Puerto del Carmen
A convenient base near the airport, with plenty of hotels and restaurants and good links to the centre of the island.
Itinerary · Lanzarote
Lanzarote in 7 days: day-by-day itinerary
7-day itinerary in Lanzarote with Timanfaya, La Geria, Teguise, Manrique, Papagayo, Playa Blanca, Famara, Arrecife and an excursion to La Graciosa.
- 7days
- 21stops
- 17Areas
This 7-day itinerary tours Lanzarote at an easy pace and goes deeper into what the 5-day one only touches on: César Manrique’s work with the Cactus Garden and the Monumento al Campesino, the wineries of La Geria with plenty of time, and a day in Famara and Arrecife. It assumes a hire car or tours; the last day is an excursion to La Graciosa.
From César Manrique-Lanzarote airport, a taxi reaches Arrecife in about 10 minutes and Puerto del Carmen in about 15. The Arrecifebus guaguas (buses) 22 and 23 go to Arrecife, and the 161 reaches Puerto del Carmen, Puerto Calero and Playa Blanca. If you hire a car, pick it up at the airport.
Tips
- Book the car and the tickets for Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Timanfaya, the Cactus Garden and the boat to La Graciosa in advance.
- Wind is usual: bring a thin layer and always sun protection.
- Alternate heavy driving days with beach days, such as Papagayo or Famara.
- If you taste wine in La Geria, share the driving or book an excursion with a chauffeur.
- At Famara and on the cliffs, respect the swell and the fenced-off areas.
- Change the order of the days according to the weather: beaches and La Graciosa are best with clear skies.
Day 1
Jameos, Cueva de los Verdes and Mirador del Río
Jameos del Agua
North
A volcanic tube with an inner lake that César Manrique turned into a space of gardens, a pool and an auditorium. Arrive early to see it without crowds.
Cueva de los Verdes
North
Very close to the Jameos, it is part of the lava tube from the La Corona volcano. It is visited with a guide on a short walk through lava galleries.
Mirador del Río
Famara Cliff
A work by Manrique set into the top of the cliff, with views of the Río strait and La Graciosa.
Haría and the palm valley
Haría
A white village surrounded by palm trees in a green valley that contrasts with the volcanic landscape. A good place for a relaxed lunch.
Day 2
Timanfaya, lava coast and salt flats
Parque Nacional de Timanfaya
Fire Mountains
The lava fields from the 18th-century eruptions are toured on the park's bus route, from the Fire Mountains. Book in advance; you cannot drive in with your own car.
Los Hervideros
West coast
Lava cliffs where the sea enters caves and crashes with force. Walk the paths slowly and respect the fenced-off areas.
El Golfo and the Charco de los Clicos
El Golfo
An intensely green lagoon beside a black sand beach, in a crater half sunk into the sea. It is viewed from a lookout.
Salinas de Janubio
Janubio
Salt flats still in use, with a colour contrast between the sea and the volcanoes. It is a quiet stop to end the day.
Day 3
Teguise, Cactus Garden and César Manrique Foundation
Teguise
Teguise
The former capital keeps its white streets, squares and stately houses. If you feel like it, climb up to Santa Bárbara castle, on a volcano, to see the island from above.
Jardín de Cactus
Guatiza
Another work by Manrique: a garden in a former quarry, with thousands of cacti arranged in an amphitheatre and a windmill. It sits in the middle of an area of prickly pear for cochineal.
Fundación César Manrique
Tahíche
The artist's home, built over volcanic bubbles, is now a museum and arts centre. It rounds off the tour of his work nicely.
Day 4
La Geria, Monumento al Campesino and wineries
Monumento al Campesino
Mozaga
A sculpture by Manrique in tribute to the island's farmers, next to a museum and a restaurant serving Canarian cuisine. It is a short stop on the way to La Geria.
La Geria
Inland
Vineyards planted in pits of volcanic ash surrounded by stone walls. Dedicate the day to taking the wineries slowly, not to rushing from one to another.
Puerto del Carmen
Puerto del Carmen
End the day on its seafront promenade, with restaurants and terraces facing the sea. It is a relaxed plan after driving through the interior.
Day 5
Papagayo and Playa Blanca
Playas de Papagayo
Los Ajaches
A group of coves with pale sand and calm water, in the south, within a natural area. You get there by a dirt track: go slowly, bring water and arrive early.
Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca
A coastal town with a seafront promenade, restaurants and shops, a good place for lunch and a walk by the sea.
Mirador de Las Coloradas
Playa Blanca
A stretch of coast with reddish rock, very photogenic at sunset, close to the Playa Blanca promenade.
Day 6
Famara and Arrecife
Playa de Famara
Famara
A long beach beneath the great cliff, with wind and surfers. Go in the morning for a walk and, if you feel like it, to try a surf lesson. Keep an eye on the swell.
Charco de San Ginés
Arrecife
A small lagoon with fishing boats and white houses, right in the centre of Arrecife. A good place for fish and tapas at the end of the day.
Castillo de San Gabriel
Arrecife
A 16th-century fortress on an islet, joined to the city by a bridge. It adds a bit of history to the stroll along Arrecife's seafront.
Day 7 · Day trip
La Graciosa
La Graciosa
It leaves from Órzola, at the northern tip of Lanzarote, with a ferry to Caleta de Sebo in about 25 minutes. The island has sandy streets and almost pristine beaches, such as Playa de las Conchas and Playa Francesa. You get around on foot, by bicycle or in a 4x4 with a driver. Book the boat in advance and leave a margin for the last ferry.
Lanzarote
Where to stay in Lanzarote
Playa Blanca
In the south, quiet and with a seafront promenade. Ideal for Papagayo and for anyone looking for rest between excursions.
Costa Teguise
An area with beaches in the east, close to Teguise and the César Manrique Foundation, good for a relaxed atmosphere.
Arrecife
The capital, with local life and good connections. It suits you if you prefer more urban accommodation and do not want to depend on the tourist area.
Itinerary · Lanzarote
More Lanzarote itineraries
3 days
Lanzarote in 3 days
- Day 1 César Manrique's north: Jameos, Cueva and Mirador
- Day 2 Timanfaya, lava coast and La Geria
- Day 3 Teguise, César Manrique Foundation and Famara
5 days
Lanzarote in 5 days
- Day 1 César Manrique's north: Jameos, Cueva and Mirador
- Day 2 Timanfaya, lava coast and salt flats
- Day 3 Teguise, César Manrique Foundation and La Geria
- Day 4 Papagayo, Playa Blanca and Los Ajaches Natural Park
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
Are seven days too many for Lanzarote?
No: there is time to see Manrique's works, the parks and the beaches without rushing, as well as La Graciosa. If you have time to spare, the beach days can be extended.
Is it worth changing accommodation?
It is not necessary, the island is small. A base in the centre-south lets you reach every point in under an hour by car.
Which day is best for La Graciosa?
One with a calm sea and little wind. Keep that day flexible within the itinerary in case the weather forces a change.
Photo credits
- Jameos del Agua: salomon10 from Germany, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cueva de los Verdes: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mirador del Río: Edmundo Sáez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Parque Nacional de Timanfaya: Bybbisch94, Christian Gebhardt, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- La Geria: Tamara Kulikova, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons