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Lanzarote is the most northeastern of all the Canary Islands. It covers
800 m2 and has 126,000 inhabitants. It is located 1000 kms from the Spanish mainland
and 100 kms from the African Coast. It has very few mountains, the highest
point on the island is the dormant volcano Timanfaya, which is 700 mts above sea
level. Lanzarote has a very good climate with an average annual temperature
of 20ºC which rises to 24ºC in summer and drops to just 17ºC in
winter. Contrary to the idea of a holiday island full of hotels and with
a busy night life Lanzarote is very rich in agriculture. It has urban areas, rural
areas, museums, monuments, scenery that looks as if it could be the moon... Rural
and urban planning, its ecosystem and capacity to adapt and transform its natural
areas in monuments all contributed to UNESCO declaring the island a Natural
Biosphere Reserve. Lanzarote has developed very special agriculture
adapted to its soil which consists of volcanic sand. Pig rearing and the salt
industry together with the fishing industry are some of its successes. Its plan
Lanzarote in the Biosphere is trying to put a stop to the massive
growth of hotels and tourist facilities which damage the island's natural landscape.
Lanzarote is well connected to the Spanish mainland and the rest
of the world through its international airport which is located 5 kms from Arrecife,
in the area called San Bartolomé. It has a good road network which means
you can get around easily by car or bus.
History of Lanzarote
The
island was once inhabited by Aborigines also known as 'guanches' from the
1st to 2nd centuries B.C. until 1312 when a Genoese called Lanceloto Molocella,
occupied it and gave the island his name. In 1402 the Spanish started their conquest
of the Canary Islands and Lanzarote was quickly and with very little violence
incorporated into the Spanish Kingdom. The conquest of all the Canary Islands
was quite slow and the Spanish took almost 100 years before gaining control of
all of them.
Arrecife the
capital of Lanzarote
Arrecife, the capital, is the administrative and commercial
centre of Lanzarote. It is a busy port city with a lot going on. There is
a modern area with modern buildings and a beach with a pretty promenade lined
with palm trees. The city has 30,000 inhabitants. The calle Leon y Castillo or
the calle Real is the financial and commercial centre of the city. The area around
the Charco de San Ginés is where the city originated when it grew
around San Ginés church and it is a tranquil area to stroll around. The
city's nightlife is centred around the calle José Antonio and the surrounding
streets. San José Castle: This is the oldest building on
the island, located in San José on top of a hill in the Puerto de Naos
area (Tel: 928 81 23 21). It was built in 1590 by the Italian engineer Leonardo
Torriani. The castle consists of a wall with towers and the Puente de Bolas.
It was restored and adapted by the Canarian architect César
Manrique who converted it into an International Museum for Contemporary Art. It
now houses a collection of 20th century art with works by Chillida, Picaso, and
Miró; there is a very good restaurant here too.
Cuisine from Lanzarote is
very similar to the rest of the Canary
Islands. In Lanzarote they salt the fish
and leave them out in the sun to dry.
Wine from the area called La Geria has
an excellent reputation.
Restaurants in Lanzarote:
- Guide to restaurants in Arrecife: the
restaurant in San José Castle (c/ Castillo de San
José, 35500 Arrecife, Tel: 928 81 23 21): Good Canarian cuisine, sea views;
Restaurante Colón (c/ Cactus, Tel: 928 30 56 49): Good creative
cuisine, sea views; Restaurante Aguaviva (c/ Mástil, 31,
35500 Arrecife, Tel: 928 82 15 05): This is the best in the city, excellent;
Restaurante Altamar (c/ Parque Las Islas Canarias, 35500 Arrecife,
Tel: 928 800 000): Mediterranean and international cuisine.
- The
best restaurants on the island: Restaurante La Cañada
(c/ César Manrique , 3 in Puerto del Carmen, Tel: 928 51 21 08). Classic
international cuisine; Restaurante Aguaviva (c/ Mástil, 31,
in Playa Honda in San Bartolomé, Tel: 928 82 15 05): Creative cuis¡ne;
Restaurante Puerto Viejo (c/ Timple, 7, 35510 Puerto del Carmen,
Tel: 928 511 917): Opposite the port. Creative recipes, grilled fish and meat;
Restaurante El Faro (c/ Alegranza, 3, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Tel:
928 514 790): Traditional Canarian cuisine, excellent fresh fish, sea views; Restaurante
Papagayo Beach (Avenida de las Playas, 29, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Tel:
928 510 384): Mediterranean cuisine, good fresh fish; Restaurante Casa
Pedro (Avenida Playa Blanca, 7, 35570 Yaiza, Tel: 928 517 965): Canarian
cuisine, fish and seafood; Restaurante El Sombrerito (Avenida Libertad,
61, Tías, Tel: 928 524 001): Typical Canarian cuisine, the grilled meat
dishes are especially good; Restaurante Acatife (c/ San Miguel,
4, Teguise, Tel.: 928 845 037); Typical Canarian Cuisine; Restaurante La
Era (c/ El Barranco, 3, Yaiza, Tel: 928 830 016): Typical Canarian cuisine;
Restaurante Portobello (Playa de las Cucharas, Costa Teguise, Tel:
928 806 865): Seafood and typical Canarian dishes.
Sports
on Lanzarote
Lanzarote is an ideal place to do many different
types of sport because of its mild climate and excellent facilities. Watersports
are particularly popular here and there are sailing, surfing and diving schools
dotted around the island. There is a golf school too. You can also go on organized
diving trips. - Fishing: A good place to do this is on Blanca
beach, Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero, Caleta del Sebo (on La Graciosa island).
- Windsurfing: You can do this in Costa Teguise, Playa de Blanca
and along the Tías and La Santa coastline.
- Diving:
There are diving schools in many of the marinas around Lanzarote's coastline.
- Surfing: On La Santa and Tinajo beach. However, the beaches
in the northern part of the island are only recommended for professional surfers
because of their heavy swell.
- Hand Gliding: The wind
in Lanzarote is ideal for this sport and there are several places where you can
do this on the island.
- Golf: There is one golf course
on Lanzarote Costa Teguise Golf (Avenida del Golf, Costa Teguise,
Tel: 928 59 05 12): It is an 18 hole course at the foot of a volcano surrounded
by moonlike scenery.
Things to buy in Lanzarote In
Lanzarote you can buy: watches, alcohol, electronic goods, tobacco, tablecloths,
wine from La Geria, speciality cheeses, clothes and shoes.
Around the island's
coastline in places like Costa Teguise and Playa del Carmen, you can get pretty
swimsuits and beach towels, surfing clothes and all type of sporting equipment
but especially sailing and camping gear. Arts and Crafts: Lanzarote
has a long history of clayworks and you can buy all types of things made of clay
from large vases to small ornaments as well as wickerwork and different types
of handmade textiles. 'Timples' which are a type of string instrument dating back
to the Spanish conquest can be found in Teguise. Things made out of woven palm
leaves are also typical.
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