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Lanzarote travel advice

For reliable travel advice for Lanzarote, read some thoughts from our expert partners on the island, as well as the views of our travelers. From being wary of the heat, to making sure you pack your hiking boots, we’ve got health and safety tips for Lanzarote you can trust, as well as some tips to get the most from your vacation.

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Lanzarote travel advice

Michelle Braddock, co founder of our leading Lanzarote vacation supplier, Lanzarote Retreats:

What to eat in Lanzarote

“For food, eat local; there is lots of variety but make the most out of the freshly caught local fish dishes. Don’t miss out on the mojo verde and mojo rojo dips for your bread and add to your fish and potatoes. Lots of people have heard of the local wines, and they are amazing – but do also try the local cheese. For food, my favorites are papas arrugadas, gambas al ajillo and pimientos de padrón.”

Saving water in Lanzarote

“Please be careful about water usage on the island. There is a lack of water as it only rains for around 14 days a year. The water board has just installed two windmills to the desalination factory but I am not sure this is enough! As we have year-round sunshine and good wind, this is the perfect place to make our own energy, as we do at Finca De Arrieta. It’s a shame that incentives are not given to homeowners to embrace this and make energy, rather than having to use the diesel generators which presently power the island.”

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Lanzarote hiking advice

“Never before have we walked the island in one week, so when José, the tour guide on our walking vacation adventure, said he would help organise it, we jumped at the opportunity. José’s local knowledge, expertise and passion are unrivalled. He also knows the best stops for some local wine and tapas; after all we cannot forget this is a vacation experience! For those who accompany him on his adventure we promise you an experience you will never forget. It’s amazing how many people come to the island and don’t leave their resorts and don’t even know there are 300 volcanoes here!”

Catherine Mack, writer at Responsible Travel: “Bring really sturdy walking boots. You may have summer walking shoes, but if you are planning a guided walk out into the volcanic terrain (and I couldn’t recommend this more highly) it is very rugged. A sun hat and a hydration backpack are pretty vital too. It gets really hot here, and in many parts there is little shade. If you love to swim long distance, then combine your trip with the Travesía a Nado ‘El Río’ annual swim out to the island of La Graciosa. It books up quickly though, with registration usually opening in May or June and the swim itself at end September. A perfect time to visit the island too.”

Escaping the resorts in Lanzarote

Responsible Travel’s writer and editor, Vicki Brown: “I’d never been to the Canary Islands before and was worried that Lanzarote would be all drinking Brits and late night parties. It turns out the resorts occupy such a tiny part of the coast. On my first night we tried to go out for dinner in a tiny village just before 9pm – which would be considered early in mainland Spain – and both the restaurants were closing. There were no other foreigners around. We walked back to our accommodation in near darkness (no streetlights) and silence (no traffic), and had to laugh as tumbleweed actually blew across the road. This wasn’t the touristy party island I’d imagined at all; it felt local and rural and very traditional.”

Manrique’s legacy

“César Manrique’s vision has tied the whole of Lanzarote together in one really unique, local style, and his house, museum and studio were fascinating places to visit. The raw volcanic landscapes fed into his work, and his work then changed the look of the island, so you get the feeling you are in a giant work of art.”

Health & safety

HEALTH

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) give free emergency treatment at hospitals. The GHIC doesn’t replace travel insurance, which covers non-essential treatment along with emergency repatriation and other costly procedures. Ensure you have comprehensive insurance which covers all the activities you are planning to do. Cool sea breezes and fresh mountain air can be deceiving. Wear plenty of high factor sunscreen, and a sunhat is a must - one that stays on well as Lanzarote can get windy. Lanzarote is brilliant for hiking and biking, but staying hydrated is vital. It is a lot wilder out there than people imagine, with few shops along the way. A hydration backpack is invaluable if you are planning some all day outings. Most of the tap water is desalinated so the taste isn’t great. However, there is no plastic recycling facility on the island so plastic is sent off for recycling. We recommend buying very big bottles of water to refill smaller, reusable ones. Or use a filtering device such as LifeStraw. At time of publishing there were six Blue Flag beaches on Lanzarote, so there is a good level of water cleanliness. If you are going hiking, wear sturdy boots. The landscape is wild, rugged and uneven, and so you don’t want to turn an ankle. Walking poles are a very good idea too.

