Lanzarote in 4 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Four days are not long, but they are enough to get to know the easternmost island of the Canary archipelago. Lanzarote has a lot to offer: unspoilt beaches, natural parks and places shaped by the genius of César Manrique. Despite its small size, it is important to plan your itinerary well. Knowing how to get around and what to see is essential when planning your trip. And to help you in your task, I have prepared a route that touches all the important points of the island.

On the first day I have mapped out a route that takes in the most important points of the northern part of the island. The starting point is the pretty village of Punta Mujeres.

Bathing in the natural pools of Punta Mujeres

In the municipality of Punta Mujeres there are no resorts or large hotel complexes. It is a quiet spot, characterised by family tourism and natural pools, enclosed coves accessible via small stairs.

If you are travelling with small children, it is a perfect destination as the little ones can enjoy the water without danger. In fact, I recommend it if you are looking for things to do with children in Lanzarote.

In addition to the sea, I recommend a short stroll through this small fishing village that has managed to maintain the charm of yesteryear. Here you will also find the Aloe Museum, a plant that grows luxuriantly on Lanzarote and the other islands of the archipelago (Carretera Jameos del Agua s/n).

The Jameos del Agua will leave you with your mouth wide open

Los Jameos del Agua is the name of a natural cave embellished by Cesar Manrique. "Jameos" is a word of indigenous origin and defines an abyss formed inside a lava tunnel.

Outside, an idyllic pool is surrounded by basalt rocks and succulent plants. Inside, there are several different parts with lakes and even an auditorium where concerts are held.

It is highly recommended to book an excursion to the Jameos del Agua to get to know the area in depth. But if you want to do this plan on your own, be sure to read the article that explains how to visit Jameos del Agua in Lanzarote.

Visit César Manrique's house-museum

The house that the artist lived in during the last years of his life. When you enter you will have the feeling that time has stood still, the shirts are hanging on the hangers and the perfumes are still on the sink. It is a cosy residence where the natural and the artificial intermingle in style.

The Casa Museo de César Manrique is a small jewel embellished with works by Joan Mirò and Pablo Picasso. Outside, a swimming pool and a charming porch complete the charm of the place. I recommend you book a tour of César Manrique and delve into the artist's life.

• Address: C. Elvira Sánchez, 30, Haría.
• Opening hours: from 10:30 am to 6 pm.
• Price: around 10 €.

Delight yourself with the haute cuisine of Tacande

The last stop of the day is in the municipality of Haría itself, a 10-minute walk from the Casa de César Manrique. It is open every day of the week from 1pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 10pm.

The Tacande restaurant stands out for its fusion cuisine, finely presented dishes and Canarian craft beers. Here you can enjoy avocado gazpacho, rice with seaweed and lime mayonnaise, prawn uramaki and other recipes with Asian and Latin American influences.

After a first day on the northern beaches, it's time to explore the interior. The first stage can only be the largest natural park on the island.

Dive into Timanfaya National Park

Booking a trip to Timanfaya is another must. It is a protected area that brings together the land affected by volcanic eruptions in 1720, 1736 and 1824. Since then, the environment has remained practically unaltered and it looks more like a lunar landscape than a terrestrial one.

You can explore it on your own, but I recommend you hire an organised excursion to Timanfaya. Despite the harsh climate, some animals live here. This is the case of rabbits, geckos and owls that find food in the sparse bushes of this natural park. You can take advantage of your stay to take a camel ride.

Stroll around Teguise, Lanzarote's most beautiful village

In the centre of the island is a town with whitewashed houses and historic buildings. It was the first capital of Lanzarote and is just a few kilometres from the Timanfaya National Park. Its old town is home to some very interesting attractions:

• Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, built in the 15th century by Maciot de Bethencourt, Norman explorer and first European to set foot on the soil of Lanzarote.
• Plaza de la Constitución or Plaza de San Miguel. It is the heart of Teguise and its perimeter is delimited by the church, the tourist office and the House-Museum of the Timple, a guitar-like instrument typical of the archipelago.
• Santa Bárbara Castle, the oldest fortification on the island. It was built in the 16th century by the will of Sancho de Herrera, the lord of Lanzarote. In the 19th century it lost importance and, after some years of abandonment, it has been reborn as the Museum of Piracy.
• Aquapark Costa Teguise is an ideal plan for the whole family. A very popular water park that includes numerous attractions such as slides, soft tracks, a ball park, tracks for electric cars...

If you have time, you can take a stroll through the Cactus Garden, one of the many creations of César Manrique. It is located in the town of Guatiza and is home to more than 4,000 specimens of succulent plants.

Book a table at Hespérides Restaurant

In Teguise I recommend you try the creative cuisine of the Hespérides restaurant. It is a charming and quiet place, the rooms surround an inner courtyard and the service is very friendly. Here, local and seasonal products are the main ingredients, prepared by an experienced chef.

Here you can try octopus brioche, sweet potato salad, low-temperature Canarian pork, tuna tataki, as well as more traditional recipes.

• Address: Calle León y Castillo, 3 CC, Casa Leon.
• Opening hours: Hespérides closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and on the rest of the days it opens at noon and turns off the cookers at 10 pm.

A few kilometres from Lanzarote is a small island where nature and silence are the stars: La Graciosa. If you are travelling on your own, you can get here from the port of Órzola with the Romero and Naviera Armas Lines, which guarantee connections every half hour. You can also book your ferry ticket to La Graciosa here.

Disembark in Caleta de Sebo

Booking your excursion to La Graciosa is an ideal plan if you are spending more than three days in Lanzarote. You will arrive in Caleta de Sebo which is the only 'town' on the island and the starting point for all excursions. The ferries disembark here and once on dry land you can do some shopping. There are small supermarkets in the surrounding area. I tell you this because this is the only point on La Graciosa with services.

At this point, if you have arrived on your own you have two options: rent a bicycle (or e-bike) or perhaps book an off-road tour. In this area you will find several agencies that offer this service. By the way, if you like driving on rough terrain, I recommend you to read the post about buggy tours in Lanzarote.

Lying on the sand at Playa Francesa

Just a short distance from Caleta de Sebo you will find a simply marvellous stretch of coastline: Playa Francesa. The turquoise waters and the catamarans moored close to the shore make for a Caribbean postcard. I recommend you bring your snorkelling gear, the marine fauna will take your breath away.

Eat the freshest fish

Despite its tiny size, Caleta de Sebo has a variety of dining options. Personally, I recommend you book a table at the restaurant Casa Enriqueta (Calle del Mar de Barlovento 6). The speciality is caramelised octopus and squid puntillas. Alternatively, you can opt for:

• El Marinero, known for its limpets and grilled fish (Calle García Escámez).
• El Veril, if you want to eat mussels with green mojo sauce and fried fish (Avenida Virgen del Mar 95).
• El Varadero, I recommend you order the fresh fish of the day on the back (Avenida Virgen del Mar 123).

Discover Pedro Barba

About six kilometres from Caleta de Sebo is a tiny, semi-abandoned village: Pedro Barba. It has single-storey houses with white walls and gardens where succulent plants grow. This tiny village is named after a 14th century aristocrat and warrior. However, the village of Pedro Barba was born in the 1930s thanks to the intuition of a businessman.

The idea was to build a fishing port and a village to house the workers. Unfortunately, the project was not successful and the few residences were gradually abandoned. In addition to the classic charm of uninhabited places, it is worth diving into the sea and snorkelling. The inflow is low (often non-existent) and the fish are plentiful. If you don't feel like travelling on your own, you can book one of the day trips to La Graciosa from Lanzarote.

On the last day available, I recommend a route that touches on some of the best beaches of Lanzarote. To do this route you must have a car as public transport does not reach all the points listed. However, a rental car is the most popular option for those travelling to the island. You can also book a tour of the south of Lanzarote.

Relax in Los Charcones

A must are the most beautiful natural pools of Lanzarote, which are located on the south coast. Playa Blanca is just a few kilometres away, as is the hustle and bustle that characterises this tourist resort. To reach them, all you have to do is drive in the direction of the Pechiguera lighthouse. You can leave your car near the unfinished construction site of a hotel that was never finished and start the descent.

Don't miss Papagayo Beach by kayak

This stretch of coastline in the south is difficult to access and a canoe trip is the ideal way to explore it. Tours usually depart from Playa Blanca, a tourist area with numerous leisure facilities and both free and paid car parks. Before setting sail, the instructor will give you some useful sailing tips.

Don't worry, the route is simple and suitable for all ages (from 5 years upwards). However, participants are required to know how to swim. The most common is that the price includes an aperitif or snack at the end of the activity. For more information, you can read the post detailing the 10 best activities in Lanzarote: kayaking, snorkelling, diving experiences, etc. And if you're thinking of signing up for one of these activities, check out this kayaking and snorkelling tour in Lanzarote.

Say goodbye to Lanzarote in La Cuadra Restaurant

After such an intense day you deserve a good meal and La Cuadra Restaurant is the ideal destination. It is located in Playa Blanca and has an extensive menu and stunning views over the ocean. They are known for recipes such as salmon en papillote and cod confit.

