Lanzarote Canary Islands
Lanzarote Tourist Information
Lanzarote
Lanzarote is the most Easterly island of the seven larger islands in the Archipelago of the Canary Islands (Isla Canarias). The Canaries Archipelago consist of seven large and six smaller islands based in the Atlantic Ocean, lying some 100km off the North West coast off Africa (Morocco and Western Sahara) and about 1100km from the Spanish mainland (Cadiz). The Canary Islands are split into 2 Spanish provinces; The Westerly Islands of Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and Hierro from the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (chief town Santa Cruz) while the Eastern Islands of Gran Canaria, FuerteVentura and Lanzarote from the province of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (chief town Las Palmas).
Lanzorote called 'Conejera' by the islanders is also known as the island with 100 volcanos. Lanzarote including the small islands, La Graciosa, Alegranza, Montaña Clara, Roque del Este y del Oeste, covers 900 km² running 60 km North to South and only 21 km at its widest point! It is situated close to the African Coast, which is only some 125km away, and to the North of Fuerteventura!
The name Lanzarote comes from one of the first explorers of the island, the Genovese Sailor, Lancelotto Malocello. The islands original name was Titeroygatra which means 'the coloured hill's due to the red colour of the landscape!
The islands vegetation is composed of species that are adapted to living in hard conditions, due to the lack of rain, the poor terrain and wind! However, even though it is such a dry island it still possesses an endemic range of plants as beautiful and rare as on any of the islands.
Lanzarote is of volcanic origin and when visiting do not miss out on an excursion to the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya (National Park of Timanfaya!) where you get to see the live volcano in all its glory! Other Tourist attractions here are the historical monuments, art and culture centres, museums, botanical gardens and Jameos del Agua, which is one of the most interesting galleries of connecting caves and underground grottoes in the world! It lies to the north of Lanzarote, at the foot of the volcano Monte de la Corona.
The weather in Lanzarote is warm all year round. It is by far the least mountainous of the Canary Islands and has a great deal of flat land. Due to this it is below the level of warm air and humidity. Mostly this results to a dry climate and very little rain. The average temperature in the summer is 24 degrees Celsius and in the winter still only 17 degrees Celsius!
Lanzarote has a multitude of beaches 99 in total! With a spectacular 250km of coastline including the 55km of coastline of the islets. Although out of that the Cliffs comprise 157km! With a crystal clear ocean and long stretches of sandy beaches! There are unspoilt coves for naturists and volcanic pools! The main beaches have lots of facilities for tourist e.g. Bars, restaurants and toilets etc. The majority of the beaches are sandy, golden-white! Again with most of the Canary islands it is popular with the keen Surfers, Windsurfers, Kiteboarders etc!
There are plenty of places to stay here from private villas, apartments and hotels - that range from basic, somewhere to lay your head to really luxurious! The most popular resort for English tourists is Puerto del Carmen, it has a great nightlife with a wide variety of shops, Bars, Restaurants and Discos that do not finish until the very early hours of the morning! It can be a very English resort and you will find it hard to find the traditional Canarian and Spanish Restaurants, but there are plenty of English and Chinese Restaurants - even a MacDonalds!
Lanzarote Essential Information
Please find to follow a few helpful numbers, important information and useful tips that will help make your stay in Lanzarote more enjoyable and stress free..
The Language used is Spanish
The Currency used is the Euro
Lanzarote is also running on GMT so there isn't a time difference between there and the UK
A three course meal will cost you approx 14 Euros/£9, if you wish add a glass of beer for approx 1.80 Euros/£1.15 or maybe a bottle of wine for approx 5.30 Euros/£3.40 or both!!! Then to get a taxi back for a short ride it will be about £5 approx.
Visa's are not needed if you are a member of the EU, as long as your stay is below 90days.
The dialling code is the same as the Spanish mainland 0034 (remember to drop the zero from the beginning of the number being called if calling to the UK)
The Spanish Embassy number is; 020 7235 5555
In an Emergency please call; 061
Cash machines are widely available throughout the Island.
The Voltage in Tenerife is 220V - so take an European adapter!!
The shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 9am till 1pm, closing for a couple of hours in the afternoon and opening again from 4.30pm till about 8pm!
Banks are a little different they are generally open Monday to Friday 9am till 2pm.
Please be aware of Ticket touts, they can be selling illegal trips on the streets and beaches
More Lanzarote links;
Lanzarote Site Map | ||
Lanzarote Information
Lanzarote Canary Islands Spain