SAFETY

EHIC / GHIC don't replace travel insurance, which covers non-essential treatment along with emergency repatriation and other costly procedures. Ensure you have comprehensive insurance which covers all the activities you are planning to do. Take note of the universal emergency number: 112. Many beaches outside of the popular resort areas are unguarded, especially outside of peak season. A tip: if there are no local people swimming, you will know that it is not a safe place to swim. Do not enter the water if there is a red flag, undercurrents can be extremely strong. La Famara surf beach can have a rip tide, so beware. If you find yourself in a rip, being taken out to sea and you can’t swim back, don’t panic. Don’t try and swim against it; swim parallel to shore, so that you swim right out of the rip. Venomous jellyfish are rare in Lanzarote and the wider Canary Islands, but they do turn up at times. Keep an eye out for warning signs on the beach. Lanzarote has fantastically low crime rates. Pickpockets may act in very touristy areas around the resorts, however. It is illegal to use a mobile phone when driving in Spain, even if you pull over. Completely hands-free units are permitted. Be wary of drink driving, as with anywhere in the world. Lanzarote is famous for doing ‘morning after’ checks on the roads. Be careful when driving in rural inland areas on the back roads. Many remote roads are unlit and even unpaved, with switchbacks making driving tough. There is a lack of bike lanes on the island and yet a growing number of triathletes training here. So be sure to respect cyclists if you are driving, or be wary if you are on your bike. A spokesperson from British Embassy in Spain explains why you need insurance: “An emergency abroad can be extremely expensive. If you need to be returned to the UK it could cost you thousands, unless you are properly insured. It can cost, for example, £12,000 to £16,000 for an air ambulance from the Canaries. Every year British Consulates see cases of uninsured travelers facing huge bills – make sure you are not one of them.”

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Tips from our travelers in Lanzarote

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Lanzarote travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.

Hire a car to explore the island, there is lots to see, from beaches to the national park, it's well worth it!

– Lila Caballero

“Really relaxed atmosphere in this family-run eco business, far away from the crowds of package tourists. Definitely get the organic food box, it had the most delicious produce.” – Michelle Levene

“This is the best slow travel I have experienced. Highly recommended, if you want to walk, trek, read, write, have great food and surrounded by simple, kind people. An unforgettable vacation where the pace was slow and the locals very kind including the mini market at Punta Mujeres, the hair dresser and folks at Bar Palenka. Make the effort to hang out with the locals, apart from walking along the coast all the way to Jameous Del Aqua and La Cueva de Les Verdes. One can easily do without a car. The buses are reliable. If you enjoy quiet, this is the place for unhurried reflection and watching birds, sun rises and sun sets. The coast was three mins from our villa.” – Priti Patnaik

“It's not a vacation destination for clubbers. If you want a few days relaxation by the sea come to fisherman’s cottage.” – Laura Whelan

“It was wonderful. A beautiful tranquil setting...very special. Lanzarote is staggeringly beautiful & easy to drive around & experience the diverse array of activities & places… Bring ear plugs for the main road (if staying at Finca) or the sea (if staying at Fisherman's cottage) if you are a light sleeper. There are multi-tickets available for the Manrique attractions so you can save lots of money. There is lots of sun cream by the office at Finca, we didn't realise & bought more! Eat at the classy El Mariner in Arrieta. The hens lay eggs late morning but if you don't find any, there are lots of duck eggs available in the shed at the end.” – Georgina Tongue

“Get up early if you want to go the National Park. It is well worth the effort but the traffic queues were enormous by mid-morning.” – Kate McNab

“Hire a car to explore the island, there is lots to see, from beaches to the national park, it's well worth it!” – Lila Caballero