Things to do on Lanzarote
We lived on this island for six years and enjoyed as many things to do on Lanzarote as we could while living there. Here we share just a few of our favourites although there are loads of others.
Before we do list our favourite things to do on Lanzarote… we highly recommend that you hire a car and get exploring. Lanzarote roads are excellent for most of the island, and you will get so much more out of your holiday if you shoehorn yourself off your sunbed. Set aside a couple of days purely for exploring… then you still have plenty of time to relax poolside or at the beach.
We have only given you a sprinkling of ideas of things to do on Lanzarote here in this article, but you can also sunbathe, swim, snorkel or take a submarine trip… hike, bike or watch the IronMan… visit amazing viewpoints… get on a Quad or Segway… and much much more!
Things to do on Lanzarote: Places to eat
Being an island, seafood is plentiful on Lanzarote, and all of the resorts offer a vast plethora of restaurants geared up to serve a wide range of culinary delights for you.
The village of El Golfo is a must for a sunset dinner and lunchtime too! The aromas of paella, merluza, pulpo, and langoustines emanate from all directions, tempting you to partake. Some restaurants in the smaller villages do not provide a menu, so take a phrasebook if you’re unsure.
You can simply order meat or fish in El Golfo, and are provided with an overflowing platter of variety – accompanied of course with papas arrugadas (small, wrinkly, salted potatoes), and the spicy mojo rojo and fragrant mojo verde sauces.
Rabbit and suckling pig are just two of the other specialities available here on the Island. So don’t stick to your safety zone… let loose, and try some of the traditional fayre. The inland villages are well worth exploring – some of my favourite foodie memories come from what appear to be very humble surroundings. You will sometimes see “Ropa vieja” on menus – it’s a gorgeous chickpea stew and very traditional. Do check what stock is used if you’re ordering as a vegetarian or vegan though… often meat stock or bones are used to flavour this hearty dish. I can recommend “Bar Fémes” (in the town of the same name) for that particular dish.
On a related note, one thing we noticed in our 2022 visit was that there seemed to be a lot more choice for Vegans. We’re omnivores here at Spain Buddy, but we respect and appreciate those that are catering for people who prefer a plantbased diet. It’s good to see the island responding to changes with all of its heart and soul.
We personally recommend:
- Mardeleva – just outside the harbour in Old Town Puerto del Carmen – the seafood platter is superb!
- La Taberna – a great tapas restaurant at the Marina Rubicon in Playa Blanca. Their Spanish dishes are better than their English interpretations. Try the deep-fried baby octopi or the dates wrapped in bacon – divine!
- Chiringuito at Arrieta – Located in the north of Lanzarote, the restaurant is positioned right on the seafront. Great views, a gentle breeze and some great dishes at superb prices.
- Casa Cabaña at Macher – Just to the left of the petrol station and Teleclub at Macher is Casa Cabaña. If you like fine dining by a super chef, do book a table. Oh and give Debbie a hug from “Spain Buddy Elle” when you see her – she’s a super lady!
- Chacho Burger – Chacho’s currently have two sites – Arrecife and Playa Blanca. We tried the one in Playa Blanca and loved it! This is so not “fast food”. Click “Chacho Burger in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote” for our review.
Want to know more about Lanzarote Nightlife? Or perhaps you have a food/drink venue on the island and would like some free advertising? Click the link to our sister website below:
Things to do on Lanzarote: Tourist attractions
There is so much to see and do on the island – and we’ll be adding to this page over time. In the meantime, however, we have got some articles ready for you to read. Click the links to find out more about many of the attractions on Lanzarote
- Cueva de Los Verdes
- Jameos del Agua
- Cesar Manrique’s Houses
- Timanfaya National Park
- La Gería (Lanzarote’s wine country)
- Jardín de Cactus
Other things to do on Lanzarote
Dolphin watching around Lanzarote
If you would like to see dolphins while on holiday in Lanzarote, then we recommend that you take a boat trip and see happy dolphins frolicking in the wild – as they should be. There are boats available in all resorts that can help you out. Your hotel or villa owner will be able to advise on the best trips available for you.
Diving around Lanzarote
If you would like to visit the underwater Museo Atlantico (just off the coast of Playa Blanca) or simply to explore the vast and varied sealife surrounding Lanzarote – then speak to any of the many Dive Schools on the island.
The volcanic rock has provided an enriching and vibrant home for the many species that have made the island waters their home. Everything from jellyfish to angel sharks can be seen.
Walking around Lanzarote
Walking and hiking are exteremely popular on the island. Of course you can stroll around the resorts, towns and villages easily enoiugh – but that landscape is begging for you to explore it further. Please do be careful though – always walk in a group or let someone know exactly where you will be. Wear bright clothing so you can be easily spotted in case of an accident – and watch your step! The island is beautiful but can be brutal. Even experienced walkers have come a cropper in the past.
Finally…
Dolphins in tanks: We do not support the activity of breeding and displaying animals in captivity for commercial gain, so you’ll see no adverts here for the business on the island that does this. Dolphins are not endangered and there is no reason to keep these intelligent and majestic creatures in captivity for human entertainment. Dolphin parks are closing all over the world and (in our opinion), this one should never have been allowed to open. Your choice of course, but there are plenty of things to do on Lanzarote without contributing to the distress of their “exhibits”.
Gratitude: We are very grateful to Lanzarote’s Tourist Board: CACT Lanzarote, who were extremely helpful during our 2022 visit to the island. You can book the island’s main attractions via their website HERE.
Playa Blanca: Some years ago, Spain Buddy’s Elle started a Facebook Group for Playa Blanca, and built it through sweat and tears to more than 20k members. She passed it to a Playa Blanca resident (Dave Poxon) in 2020 who continues to run the Group with a couple of moderators. It only covers that town rather than the whole island… but if Playa Blanca is your holiday destination, or indeed your home, you’ll find the Group a helpful place to ask questions about the town.
This page is a constant work in progress, with more content and articles being added all the time. If you are a Lanzarote focussed business that would like to see your banner on ALL Lanzarote articles and pages… contact us.
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
