LANZAROTE, Canary Islands

Cactus blossom

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Jameos del Agua

Jameos del Agua

Canary Islands are situated in the Atlantic Ocean, nearer to Africa than Europe. Though they almost face Morocco, they are a part of Spain tough and a few hours of flight from European airports. There are seven of Canarias, as they are known, and they are all volcanic origin. This is a perfect weekly escape when you need a break and you can travel there any time of the year. They sort of have a perpetual spring. Lanzarote is the third largest, which means, you can easily explore it in a week time.

The climate there is truly great and there are no major differences between months, it is warm all year round, which basically means there is no cold, snow, very little rain, but lots of wind. Situated in the middle of Atlantic also means, they receive sand from the winds from Africa and also, that the sea is never too warm or rather a bit cold (differs on a taste of course). But the islands offer many opportunities to support the choice of visiting.

LANZAROTE

Beach

Beach

The cities on Lanzarote are not big, the capital is Arrecife, but other than the ancient castle there is really not much to see. Very interesting part of the island is the northern part, where you can have magnificent views on the surrounding islets from Mirador del Rio. While you are there, you can visit the lava caves, which are called Green caves as they in a part have greenish color. There are some quite nice villages on the way and you can visit the Aloe Vera museum. These islands are perfect for growing aloe plants or better cactuses. You can buy there pure Aloe Vera products and they are really good, plus if the sun gets you, this is a perfect solutions for your skin. But something of a kind are by all means Jameos del Agua. This is magnificent place to visit. It was volcanically shaped and it contains an internal lake, lots of trees and flowers, basically only natural elements. This is a work done by César Manrique and it is a display of connection between art and nature.

Salines

Salines

Due to the climate, there are not many plants, and due to volcanic activities in the past, there is practically no life on the south-western part of the island. There you can see a sort of moon landscape, since not enough time has elapsed to allow plants to grow. National park Timanfaya is a place where you enter and visit this strange land. On the way there, you should pay a visit to El Golfo. This is a unique beach, with small green lake left on the beach, which is black by the way. Very nice to see are also cliffs by the sea. There is a path, which leads you just beside a steep cliffs, Los Hervideros, where you can enjoy the top view to the ocean, hear tumbling water below and feel the salt drops in the air.

When moving around the island, you can see how they mastered the harsh climate and managed to grow vines. They use volcanic stones to protect the vines and beside security for the plat, it also looks beautiful. And on the southern part there are many long and empty sandy beaches, some of which have easy access and some a bit more demanding. Roads are generally very good on Lanzarote, wide and empty, since not many people live on the islands and the traffic is sparse.

Aloe plant

Aloe plant

Besides all that, you can visit cactus garden, climb a crater, go hiking (they do have hiking trails), surfing, kite surfing, take a boat trip or whale watching trip if the season is right and much more. There are numerous local markets which I would highly recommend to visit, since they are very interesting and lively. You can taste their wine there or local food or just enjoy the atmosphere. If the Lanzarote Island feels too small for you, you can easily hop to neighboring Fuerteventura, which is only half an hour drive by speedboat away. Enjoy the wind in your hair.

Windmill

Windmill

 





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