Information about Lanzarote

LANZAROTE TOURIST INFORMATION

Timanfaya National Park

If you plan to visit just one attraction when holidaying on Lanzarote, then place this at the top of your list. As the Timanfaya National Park is the spot where massive volcanic eruptions rocked the island back in the 18th century. An event that is relatively recent in geological terms so the eerie landscapes and lava flows here are still pristine and untouched by human hands or erosion making for a truly awe-inspiring spectacle. Timanfaya is also just a short drive from Playa Blanca and is open daily from 9.30 to 5:00. It gets very busy so we suggest booking ahead.

Jameos del Agua

The influence of the famous island born artist César Manrique is inescapable on Lanzarote as he was instrumental in the creation of most of the Island's main visitor attractions. There are also many fine examples of his kinetic art, such as the wind toys that adorn many of Lanzarote's roundabouts. The Jameos del Agua, in the north of the island, is arguably his greatest work – due to its sheer scale. Here, he transformed an enormous collapsed lava tube into an amazing underground space, replete with pools, great gardens and a fantastic concert hall. The Jameos typifies Manrique´s philosophy of fusing art with nature and is open daily from 10.00 to 18.30.

The Green Caves

Located just across the road from the Jameos del Agua, the Green Caves form part of the same collapsed lava tunnel and once provided sanctuary for islanders from the frequent pirate raids experienced throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Unlike the Jameos, the Green Caves remain largely unadorned and in their natural state – aside from the addition of atmospheric lighting. And they are also home to one of Lanzarote´s best kept secrets – explore for yourself to discover it! Open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

Mirador de Rio

Another César Manrique marvel, the Mirador del Rio occupies the spot of a former lookout post and naval gun battery, fortified by the Spanish during the 1890´s as they fought their ultimately unsuccessful war against the United States. Manrique initially transformed this into a restaurant – but today its main purpose is to provide amazing views of the small neighbouring island of La Graciosa, which is situated some 450 metres below. Open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

César Manrique Foundation

The former home and studio of César Manrique is an amazing feat of architecture as it is built over five interconnecting bubbles in the lava flow that surrounds the village of Tahiche. Today, it houses a fine selection of modern art drawn from some of Manrique's contemporaries such as Picasso and Pancho Lasso, as well as a gallery showcasing some of his best canvasses. A real must for fans of art and architecture. The Foundation is open daily from 10.00 to 18.00.

The Cactus Garden

The Jardin de Cactus was created by Manrique in collaboration with the eminent botanist Estanislao Gonzales Ferrer and is a real celebration of the plant world’s spikiest species. It is housed is a former quarry in the heart of what used to be Lanzarote´s cactus country – once the basis for a flourishing trade in the natural red dye cochineal. There are some 1400 different species here – making it a real plant lovers' paradise. Open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

Other Attractions

There are plenty of other fascinating attractions and places to explore on the island, such as the breathtaking Valley of 1,000 Palms, the historic former island capital of Teguise and the Monumento Al Campesino in Mozaga – yet another Manrique creation, and Omar Sharif's house which is built into a cliff.

To find out more about the what Lanzarote has to offer visit www.lanzaroteguidebook.com

Information about Playa Blanca

Marina Rubicon

A short walk along the coastal path from the villa is the up market yacht harbour of Marina Rubicon. Opened in 2003, it is now a well established landmark in the resort and has a number of different attractions that make it worth a visit.

Designed to mimic a Canarian village, the architectural features of the marina include a replica chapel, while the remaining buildings are copies of the colonial styles that can be found in older houses all over the archipelago, with balconies, pan-tiled roofs, thick white washed walls and volcanic stone quoins used for archways and paving.

Sailing

Lanzarote is famous for sailing and water sports. There are several sailing clubs based in Marina Rubicon and throughout Playa Blanca that cater for all sorts of craft from sail boats to kayaks. We would suggest a Google search to pick the most appropriate provider.

If you make your way to the port in Playa Blanca, you can catch boats to the other Canary islands. There are day trips to Fuerteventura, for example, which is just a short distance away.

Alternatively, if you only want to get out to sea for the cooling breeze, the taxi boat Princesa Yaiza can take you to the beaches at Papagayo and back (Reservations: +34 928 519 012).

There is also the sport fishing charter with Rubicon Sport Fishing for those who´d like to enjoy a day´s fishing for some of the big game fish to be found in the waters surrounding Lanzarote.

