There are plenty of attractive beach holiday destinations around the world. But few that boast the raw, surreal scenery of Lanzarote. One of the seven Spanish owned Canary Islands that are located off the coast of West Africa. Which has been forged in the heat of a series of volcanic eruptions which have left much of the island looking like the surface of the moon.
These seismic shocks rocked the island for six years during the 1730´s. Before returning for a fiery encore in 1824. Devastating villages, farmland and the livelihoods of the Lanzaroteños. Many of whom were forced to emigrate for a new life abroad.
Today fortunately all of these volcanoes are now dormant and this whole region is known locally as Timanfaya or the Fire Mountains. And is firmly established as one of the most popular National Parks in the whole of Spain – attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.
Away from the petrified lava flows and lunar scenery Lanzarote boasts a great selection of beaches and wonderful year round weather. Two factors that help to explain its huge popularity with tourists. As the island welcomed over 1.5 million foreign visitors during the course of last year alone.
Package holidays here first started growing in popularity during the 1970´s – as the Canaries became the hot new holiday destination for sun starved Northern Europeans. Thanks to the fact that the islands are only a four hour flight from key markets such as the UK and Germany and provide reliable sunshine even during the winter months.
Visitors arrive at the sole international airport of Arrecife before onward transfer to one of the three main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Costa Teguise and Playa Blanca. With the latter offering a wide range of Lanzarote villas and hotels for tourists to select from. Whilst Puerto del Carmen is better suited to visitors searching for holiday apartments in Lanzarote.
There are plenty of fascinating attractions and places to explore. Such as the Cactus Garden and the former home of a local artist called Cesar Manrique. Which has been built over five bubbles in the surrounding lava flow. And as the island is small it is very easy to explore. Aided further by low cost car hire and petrol.
Whilst the island is an attractive destination all year round the best time to visit Lanzarote is during the autumn months. As the heat of summer and the tourist crowds have subsided a little by then.
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