Lanzarote Travelers Recommend

Three days give you plenty of time to enjoy Lanzarote’s nature and culture, and to cruise the coast and discover sun-soaked beaches. Plan ahead to make the most of your time and be sure to book tours and activities in advance, especially in peak season. Here’s how to spend three days in Lanzarote.

Day 1: Sightseeing in the South

Kickstart your stay with a visit to Timanfaya National Park. Visiting the park is only possible with a guide, so join a 4WD safari that lets you access parts of the park that traditional tour vehicles can’t. Some tours give you the chance to ride a camel through lava fields or hike around the Fire Mountains but, for the best value, choose a tour that includes hotel pickup and visits other South Lanzarote highlights.

Nearby, the La Geria wine region is a great choice for lunch—the region is renowned for its Malvasia white wines, which are grown in volcanic soil. In order to skip the hassle of car hire, opt for a tour that transports you along the island’s southwest coast. Tours typically cover the sea cliffs of Los Hervideros, Salinas de Janubio salt flats, and the green lagoon of El Golfo.

Day 2: Discover the North

Dedicate your second day to discovering the rugged coastline and historic villages of north Lanzarote, where highlights include the hilltop village of Haría and the market town of Teguise.

Spend the afternoon at the Jameos Del Agua caves—a modern resort housed in a series of natural lava caves—where you can enjoy lunch at a cave restaurant before exploring the creation of local artist and architect César Manrique. Learn more about Manrique at the César Manrique Foundation and take a stroll around the Cactus Garden. All three attractions can get busy, especially in the summer months, so visit as part of a tour to benefit from skip-the-line admission tickets and prearranged logistics.

Enjoy an evening at a Wild West-themed dinner, which typically include live entertainment, a BBQ buffet dinner, free-flowing Sangria, and activities such as line dancing or lassoing.

Day 3: Cruise the Coast

The coastline of Lanzarote is even more impressive from the water so spend your final day at sea. Cruises typically sail to the small island of La Graciosa, where you can head ashore to explore the villages or relax by the beachside, and usually include an onboard lunch.

Alternatively, take a day trip to Fuerteventura. Tours typically include round-trip transport by ferry, a visit to the island capital of Puerto del Rosario, and the chance to admire the sand dunes of Fuerteventura National Park. Or, if you’re a thrill seeker, spend your final day surfing at Famara beach, going off-road on a buggy excursion, or scuba diving in Puerto Calero.

Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from one of the neighboring islands or stopping over as part of an island-hopping cruise, one day in Lanzarote offers just enough time to take in the highlights. Here are some ideas.

Morning: Volcanoes and Vineyards

Start by visiting the island’s star attraction, Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park is only accessible by guided tour, so for the best value, pick one that includes hotel pickup and drop-off, or visit as part of a day tour combined with other popular attractions. Spend the morning exploring the park’s otherworldly landscapes on a 4WD safari, take in incredible views of the Fire Mountains, and perhaps enjoy a camel ride through the lava fields. Close to Timanfaya, stop for lunch in the La Geria wine region, where you can sample Lanzarote’s acclaimed white wines and learn how malvasia grapes are cultivated in the island’s volcanic soils. 

Afternoon: Coastal Views and Caves

Head along the southwest coast, stopping along the way to admire the vibrant green lagoon of El Golfo, visit the Salinas de Janubio salt flats, and take in the views from the sea cliffs of Los Hervideros. Afterwards, zip up to the north coast to explore Jameos del Agua, a lavish resort built around a series of natural lava caves—the masterpiece of local artist and architect César Manrique. It’s a popular spot, so visiting as part of a tour or prebooking skip-the-line tickets is recommended. If you have time, nearby attractions such as the Cactus Garden and the César Manrique Foundation are also well worth a visit.  

Night: Sunset Cruise

Lanzarote’s rocky coastline is most impressive when viewed from the water, and a sunset cruise means that the beaches will be bathed in a golden glow. Set sail from Puerto del Carmen aboard a catamaran, and look out for dolphins and whales as you cruise along the coast. Some cruises include stops to swim and snorkel, as well as cocktails and canapes. 

With two days to explore Lanzarote, it’s worth devoting a day each to the north and south of the island. After taking in the volcanic landscapes, vineyards, and beach resorts of the south, head north to immerse yourself in Canarian culture and enjoy a road trip along the coast. Here’s how to spend two days in Lanzarote.

Day 1: Volcanoes, Vineyards, and Ocean Views

**Morning:**Kick off your island explorations with a visit to Timanfaya National Park, known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park can only be visited by guided tour, so consider joining one that includes hotel pickup, 4WD transport, and other activities, such as the chance to ride a camel through the lava fields. 

**Afternoon:**Take in the highlights of south Lanzarote, starting with a wine-tasting lunch in the La Geria wine region, famous for its white wines made from malvasia grapes. On the southwest coast, must-see sights include the sea cliffs of Los Hervideros, the Salinas de Janubio salt flats, and the green lagoon of El Golfo. With time to spare, the beach town of Playa Blanca has some excellent beaches and plenty of options for water sports. 

**Night:**Set sail along Lanzarote’s southwest coast on a sunset cruise, and admire the island’s natural wonders from the water as you sip cocktails from the onboard bar. Cruises typically leave from Puerto del Carmen, and many include stops to swim and snorkel around the island’s beaches and bays, as well as the chance to spot dolphins and whales along the coast. 

Day 2: Highlights of North Lanzarote

**Morning:**Teguise Market (Sundays only) is Lanzarote’s largest and most atmospheric market, and a walking tour offers the chance to immerse yourself in local culture, as well as purchase some unique handicrafts and souvenirs. Tours of north Lanzarote often include a visit to an aloe vera plantation, a stop at the hilltop village of Haría, and a drive along the north coast, with views of La Graciosa Island.

**Afternoon:**A modern resort designed by local artist César Manrique and housed in a series of natural lava caves, Jameos del Agua is one of the island’s most memorable attractions. Nearby, the Cactus Garden and the César Manrique Foundation are also popular sites, and it’s worth prebooking skip-the-line tickets to all three—ticket lines can be long, especially in high season. 

**Night:**On your final night in Lanzarote, enjoy a taste of the Wild West with a dinner and show at a countryside ranch. Tuck into a barbecue buffet dinner, sip sangria, enjoy live music and cowboy-themed entertainment, and participate in fun activities such as line dancing or lassoing.