Lanzarote’s history remains a mystery as most of its archaeological evidence has been either buried under lava or carried off by raiders. The Phoenecians were there, followed by the Romans. The Arabs settled on the island, the French explored it, and the Spanish conquered it.
The island has a stark beauty. The volcanic moonscape is most vivid in the island’s centre, while to the north there’s a gentle greenness.
The island thrived for a while by producing cochineal, an expensive, crimson dye taken from the carapace of a scale insect that lives on cactus. Conchineal is used for dying fabric, decorating china, in cosmetics, and as a food colouring.
Things to do
Family beaches, romantic-get-away-from-it-all beaches, watersports or nudist beaches – Lanzarote has them all!
From Timanfaya National Park, to stunning scenery and vantage points, all set within dramatic landscapes. To get another view, it is possible to take a boat trip, accelerate your tan and enjoy the amazing views from the sea.
Enjoy the fun at Rancho Texas, Guinate Tropical Park, Costa Teguise Aquapark, and the Whale & Dolphin Museum. If swimming like a dolphin takes you, then there are dive schools in all the main resorts, plus surfing and windsurfing opportunities.
There are great nightlife venues to be enjoyed in all three of the main holiday resorts, as well as in the capital, Arrecife. Whatever you choose to do, there’s plenty for everybody, day or night.
Shopping
In Lanzarote you will find several shopping and leisure centres as well as an array of stores and boutiques selling all kinds of goods: from perfumes, cloths, jewellery and electrical equipments that can be purchased at very reasonable prices to local produce and handmade crafts.
The shopping districts are located in the main resorts (Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca), in Arrecife, capital of the island and in Playa Honda that hosts one of the largest shopping centre of Lanzarote.
The most colourful shopping opportunities are provided by Teguise Sunday Market where you can buy many interesting craft items, souvenirs and local produce (wine, cheese and mojo sauces) which make tasty reminders of your stay.
Nightlife
Lanzarote is not as energetic as Tenerife or some of the Balearic Islands but there are still plenty of bars, clubs and restaurants to keep tourists and visitors happy.
The busiest bars and clubs in Lanzarote are found at the ‘Avenida de las Playas’ in Puerto del Carmen, however there are bars and discos in all of the main resorts.
If you want a taste of the Spanish way of life, then the capital Arrecife is a great place to explore. There is a multitude of tapas bars, restaurants and events which make great nightlife. Serious Spanish partygoers head here.
Eating out
In Lanzarote, they pride themselves in serving up traditional dishes, such as mojo sauces of which there are 20 varieties, and Canarian potatoes called papas arrugadas. Being the Canaries, their main dish is of course sea food. Parrot fish, snapper and tuna are the most common dishes.
There are many fish restaurants, all with something different to offer.
El Golfo is said to have some of the nicest sea food restaurants on the island. If you find a restaurant full of Spanish people, don’t be nervous, it’s a sign that the food is really good, so give it a try!