History
Lanzarote is thought to be named after the sailor, Lancelotto from Genoa. The explorer landed on the island in 1312 and was welcomed by the Gaunches. This led to other countries visiting the islands and it wasn’t long before the Spanish and Portuguese started to raid the islands for its riches. In 1404, Juan Bethencourt of Spain conquered Lanzarote and four years later, he went on to conquer the island of Fuerteventura. It would be many years before the Spanish conquered all of the Canary Islands.
In 1730 a series of devastating volcanic eruptions began which would last for six years. The area now known as Timanfaya National Park was subjected to 25 volcanoes erupting at regular intervals and devastating the local farm land. To this day, the area is now ‘dead’ with dried lava and black rock taking the place of once, fertile land. Farming was already difficult on the island as Lanzarote was thought to be drier than the Sahara desert and extremely windy. The volcanic picon rock did, however, help agriculture as it soaked up moisture in the air and reduced the frequency of irrigation required. The early 1900s saw the island’s economy boom with salt being exported all over the world. The main exports are now onions and red food dye. Cochineal beetles are found all over the island and it is from these that the dye is extracted.
The island has been popular with tourists since the early 1900s. There is very little rain and temperatures are warmer in the winter months than in any of the mainland Spanish resorts. Local authorities keep a tight control on development, insisting all house are painted white and doors and window frames are painted one of two shades of green.
Population
There are just over 140,000 permanent residents living on the island of Lanzarote. The area of Yaiza, which includes the resort of Playa Blanca, has seen the highest population growth during the last decade, with a 7% increase. Costa Teguise was second with an increase of 3.3%. Around a third of those living permanently on the island are foreigners from nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Holland. The island remains very popular amongst retirees all over Europe.
Places to Visit
Timanfaya National Park – The park covers and area of 51 square kilometres and can be found in the south-wast of the island. The area was subjected to a series of major volcanic eruptions in the 18th century and features the well-known volcanoes La Montana de Fuego and la Caldera del Corazoncillo. There is still a significant amount of volcanic activity on the island with temperatures on the volcano surfaces reaching 120C!
Fundacion Cesar Manrique – This is the home to many of the works of the famous artist it takes its name from, as well as other prominent Spanish artists.
Jameos del Agua - A giant volcanic tube that stretches to the sea. The tube was converted to a visitor attraction by the artist, Cesar Manrique in 1968. There is a concert cave along the stretch of the tunnel that offers fantastic acoustics for orchestras.
El Golfo – This is a fantastic example of what can occur with volcanic activity at low altitudes. A lake was formed from sea water left behind after an eruption. The lake is now a bright green colour, due to the green algae now living in the water.
Mirador del Rio – This is a viewing point, constructed by famous Lanzarote artist, Cesar Manrique. The location offers the most breathtaking views anywhere in the Canary Islands and on clear days, the island of La Graciosa is clearly visible.
Cueva de los Verdes – The cave gave shelter to the indigenous Guanches during the raids of the Spanish and Portuguese during the 14th and 15th centuries.
Cactus Garden – There are several species of cactus available to view in the garden, all cultivated in volcanic stone. The stone naturally draws in moisture and provides a year round water supply for the plants.
Teguise – This is the historic area of Lanzarote and has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It’s a great place to stroll and browse local shops, admire the quaint buildings and stop for a bite to eat.
Cuisine
The traditional cuisine of Lanzarote is much the same as the rest of the Canary Islands and draws from Spanish, Latin American and African influences. An authentic Canarian restaurant will normally be dominated by a few grilled fish dishes, stews and soups. The cuisine relies heavily on the freshest of vegetables and meals tend to be light. Gofio is an old Canarian flour bread that is made from cereals and is often used as a substitute for standard breads.
Papas Arrugadas is a very well-known dish on Lanzarote and consists of potatoes, first salted, then boiled in their skins. Mojo picon is a local sauce which is spicy and is used in many of the island’s fish dishes. Caldereta and Sancocho Canario are salted fish dishes using the famous mojo sauces. The vegetarian dish of Potaje de Berros is a sort of chickpea hot pot and is one of the island’s specialities. One of Lanzarote’s most famous desserts is bienmesabe which consists of almonds, cream, eggs, honey and rum. There are also some fantastic, locally produced goat’s cheeses to enjoy all over the island.
Lanzarote’s largest industry is tourism and the island has a wealth of choice when it comes to eating out. There are several British, Italian and fast –food style restaurants situated in the main resorts as well as many high quality tapas bars to choose from.
Accommodation
There are several beautiful resorts to choose from in Lanzarote. Despite the extensive choices of hotels, apartments and villas, the island’s planning regulations have stopped the extensive developments that have blighted some of the mainland’s coastlines. Playa Blanca is suited to both families and couples who are looking for a quiet holiday. There is some construction still happening in some parts of the resort so it is important to check with a tour operator before choosing a hotel or apartment.
For those looking for a slightly more lively holiday, Puerto del Carmen will be the ideal place to stay. This is the largest and oldest resort on the island and has a good selection of bars, restaurants and evening entertainment. Los Mojones is only a fifteen minute walk from the sea and is home to several villas available to rent. There are a number of hotels and apartments nearer the coast which offer pools, restaurants, bars, 24 hour lobbies and various guest services. Costa Teguise is close by and offers a quiet and secluded holiday with an adequate selection of restaurants bars. However, the resort is purpose-built and lacks the traditional Spanish charm of some of the other resorts.
Weather
Lanzarote is the closest of all the Canaries to the coast of Africa. It is particularly popular in the winter months as temperatures are usually still very warm with lots of blue skies and very little rain. The relatively low lying resorts make it generally hotter and drier than the other major Canary Islands. Temperatures in winter very rarely drop below 15C through day and can often reach the 20Cs. Spring is also a very popular time to travel to the island with average temperatures in March and April of around 24C. Spring is also extremely dry with usually only two or three days of rain per month. Visitors can also expect to see at least 8 hours of sun in the spring months. Summer is hot and temperatures average around 32C in the July and August. It is not uncommon for temperatures to reach 40C and this can sometimes be masked by the strong breezes that sweep over the island.
Transport
There is a limited bus service from Arrecife airport to the town but there are no shuttle services to the other resorts. Unless a bus transfer is included with the holiday, it is best to get a taxi into the resorts as using the public bus service may include at least two changes. Bus services between the resorts are limited and if travelling in a group, a taxi may be more economical. Not all drivers speak English however, so extra care must be taken to ensure the driver understands the request. Rental cars are available to explore the island as well as mopeds – as long as a driving licence can be produced.
