hop if you want to extend your stay).

Timanfaya National Park

Once you have picked up your car, a good place to start is Timanfaya National Park. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the eruptions in the south of Lanzarote resulted in the natural oddity that is Las Montañas del Fuego. We can see the lava flow in the dramatic red craters that become lunar landscapes extending over 200 kilometres.

You can look down from Islote de Hilario to observe the 25 craters that are particularly astonishing given their latent power, dormant now but could explode at any minute. So César Manrique invented the Ruta de los Volcanes, a 14 km pathway that weaves across the landscape. He also was behind the El Diablo restaurant where the food is grilled ten metres below ground at some 300 degrees.

Marina Rubicón Village

On the south coast you will find the idyllic Marina Rubicón, overshadowed by the summit of Los Ajaches, and you take a short boat trip to Papagayo’s stunning beaches. The village benefits from quality restaurants, shops and opportunities for water sports. Plus, there is the nearby town of Playa Blanca with its popular beach and general busy buzz.

Cueva de Los Verdes

Cueva de Los Verdes is a cave created after the eruption of the Volcán de la Corona and was used as a hideaway by those fearing pirate attacks in the 16^th and 17^th centuries. By the 19^th century it had become a sightseeing tour for visitors, especially scientists intrigued by the volcanic formation.

César Manrique Conceptions

César Manrique, as well as the above-mentioned pathway, designed his own residence, the César Manrique Foundation headquarters, when he returned from New York City to relocate in his beloved Lanzarote from 1968 to 1988. It combined the natural forms he found and the kind of traditional architecture you would expect locally. And many of the features are open to visitors too, with his studio converted into a gallery.

Another one of Manrique’s conceptions is Mirador Del Rio with, once more, architecture, art and nature combined. Earlier he created a natural space originated inside a volcanic tunnel. There were three jameos or openings: The Jameo Chico, where access to the interior is made and the Restaurant is located, as well as a hidden entrance to the famous Atlántida Tunnel; the Jameo Grande where the pool is located, and the Jameo de la Cazuela , which is behind the auditorium stage.

Los Jameos del Agua was another natural space with its origins inside a volcanic tunnel. His final intervention was the Jardin de Cactus with 4,500 specimens of 450 different species of 13 different families from all five continents. It is a peaceful place, a real oasis away from the hubbub surrounding tourists on the island.

Driving Onward: Lanzarote’s Best Mountains, Caves, Beaches, Lakes and More

Take a look at these further Lanzarote highlights that can you can easily make part of your overall road trip:

Be sure to check out Montana Roju, or the Red Mountain, a popular site for hikers to take a trek on with amazing sights particularly at sunset or in moonlight.
Take in Los Hervideros, lava caves and unusual rock formations formed by the meeting of glowing lava from the lava flow of the Timanfaya Mountains – Fire Mountains and the sea.
Papagayo Beach is known for its white sand, sparkling clean emerald water as still as any San Francisco swimming pool and so ideal for snorkelling and bathing for all ages.
If you are indeed taking in Lanzarote as a winter destination like at the time of writing (January) you can expect 20C, so the golden sands of Famara Beach will be of great appeal with fantastic views of the cliffs of Famara too.
LagOmar is thus named as, back in 1972, Omar Sharif bought it on a whim whilst filming ‘The Mysterious Isle’. It is now a museum, art gallery, bar and restaurant which first opened to the public in 1997. The idea to base the design on One Thousand & One Arabian Nights was conceived by César Manrique and carried out by Jesús Soto.
LagOmar has the Manrique atmosphere of other of his designs in Lanzarote with smooth white walls, building up character through the use of natural elements like stone and wood. Rather like on the volcanic designs there are pathways that take you through gardens into tunnels, caves, up and down stairways, there’s even a water tunnel with stepping stones.
Teguise is a quiet little village that bursts alive every Sunday with a considerable market including art, crafts, and foodies for both locals and tourists.
Fancy a tipple? Pueblo Marinero’s got a wide range of bars and restaurants with good value and quality too. While Puerto del Carmen, originally a small fishing village, hosts the old harbour and is still a delightful place to visit, boasting some excellent bars, restaurants and excursions running out of the harbour.

So back to the airport and hand in those Indigo Car Hire keys, but don’t let that get you down – check out our range of itineraries for road trips including the aforementioned Fuerteventura trip and our guide to a road trip in Tenerife. We’re sure the memories of this adventure will include the wonders of nature, fine food and drink, beach bathing, water sports, and lots for culture vultures too!

Looking for even more winter sun inspiration? Check out more of our blogs here:

Rich Jevons was first published in the Yorkshire Post at the tender age of fifteen. After graduating at University of Humberside, Rich covered the visual and performing arts for a wide range of regional, national and international magazines, journals and newspapers. He has interviewed the likes of Patrick Stewart, Colin Baker and Christopher Eccleston. Currently, he is writing copy on road trips around the world, all from his office in Wortley, Leeds