See http://www.rubiconfishing.com/

Sports Activities

In addition to the sailing activities you can get involved in, there is also a tennis court, padel court and freshwater swimming pool in the marina. So if you fancy a game of tennis, check availability at the harbour office and hire a court. For a small fee you can use the pool and adjacent sun loungers.

Water park

Playa Blanca has the newest water park on the island, called Aqualava. It has a wave pool, lazy river and geothermally heated pools.

Shopping

As Lanzarote offers low tax rates, there are various boutique outlets offering leading brands at lower prices than you will find at home. This also includes perfumes and make up, which are similarly tax-free – head to Perfumeria Sabina for these products. For swimwear, visit Lady Russ, which stocks the latest beach fashions for both men and women. There is a Lacoste shop, San Babila Italian clothing outlet and Custo Barcelona for designer gear.

For details on how to recalaim European VAT in the UK see https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/vat/index_en.htm

Every Wednesday and Saturday, there is a market in the marina. The stalls are set up between the restaurants and shops and cover a range of goods that would make perfect souvenirs or gifts for friends back home. Among the many items on sale are local wines, leather goods, craft items, linen and t-shirts. The market gets underway at 9.00 am and runs until 14.00.

Eating Out

The marina makes a scenic backdrop for a spot of lunch or an evening meal, with many of the restaurants overlooking the water. There are plenty to choose from so you can have anything from a quick snack and a soft drink to a three-course meal depending on your taste and requirements.

Options for eating at the marina include:

• Afrodite Lounge Bar – an Italian eatery, offering the usual range of pasta and pizza. They also have a take-away service. Afrodite is located just outside the marina’s central zone, as you head towards the exit.

• La Taberna – this is a Spanish tapas outlet, so if you want to try local cuisine you will find dishes such as garlic prawns and fried calamari on the menu

• Cafe del Mar – Lanzarote has its own version of the famous Ibizan bar, although it is more a drinks venue than a nightclub here.

• Global House – offering a range of sandwiches and breakfasts.

• Lani’s Heladeria – specializing in ice-cream, crepes, milkshakes and cakes.

• Lani’s Snack Bar – this outlet offers more in the way of savoury snacks, with pizza, tapas and sandwiches available. The location is right on the water’s edge, so you can gaze out over the yachts in the harbour while you eat.

• Bar One – this is a favourite with many of the locals, from sailors to the staff who work at the marina. Great for lunch time fare, including sandwiches, tapas and salads. Located right behind the marina offices, there is usually a cool breeze coming off the sea here.

• Restaurante El Mirador – offering modern European cuisine, this restaurant has an extensive menu with warm and cold tapas dishes, snacks, fish and meat mains, desserts and a children’s menu. The location at the edge of the marina means that their outdoor ‘Chill Out’ deck gets the best sundown view back towards Playa Blanca and makes it a lovely place for an early evening drink.

• Casa Roja – situated right in the heart of the marina, this restaurant specializes in fresh fish dishes and tapas. It has a spacious upper terrace giving great views across the marina.

• Lani’s Grill Marina Rubicon – the third of the Lani outlets in the marina, this is the restaurant that offers barbecue fare. Great if you fancy a steak or charcoal grilled chicken. They also have a children’s menu.

• Il Comendatore – a Trattoria style Italian restaurant, with risotto, pasta and pizza on the menu.

• Casa Brigida – this is a Canarian style restaurant specializing in fresh fish. Its location is in the centre of the marina, close to the Café del Mar.

• El Bodegon del Maño – offering a range of Aragornese dishes, this restaurant serves an alternative range of Spanish dishes and home-made desserts.

If this isn't enough choice there are more restaurants in the commercial centre of Playa Blanca (around 5 minutes drive from the villa), or in the shopping centre (6 minutes walk from the villa).

Nightlife

Playa Blanca offers a lively, yet more relaxed, nightlife scene compared to other resorts in Lanzarote. While it doesn't have large nightclubs, it features a variety of bars with live music, entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere for families. The Papagayo centre and the marina are popular areas for evening entertainment.

Car hire

Playa Blanca offers several car hire options. Cabrera Medina offers a hassle-free service with a zero excess insurance policy and several pick-up/drop off locations including one at the marina. Other providers may well charge you less, but you will get a high insurance excess and have collect/deliver them at the port.

