History
The most easterly Canary Island of Lanzarote has enjoyed a few special sobriquets over the centuries. Philosophers once speculated that it was a remnant of the lost continent of Atlantis. In pre-Spanish times Phoenician traders dubbed it the Purple Island – because a lichen called Ocrhilla, that was used to manufacture purple dye, grew there in abundance.
And during the Middle Ages it was often referred to as one of the Fortunate Islands, due to the wonderful year round climate – where the temperature rarely falls below 22c, even in the winter months.
Today Lanzarote is best known as the Fire Island, due to the worlds longest ever volcanic eruption, which lasted from 1730 to 1736. Covering around one third of the island in a layer of lava that today gives much of Lanzarote the look of a land that has only just been formed. And is often likened to the surface of the moon.
Lanzarote is an island of enormous contrasts though – and offers much more in the way of scenery than just volcanoes and lava fields.The north of the island is a complete contrast to the arid, volcanic south – comprising a number of green, verdant valleys – such as The Valley of 1,000 Palms.
Weather & Climate
Lanzarote´s main attraction for the majority of visitors is its climate. Or to be more specific its year round sunshine and very low rainfall. Which is unsurprising, when you consider that the island lies just 160km off the coast of Morocco and the Western Sahara desert. And is just a four-hour flight away from Northern Europe – with its only airport situated just outside the capital of Arrecife.
Resorts
Tourism on Lanzarote is concentrated in three main resorts.
In the south of the island lies Playa Blanca . Just a small fishing village as little as 20 years ago Playa Blanca has experienced a decade of growth and now boasts the best selection of four and five star hotels on Lanzarote . Playa Blanca is the gateway to the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura and is also within walking distance of some of the best beaches on the island at Papagayo (one of around 90 plus beaches on the island in total). Its position at the southern tip of Lanzarote also generally guarantees it the best weather– which is obviously an important consideration when booking a holiday.
Back along the coast sits Puerto del Carmen – the resort where tourism first took off on Lanzarote and still a very popular destination to this day. What Puerto del Carmen may lack in the way of four-star hotels it more than makes up for in terms of restaurants and nightlife and is, by some distance, the liveliest resort on the island. It also boasts an excellent stretch of beach that runs virtually the length of the resort as well as an atmospheric harbour area.
Costa Teguise is the most northerly resort on the island and was developed under the aegis of island born artist and architect called Cesar Manrique – who had an inescapable influence on the development of Lanzarote throughout the 1970´s and 80´s.
Tourism is also developing in and around the marina of Puerto Calero where two excellent hotels have opened their doors in recent years. Puerto Calero
Attractions
For a small island, Lanzarote is absolutely attraction packed. And very easy to get around as distances are small. The island is just 20km wide and 60km long.
Top of the list for most island visitors is the Volcano Park at Timanfaya, followed closely by the incredible Jameos del Agua
– one of the many incredible fusions of art and nature created by the ubiquitous Cesar Manrique.
In total, Manrique had a hand in developing seven centers of culture and tourism – and other attractions such as the world famous Cactus Garden in Mala and the Mirador del Rio at the northern tip of Lanzarote, overlooking the neighbouring island of Graciosa are also perennially popular.
Museums
Lanzarote also boasts an excellent complement of museums – some of which – such as the Museum of Modern Art in Arrecife - are housed in old fortresses dating back to the 17th century.
Sport
Lanzarote´s year round clement climate also lends itself to a whole raft of outdoor pursuits and the island is a Mecca for all sorts of sport – including surfing, kitesfurfing, sailing and cycling. Most famously, Lanzarote also plays host to the annual IronMan triathlon every May.
All photos © James Mitchell (From the top: Timanfaya :: Costa Teguise :: View from the Mirador to La Graciosa :: Ironman Lanzarote)