If you prefer meat, you can choose succulent lamb shoulder, Strogonoff sirloin, grilled pork feather or other recipes.

• Address: Calle Limones 107.

Order a cocktail at Oasis Marina Bay

To end your holiday in style, you can have a good cocktail at Oasis Marina Bay. It is a bar with a chill out atmosphere, palm trees and a beautiful pond in the garden. It is located at Avenida Marítima 161, a stone's throw from the marina.

In case you can't find a place, you can opt for:

• Barney's (Avenida de Papagayo)
• Yum Yum Chillout (Avenida Marítima 1)
• Waikiki Beach Club (Avenida Marítima 6).

Discover the recommended means of transport and their fares. Let's start with the most chosen one: a rental car.

Car

Throughout the Canary archipelago, the car is the most recommended means of transport. You can rent a car both at the airport and in the main towns (Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Playa Blanca, etc.). Please note that the main roads in Lanzarote are:

• LZ-1, linking the capital Arrecife to Órzola.
• LZ-2, connects Arrecife to Playa Blanca
• LZ-3, the Arrecife ring road.

The main roads are in good condition, but there are secondary unpaved stretches. In general it is not necessary to rent an off-road vehicle, a slightly higher car is sufficient to tackle most of the roads. I only recommend taking out comprehensive insurance to avoid paying for possible damage to the bodywork.

Thanks to the abundance of free parking, easy access to the beaches and the low price of petrol, a rental car is the most popular choice in Lanzarote.

Bus

Connections between cities and towns on the island are guaranteed by Intercity Bus. There are several lines and the price is more than affordable. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind (both positive and negative):

• Buses are tailored to the needs of locals rather than tourists. As a result, not all time slots are covered.
• Fares range from a minimum of less than €1 to a maximum fare of €3.
• Some tourist areas are excluded from the routes.
• Buses are very punctual.
• Each vehicle has a digital display indicating the next stop.
• Cards are not normally accepted, only cash is accepted.

Bici

Cycle touring is becoming more and more popular in Lanzarote. You will find shops that rent mountain bikes, e-bikes and road bikes. Here are some suggestions in the main tourist destinations:

• Bike Sensations, quality bikes in Puerto del Carmen. They also organise tours in Timanfaya National Park (Avenida de las Playas 49).
• Barbanera, an extensive and varied fleet at affordable prices (Calle Almirante Boado Endeiza, Arrecife).
• Evolution Bikes, a modern agency with excellent reviews. Located in the tourist resort of Costa Teguise (Paseo Marítimo 2, Complejo La Galea).
• Planet Bikes, they have three support vans in case you have a mishap somewhere on the island (Centro Comercial El Faro, Calle Lanzarote 18).

The promenade between Arrecife and nearby Puerto del Carmen is easy to walk and quite busy. In general, the flat surface of the island is perfect for two-wheelers (except when it's too hot).

Taxi

Not the cheapest option, but the most comfortable. In my opinion, it is worth taking them only to move within the cities or to get from the airport to your destination. In the latter case, here are the approximate prices:

• Arrecife, 15 €.
• Playa Blanca, 45 €.
• Costa Teguise, 25 €.
• Puerto del Carmen, 18 €.
• Famara, 35 €.

Please note that rates may increase if you travel at night or on a public holiday. If you want to book your vehicle in advance, you should contact Lanzarote Radio-Taxi (+34 928 520 176).

As you know, the Canary Islands are nicknamed the "islands of eternal spring" and therefore rainfall is scarce. In Lanzarote they are more frequent from October to March, but not more than 100 millimetres of water fall per year. As you have been able to see, the main attractions of Lanzarote, but here are some suggestions for rainy days:

• Cueva de los Verdes, a cave formed after the eruptions of the Corona Volcano. Buying the tickets you will have the opportunity to walk through a kilometre of nets and galleries. It is a very evocative experience.
• Lanzarote Aquarium, the largest in the Canary Islands. It is home to species typical of the archipelago as well as creatures from other seas. You can also dive with sharks. You can find more information on the official website.
• Rancho Texas Park, the theme park that recreates the Wild West. It offers pony rides, cowboy shows and bird of prey exhibitions, among other activities. You can buy tickets on the official website.
• Museum of Piracy, an attraction that children tend to love. In the past, the Canary Islands were a favourite destination for corsairs and filibusters, and the Museum of Piracy tells the stories of the raids and pillaging that the island suffered.
• Wine tasting. Malvasia is the island's main grape and produces a greenish-yellow wine with an almondy flavour. Cantinas such as El Grifo and La Geria offer wine tasting experiences.