Other Amenities

There are several supermarkets in Playa Blanca. There are many Hyperdinos (small and mid-size) throughout the town, and Lidl and Aldi have appeared.

Playa Blanca Bus Services

The Playa Blanca Bus services website, available in English, offers full information about services both within the resort and to all points around the island. This is a cheap and very efficient service.

The main bus station / terminus in Playa Blanca is located on the Avenida Playa Blanca close to the main roundabout at the entrance to the resort from the LZ2. This is the interchange for buses to/from Arrecife Airport and to/from the bus stop 150m from the villa.

For details of the island bus service see www.intercitybuslanzarote.es

For details of the airport bus see https://arrecifebus.com/lineas

Chill Out Cruises

For something a little more exclusive book with Chill Out Cruises. Their beautiful sixteen metre sailing vessel transports a maximum of 12 passengers along the southern shoreline of Lanzarote, dropping anchor in the bays of Papagayo, where guests can swim, snorkel and paddle surf or simply soak up the sun on deck with a cool drink in hand.

For more information visit www.chilloutcruise.com

Yaiza District

Playa Blanca is located within the district of Yaiza, one of five municipalities on Lanzarote. Whilst most of Lanzarote’s main attractions, such as the Jameos del Agua and the César Manrique Foundation, are located in the North of the island there´s still many attractions to see and do in the district of Yaiza.

Yaiza village

The small village of Yaiza is the administrative capital for the entire municipality of the same name. But it could hardly be described as a throbbing metropolis – on the contrary in fact as this picturesque pueblo has been voted Spain´s Prettiest Village on no less than two occasions.

It certainly conforms to the traditional image of the quintessential Spanish village, with pretty white washed houses and churches predominating, interspersed with colourful flashes of bougainvillea.

Yaiza also boasts a fair bit of history – it is also known locally as The Miracle Village as this is the spot where lava flows from the eruptions at Timanfaya in the 1730´s finally slowed to a halt, after submerging thirteen other hamlets in its fiery path.

Apart from the pretty local church – Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios - the oldest and most impressive local buildings are now home to hotels and restaurants. The Hotel La Salinas for example occupies the beautiful red coloured edifice that is located on the edge of the village as you enter from the north. Pop in for a drink or a meal.

Whilst the La Era restaurant is located within the thick white-washed walls of a former farmhouse that was originally built in the 17th century and was developed into its current incarnation as a showcase of traditional Canarian cuisine by the local artist César Manrique, in conjunction with his close collaborator Luiz Ibañez.

The Centro de Artesania, situated close to the church, is also an interesting spot to explore as it plays host to regular exhibitions of the work of local artists.

La Geria – Wine Country

Wine lovers will adore the unique growing methods and spectacular scenery of the La Geria region. Here local farmers have defied Lanzarote´s windy arid conditions and exceptionally low rainfall to produce good quality wines since the 1700´s, by using the local volcanic chippings known as picon to mulch their vines, whilst protecting them in stone circles, called zocos´, from the elements.

Best of all, the single road that runs through the region is dotted with delightful bodegas, some offering free samples and the opportunity to pick up a selection of local varieties.

The sweet white grape Malvasia is very popular, but increasingly good quality reds and roses are also flowing off the local production line too. Should you fancy a bite to eat whilst you´re exploring La Geria, then we´d recommend dropping into El Chupadero, where you can enjoy good quality tapas and great views of the vineyards.

El Golfo

If fresh fish is your thing, then the small coastal village of El Golfo is a real must see. As here one of the main attractions is the string of fish restaurants that adorn the rugged volcanic coastline.

Once suitably fed and watered you can then take a stroll back along the coast to visit the famous Green Lagoon, which has provided the cinematic backdrop for a number of major motion pictures, including Pedro Almodovar’s Broken Embraces and the cult sci-fi classic One Million Years BC.

Los Hervidores

Los Hervidores translates as boiling pots in Spanish and a visit to this well weathered stretch of volcanic coastline soon reveals why, as the tide crashes riotously in and hisses out through myriad blow holes and caves.

The ubiquitous César Manrique designed a low impact walkway through the area which really helps to optimise the experience. Whilst local honesty stalls also sell a selection of volcanic olivine, a green semi-precious stone.

Salinas del Janubio

Salt production used to be one of the mainstays of the island economy in centuries past and visitors can still buy and sample this locally produced crystal at the Salinas del Janubio, a much photographed set of brightly coloured salt flats located close to Los Hervidores.