Hi,
it's been a while since I didn't post anything, I know, but I'm coming back with a unique one : Lanzarote !
El Golfo Beach
We slept in a 4* hotel named Occidental Lanzarote Playa which I wouldn't recommend so much, the food is not so good quality and there's no direct access to the sea. The positive point was the size of the room, which was very spacious.
So, WHAT ABOUT THIS ISLAND ?
Lanzarote is a 60 km long island (quite small), located in a Spanish archipelago called Canary Islands (right next to the very south of Morocco), owning 110 volcanos !
What does it mean ? Means that wherever you are on this island, you're either on, either near, either under a volcano ! haha
As you might have guessed already, the landscapes are absolutely stunning. Yellow and red mountains, purple and green deserts, black beaches, orange roads... you just can't believe all this is happening on Planet Earth.
Timanfaya is a natural volcanic reserve, 3/4 of its surface is covered with lava due to 2 irruptions that took place in the years 1730 and 1736. When in Lanzarote, one cannot miss paying a visit to this breathe taking place. Plus, you can have lunch in the restaurant El Diablo on the top of a volcano which offers a belvedere over the park, and also has the particularity of cooking its dishes straight from the volcano's heat (natural and ecologic oven !)
Parco Nacional de Timanfaya
You can also have a camel ride in the park, walking through a multicolore desert, very unique and impressive.
Camel ride in Timanfaya
Not so far from the national park, lies a huge beach surrounded by cliffs and a charming white city (really looking like Maghreb if you've ever visited northern Africa) called Caleta de Famara absolutely gorgeous, from where you can admire nice sunsets.
Caleta de Famara beach
When it comes to Lanzarote's architecture, there's a name you'll hear a million times : Cesar Manrique. He is the genius behind Jardin de Cactus, Jameos del Agua, Fundacion and Casa Manrique and many more. He attempted to base all of his work on conciliating human constructions and local landscapes. Everything he built is a brilliant and ravishing discover.
First thing first, in any of those places that you're about to discover in this article, you can get a ticket that allows entrance to Jameos del Agua, Timanfaya, Cueva de los Verdes, Jardin de Cactus, Foundation & Casa de César Manrique. Don't even hesitate, get this ticket, it is much more profitable than paying every entrance individually.
Jameos del Agua is a touristic site where you'll find not only a splendid restaurant inside a debris of a volcanic tube, but also a handsome pool and a philharmonic that offers classical music concerts every week. A categoric must-see !
Another Manrique wonder is his house, where you can visit his workshop and all his personal universe. The city he used to live in is called Haria, adorable small town, worth to pay a walk in.
To combine with his house, the visit of his foundation is also sumptuous.
The place is built inside of a lava irruption and it is devoted to the art Manrique used to make and own, and it also is an architectural miracle.
Last but not least Manrique's wonder is Jardin de Cactus. A botanical garden dedicated to all sorts of cactuses. On top of the very windy garden's hill stands a windmill which makes this place looking even more authentic.
Please, rent a car when on the island, otherwise it is gonna be very complicated to move around. We rented ours at Cabrera Medina which is the best car rental company ever ! For a 100€ per week, we got a Seat Leon car fully insured !
Other info about the practical aspect of the trip : the meteo ! We've been there from 9th to 16th July and even though the island is very close to southern Morocco, the weather was quite unpleasant ! Around 16 to 18C everyday, very often cloudy, sometimes rainy, rarely sunny. So, even if you're traveling beginning of summer, please get a jacket or at least a pullover with you !
You'll probably pass by this unexpected canyon (nothing on this island is expected, to be honest ! haha) when driving around. It's called El Mojon Canyon in the middle of the road, a very "instagrammable" place to see ! haha
Canyon El Mojon
What about those famous black beaches then ? Well I advise you to take an afternoon to take a bath in Playa de la Montana Bermeja, a magnificent black sand beach facing a red mountain. I just hope you are not sensitive to cold water, cause the Atlantic Ocean is FREEZING! haha
While you are there, don't miss out the most famous bay on the island as it is a 5min car ride one another : El Golfo (first picture of the article).
Playa de la Montana Bermeja
El Golfo
Another very typical and quiet beach, is Playa Quemada, probably the one I liked the most. All the little coloured houses standing on the black rocks shore make this beach so charming and attaching.
Playa Quemada
At the very south of Lanzarote, you can also enjoy golden sand beaches. Such as Papagayo one, a very beautiful place with clear (but cold) water.
Papagayo Beach
Lagomar Museo is a "personal" house constructed inside a red hill made to be visited, I'd advise to spend half a day there and make sure you stay for lunch because the restaurant is absolutely delish !
You can also sleep there as they rent a room with a private pool, in a completely dreamy location.
... and don't forget to end the visit at their restaurant !
Balague restaurant - Lagomar Museo in Nazaret
You can have a drink in El Mirador del Rio, the restaurant is also designed by César Manrique, so the interior is very modern and beautiful, while enjoying the view of the Mirador which is a fantastic view spot.
If you wanna make a go out, please head to La Graciosa Island (the island you see from El Mirador del Rio), this amazing island with clear blue water is not even an hour ride from Orzola port in Lanzarote (plus the ride is quite cheap, circa 12€ p/p back and forth).
Once you're there, either you rent a bike or a car, either you hike (but the walks are veeeery long so get ready) but what we did was taking a taxi that dropped us to the beach Las Conchas (the prettiest one on the island) and picked us up before the ferry to bring us back to the port, all this for 20€ both rides.
Playa de Las Conchas
SUMMARY
WHERE TO SLEEP
WHERE TO EAT
- Clifftop restaurant Papagayo beach
- Cantina Teguise
- El Diablo Timanfaya
- Balague restaurant in Lagomar Museo
- Jardin de Cactus restaurant
- Jameos del Agua restaurant
WHAT TO VISIT
- Timanfaya National Park
- Teguise town
- Haria town
- Foundation César Manrique
- House César Manrique
- El Mirador del Rio
- La Graciosa Island
- Lagomar Museo
- Jardin de Cactus
- Jameos del Agua
WHAT BEACHES
- Caleta Famara
- El Golfo
- Playa Montana Bermeja
- Papagayo Playa
- Playa Quemada
- Playa de Las Conchas (La Graciosa Island)
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