Isla de Lanzarote Off The Beaten Path

We found this delightful beach, at the end of our bus trip to the southernmost tip of the island.
Will add the name when I remember it!
I love getting away from it all and this place certainly fulfilled that desire.We left all the throngs of people, fighting for a place on the main beach of Puerto del carmen, had a wonderful bus trip, then found this!

Also called Castillo de San Jose.

Ceser Manrique waved a magic wand over the castle and it is now an exhibition area for modern art (Picasso, Miro etc) and an upmarket restaurant/coffee bar

The building dates from 1776 when the King of Spain ordered it to be built even though island was suffering volcanic eruptions and much of the island was starving.

Gallery Open daily 11.00-21.00
Free entrance to explore the castle and view artworks

Restaraunt open 13.00-15.45 & 20.00-23.30

La Geria is the winegrowing region on Lanzarote. The grape vines are planted into small dents in the ground and protected against the wind by small round stone walls.

The wine-growers use a lava granule for the irrigation of the plants. The poros stones store the moisture during the night and give it to the roots of the grape vines. This unique method allows to grow wine in this arid region without carrying water to the vineyards.

Another effect is the picturesque landscape that arises from this agricultural method and the contrast of the green plants against the black soil. When I visited the plants were still small however.

On the road through the area you'll find several wineries where you can taste the wine and buy it.

Directions:
La Geria is located between the villages Mozaga and Yaiza.

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There are three ways to discover Timanfaya: by bus, on camel and by foot. The first and second are well known but not many tourists know that it is possible to walk in Timanfaya. Yes, it is possible!

Mancha Blanсa Visitor and Interpretative Center organizes walking tours in Timanfaya Volcano Park. Three times a week in two small groups of 8 people each. Access to the park is only allowed with guide from the center. The tour starts and ends in the Center. And it is completely free. Surely, one has to book it way in advance. I recommend to call at least two months in advance by phone +34 928 840 839 (from 9 to 17 of local time) and book you a wonderful trip.

The path is very easy but sun can be strong - take plenty of water and a hat.

http://reddeparquesnacionales.mma.es/parques/timanfaya/pdf/timan_folleto.pdf - on the map the path is marked by green line and named Ruta Tremisana.

Another path - along ocean - is available in any time but it is very long and not so interesting since volcanos are quite away.

If you missed the opportunity to book the trip in advance, you can buy a tour from Canary Trekking Lanzarote http://www.canarytrekking.com/ruta1.asp?lang=ing - it is not in Timanfaya but near it and I was told that it is also good and the guide use to work in the Visitor Center before.

The town of Teguise was the former capital of Lanzarote before Arrecife. This town isn't located at the coast so you'll find no tourist resort there. In its streets you find the typical atmosphere of a indigenous town.

Every sunday there is a market in the streets of Teguise. Unless you are interested in shopping you should visit Teguise on another day to get the original atmosphere of this normally calm town.

Directions
Teguise is located in the center of the island, about 15 km north of Arrecife

This five hour walk along the cliffs and to Famara beach is mentioned in some walking books.

When doing the walk in December 2004 I found much of the cliff face had broken away in the previous months rains storms. The walk is now treacherous and not recommended. There are no warning signs anywhere, and you risk falling straight into the sea if you attempt it and lost your footing.

In 2005 two local people were airlifted off the cliff, one was dead on arrival at the hospital.

Haria is a small town in the northern part of Lanzarote. It is not so touristy as it is not at the coast and doesn't offer great attractions.

But if you pass it (maybe on your way to the nearby Mirador del Rio) make a stop. Walk through the streets of this town and have a drink in one of the bars.

The area around the town is known for the lots of palmtrees and therefore called "valley of the thousand palms". I haven't counted the trees but it's an impressive number.

Directions:
Haria is located in the northermost part of the island - halfway between Teguise and the viewpoint Mirador del Rio.

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I found this crater usin the Google Maps (flying and/or satllite pictures): big hole in the lava ground north of Timanafaya. The trekking trip was planned.

First part of expedition led off the ground road between lava rocks: beige ribbon between black stones. How they did it in this inhospitable landscape?

After driving several km by the very dusty road I stopped the car and started walking uphill. The path was not too difficult. From the top I saw the big hole about 500-750 meters wide. The view was magnificent. The difference between crater's top and bottom is over 300 meteres, so this also good - coast and the mountains - point of view. How it looked like during the explosion - I was thinking? Wow!!

Unfortunately after 30 minutes rainy clouds covered the earth and the storm forced me to go back.

Going to Caldera you have to find the road from the town of Tinajo towards western coast. Drive about 4-5 km (road is not bed, first part asphalted) and turn left towards the house called Casas de Islote - you will see it on the horizon just before Caldera slopes. Park car near the house and go about 0,5 km by the ground road to the small crossroads from where pathway is climbing to the top of Caldera.

Good luck and amazing views :)